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Relationship Between Police And Police

Decent Essays

Alannis J. Bremer
Dr. Robyn McGee
English 102
2 November 2017
Police Relations in Black America
Numerous unjust losses covered by the media over recent years that involved African Americans and police officers are continuously dwelling in the minds of many today. All of these incidents involved excessive force by officers and many involved racial profiling as well. Following these incidents, many American’s have vocalized their loss of trust with law enforcement officials through protest marches and riots. Everyone is demanding a solution for healing these poor relations between police officers and African American communities.
Mass criminalization of victimless offenses are part of though the problem, as well as police weapons, though healing relations between police and the people goes much deeper than that. First one would have to ask why there is generally a culture of distrust and trepidation between police and African Americans.
From runaway slave catchers in the 19th century, to Jim Crow enforcers in the 1960’s, to the drug war pillaging our communities, African-Americans and police officers have never had a good relationship. The drug war of course is the bane on humanity period and isn’t exclusive to African-Americans, but in America it was formally introduced by the state into African-American communities. Longstanding research conducted by the University of Florida indicated that “race plays a primary factor in attitudes towards the police, with blacks more likely than white to express levels of dissatisfaction” (Rice and Piquero 1). For the peace and safety of everyone, it is important Americans make an effort to mend these strained relationships.
It’s very true that most Americans tend not to look forward to having interactions with police officers. This isn’t all surprising, of course. When something bad happens and a police officer responds, one is more than likely grateful for their service just as you would be with any other first responder, such as AAA or paramedics. This leads to a positive relationship between people and their civil servants. When one is meeting with an officer in a way that puts them in a position that in no way if for their protection, but rather contributes to

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