What is your opinion on this controversial topic?

Question

Do you believe that the police using excessive force "is" a systematic problem?

or

Do you believe the use of excessive force "is not" a systematic problem?

Answer 1

The whole problem with the issue of "excessive force" is that it is a judgement made in hindsight by people who were not there, people whose lives were not on the line, people who did not have to make that decision, people who do not know the whole story.

This is not to say it does not happen, but when people cite the Rodney King incident, they fail to appreciate the police's side. They didn't have to worry that they might never be going home again thanks to some drugged up pieceofshit punk.

It's not a systematic problem. The systematic problem is that people de-humanize cops in their analysis, and think they should be superhuman robo-cops who don't have andrenaline rushing through their viens, who don't get upset when they are hit or shot at, who have some supernatural ability to discern just the right amount of force to use in each situation.

The problem also is, if a policeman doesn't use enough force, he might not be going home ever again. All to spare a criminal and the tender sensitivities of armchair cops second-guessing him? Not worth it.

Answer 2

It's really hard to say. All I have is anecdotal evidence. I think that officers often use more force than is absolutely necessary, partly to demonstrate to the arrested person who is in charge and partly for the sadistic motivation to bully. But does clicking handcuffs one latch too tight, pulling an arm, or putting a knee into the back a little too hard of an arrestee really constitute "excessive force" in the actionable, legal sense? Probably not.
Now, the Rodney King-style beatings are not systemic problems--they are caused by individual officers in individual situations (although there may be problems with the system in that those people are not weeded out and kept out of violent situations). Otherwise, we'd see many more such over the top violent acts.

Answer 3

It is not a systemic problem. "Excessive force" is a subjective term and if I were in a life-or-death situation, I would use ANY force necessary to protect myself and my partner (if I were a cop, of course!). As far as I'm concerned, if the cops bust you and you don't do what they tell you, no force is "excessive".

Answer 4

I'm assuming you are relating to the incident with the groom (I live in Jersey, thats all thats been on the news), I think they did use excessice force in that situation.

However, I don't think its a widespread problem.

What is a widespread problem is ignorance, and failure from the educational and parental guidance. Lack of funds and oppurnities leads people down the bad path..

Answer 5

It can become a systemic problem. In my view, when the government is more right wing, the police take the cue and have a greater tendency to use excess force. However, you need to do some serious research on this topic; it's a difficult and complex one.

Answer 6

While I do think that some cops go to far and do have anger issues- I respect all cops.. they volunteer to do a very dangerous job that keeps us safe and sometimes they have to shoot, taser, or use force on people to keep from getting killed themselves

Answer 7

if you are refering to to cops shooting the thugs in N.J...
that were trying to run a policeman down with there car...
excesive would have been burning the bodies,
and the car after the shooting...
i would have still been ok with that

Answer 8

please define excessive force.
The police should never be criticized for maintaining the peace. They have a very difficult job.