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... The videotaped incident of police brutality reinforced their conviction that police violence in America’s cities is simply part of life. Others watched the video incredulously as over twenty police offices idly watched four others beat Mr. ...
Police in the United States tend to back each other up, even when officers use brutal excessive force or commit outright crimes such as theft or perjury. This doctrine, ingrained into police culture, epitomizes Martin Luther King’s statement that “groups tend to be more immoral than individuals” (842), and demonstrates how police as a group behave more immorally than offices acting individually.
Before further discussion, I will define morality as an individual’s or particular group’s belief of right and wrong conduct. ... For example, a Christian-American police officer will develop a moral code based on American culture, American law, Christian values, and the police department where he works. ... This is very important since a police officer’s occupational morality may conflict and override values derived from his other sources, putting him at great odds with these other cultures to which he belongs. The law and our culture allow police to use coercive measures, lethal and non-lethal force, and intimidation to carry out their duties. The actions taken by police are considered right and moral so long as they are circumspectly committed while performing duties as a police officer, and only to the degree necessary to perform said duties. For example, if a police officer shoots and kills a criminal suspect after that suspect pulled a gun, the officer’s actions will most likely be considered just and moral because police are commissioned by society to protect themselves and others even when the situation requires deadly force.
Approximate Word count = 1359
Approximate Pages = 5.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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