How Much has the Relationship Between Police Officers and the Public Changed?

How Much Has the Relationship Between Police Officers and the Public Changed?
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How Much Has the Relationship Between Police Officers and the Public Changed?
Abstract
Trends arising from various studies indicate that the criminal justice system, especially law enforcement, is grappling with a declining public trust. Research illustrates that the perceptions of the police remain a conflicting issue depending on the racial affiliations of individuals or groups in the U.S. While Whites have a favorable view of the approaches employed by police, minorities, especially African Americans, view police with disapproval because of their brutality, and discriminatory techniques of policing. This decline has tainted the police-public relationship, making it difficult for the two to relate constructively in addressing crimes. Thus, the stakeholders, including the state, federal government, and police departments, must find sustainable solutions for stirring trust in the public.
Introduction
The history of the policing system in the U.S. has a significant influence on its long negative relationship with African American communities and other minorities. Brooks et al. (2016) indicate that although the formulation of centralized police departments from the 1830s in many U.S. states sought to maintain some form of organization, the primary objective of police in Southern states was to arrest runaway slaves, impose organized terror to discourage revolts and enforce slave discipline in farms. As a result, this understanding has maintained race and ethnicity as influential factors in determining the public’s perception of the police. Despite these aspects, modern police officers are fundamental in maintaining social stability by eradicating crimes. However, the complex issues and historically-inclined challenges they encounter in society lead to unfavorable perceptions about their work and approach towards the people. According to Barthelemy et al. (2016), the police have a duty to serve all Americans indiscriminately and respect their rights as enshrined in the constitution. Their role is to serve the public without favoritism or extending privileges to any group, as was commonplace in the early policing in the colonies (Brooks et al., 2016). Despite these expectations, police departments in the U.S. frequently raise uproars due to discrimination, brutality, racial profiling, and harassment of minorities. As a result, this practice has increased distrust, deteriorating the relationship between the police and the people.
Problem Statement
The popular perception in the United States is law enforcement officers maintain a discriminative approach in policing despite numerous reforms to end this negative feature in the nation. Wu (2014) indicates that the rapport between law enforcement agencies and minority groups has remained largely concerning and questionable throughout the history of this department. The author considers this norm problematic and will continue to taint the image of police officers in U.S. Brooks et al. (2016) acknowledge that the relationship between police and African American males has rem...