Police Force Case Study
Police officers are permitted to use deadly force while in the field if it is in defense of self and others. Recently the media has focused in on the police’s use of deadly force on African-Americans. Some high profile cases involve those of Walter Scott and Michael Brown. These are both cases in which police officers used deadly force on African-American males where both suspects were unarmed. Scott was killed by a police officer after being stopped while driving his car. Scott flies the car as the officer goes to check his licence. Scott gets chased by the officer into a lot behind a pawn shop. At this point a video gets taken by a man who is walking by. The video show a rather quick scuffle between Scott and the officer. In the
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Garner was killed by a police officer after the officer used a chokehold that was previously banned by New York to subdue Garner. A video was taken of the encounter. Officers are attempting to arrest Garner for illegally selling loose cigarettes. Garner argues with the officers and when the officers try to place handcuffs on him he resists. One officer then without warning puts Garner into a chokehold. At this point Garner can be heard yelling “I can’t breath”. After the action stops Garner is left on the ground in handcuffs not breathing for several minutes. Garner would die as a result (Stanton). Garner’s case questions whether or not the officer used excessive force. In 1993 the New York City Police Department placed a ban on all chokeholds (Fisher). This case clearly shows an abuse of power, excess force, and homicide. The force the officer used to subdue Garner was unnecessary and excessive. It is hard to not believe that had Garner been white the white police officer would not have used as much force. The force was blatantly unnecessary and would not have occurred if it was not for the race of Garner. The cops did use excessive force, but the officers were attempting to do their job. Officers were told to crack down on the illegal distribution of loose cigarettes just days before Garner was killed. The officers were attempting to uphold the
Garner was killed by a police officer after the officer used a chokehold that was previously banned by New York to subdue Garner. A video was taken of the encounter. Officers are attempting to arrest Garner for illegally selling loose cigarettes. Garner argues with the officers and when the officers try to place handcuffs on him he resists. One officer then without warning puts Garner into a chokehold. At this point Garner can be heard yelling “I can’t breath”. After the action stops Garner is left on the ground in handcuffs not breathing for several minutes. Garner would die as a result (Stanton). Garner’s case questions whether or not the officer used excessive force. In 1993 the New York City Police Department placed a ban on all chokeholds (Fisher). This case clearly shows an abuse of power, excess force, and homicide. The force the officer used to subdue Garner was unnecessary and excessive. It is hard to not believe that had Garner been white the white police officer would not have used as much force. The force was blatantly unnecessary and would not have occurred if it was not for the race of Garner. The cops did use excessive force, but the officers were attempting to do their job. Officers were told to crack down on the illegal distribution of loose cigarettes just days before Garner was killed. The officers were attempting to uphold the