The major social issue in my community that I will be researching and discussing, is the idea that
when people see a police officer, the first thing that comes to mind is fear and not protection. I find
this to be a very significant problem in my community because people are supposed to feel safe or
protected when a police officer is around; however, I believe that in our society people receive the
opposite feeling.
when people see a police officer, the first thing that comes to mind is fear and not protection. I find
this to be a very significant problem in my community because people are supposed to feel safe or
protected when a police officer is around; however, I believe that in our society people receive the
opposite feeling.
A phobia according to dictionary.com is a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or
situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it.
situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it.
The Problem
People everywhere are constantly posting videos up on the internet about police officers harassing
someone or what appears to be the use of excessive force. The people within the videos typically
appear to be mistreated or abused, by those who are suppose to serve and protect these same citizens.
On some occasions the officers had every right to use whatever force they felt necessary in order to
protect themselves and their partners; however, on other occasions they are simply abusing their
power. Since in many of these viral videos, people are typically harassed or abused by the officers,
it causes the viewers of these videos to create this negative stigma around police officers. People
who then see these police officers while they are on the street, will begin to worry about whether
or not they are actually safe around them.
People everywhere are constantly posting videos up on the internet about police officers harassing
someone or what appears to be the use of excessive force. The people within the videos typically
appear to be mistreated or abused, by those who are suppose to serve and protect these same citizens.
On some occasions the officers had every right to use whatever force they felt necessary in order to
protect themselves and their partners; however, on other occasions they are simply abusing their
power. Since in many of these viral videos, people are typically harassed or abused by the officers,
it causes the viewers of these videos to create this negative stigma around police officers. People
who then see these police officers while they are on the street, will begin to worry about whether
or not they are actually safe around them.
According to the Washington Post, as of March 27th, 2018, 253 people have been killed by police
officers. (Washington Post) When someone sees a statistic like this, especially out of context, they
can interpret it in their own way. Many times that can cause fear; moreover, since this year we
have barely made it through roughly 90 days and so many people have already been killed by
police officers, it might come to no shock why there are people who are afraid to be around police
officers. There are several situations on that website where people will say that the police officers
are justified. However, there are also examples of innocent people being killed. A University of South
Carolina criminologist, Geoffrey Alpert, who looks closely at police officer cases, like shootings,
said, "The officers are going to have to explain all 20 shots. They are going to have to justify
repeatedly shooting," he said. "The bottom line is we have a young African American man with
a cellphone being shot dead by police" (The LA Times). When looking at this example plenty
of people are given reason to be afraid of police officers. This young man was shot repeatedly in
his own backyard, simply because the police officers believed he had a weapon. It is one thing to
be afraid of police officers out in public, but after this some people can no longer even feel safe at
their own houses. This is just one example, but there are plenty of other “small” examples that have
happened in the past and will happen in the future. Plenty of police officers abuse their power, and
they know that some people are afraid of them. Here is one example, “A police officer in Georgia has
left his position after he was recorded on a dashboard camera trying to convince a white woman that
she had nothing to worry about during a traffic stop because she was not black" (The New York Times).
Just like this police officer, there are many more that know they strike fear in people. In our society,
it is usually videos of people of color who are being harassed by officers that spread around. It is
something so normal, that people are not typically surprised when it happens. That does not make it
any more okay, and people should definitely be outraged by this. With all those examples building up,
it's no wonder that people are afraid of police officers. No matter the color of their skin. Due to so
many videos where police officers have been abusive towards others, they have now created a negative
appearance for themselves. Sure, there are plenty of good police officers who are not abusing their
power, but it is those who are taking advantage of their situation that are creating this uproar by the
people.
Personal Relevance
This social issue directly affects me because I am a member of society, which is supposed to be protected by police officers. They are supposed to make sure that everyone within society is following the laws and that we all feel safe in our communities. Although, on countless occasions I have seen videos of police officers abusing their power and taking advantage of certain situations. Some of them abuse their power, and many people are now struck with fear whenever they see a police officer, instead of having a sense of protection when they are around. Of course they’re are plenty of good police officers out there that don’t behave this way; however, the fact that some do act this way, ruins the way that people perceive them nowadays. I chose this issue because I am one of many people who feel this way. I would like to feel safe around a police officer, and there should not be a reason for me not to. Unfortunately, in our society that isn't the case. So whenever I see a police officer, I worry that I might be questioned for no reason and get harassed. Even if I know I am not doing anything wrong. This should not be the way people feel around those who are supposed to ‘serve and protect’ our communities.
officers. (Washington Post) When someone sees a statistic like this, especially out of context, they
can interpret it in their own way. Many times that can cause fear; moreover, since this year we
have barely made it through roughly 90 days and so many people have already been killed by
police officers, it might come to no shock why there are people who are afraid to be around police
officers. There are several situations on that website where people will say that the police officers
are justified. However, there are also examples of innocent people being killed. A University of South
Carolina criminologist, Geoffrey Alpert, who looks closely at police officer cases, like shootings,
said, "The officers are going to have to explain all 20 shots. They are going to have to justify
repeatedly shooting," he said. "The bottom line is we have a young African American man with
a cellphone being shot dead by police" (The LA Times). When looking at this example plenty
of people are given reason to be afraid of police officers. This young man was shot repeatedly in
his own backyard, simply because the police officers believed he had a weapon. It is one thing to
be afraid of police officers out in public, but after this some people can no longer even feel safe at
their own houses. This is just one example, but there are plenty of other “small” examples that have
happened in the past and will happen in the future. Plenty of police officers abuse their power, and
they know that some people are afraid of them. Here is one example, “A police officer in Georgia has
left his position after he was recorded on a dashboard camera trying to convince a white woman that
she had nothing to worry about during a traffic stop because she was not black" (The New York Times).
Just like this police officer, there are many more that know they strike fear in people. In our society,
it is usually videos of people of color who are being harassed by officers that spread around. It is
something so normal, that people are not typically surprised when it happens. That does not make it
any more okay, and people should definitely be outraged by this. With all those examples building up,
it's no wonder that people are afraid of police officers. No matter the color of their skin. Due to so
many videos where police officers have been abusive towards others, they have now created a negative
appearance for themselves. Sure, there are plenty of good police officers who are not abusing their
power, but it is those who are taking advantage of their situation that are creating this uproar by the
people.
Personal Relevance
This social issue directly affects me because I am a member of society, which is supposed to be protected by police officers. They are supposed to make sure that everyone within society is following the laws and that we all feel safe in our communities. Although, on countless occasions I have seen videos of police officers abusing their power and taking advantage of certain situations. Some of them abuse their power, and many people are now struck with fear whenever they see a police officer, instead of having a sense of protection when they are around. Of course they’re are plenty of good police officers out there that don’t behave this way; however, the fact that some do act this way, ruins the way that people perceive them nowadays. I chose this issue because I am one of many people who feel this way. I would like to feel safe around a police officer, and there should not be a reason for me not to. Unfortunately, in our society that isn't the case. So whenever I see a police officer, I worry that I might be questioned for no reason and get harassed. Even if I know I am not doing anything wrong. This should not be the way people feel around those who are supposed to ‘serve and protect’ our communities.
People Who Agree
Giselle Burciaga
"When I think about police, I am afraid. I do not like knowing a person can have so much power
and how cops have had a reputation of being corrupt. Although, society has told me not to fear the
police because of my fair complexion. I still feel the need to be cautious."
and how cops have had a reputation of being corrupt. Although, society has told me not to fear the
police because of my fair complexion. I still feel the need to be cautious."
Raelene Gonzales
'"I like cops but they're also usually so frightening. Like either I get that 'I could snap your neck if I wanted to but I wouldn't' vibe or 'just give me a reason to ruin your life' vibe"'
Jalisa Wester
Works Cited
1. Christine Hauser and Jacey Fortin. ‘We Only Kill Black People,’ Police Officer Says During Traffic Stop. Aug. 31, 2017. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/31/us/black-kill-police-georgia.html
2. Dictionary.com, “Phobia.” http://www.dictionary.com/browse/phobia
3. Police Shootings 2018. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/national/police-shootings-2018/?utm_term=.fce348d4b5b5
4. Richard Winton, Sarah Parvini and Monte Morin. “Stephon Clark Shooting: How Police Opened Fire on an Unarmed Black Man Holding a Cellphone.” Mar 23, 2018. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-stephon-clark-shooting-sacramento-explainer-20180323-story.html
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