Law - Criminal doctoral assignment

Police Use of Force: Outline

Topic Overview The topic selected for this paper is Police Use of Force. This subject is critical in contemporary criminal justice discussions, particularly as incidents of excessive or deadly force have sparked significant public debate, protests, and calls for reform. I selected this topic to explore the balance between law enforcement’s duty to maintain public safety and the need to protect individuals' constitutional rights, ensuring force is used ethically and justifiably. Understanding this issue can illuminate systemic problems and potential solutions for improving policing practices.

Thesis Statement The purpose of this paper will be to critically evaluate the concept of police use of force, assess its application in contemporary policing, and propose reforms to enhance accountability, fairness, and community trust in law enforcement practices.

Definition of Police Use of Force Police use of force refers to the amount of physical coercion a law enforcement officer is authorized to use during interactions with civilians to ensure compliance, make arrests, or protect public safety. According to the National Institute of Justice, use of force is defined as “the amount of effort required by police to compel compliance by an unwilling subject” (NIJ, 2021). It encompasses a range of tactics, from verbal commands to the use of deadly weapons, governed by department policies and legal standards.

Scholarly References

Alpert, G. P., & Smith, W. C. (1994). How Reasonable Is the Reasonable Man?

Terrill, W., & Paoline, E. A. (2013). Police Use of Force and Officer Perceptions.

Rojek, J., Alpert, G. P., & Smith, H. P. (2012). Examining Officer and Suspect Accounts of Use-of-Force Incidents.

National Institute of Justice. (2021). Overview of Police Use of Force.

Worden, R. E. (1995). The Causes of Police Brutality.

Fyfe, J. J. (1988). Police Use of Deadly Force.

Miller, L., & Braswell, M. (2019). Policing in America: Assessment of Practices.

Braga, A. A., & Weisburd, D. L. (2021). Police Innovation and Reform.

Independent Commission on Policing. (2020). Accountability Measures in Use of Force.

Sherman, L. W. (1980). Causes of Police Use of Force Decisions.