Essay On Police Shootings

Police Shootings Are Getting Out of Control “Police killings are beginning to get out of control”, is what many people are saying. We shouldn’t have to say that, in fact, it shouldn’t be something that is happening in the first place. Whether it was justified, or not, things need to change. There are too many unjustified police shootings. Something needs to be done. We can’t just sit here, waiting for another shooting. I feel like these officers need to be brought to justice.
I’m taking the position of the people. I say that because as a country we need to stand together as people. Put aside race, gender, age, we need to stand up to the law enforcement. The prosecutors are not doing anything. In 2015 there were 1140 people killed by law enforcement in the US. Some justified, but a lot unjustified. Over the past decade, only 54 officers have been prosecuted, a lot of them with very little of a sentence. Then the biggest problem is that, based on statistics, these shoots are very race motivated. The cases those 54 officers convicted were involved in seem to be very
race oriented. With 80% white police shooters, and 68% black victims. A lot of the officers get very little sentences, then are released early because of probation. These officers say they were defending themselves, or that they meant to grab a Taser. By saying that they can just get off the hook for murder? As U.S citizens we need to stand up for each other, we can’t just be stomped down like this.
Fruitvale Station was a film made in the memory of Oscar Grant.
It was about his last hours on earth before he was shot by Officer Johannes Mehserle on January 1st, 2009. He had been in a fight on the subway that night. The responding officers pulled Oscar and his associates off the train and had them sit against the wall. Things began to escalate when the officer would not tell Grant why they were holding him. They laid him down face first then shot him in the back. The officer was charged with Second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, and gun enhancement. He went to trial and was only convicted of involuntary manslaughter. Grant’s father attempted to sue the police department but was denied. Grant's mother and daughter were settled for $2.8 million. The officer was released on probation not long after. This is a fine example of what is happening to our innocent
citizens.
There was a shooting in Salt Lake City last year, the killing of James Barker. He was asking to shovel people driveway for a little extra cash. Then someone called 911 on him, saying they saw a suspicious person. The officer said when he approached barker, things got heated. Barker pushed the cop with his snow shovel, and the cop shot him 3 times. It was legally justified. Now there is new evidence that suggests Barker was shot while on the ground, like Oscar Grant. How is this okay at all? For a man to lose is life over a push? Police officers have Tasers, who aren’t they using them?
We shouldn’t be afraid of those who are there to protect and serve. Police shouldn’t be hurting the people, whether their white, black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good police officers, but there are also a lot of corrupt ones. It’s not just shootings, there are people beat by the police, there are people who are falsely arrested, a lot of issues. It is an issue that involves everyone in the U.S no matter who you are. So please, stand up, don’t stay quiet.