Police brutality is an issue that people think about in two perspectives. Many people believe that recent problems with ICE are something that can be handled in a more mature way and without all the aggression it has evolved to.
Junior Leyla Gutierez believes that even when a conflict escalates officers should never use brutality the way they do. Senior Gabriel Nunez says, “The way ICE is handling the immigration situation is something that breaks my heart.”
Others believe police brutality is often misidentified. Saul Lopez, a sophomore, says, “When police officers are brutal, it is because it is needed.”
Senior Heidy Gomes believes there are situations where people don’t know how to behave or act ,and that turns into a brutal scene. When situations like that occur, she believes it is right for officers to enforce, not brutality, but to not let the situation escalate more than it has to.
There could be many things that cause police brutality. Junior Giovanny Perdomo says, “Sometimes it is a racial motive. Other times it’s just aggression. Officers might think you’re being aggressive and they choose to be aggressive as well.”
Senior Livan Lopez says, “A lot of times miscommunication is a huge cause of these outrageous problems with cops.”
FIU student Hilda Bonilla says, “Most of police abuse is caused by racism, ignorance, and assumption.”
Some people believe when cops do wrong things in situations, they aren’t held accountable. Junior,Francesca Guido says, “Many cops, when they commit crimes themselves, don’t take responsibility for their actions, and that is something that should change.” Freshman Ashley Belen says, “Cops are people who overuse their power, and when they are caught, they choose not to take responsibility or deny their actions.”
Other people believe there are times when cops are held accountable. Senior Lorena Suarez says, “They are some cops who do take accountability for their actions and realize they were in the wrong.”
Sophomore Bridget Reyes says, “Cops afterwards feel sorry for the way the scenario played out and apologize to the victims, and they also resign. Those are cops I have respect for.”
People believe the government can make some changes to reduce the brutality police officers cause. Fidelina Medina, a paralegal in Broward County says, “Cops should take courses that teach them how to deescalate a situation when needed. They also should take psychology classes so they can differentiate when a person is being aggressive or when a person has a mental health problem.”
Ana Linares, a retired woman, believes officers should be considerate and learn how to communicate with the person instead of fully going into assumptions about the situation.
Police brutality can be just a few bad apples but can also be a broken system. Carlos Flores, who is a construction worker, says, “The brutality starts from the academy, where they are taught by other officers who are brutal. From the very start the system was broken and just continues to be.”
However, Livan Lopez believes not every cop is a bad one. He believes they’re just some officers who over abuse their powers.
Some police brutality cases that escalated more than needed:
Source: wikipedia
