Police Brutality

[Hostblapstat]

I'm sure everyone here has seen the numerous videos of police brutality in America, most of the videos are online involve African Americans. What do you guys think about this? Do you guys think the police officers are just doing their job or are they abusing their power? Do you think the police officers should be punished for things like this? Do you think African Americans are being targeted by police and police are way more violent to African Americans? I wanna hear you guys opinions!

 

[Laptop65]

Majority of videos don't show or explain why the police where there in the first place. Most of the time they've been called because the suspect is breaking the law or causing trouble, and when they police turn up they start acting out and swearing at them and then they have to use force to cuff the suspect and throw them in the car.

I have no respect for these people. I'm not saying all cases are genuine as there are some "bad cops" out there, but the amount of videos that are claimed to show the suspect as innocent really aren't.

 

[Wonderland]

Majority of videos don't show or explain why the police where there in the first place. Most of the time they've been called because the suspect is breaking the law or causing trouble, and when they police turn up they start acting out and swearing at them and then they have to use force to cuff the suspect and throw them in the car.

I have no respect for these people. I'm not saying all cases are genuine as there are some "bad cops" out there, but the amount of videos that are claimed to show the suspect as innocent really aren't.

Number of US police officers charged in fatal shootings hits 10-year high

It does not matter if the victims of police brutality are suspected for any wrongdoings. Excessive force is not necessary.

 

[Dunworry]

Number of US police officers charged in fatal shootings hits 10-year high

It does not matter if the victims of police brutality are suspected for any wrongdoings. Excessive force is not necessary.

I highly suggest you try to go through some life/death situation training. My dad is an officer so I had the chance to do so when I was 18, and it's scary. You start to understand why they don't always make the best decisions. But when you find out that you end up shooting in a completely innocent scenario, it really hits home. Considering how often these dangerous encounters are, they tend to make the best decision the majority of the time.

 

[Wonderland]

I highly suggest you try to go through some life/death situation training. My dad is an officer so I had the chance to do so when I was 18, and it's scary. You start to understand why they don't always make the best decisions. But when you find out that you end up shooting in a completely innocent scenario, it really hits home. Considering how often these dangerous encounters are, they tend to make the best decision the majority of the time.

Police Work Isn't as Dangerous as You May Think

It doesn't even rank in the top 10 most dangerous jobs.

I think the training is the problem here. They train you to shoot first.

How Police Training Contributes to Avoidable Deaths

 

[Darkest Dream]

I have two thoughts.

A) Yes, I'm tired of the ever expanding police state. I don't feel safe with government enforcers wandering the streets enforcing immoral laws. Yes, I feel that excessive use of force and police brutality is a serious issue. Etc, etc etc.

B) I don't believe that racism is there issue here. Yes, there are a disproportionate % of black males having altercations with law enforcement, but also a disproportionate amount of crimes are committed by young black males. I don't think police wake up in the morning and think to themselves, "I'm going to target a black man today." The issues are more likely due to power trips, invulnerability of 'law enforcement,' training, etc. But most importantly that they are permitted to escalate a petty crime or traffic infraction to the use of lethal force. Blaming racism seems to be counter intuitive.

 

[Porge]

From what I've seen I do think that they abuse their powers a lot. It does seem also that the majority of video's that get out to the public are against African American's but that's just the media causing a stir up.
In England police brutality is never happening, only on the rarest occasions.

 

[Timms]

Of course they are! I'm white and can clearly see how the black community mostly in USA are being abused by the police. Even here in the UK if your black and live in the less wealthy parts of the UK you get stopped for nothing and harassed.

 

[HotColdRush]

I have two thoughts.

A) Yes, I'm tired of the ever expanding police state. I don't feel safe with government enforcers wandering the streets enforcing immoral laws. Yes, I feel that excessive use of force and police brutality is a serious issue. Etc, etc etc.

B) I don't believe that racism is there issue here. Yes, there are a disproportionate % of black males having altercations with law enforcement, but also a disproportionate amount of crimes are committed by young black males. I don't think police wake up in the morning and think to themselves, "I'm going to target a black man today." The issues are more likely due to power trips, invulnerability of 'law enforcement,' training, etc. But most importantly that they are permitted to escalate a petty crime or traffic infraction to the use of lethal force. Blaming racism seems to be counter intuitive.

Well at least , I hope no cop wakes up and hopes to kill a black man that day. I believe the whole racist element is when the encounter is actually taking place, and the officer views young black males as more of a threat and is more likely to decide to use deadly force on them.

 

[Timms]

I can understand why some cops might fear the black community because of the non stop drug selling etc but they take it way too far and of course in america there's so much more access to guns then there is in the UK.

 

[Wonderland]

I have two thoughts.

A) Yes, I'm tired of the ever expanding police state. I don't feel safe with government enforcers wandering the streets enforcing immoral laws. Yes, I feel that excessive use of force and police brutality is a serious issue. Etc, etc etc.

B) I don't believe that racism is there issue here. Yes, there are a disproportionate % of black males having altercations with law enforcement, but also a disproportionate amount of crimes are committed by young black males. I don't think police wake up in the morning and think to themselves, "I'm going to target a black man today." The issues are more likely due to power trips, invulnerability of 'law enforcement,' training, etc. But most importantly that they are permitted to escalate a petty crime or traffic infraction to the use of lethal force. Blaming racism seems to be counter intuitive.

I guess you never heard of racial profiling. Police emails were leaked in Ferguson about how they would target minorities in traffic stops.

When stop & frisk was more common in NY, they would specifically target Latino and African American men, a lot.

I agree with HotColdRush. The effect takes place when there is an encounter between the two.

 

[Hostblapstat]

If you deny racial profiling you are delusional, just saying. Racial profiling is definitely real and it happens a lot, keep in mind that most of these police brutality against African Americans cases take place in southern states. If you have never lived in the southern states you will never understand how racist it is out there.

 

[Noble]

If anyone is given that much power it can go to their head, that being said there is bound to be a few bad cops with so many of them being out there its inevitable.

 

[Darkest Dream]

I guess you never heard of racial profiling.

If you deny racial profiling you are delusional, just saying.

Obviously I have, and I don't doubt that they'd 'stop and frisk' more black men than white men by percentage.

But I can tell you for damn sure if either stopped cooperating the police would quickly escalate to violent or deadly force.

Calling police racists amuses me, because they deserve everything they get. But I would focus on police accountability in general over race.

 

[Wonderland]

Obviously I have, and I don't doubt that they'd 'stop and frisk' more black men than white men by percentage.

But I can tell you for damn sure if either stopped cooperating the police would quickly escalate to violent or deadly force.

Calling police racists amuses me, because they deserve everything they get. But I would focus on police accountability in general over race.

You clearly don't understand the system. They generally stop & frisk people doing nothing, hoping they find drugs or other undesirables on them to fill a quota. Their main targets are race specific. Not racist right? I don't think I've ever heard anyone accusing all police of being racist, because that's simply not true, however I'd consider a large portion of cops racist, or accuse the system of promoting racist intentions.

Imagine walking down the street and constantly being stopped & frisked for doing nothing, and ask them why they are stopping you, and they can't give an answer. Your compliance would continue to deteriorate overtime, and they hope for it so that they would have a reason to arrest you.

It's simply not something you would understand because you probably wouldn't be put in the same situation as the victims.

 

[Darkest Dream]

You clearly don't understand the system. They generally stop & frisk people doing nothing, hoping they find drugs or other undesirables on them to fill a quota. Their main targets are race specific. Not racist right? I don't think I've ever heard anyone accusing all police of being racist, because that's simply not true, however I'd consider a large portion of cops racist, or accuse the system of promoting racist intentions.

Imagine walking down the street and constantly being stopped & frisked for doing nothing, and ask them why they are stopping you, and they can't give an answer. Your compliance would continue to deteriorate overtime, and they hope for it so that they would have a reason to arrest you.

It's simply not something you would understand because you probably wouldn't be put in the same situation as the victims.

I've literally not once said racial profiling isn't a thing.

I hear you, and my solution that particular issue would be to advocate the end of 'stop and frisk' policies rather than worrying about whether its racist or not. People have the right to travel unmolested.

 

[Darkest Dream]

You clearly don't understand the system. They generally stop & frisk people doing nothing, hoping they find drugs or other undesirables on them to fill a quota. Their main targets are race specific. Not racist right? I don't think I've ever heard anyone accusing all police of being racist, because that's simply not true, however I'd consider a large portion of cops racist, or accuse the system of promoting racist intentions.

Imagine walking down the street and constantly being stopped & frisked for doing nothing, and ask them why they are stopping you, and they can't give an answer. Your compliance would continue to deteriorate overtime, and they hope for it so that they would have a reason to arrest you.

It's simply not something you would understand because you probably wouldn't be put in the same situation as the victims.

I don't understand why you're repeating a description of racial profiling. I'm aware of what it is, and how its used. I've literally not once said racial profiling isn't a thing.

I hear you, and my solution that particular issue would be to advocate the end of 'stop and frisk' policies rather than worrying about whether its racist or not. People have the right to travel unmolested.

 

[Wonderland]

I don't understand why you're repeating a description of racial profiling. I'm aware of what it is, and how its used. I've literally not once said racial profiling isn't a thing.

I hear you, and my solution that particular issue would be to advocate the end of 'stop and frisk' policies rather than worrying about whether its racist or not. People have the right to travel unmolested.

I was explaining the system. There were talks about abolishing stop and frisk here in NY, but now they're having it so the officer needs to write up a ticket and a bunch of documentation bullshit. Things like this divide the trust of the police and the community, and people wonder why there is a lack of respect for cops and the work they do. It also doesn't help when police are shooting everyone.

 

[Dunworry]

Police Work Isn't as Dangerous as You May Think

It doesn't even rank in the top 10 most dangerous jobs.

I think the training is the problem here. They train you to shoot first.

How Police Training Contributes to Avoidable Deaths

You'll want to read this article, as it counters the "per 100,000" of the first article you linked.

http://criminologycareers.about.com/od/Career_Trends/a/Dangers-In-Criminal-Justice-Careers.htm

As for your second source, it's something you need to experience to understand. Things happen. When people don't comply, you never know what is going to happen. It's your life or their's sometimes:

https://www.policeone.com/use-of-fo...ter-undergoes-use-of-force-scenario-training/

 

[Xier0]

Imagine walking down the street and constantly being stopped & frisked for doing nothing, and ask them why they are stopping you, and they can't give an answer. Your compliance would continue to deteriorate overtime, and they hope for it so that they would have a reason to arrest you.

It's simply not something you would understand because you probably wouldn't be put in the same situation as the victims.

Really? I've been stopped by a police officer before, so has every white person I know. How about, "no police thefts/assaults at all", instead of "we need to make sure whites are being targeted at the same rate as other races".

Honestly, people are absolute fucking morons if they think that race ever needs to be mentioned at all if they are discussing how police commit horrible actions against other people. The entire issue of police brutality is derailed by what the fucking skin color of the people involved were.