Police Officers Stereotypes

It seems that the time of cutting specific things out of my life has come around, certain reasons have gave me reason to believe that it is a need not a want, and this is not a plea but a declaration. I want to cut off all friends that destroy dreams by smoking, drinking, and making bad choices in general. There is no benefit or good reason to keep them around if they’re just going to hold me back. In that case I’d also like to declare that I will be leaving my neighborhood. So I can get away from all those friends but also just take away the risk of being in trouble or being killed.

The documentary Sister Rose’s Passion, explains how Sr. Rose Thering took a stand against bigotry and prejudice towards the Jewish people. Throughout the documentary, she recounts her experiences of growing up and going to Catholic school. In school Sister Rose was taught that the Jews killed Christ, however, she believed that this was a mistake and a misunderstanding. Today bigotry and prejudice are conveyed through bullying and stereotypes.

Stereotypes have been around for decades, and are still prominent today. In today’s society, everybody stereotypes one another, but will not admit that they do. Stereotypes can either be positive or negative. Usually stereotypes are used in a negative approach and can be degrading to an individual. Misconceptions are also used by individuals and can be harmful and unreasonable. Misconceptions are usually formed from having stereotypes. Everybody has a stereotype that is associated with them, whether they like it or not. Male probation officers are a group that is misunderstood to society. They have multiple stereotypes and misconceptions that are associated with them; theses associations are made up by the offenders

Despite training to avoid discrimination, officers may still rely on cultural stereotypes and act on their perceptions of a person 's characteristics (such as age, race or gender)” (National Institute of Justice, 2013).

Numerous videos and pictures floods the social media world like Facebook and Twitter everyday showing police officers abusing their power. This is not something new anymore and this is an ongoing problem that our Criminal Justice system in the United States has to focus on. The major scandal that happened in Los Angeles Men’s Central jail that involves 18 Los Angeles County Sheriff officers changed how the public looks at the police officers when they are inside of jail using their power and no one is looking. Integrity is one of the qualities that can be found in the police officers. If one officer have this quality it will prevent them doing abuse, misconduct or corruption. In this case the police integrity is questioned inside the walls of Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, CA. The ones that does the misconduct are often referred to as the bad apples. The scandal does not only involved one but 18 police officials, this must have start from one police officer doing a little misconduct and continues to spread that caused them to get involved in one of the biggest scandal that happened in Criminal Justice history in United States. Are the police officers only protecting the public and doing their duties when they are being seen by the public eye? Behind close doors when the abuse and misconduct is being tolerated and covered up by the high officials, what kind of police integrity they still

For this assignment, I chose stone catchers. I had the opportunity to interview Warsaw’s chief of Police Scott Whitaker. This experience was very informative. Chief Whitaker and the entire police department conveyed a strong sense of community. Scott told me that his experience in the community of Warsaw was very rewording (Whitaker).

“Stereotypes, they 're sensual, cultural weapons. That 's the way that we attack people. At an artistic level, stereotypes are terrible writing.” - Junot Díaz, an American-Dominican author. Stereotypes have the ability to make or break an image of any one person who fits the requirements of any single stereotype. In “Just Walk on By” by Brent Staples, Staples writes about his experiences as he tries to overcome the negative stereotype he is perceived to be as a black man in Chicago. Throughout the writing, it is evident that stereotypes heavily impact the way people in society view others although Staples shows how he overcomes the obstacle despite the disprovement of society.

Is there really justice in America? Where is the justice for all the victims of police brutality? Why are the police officers always getting off easy for doing unjust actions towards blacks? Where is the justice for Rodney King, Alton Sterling, Michael Brown Jr., Eric Garner, Sean Bell, Tamir Rice? Those are just some of the victims who have died in the hands of officers from being beaten or shot to death for minor crimes or just being a person of color. The reasoning to my questions is that we always find excuses for police officers for their unjust actions.

All throughout America, individuals are taught at a young age that police officers are always the “good guys.” Police officers are painted to be trustworthy, honorable, and advocates of justice. This idea is often displayed in the media through television shows, movies, and news specials. For some, this idea still holds truth, however there are many, particularly individuals of color, whom would quickly disagree. Numerous persons of color have been subjected to racial profiling by officers resulting in stops, searches, and false accusation of crimes. In the Coloradoan’s article entitled, “Profiling happens right here in Fort Collins,” Steven Rodriguez expresses his frustrations and personal experiences with being racial profiled by police officers

Racial stereotypes are one of the biggest problems American of all ethnicities face. With social networking and exceptional new coverage just about everything is covered pertaining to social problems is always in some form racially motivated stemming from a racial stereotype. Ranging from police shootings, violent encounters between citizens and transgender confusion. Unfortunately, all caused by the same problem. In essence, a way of life most might say all over the world. One of the main causes of this is the bias media coverage containing racial events. People all over the world are affected not just Americans. It's selfish that this has to be an issue people face everyday. Many lives have been destroyed or compromised in the cross-fire of this negativity.

Within the past century, America has changed greatly in regards to the aspect of racism. Even though there are still some issues with this subject today, we have come a long way from what we once were. In Brent Staples’s writing, Black Men and Public Space, he describes his life as a young black man living in a world where many people still have very negative views toward people of his race. The situations he tells about lead the reader to come to the conclusion that racism is a very real thing, especially in the time this piece was written. I think the claim Staples is trying to make is that all black men are viewed by people as dangerous and threatening, but in reality, not all black men live a life of crime.

Both individual officers and law enforcement agencies should be held to account for their actions. Accountability includes both what the police do and how they perform. According to Petter Gottschalk Agency-level accountability involves the performance of law enforcement agencies with respect to controlling crime, disorder, and providing services to the public. (Petter Gottschalk).

Racism is an evil act that can destroy a society. The U.S is a nation of immigrants and, as such, it is a diverse society where racism has no place. In the past few years police officers in America have been discriminating against the black community. Police officers are meant to protect the public, not cause further damage and stress. They use over excessive force towards black people, target minorities and abuse their power.

Hey Sammi, I agree with your perspective of racism. I like how you gave an example of the portrayal of police officers in other states and the shootings of African Americans. It’s unfortunate that police officers would open fire even if the person is unarmed. Your statement of how people are judged within 10 seconds of the meeting is quite accurate, because I’ve heard things from people about others from the first time they meet someone. It is nice knowing how in the Bay Area there aren 't much racial discrimination occurring, because all the cultures has came together and merged.

In today’s society, individuals and groups are labeled with either positive or negative stereotypes. People encounter stereotypes everyday and everywhere. It is the picture people paint in their minds when approaching a group or individual when in fact it may be different in reality. Stereotypes affect a person’s way of living and thinking either in a negative or positive way. Stereotypes are based on truth but in an exaggerated way, while misconceptions are formed from having stereotypes. Misconceptions are beliefs that are incorrect based on untruths. Stereotypes are a widely believed image of a particular group or person. One of the many reasons why people create or have stereotypes is because of what is being portrayed on movies and shows.