Racism and police brutality goes hand in hand, and causes a major concern in
today's society, in the United States. On March 3, 1991 in California, Rodney
King an African American, was pulled over after a high-speed chase, and after
stopping was beaten by four white police officers (Worsnop 635).
Tracy Brock also an African American was arrested in Manhattan in November of
1986. An officer smashed his head through a plate glass window, when Brock
refused to go into the officer’s lunchroom (Police Brutality and Excessive Force
in the New York City Police Department 14). Ki Tae Kim a Korean grocer was
assaulted when he was accused of passing a counterfeit bill. He was punched in
the face, his head was slammed into the counter, and the officer also subjected
him to racial slurs (Police Brutality and Excessive Force in the New York City
Police Department 17).
Marcos Maldonado a Latino grocer was mistaken for a suspect after an armed
robbery to his store. He was handcuffed, thrown to the floor, repeatedly kicked,
and beaten with the officer’s nightstick (Police Brutality and Excessive Force
in the New York City Police Department 17).
Abner Louima a Haitian immigrant was arrested outside a dance club in
Brooklyn, and was brutally assaulted when he arrived at the police station.
Volpe a long time police officer was accused of shoving a plunger into Louima's
rectum so far that his bladder and intestines were lacerated.
Then he shoved the plunger into Louima's mouth and broke his teeth (Steinback
8). These are just a few examples of the people who were affected of police
brutality, and racism. There are five stages through which force can progress
and lead to brutality: Verbal persuasion, unarmed physical force, force using
non-lethal weapons, force using impact weapons and deadly force, which most of
the officers mentioned before fell into this stage.
