Question

The United States has experienced an unprecedented number of individuals protesting the use of force by law enforcement officers. This was precipitated by the George Floyd case. However, over the past few years our country has seen a number of incidents where law enforcement officers were alleged to have used excessive force in the apprehension of individuals. For example, Ferguson, Illinois and Baltimore, Maryland have both had incidents where the use of force by officers resulted in civil unrest. In it state and defend your position on whether or not you believe excessive force by law enforcement officers in our country is an issue. Include your suggestions/recommendations for addressing this issue. Write a 2-3 page, double-spaced paper regarding the use of force by law enforcement officers.

Answer 1

Introduction:

The use of force is inevitable in police work. In many situations the lives of officers or civilians can be taken by not using force when necessary or using it improperly. Many factors come into play when an officer decides to use force. These include: is the use of force justified, has the officer been properly trained to use force, and will the department be held liable if the force is used improperly.

There have been several issues concerning the policies that underline the use of force within the field of law enforcement. Favorable opinions, negative objections, and indecisive feelings about the use of force have varied throughout the public as well as within the criminal justice system when it comes to this policy. For a number of years, it has been extremely difficult in determining the proper definition of what is considered to be the use of force or the proper use of force, especially in regards to law enforcement. Ironically, there have been dozens of studies on police and the use of force and research concluded that there is no single accepted definition. In order for one to fully understand the various definitions of use of force, one must be able to appreciate the background, causes, and ways to reduce the use of force. The basic problem with use of force is the lack of routine, national systems for collecting data on incidents in which police use force during the normal course of duty and on the extent of excessive force and when force should be applied and how much.

When handling a certain situation police officers have a variety of force options from which they can choose. Officers have been granted the authority to use both physical and mental force to solve crimes and detain criminals. At certain times criminals can be very cooperative when being arrested, so there is no need for physical force the mere presence of the officer is enough to gain their control. When criminals are no so cooperative, the first step would be verbal commands, going forward the next stage to detain a criminal, would be the compliance hold which means applying physical force, which may be followed by the use of non-lethal weapons such as the baton or tasers. The last result would be resorting in applying deadly force, which by all means should attempt to be avoided unless considered necessary.

It is widely regarded that the police in any given society have a difficult job to fulfill. Dealing with criminals and placing themselves in harms way on a day to day basis is definitely an admirable calling. Although seen as difficult, there is an underlying sentiment in the general public that the job of law enforcement officers is relatively straightforward. Police are faced with tough moral decisions daily. They are to decide when and how to act when presented with violations of the law. When the use of force exceeds that which is necessary to accomplish their lawful purpose, or when their purpose is not lawful apprehension or self-defense but, rather personal retaliation, it is defined as excessive use of force and is unethical and illegal.

Suggestions and recommendations:

There are several ways to reduce the excessive use and improper use of force, the most important factor is to make all laws enforceable to the fullest extent no excuses. Police officers should fall under these same set of rules, they should be used as deterrence so other officers will not commit this same crime in the future. It is not a question of should or whether, but when and how much. However, police officers must learn to use force lawfully. You cannot use lethal force at will or use force when it is not permitted.

The Continuum Scale is believed to be one of the most efficient sources used to ensure the appropriate amount of force is used. A use of force continuum is a standard that provides law enforcement officials & security guards with guidelines as to how much force may be used against a resisting subject in a given situation. In certain ways it is similar to the military rules of engagement. It was designed as a general guide to using force in a confrontation or arrest situation and to make sure police officers use the appropriate level of force necessary in the performance of their duties