Solution to End Racial Profiling and Unjustified Murders by Police by Natalie

Solution to End Racial Profiling and Unjustified Murders by Police by Natalie - March 2017 Scholarship Essay

A very important topic is racial profiling and unjustified murders of young African American men by police and the police not being held liable for the deaths of these young men across America. On August 9th, 2014 the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, by a white police officer absolutely shocked the community of Ferguson Missouri and created riots that lasted for weeks. More intense riots soon followed after a Grand Jury decided not to charge the white office for the murder. The fear by white officials and their action to bring in the National Guard really brought on anger by the community of Ferguson. Soon there were marches across America in protest against the murder of other young African American males in cities across America, such as Baltimore, New York, Chicago, and Cleveland etc. The police officers defense in all these cases are they felt they were threatened and defended themselves. This makes it their word against the assumed assailant who has died by their hand. What can be done to curtail this problem?
The “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” movement was born. A movement made up of concerned African American citizens, who believe, are themselves oppressed by the Police Departments and live in fear they will be targeted next. Along with “Black Lives Matter”, another movement that was born from the death of Trayvon Martin wanted a voice by making the Democrat Candidates speak up when these groups would show up at Presidential rallies. This was to get exposure of this serious issue in the African American communities to the Journalist who were covering the Presidential Candidates.
The progress of the “Black Lives Matter “and “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” movements and other movements has put pressure on Police Departments across America. These movements demanded some kind of transparency and justice for their loved ones. Transparency came in the form of body and dashboard Cameras. Originally used by County Sheriffs for their protection during routine stops is now part of the Police Officers uniform. The effects that body cameras have on how police interact with the citizens of neighborhoods, especially African American communities have changed drastically. Citizens are less likely to do misconduct themselves when being recorded. Most people don’t seek to act hostile either toward Police when approached. Police in response don’t overreact because they are aware of the camera recording their movements. These body cameras and dashboard cameras have proven effective so far.
The Justice Department has also gotten involved by conducting studies and suing police departments for their decades old practices. Overwhelming their studies have shown that there is evidence of racial profiling by using the “Stop and Frisk” method overwhelming conducted constantly against young African American males, where in a several situations would go wrong. This has put a lot of distrust in police offices. The Justice Department also concluded that community oriented policing has shown promise. These measures will help in holding the Police Officer liable and open for any disciplinary action they deserve.
In short the answer to reduce racial profiling and unjustified murders of young black youths is being resolved with community policing, over site by the Justice Department, and body cameras for a true recording of what happened. This will hopefully restore trust in the police and the Police Departments who have sworn to server and protect communities everywhere.