Unethical police operations - Essay Example

Unethical Police Operations affiliation Unethical Police Operations The police department is depended on by the public to protect and preserve peace in the society. However, in many cases, victims have found themselves testifying against police officers because of misconduct. This has a serious negative impact on the community. The trust that the society has on police officers get ruined and victims are in most cases left with a mental scar. Upholding the highest level of ethics is crucial for police officers.

Body Police officers are expected to follow certain rules and ethics when performing their duties. They are not expected to use their authority for personal gain. However, there are cases of police corruption and brutality in the United States. One of the most current cases of police brutality in the United States is the case of Michael Brown. The fatal shooting of Michael Brown by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri showed the seriousness of police brutality in the US. This incident started when a call was made about stealing in progress at a market.

The dispatch call indicated a black male suspect wearing a white T-shirt accompanied with another man. They were suspected to have stolen cigars. After 12.00pm, Wilson indicated that he was with the two suspects on Canfield and asked for backup. According to Dorian Johnson, the lawyer representing Brown’s friend, Wilson stopped the two suspects because of walking in the middle of the street. However, the two told the officer that they had almost reached their destination and therefore, will not be in the street after a short while, but Wilson grabbed Brown by his neck and eventually shot him.

Wilson on the other hand, provided a different version. He indicated that Brown attacked him, prompting him to shoot. He also indicated that before firing at Brown, they struggled over the gun. The main question raised in this case is whether the shooting of unarmed college student was reasonable force or an illegal act. The grand jury in this case decided not to indict Wilson. I do not agree with the outcome of the case because it is a bad precedent in the police department. This is evident because it is not the first case of police killing unarmed Americans to be reported in the US as seen in the case of Eric Garner and Anthony Baez in New York (Baez, 2014).

This decision also shows that our police system lacks accountability and inadequate disciplinary systems that discourage these incidences from happening. These policemen need to be stripped off their jobs, badges, pension, and gun for violating the public trust. Cases of corruption among police officers occur when they demand criminals to pay them large amounts of money without looking at violations of the law or the penalty that come with the act. This also involves receiving drugs and playing favorites.

Cases of corruption have been witnessed among police officers in the US. A good example is the case of Officer Ashley Roane from Southwestern District. She agreed to give a drug dealer information about informants, their Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information. According to the prosecutors, this was aimed at getting false tax refunds. She also provided protection and received cash payments from a man who was working for the FBI agents and department investigators, but who she believed was a drug dealer.

She was taken into custody while being on suspension without pay (Fenton, 2013). She also faced 17 years mandatory minimum prison sentence. I agree with this sentence because police officers need to act honorably, professionally, and should follow the law. This decision also helps the public have faith in the police department.Conclusion Police brutality and corruption are issues which can be detrimental to the reputation and efforts of the police departments in the US. These issues need to be dealt with carefully to maintain the objective of maintaining peace and safety in the society.

BibliographBaez, I. (2014, 08 12). Are the police getting away with murder? Retrieved from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/12/opinion/baez-police-garner-michael-brown-chokehold/Fenton, J. (2013, 05 31). Baltimore police officer charged in drug corruption case. Retrieved from Baltimore Sun: http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-05-31/news/bs-md-ci-police-corruption-indictment-20130531_1_drug-dealer-baltimore-police-officer-west-baltimore