Relations Between Police Officers and the Community

Part 1 – Rights and Liberties of the Homeless and Poor

1) Do you believe the homeless and poor share the same rights and liberties as other citizens?
The rights and liberties of the homeless and poor people in the United States has been a major issue of concern in comparison with the rights and liberties of other citizens. This issue has gained considerable traction in recent years because of how police officers treat the homeless and poor. In my opinion, the homeless and poor share the same rights and liberties as other citizens on paper only. However, these people do not have similar rights and liberties as other citizens because they are treated differently and sometimes considered as second-class citizens.
2) How are the police caught in the middle by removing the homeless from public areas?
Police are caught in the middle because removing the homeless from public areas for security purposes end up infringing on their rights to public space. As a result, the police end up subjecting the homeless to unfair treatment as compared to other citizens though the bill of rights gives all citizens equal rights to public space.
3) What are your thoughts/feelings/ideas about this video?
The video highlights the unfair treatment that the homeless are subjected to as part of law enforcement initiatives. The police infringe on the rights of this population through removing them from public areas and arresting them without warrants (Picture the Homeless, 2007). On the other, the homeless would be better of if they are treated like other citizens and given similar opportunities, especially jobs.
Part 2 – Minorities in the Police Force
1) What are some issues that affect the recruitment of minority group members as police officers?
Given the increased focus on minority in the police force, there has been an increase in the number of minorities in the police force. However, the recruitment of minority group members as police officers is affected by some issues. Some of these issues include limited applications by minorities for policing job opportunities, language and cultural barriers, difficulties in developing relationship and trust, myths and misconceptions, family expectations, and social pressures (American Media Pro, 2009).
2) Is it important to have a diverse police force - especially in racial and ethnic diverse communities? Why/Why Not?
Despite difficulties in recruiting minority group members as police officers, its important to have a diverse police force. This is primarily because such a force enhances the effectiveness of the police in addressing the safety needs of racial and ethnic diverse communities. It will also help in developing trust and respect, improving relations between the police and the diverse racial/ethnic communities, and dealing with prejudice.
3) What are your thoughts/feelings/ideas about this video?
The video effectively highlights current challenges in the development of a diverse police force despite efforts to do so. Additionally, this video clearly shows the need for establishing a diverse police force and some of the measures that can be undertaken to achieve this.
Part 3 – Police Use of Force in the Battle of Seattle
1) Was the level of force utilized by police excessive?
The level of force utilized by police in the Battle of Seattle was excessive because the officers used exploding concussion weapons that affected people who were not part of the demonstrators since the cloud of gas spilled into neighborhoods. Moreover, the police seemingly utilized measures that sought to cause personal injury to the demonstrators as they sought to disperse them (Flygec, 2007).
2) How should have/could have the police have handled the situation better?
The police could have handled the situation better through providing security to the demonstrators and ensuring that the demonstrations are carried out in a peaceful manner. This should have involved providing security to the demonstrators rather than creating a standoff, which worsened the protest.
3) Where/how did the police have a positive/negative effect in protests?
The police had a negative effect on the protests through creating a standoff between them and the demonstrators and using tear gas and water canons in attempts to disperse the crowd. This angered the demonstrators and in turn worsened the protests since the crowds started to vandalize and burn some properties in the city.
4) Can/will it happen again?
This can happen again if suitable policies that limit excessive use of force and regulate police discretion are not established. The likelihood of reoccurrence of such an incident is also attributable to the complexities associated with dealing with protests, especially when such demonstrations are not peaceful.
5) What are your thoughts/feelings/ideas about this video?
This video only provides a small part of what took place during the Battle of Seattle in 1999 and does not cover the entire battle. It focuses on highlighting the views of the demonstrators and their experiences in the protests. Nonetheless, it provides a suitable reflection of the Battle of Seattle in terms of the actions of the police and experiences of protestors.



References
[American Media Pro]. (2009, July 10). Minorities in Police Force – Story by Sitara Maruf for Human Interest Today [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfTjMDVx3bs
[Picture the Homeless]. (2007, October 3). Kicking Ass All Over This City [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYaNgz1pwIc
[Flygec]. (2007, August 17). 1999 Battle of Seattle [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JXPIBsxdk0