Application Essay Phillips 2
Application Essay
In video number one it is seen that the situation escalated when the officer speaking to the
man decides to write him a ticket and when he steps away to grab these tools the victim
continues to mouth off and the other officer decides the man should just be arrested. When the
man hears this, and the officer approaches attempts to handcuff him. This escalated the situation
that should have never reached the point of arrest let alone tasers and bashing the man’s face. If
there had been more tactics in play to de-escalate the situation initially the outcome would have
been much different.
There was no force used in video number two for a situation that could have been a lot worse if
the officers in video one were on the scene. The kind officer who handled the suicide threat from
the man spoke to him in a calm and comforting manner. The officer’s main priority was to keep
the man alive and safe, and he did so by communicating with him, reassuring him, and coming to
an understanding. Situations involving suicide threats or attempts are high-intensity and have to
be handled very delicately just as the officer did.
Police discretion can be helpful to citizens when it is used properly and with the best
interest of everyone involved in mind. Each officer is different when it comes to their ability to
use discretion, and this can be both helpful and harmful. Psalms 82: 3-4 says “Defend the poor
and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; Free them from
the hand of the wicked''. This verse explains that police officers should be working to defend and
protect the poor and helpless. Officers should deliver due justice and stop the hands of the
wicked. These are all important tasks, but it is important for the police officers to know who
exactly the guilty party is and if they are truly a treat. This is where the discretion of the officers
Application Essay Phillips 3
comes in and can vary. One officer might react like those in video one and create a more intense
situation than necessary by their definition of discretion, while the officer in video two might
work harder to de-escalate a situation by his definition of discretion. “The use of force is
constitutional when it is considered “objectively reasonable” (Graham v. Connor; 490 U.S. 386,
1989). Although much of the legal system relies on the concept of the reasonable person … the
specific nature of police enforcement actions—which can involve the deprivation of liberty, the
invasion of privacy, and the use of force—makes reasonableness particularly salient” (McLean,
2023).
The victim in video number one did not pose a threat to the safety of the officers while he
was standing talking to them nor did he show signs of having any weapons present on his person.
There was no danger to the public or himself while communicating with the officers. Once one
of the officers decided he did not want to listen to any more excuses or comments from the
victim he proceeded to attempt and arrest for jaywalking. The victim was not prepared for this
shift and did not want to be arrested so when approached by the officer to be put in cuffs he did
flee. At this point, although the victim had attempted to flee, he was still not a threat to the lives
of any of the officers or the public. Once the officers had managed to put the victim on the
ground and in handcuffs the use of force could have been over, but instead, they tased and beat
the man for running.
Application Essay Phillips 4
References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
McLean, K., Nix, J., Stoughton, S.W., Adams, I.T. and Alpert, G.P. (2023), "An experimental
look at reasonable suspicion and police discretion", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 46
No. 3, pp. 503-520. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-01-2023-0002
Rector, K. (2019, July 1). Body camera footage shows a Baltimore police officer de-escalate a
standoff with an Armed Man in crisis. Baltimore Sun. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEwhcW9RfXo
The Asheville Citizen Times. (n.d.). APD Chase, beat man they say jaywalked. The Asheville
Citizen Times. Retrieved from https://www.citizen-
times.com/videos/news/local/2018/03/01/apd-chase-beat-man-they-say-jaywalked/110950514/
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