Police Brutality Do You Think

Police Brutality

Do you think brutality is a nasty issue? It is! Especially when it involves that state authorities which are supposed to protect us. Police brutality is one of the most controversial matters which has been on the public agenda for years. Here's an attempt to explain why it happens, when it happens and what it is that we can do in order to prevent it.

The police is a state entity which has the purpose to protect the citizens. Its role is to intervene whenever something potentially damaging occurs. Protecting the law and justice is what the police should do. But, the question which comes to my mind is, with what implications? The use of power and namely physical force is an issue which easily gives birth to controversy.

The police is an organ which one might consider as a manifestation of the state's power. The discussion can get pretty interesting since fundamental issues such as individual freedom are to be taken into consideration. Just like philosophers belonging to various thought currents have stated, the state has been created by the people as an instrument meant to protect them. It has been argued that in a natural state man is unable to control his greed and will for absolute power. The only consequence that this particular state would have is a general conflict leading o the destruction of the human species. The state not only organizes society, but it prevents individuals from achieving too much power. At least, in theory.

The distribution of power between the state and the individual is something that many people have thought about. People basically give up part of their power and freedom in order to make sure that something or someone will keep them from destroying themselves. The truth is that conflicts arise between people on a daily basis and the reasons are more than numerous. Under these circumstances, the designated authority intervenes. And the instrument through which it intervenes is most often the police.

Naturally, being an instrument meant to preserve order, its actions are supposed to have a strongly imposing character. Force becomes once again a key issue.

The police intervenes in the name of justice. Its actions are supposed to reflect the belief hat justice is blind, hat is, impartial. But what happens when the police intervenes in a manner which is more or less brutal? Does that still respect the credo in the universal right to freedom, safety and self-expression. The answer is " no."

Should we consider police brutality to be a concept, then this concept would refer to those circumstances in which aggressive actions are set against the civilian population in order to make sure that the law is enforced and order is maintained. In other words, if you don't get it, we're gonna make you get it.

In a situation where police brutality occurs the power of the individual diminishes considerably compared to the one of the state. Usually brutality and aggressiveness are condemned and punished. But what do you do when it comes exactly from the authority which is meant to perform these latter actions of condemning and punishing? Regardless of the circumstances, police brutality is unconstitutional and against human rights.

When does police brutality occur? Generally one might say that the police tends to become brutal when the conflict which they are supposed to solve involves some kind of brutality as well. The law o the talion seems to be the key word under these circumstances. Let us think f an example, such as a riot which endangers the safety of other citizens. First he police tells the mob to calm its spirits, but if this doesn't happen, looking at the big picture it might be said that rougher manners are in order. One might argue that sometimes, sacrifices are due in order to obtain what you want. But does justice really admit situations as such?

On a more often basis however, it happens for members of the police o become brutal without any apparently legitimate reason. There have been numerous situations in which people have been aggressed because of their skin colour or because they found themselves at the wrong time in the wrong place. Police brutality was indeed an abuse of power whenever these situations occurred.

How do you come with such an abuse of power? Is it just? Or, more accurately put, can it ever considered to be just? Is there anything in this world which could make us justify the complete abandonment of power of the individual? The answer is "no" and the reasons that support it are more than numerous.

First and foremost, such an abuse of power can not be tolerated because it would be just the beginning of a series of actions that would probably end up with the construction of a totalitarian regime. Secondly, justice and law must be reinforced, but the manner in which this happens is fundamental. The application of the law is just as important as the principles which lay at their foundation.

Some might argue that police brutality is sometimes used in order to cool things down in circumstances in which the abuse of power can not be avoided. There is no doubt regarding the validity of this statement. However, the means through which a purpose is achieved is just as important as the purpose itself.

What is the solution then? Well, if we had he right answer, police brutality would probably not happen anymore. If it happens and it remains unpunished then it is an obvious proof o the weakness of the citizen in relation to the state. What can we as citizens do in order to fix things?

The answer is simple: not allow for these sort of things to remain unpunished. The power of the state derives from the people. We must always keep that in mind. How can this situation be improved? Is it through harsher punishments such as firing and fining the ones in question? I'm afraid that this method of punishment is only a method of punishment and not by far a method of prevention.

Socrates argued that human nature is fundamentally good and that people do wrong only because they are ignorant of what they are doing. I believe that two thousand years of history are casting some doubt upon this credo. And I also believe that freedom is a value and a right that must be protected no matter what. Can we educate the cops in order to make sure that evil actions such as those involving brutality will not be happening anymore? I doubt it.