Police Corruption
American Intercontinental University Online
Gianna R. Long
Unit 4 Group Project – Individual Portion
CRJS 410, Section 01
December 4, 2014
Running head: POLICE CORRUPTION 1
LOSS PREVENTION POLICIES 2
Introduction
In the criminal justice system, internal issues of police brutality can surface when there is neglect or improper management from supervisors in law enforcement. Police brutality is defined as individuals suffering from "acts of unjustified cruelty" at the hand of police officers ("Police Brutality," 2002, para. 1). This analysis is a description of the administered abused by police toward suspected gang-affiliates. Complaints against the law enforcement agency in question will be taken into account when considering the probable methods used to address the issue of police brutality.
Corrupt Practices
One of the priority concerns is the factor of physical abuse. It has been claimed by citizens and inmates that the entire police unit is administering physical punishment, specifically toward teenagers that are suspected of having connections with certain gangs in the area. The key in this instance is to target supervisors and those in management positions in order to thwart the abuse. When the highest level of supervision becomes corrupt, it is easy for that system to allow abuse. Prevention is the best form of management.
An overwhelming 90% of inmates had come forward to declare that they had been brutally beaten by administration. The United Nations Code of Conduct for Law-Enforcement Officials proclaims that use of force is only lawful when it is "strictly necessary," as explained in Article 3 of the document (Ochs & Gonzalzles, 2014, Significance section, para. 2). Individuals who confront officers in dangerous situations, i.e., suspects who draw firearms or weapons at police in order to resist arrest, are rightfully subdued under restriction of the law. This means using what is known as necessary force. However, the inmates and citizens interviewed in the case against corrupt law enforcement have confessed to unlawful force and punishment used.
The basic principles of the Code of Conduct state that force should only be administered if the situation allows for it to be "unavoidable" (Ochs & Gonzalzles, 2014, Significance section, para. 2). The abused inmates in this particular scenario had admitted to being beaten for "walking funny," which is most definitely not an offense at all under U.S. jurisdiction, and is especially not something that should be punishable in such a brutal way. The terms "reasonable" and "necessary" are important when determining the appropriate level of punishment for inmates who do not maintain order within prison (Gabbidon & Taylor, 2013, p. 103). Witness testimonies would reveal that no true crime has been committed on behalf of the inmates in question.
Evidence
Certain pieces of evidence have been submitted for further inspection. For instance, photograph evidence of police brutally attacking teenagers in the streets, all for the purpose of unnecessary suspicion that the teens were involved in gang activity. Citizens had provided the photographs, as well as audio evidence that included a statement from a police officer that said the attacks on teenagers were justified in order to "make an example of them." In this statement, the police have clearly taken their boundaries above the limit and the extent of criminal law. Inmates had also reported abuse after not following a strict "30-second meal" rule.
The following list will explain the proper protocol for what should occur next:
· According to Ochs & Gonzalzles (2014, Background section, para. 4), law enforcement institutions should attempt to have responsible relationships with both the public and inmates, due to the importance of establishing balance and abiding by the law.
· The main objective is to keep peace, and peace is not achieved by abusing power. Branches of government contain a specific amount of "law and order."
· Law enforcement must retain responsibility by upholding a respectful reputation, and must have a reputation that pertains toward the protection of all society (Ochs & Gonzalzles, 2014, Prevalence section, para. 6).
· Protect society through the prevention of unlawful force, because unlawful acts create a rift between police and citizens.
· U.S. Constitution should provide the guidelines for police to administer proper reinforcement. The 8th Amendment of the Constitution limits the amount of abuse made by the criminal justice system, which includes the method of punishments administered to inmates, as well as unusual and cruel punishments (Levy, 2014, para. 1).
· Police officers who abuse power should be reprimanded for their behavior. The U.S. Constitution defines "excessive" force, which is discussed in the Due Process laws that should protect inmates from being abused and citizens from being unnecessarily stopped and frisked (Levy, 2014, para. 3).
· Loss of property and fines should result in obvious instances of abuse. Criminal justice professionals should receive maximum penalty of the law if they violate rules stated by the Constitution.
· The seriousness of attacks against citizens and inmates should be taken into consideration when determining the proper punishment from law enforcement, who abuse power. Such factors include "reasonableness and proportionally" in terms of criminal infraction (Levy, 2014, para. 3).
References
Gabbidon, S. L. & Taylor, H. G. (2013). Race and crime (3rd. ed.).Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.coursesmart.com/SR/4774745/9781452202600/i?__hdv=6.8
Levy, M. (2014). Eighth Amendment. Encyclopædia Britannica,. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.cecybrary.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=87323510&site=eds-live&scope=site
Ochs, H. L., & Gonzalzles, K. M. (2014). Police brutality. Salem Press Encyclopedia,. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.cecybrary.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=95343013&site=eds-live&scope=site
Police brutality. (2002). In World of Criminal Justice, Gale. Retrieved from http://search.credoreference.com.proxy.cecybrary.com/content/entry/worldcrims/police_brutality/0\
Outline
1. Introduction of scenario
2. What is police corruption?
a. How does the majority of police corruption occur?
i. Treating inmates improperly
ii. Violation of 8th Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment
3. Examples of police corruption in scenario
a. Regular physical punishment by reported 90% of inmates
b. Disproportionate retribution
i. Inmates beaten when "walking suspicious"
ii. Punished for not finishing meals quick enough
iii. Assault on alleged teenaged gang members
1. Photographs as proof of incidents
2. Witness testimony from citizens
3. Audio proof of police officers threatening to make an example out of gang-affiliates
4. Recommendation for improvement
a. Acknowledge corruption
i. Addressing complains made by inmates and citizens
ii. Using photographs and audio as evidence against corruption
b. What tools can law enforcement use to avoid improper treatment?
i. Community policing
1. Meeting held between law enforcement agency and concerned citizens
2. Citizens work with police to provide better outlook on community laws
3. Citizens protecting one another in abiding by State legislature
4. Police officers equipped with video surveillance to ensure police brutality does not happen
ii. Enforce stricter 8th Amendment laws
5. Conclusion
6. References
amadaa2
unit_4_group_project_individual_portion.docx
0
