Use of force
Police officers are given a considerable amount of discretion due to the nature of the job. Officers are faced with many threatening situations forcing them to react quickly. A major concern with the amount of discretion officers have is their power to decide when to use force or when to use lethal force. Manning (1997) argues that it is generally accepted that police should be allowed to use force. He also explains that there are an uncertain amount people who agree on as to what constitutes excessive force. The line between what is necessary and what is extreme is very thin and hard to see. Use of force is no doubt one of the most important aspects in policing and force should also be used with great discretion. The most important factors to community policing include personalization, partnership and problem solving (Allender, 2004). The idea is to create a relationship with citizens that are both trustworthy and honest. The use of force can include many different actions a police officer can take part in. Force can range from verbal commands, to the use of lethal force. Police need to have discretion to use force to protect themselves as well as the community.
When debating the issue of police use of force, the issue of what actions constitute too much force must also be addressed. Another concern is the possibility of corruption amount officers. When given such great power, the probability of corruption is high. Officers generally do not start out as corrupt, but years of work on the force can create animosity between officers and suspects and lead them to decide to use force more quickly (McEwen, 1996). Many times, officers patrol the streets alone which creates the chance for potential abuse of power (McEwen, 1996). Although police officers need to be allowed to exercise some discretion, they also need limits and guidelines to follow when using their powers of discretion (Manning, 1997). The decision to use force should not be taken lightly in that people
When debating the issue of police use of force, the issue of what actions constitute too much force must also be addressed. Another concern is the possibility of corruption amount officers. When given such great power, the probability of corruption is high. Officers generally do not start out as corrupt, but years of work on the force can create animosity between officers and suspects and lead them to decide to use force more quickly (McEwen, 1996). Many times, officers patrol the streets alone which creates the chance for potential abuse of power (McEwen, 1996). Although police officers need to be allowed to exercise some discretion, they also need limits and guidelines to follow when using their powers of discretion (Manning, 1997). The decision to use force should not be taken lightly in that people
References: Adams, Kenneth et al. (1999) Use of Force by Police: Overview of National and Local Data’ Allender, D.M., Community Policing Exploring the Philosophy. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 2004: 73, p18. Anglen, R Banks, C. (2004). Criminal Justice Ethics: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications. Center for the Study of Ethics in the Profession Ethics.’ Codes of Ethics Online. Illinois Institute of Technology. Retrieved October 31, 2004, from, http://www.itt.edu/departmner/csep/PublicWWW/ codes/coe/International_Assocation_of_Chief_of_Police_Law_Enforcement_Code_of_Ethics_1989.html Chandler Police Department. Book of Policies and Codes. Retrieved November 2, 2004. Cory, B Hall, J.C. (1994). Use of Deadly Force to Prevent Escape. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 63, 27-63 Jenson, E. (2004). Expert says Lovelace Varied Stories under Pressure. Chandler Republic. Retrieved October 30, 2004 from http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/1026cr-expert27.html Kleinig, John. 1996. Handled with Discretion: ethical issues in police decision-making. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Manning, P. (1997). Police Work: The Social Organization of Policing. Prospect Heights: Waveland Press McEwen, Tom (1996). ‘Police Use of Force: Collection of National Data’. Washington DC Smith, M. & Petrocelli, M. (2002). The Effectiveness of Force used by Police in Making Arrest. Police Practice and Research an International Journal, 3, 201-15.