Police Brutality Essay

Police brutality has been a controversial and divisive issue in the United States for decades, sparking intense debate and calls for reform. Police brutality is “the use of excessive force by police on citizens when such force is unnecessary. Unjust shootings, severe beatings, intimidation, verbal abuse, and psychological as well as physical coercion are some of its most common forms.” From the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor to the ongoing protests and activism, the issue of police brutality has dominated headlines and sparked widespread outrage. The urgency of these issues demands that we take a closer look at the root causes of police brutality and seek for possible solutions to bring about meaningful change.
Police brutality has

Law enforcement has targeted African Americans throughout history, and “this targeting led to the incarceration, imprisonment, chain gangs, prison farms and other correctional facilities for tens of thousands of African American men, women, and children.” It highlights a long-standing racial bias and discrimination issue in the criminal justice and police system. This has contributed to the disproportionate targeting, arrest, and incarceration of African Americans in the United States because of the unjust system. Police system reform aims to address and rectify such biases and improve police practices, policies, and training to prevent police brutality and other forms of excessive force. Re-evaluating and reforming policing practices can help to reduce racial disparities, increase transparency and accountability, and promote more effective community policing. Implementing policies that require police officers to receive adequate training in areas such as de-escalation techniques, implicit bias, and nonviolent conflict resolution, and ensuring that police officers are held accountable for any misconduct or excessive use of force through independent oversight and investigation are important steps in police system

As one council member stated, "Congress would rather talk about crime than curb it." This sentiment is echoed in Carl Rowan's assertion that "'Crime is a great debating point when they play racial politics, which is about all some Congressmen do.'" This highlights the political nature of discussions around crime and criminal justice. It suggests that some politicians may use crime as a political tool to gain support or to divide communities along racial lines. Police system reform also addresses these political dynamics by focusing on evidence-based policies and practices prioritizing public safety and community well-being over political gain. This includes implementing policies that require police officers to receive adequate training in areas such as de-escalation techniques, implicit bias, and nonviolent conflict resolution. It also involves ensuring that police officers are held accountable for misconduct or excessive use of force through independent oversight and