Multi-solution Approach to Tackling Police Brutality in America

Multi-solution Approach to Tackling Police Brutality in America
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MULTI-SOLUTION APPROACH TO TACKLING POLICE BRUTALITY IN AMERICA
Police brutality is the use of excessive force by law enforcers. The term may also apply to situations where physical or psychological harm is caused to a person beyond the official police procedure. In America, police brutality has affected most ethnicities, genders, races and classes. Among African Americans, police brutality has been the norm. This essay discusses the escalating problem of police brutality and offers possible solutions.
Overview of Police Brutality in America
* Research has proven that the number of civilians killed by the police rose in 2016 and 2017 and has steadily fluctuated over the years.
* In the year 2016, 1,129 people were victims of police brutality and in 2017, this number rose by 17 people (Levinson-King, 2020).
* The causes of death included gunshot wounds, teasers, vehicles, beatings, restraining, pepper spray, brutal custodial treatment and drowning.
* Over the last 5 years, most victims died from shootings with experts estimating every 8 in 10 deaths.
* However, although people have been steadily dying as a result of police brutality, the convictions of the perpetrators have steadily plummeted. In fact, no officers were convicted between the year 2017 and 2018 despite the rising number of police killings.
* Eighty of the 100 largest cities in America had at least one police killing in 2018 with the most number of cases coming from Phoenix, Houston and Los Angeles (Levinson-King, 2020). Other major cities where police brutality is common include Columbus, Las Vegas, San Antonio, Denver, Louisville, Tucson, Dallas, Laredo, Mesa, Atlanta, Austin, Kansas and New York.
* Cases of police brutality are often fueled by racism. Another reason why police brutality is common is because there are no laws to prevent the use of lethal force in unnecessary situations. For instance, in the United States of America, nine states don’t have laws on the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies.
* The impunity enjoyed by police officers is also a factor. Most officers are usually not held accountable for their actions and this gives them a reason to act as if they are above the law.
* Studies also estimate more than 10,000 people are wrongfully convicted every year. This all goes to show that there is a certain flaw in our justice ...