Essay on Ethical Deviance: The LAPD and Los Angeles Riots

Though sparked by the Rodney King verdict, there were many other causes of the riots that erupted on the streets of Los Angeles on April 29, 1992. The Los Angeles riots in 1992 were devastating. The obvious issue portrayed through the media was black versus white. If you did not live in Los Angeles or California chances are you did not hear full coverage of the story, you heard a simple cut and dry portrayal of the events in South Central. If you heard one thing about the riots, it was that there was a man named Rodney King and he was a black male beaten with excessive force by four white Los Angeles police officers on Los Angeles concrete. The media portrayed the riots as black rage on the streets due to the

Throughout police history in the United States and around the world there have been numerous incidents of reported police brutality and other forms of corruption including taking bribes, theft, sexual deviance, and many more. In our present time corruption has decreased significantly from what it once was decades ago but still exists. One of the most publicized cases of police brutality, if not the most, was the beating of Rodney King. Most people have heard about the case and seen the video of the brutal beating that took place in Los Angeles on the night of March 2, 1991. The video shown to the public contained officers appearing to beat Mr. King while he is on the ground while

In recent years and in light of recent tragedies, police actions, specifically police brutality, has come into view of a large, public and rather critical eye. The power to take life rests in the final stage of the criminal justice system. However, the controversy lies where due process does not. While the use of deadly force is defined and limited by departmental policies, it remains an act guided chiefly by the judgment of individual officers in pressure situations. (Goldkamp 1976, 169). Many current studies have emphasized the racial disparities in minority deaths, primarily black Americans, killed by police through means of deadly force. The history of occurrences reveals the forlorn truth that police reforms only receive attention in wake of highly publicized episodes of police misconduct. The notorious 1992 Los Angeles riots brought the matter to mass public attention and prompted improved law enforcement policy. Significant local reforms resulted, for instance, ending the policy of lifetime terms for police chiefs. Additionally, on a broader platform, in 1994, Congress approved provisions to the Crime Control Act in effort to tackle police abuse in a more structured way.

The shooting of Michael Brown started a nationwide protest against police brutality. People protested in the streets of Ferguson and were met with heavily armed, ordinary policeman who resembled the military instead. Countless of pictures were posted on social media and the issue of Police Militarization rekindled. Every picture captured the same message and was a rude awakening of this misuse in power. This misuse of power was illustrated with guns being pointed at civilians, primarily African Americans, who posed no threat. Yet, the policemen were dressed up as if they were about to assault these unarmed black men and women.

If we exam the case of the Rodney King beating that occurred in the early 90’s. Clear video footage was seen and any person with or without knowledge of law would determine things were handled in extremely unprofessional and unjust ways. In today’s society, the fear of repeating unjust ways and acts against unruly citizens or any targeted person,

The issue of police brutality in America has produced a series of moments where the individual motives and individual protests take a front seat in our conscious, but there is a lack of awareness of this crippling embodiment of fear among people all over the nation. We can no longer afford to buy into the misconception that these instances of civil disorder and un-readiness are about discrete cases. Nor is it merely about their detailed nature as prescribed by the law. The system of justice, in and of itself, is under intense examination. The ethnic devices are produced speak to the fact that our nation’s current system is currently under questioning. America as a whole is under an intense phase of cross-examination. We are in a new period

After the disturbing video of King and the 4 police officers was shown to the public by news stations across the country, some were shocked, others were just not surprised at all. The ones who weren't shocked were the minorities living in parts of L.A especially the black community south Los Angeles. According to Bernard Parks, An African-American Los Angeles police officer who was present during the acquittal and the riots stated in an interview , “This particular piece of video validated in thousand of people minds that this has been going on for a long time. It validated that this is how the police treats the community, particularly the black community” (Morris, “LA riots : How 1992 changed the police”) . Not only did the infamous video

At an early age, we are all taught the difference between right and wrong. We are told to treat others the way that we would like to be treated and to follow the Golden Rule. The nineties played a pivitol role in shaping our views of race and police. After decades of various peace and equality movements, the progress made was shortly lived after the LA riots. These riots were the aftermath of the Rodney King's trial, a result of excessive force and police brutality. The police who used their badge to unleash violence on an unarmed man, were subsequently discharged with no punishment. This sparked out rage in not only LA but across the United States. Young minds are easy to influence, and if the LA riots taught us anything is that people don't

After a three-month long trial, a predominantly white jury acquitted the officers involved in his death. Because of this, citizens were infuriated, sparking the violent 1992 Los Angeles riots. Protestors in South-Central Los Angeles had freeway traffic blocked, were beating motorists, they wrecked and vandalized numerous downtown stores and buildings, and having set more than 100 fires. A white male was dragged out of his truck and nearly beaten half to death by three African-American males. The riots went on to last three longsome days in which the riots had killed more than 60 people, injured almost 2,000, led to 7,000 arrests and caused nearly $1 billion in property damage. What started off as a peaceful protest, ended up taking a turn for the worst, for “A riot is the voice of an unheard”, (Ali 4). These riots will continue to occur if a change isn’t made or nothing is being made to contribute to these reoccurring predicaments. People were so frustrated of constantly being ignored and ridiculed by police, they believed that with these riots, they wouldn’t be allowed to be “ignored no more” (Nanjuma Smith

In March of 1991, Rodney King’s life changed forever. He was pulled over by the LAPD after a high-speed chase late at night. The police then used force, pulled him out of his car and brutally beat him with deadly weapons. “However, after a three-month trial, a predominantly white jury acquitted the officers, inflaming citizens and sparking the violent 1992 Los Angeles riots.” (Rodney King Biography). This was a huge social topic in the 1990’s and still is today. After this incidence is affected his life tremendously. He had problems with other charges and offences following

Police abusing their power is certainly not a recent issue, and public outrage over such cases is most definitely not a recent development. On March 3, 1993, four police officers were filmed beating Rodney King, an unarmed black 25 year old, resulting in a broken leg and multiple bruises (Adams). All four officers were acquitted of the beating by a predominantly white jury in April of 1992 (Adams). Once the word got out, the city of Los Angeles was consumed by a devastating riot that lasted three days (Adams). As a result of the riot, 55 people died and over 2000 were injured (Adams). This example proves that the issue of

The police let their powers corrupt on one fateful night. On march 3 1991 Rodney King a black motorist was driving home when he led highway patrol on a high speed chase. ¨Rodney King was beaten on march 3 1991 and filmed by onlooker George Holliday, who sold the footage to a local news company .¨(Rodney King Case and the Los Angeles Riot.).the police would claim that he was resisting arrest and driving under the influence, but that doesn't explain the beating. After months the trial would be moved to Simi Valley a mainly white suburb due to widespread publicity. The charges were

In response to the verdict handed out on April 29th in regard to the Rodney King trial, Los Angeles burst into flames. Seeing the city erupt into utter chaos was a very eye opening experience for many people who were not aware of the injustice and cruelty that was occurring right under their noses, every day. Los Angeles’ violent response to the acquittal of the officers who beat Rodney King was a learning experience for all people because it altered many people’s perception of the system. This change in perception was only possible because the residents of Los Angeles were finally willing take stronger action and speak up for something that was unfair; in this case, they spoke out in the form of riots. Through the tragic events prior to and

Rodney King. Trayvon Martin. Looking at where we are today after the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, it can feel like nothing has changed in the way we police the police.Many things haven’t. Juries acquitted police. Cops got their jobs back. And brutality happened again.Some things have gotten worse. Like police militarization.But some things have gotten better, or are still moving toward reform in the wake of a prominent brutality incident. A history of these incidents reveals that some major recent police reforms got their start after highly publicized episodes of police violence. But it was only after years or decades and dogged, persistent community-building that some progress started to manifest.

Throughout history there has been a slew of events that have led up to the anger and uprising of people in the United States. One occasion that inspired one of those events took place in Watts, Los Angeles in 1965 when two young black males by the names of Marquette and Donald Frye were targeted by police after a night of celebrating Donald’s discharge from the Air Force (Murch 37). Those around the community came to their defense because they felt the siblings were profiled because of the area in which they lived. What would follow were the “Watts Riots” which quickly spiraled out of control and the outcome would be disastrous. Another event occurred on March 3rd, 1991 in the city of Los Angeles, and would famously become known as the “Rodney King Beating.” It should be fairly easy to prosecute someone who is blatantly caught on camera committing a vicious crime right? Unfortunately that would not turn out to be the case in the King melee. As a result, people became enraged and they made sure their frustration was noticed. The actions of the people protesting was dubbed as the “LA RIOTS.” Individuals around the Los Angeles area went out on the streets and displayed their displeasure of the acquittal of the police officers who beat Rodney King to a pulp. Shortly after a controversial song titled “April 29, 1992” was released by the band Sublime. The song was in response to all the police abuse and injustice that people have endured through