Rodney King - Research Paper Example

It will also review whether the attack was a case of police brutality, racial discrimination etc or on the other hand whether it was a justified action on the part of the law enforcement officials of the City. Relevant statistical data will also be given that justifies either of the stands or viewpoints given above. The Unfolding of the King Story and its Aftermath It could be said that the incident sparked off indignation and disbelief followed by forms of illegal retribution from the minority community in the city.

“On March 03 1991, a bystander videotaped Rodney King, an African-American resident of Los Angeles, being beaten up by four White officers of the Los Angeles Police Department, who used a sten gun on King and repeatedly kicked him and hit him with batons” (Sigelman et al, 777, 1997). The article goes on to explain the (initial) feelings of various individuals who expressed indignation regarding the action of the LA police department. The amateur video segment does show King being overpowered and eventually being brutalized by a superior force, the officers of the City Police Department. . exited at the Sunland Boulevard off ramp and returned to the freeway to chase the speeding car at speeds of up to 117 miles per hour.

  King ignored the flashing lights and sped off an exit ramp.  He ran a red light, nearly causing an accident, before finally coming to a stop near the entrance to Hansen Dam Park, at the intersection of Osborne Street and Foothill Boulevard.  Within seconds, three Los Angeles police cars and a police helicopter arrived at the scene” (Linder 2001). King apparently stopped at a busy neighborhood so that there were possible witnesses as to what would happen to him after his imminent stoppage and possible arrest by the police.

But what happened was a scene of brutality that was beyond the any civilized action by a law enforcement agency considering the crime King committed, namely driving under influence (DUI), probation restrictions, exceeding speed limits, and avoiding police action. The cornered car contained three occupants including King. Two of the occupants complied with police demands to lie down on the ground and King did not apparently did not do likewise. The four officers (out of other police personnel) involved brutally attacked an apparently unarmed King.

The amateur video taken by George Holliday showed an instance of how police personnel tackle a person accused of breaking the law. King was repeatedly beaten with batons and kicked by the officers involved. It was always reported that other law enforcement officials of the LA police department were silent or passive witnesses to the incident. King was repeatedly beaten and sometimes kicked by the law enforcement officials without any apparent aggressive act by the former. “Mr. King at first said to have only 'cuts and bruises' received while resisting arrest had his