Police Authority vs Individual Rights

What is police misconduct? It can be defined as any action performed by a law enforcement officer that is unethical by established employment guidelines, unconstitutional, or a crime with in itself. When people hear the term “police misconduct” they automatically think of a police officer using unnecessary force against a civilian. While that is a form of police misconduct it is not only form. Throughout this paper I will bring light to the many types of police misconduct that can happen in the law enforcement industry.

Police officers are a sign of protection, safety and justice. Their presence around a community is to help establish the feeling that the community is under watch all the time, helping some feel at ease, while making others feel tension and hatred. The past activities of a police force have left everlasting impressions in some people’s minds, making them feel that the police is out to get them, not help them, then pushing these feeling of animosity onto the next generation. This type of behavior is a continuous chain reactions, making the police out to be the bad guys, making the police work harder to prove that the past does not define the present or the future.

When debating the issue of police use of force, the issue of what actions constitute too much force must also be addressed. Another concern is the possibility of corruption amount officers. When given such great power, the probability of corruption is high. Officers generally do not start out as corrupt, but years of work on the force can create animosity between officers and suspects and lead them to decide to use force more quickly (McEwen, 1996). Many times, officers patrol the streets alone which creates the opportunity for potential abuse of power (McEwen, 1996). Although police officers need to be permitted to exercise some discretion, they also need limits and guidelines to follow when using their powers of discretion (Manning, 1997). The decision to use force should not be taken lightly in that citizen’s lives are at stake. Police should be allowed discretion in decisions to use force; however, this discretion should be limited. In several cases in Arizona, officers have used deadly means of force. In all cases, the officers

    The nature of police work can be one of stress and long, hard working hours in which police officers deal with many types of situations that endanger themselves and their fellow officers. The fact that many people do not trust, appreciate, or support the police department is a terrible result of the public being taught to hate them. They do not like the police presence and the authority that the police have over them. Once a police officer shoots a suspect who more than likely deserved it due to the intent of harming or killing a civilian or a fellow officer, the public outcry is that the police are killers and that they will shoot anyone they come into contact with. Although we hear about

The attitudes toward police have drastically changed within the last 100 years. People used to see police officers as highly respectable and very influential people. When a police officer was around people felt as if they were safe. Unfortunately now day’s people have the wrong idea of police officer. When people see an officer their first instinct is that they are trying to catch them doing something wrong or that they are just out looking to arrest someone. That is a very false misconception and gives police a bad name. People see the 1% of officers who are bad to represent the other 99% this makes it hard for officers to do their jobs when they are really there to help protect the people. Attitudes have gone from

In today’s society police misconduct is growing rapidly and a serious matter. Police misconduct is often referring to as an ill appropriated conduct taken by police officers about their official daily routine duties. Law enforcement official are not obeying the oath that they took to uphold the law. American people don’t have the chance to get judge by jury or even have their day in court, due to the illegal actions taken by police officers. Citizen is innocent until proven guilty, police officer should never let the perpetrator allow them to stop out of character (Kane&White2013). Most times when officers react to the perpetrator that’s the first mistake that can destroyed, the department allowing them not to have grounds to stand on.

Inside our police framework in America, there are crevices and provisos that offer breathing space to police authorities who either misuse the power given to them or don 't speak to the moral models that they are required to satisfy. Due to the way of police work, there is a potential for weakening of these moral and good models through aberrance,

This essay will seek to redress the balance by arguing that, while clear guidelines for the use of the police deadly force must be present, the remodeling of the role of the police as a public servant first and foremost is seen to be the key to ethical law enforcement (Pollock, 2012). In addition, the critical importance of accurate media representation will be considered, as this is the factor that, in essence, shapes public opinion.

Police corruption has been a problem to varying degrees since the beginning of organized policing. The United States was forged in the fires of an abusive government. It is not so surprising then that the concept of police brutality so offends the American psyche, on such a deep level. As citizens we entrust our police with immense power to act in our best interest. With this power comes the responsibility for its use to be judicial and fair for all people. Police power is confined by the constitution, federal, state, and local law, which clearly defines the expected behavior of agents appointed on our behalf. However, with such great power there is bound to be abuse. When police make minor incursions into our civil liberties, it is easy to accept the mistakes as long as justice is served. There are, of course, instances when a small group of police act in ways that shocks the conscience of every American Citizen. Instances where the incursion on our civil liberties is so unjust, it damages the public’s relationship with their protectors for generations. Once such case is the system corruption of the Chicago Police Department’s Special Operations Section. Now over ten years removed for the original acts the public is still trying to come to terms with the atrocities committed; and the courts are still dealing out punishments to those who violated the public trust.

In this society we live in, we rely on our local law enforcement to help enforce laws that supposed to protect us from harm, and investigate crimes when an individual violates a particular law that need to be brought to justice. All police officers are trained to know all the rules and regulation in the handbook of the court of law. One the contraire, there are still some individuals police officers in this nation who abuse their authority of having those rights to serve and protect us from danger. For the most part, the individual’s police officers whom broke the code of conduct on killing a inercent victim or purposely harming them without having the right probable cause to do so, have been brought to justice. These are the type of events that’s scares the citizen of this nation, some feel, police officers have to much power and authority to try and patrol and protect our society from the danger we face everyday.

Throughout many professions, we witness multiple instances where power is being abused due to one’s title in society. When it comes down to the topic, my group and I decided to go with ethical dilemmas within law enforcement. The topic I will be covering is the power abuse that some police officers participate in on a daily basis. Some, based on theories, others, based on experiences and facts. However, when it comes to certain instances, we do not always know the entire story; we only know what we are told and presented with. That’s why it is essential to know that there are always two sides to every story, so it’s important to not jump to conclusions. Breaking apart these dilemmas and looking at them ethically is essential.

The development of America’s police officers consists of many elements. These elements are what influence police behavior and action. Throughout time, the concept of policing has been redefined to fit the needs of the time. Originally, the police were a symbol of power and control and used to eliminate enemies of kings and pharaohs. As time move forward, the concept of policing changed the nature of soldiers into policemen. In today’s times, police officers are considered public servants to the people. They are charged with upholding, defending and protecting the freedoms of all citizens. To meet this objective, police departments use one of two approaches; community policing and the concept of

From a very young age, we are taught that the police are here to protect us: if we feel we are in danger, we are supposed to call the police. Law enforcement is the cornerstone of a civilized society; without law and order, communities degrade into chaos. The police officers that serve in our communities are expected to act in the most honorable and respectful manner, all while risking their lives to serve and protect our communities. When police officers are perceived as threats, the stability of a community is brought into question.

To begin with, some individuals believe that police officers are doing their job. They state that police are performing what needs to be done and that it is the correct action to take. Often times, police say that they are left with no other choices and that it was their only option. Police are not doing their job, allowing themselves way too much. Police officers often shoot innocent people because they of their suspicions. High numbers of “people have been influenced by the excessive bashing of the police” (Toy). Throughout decades, police have been way too aggressive. They often invade the privacy of other individuals and racially profile citizens without even realizing what they have done. Police should not conclude

What do you imagine when you hear the words “law enforcement?” Most people imagine a man or woman with a badge, guns, patrol cars, and many other accessories that go along with police officers. They picture him or her fighting crime like it is nothing. The officer looks as if he or she is one of the bravest people on earth. He seems afraid of nothing. It shows the people that they can trust in him to keep them safe from danger and come to them in their time of need. For the most part, the people would have the right image, yet an officer’s job is still a little more complex than what they imagine. Officers have a job like no other.