Understanding Police Shootings From a Sociological View Essay

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Police Shooting Incidents

Cities across the United States have experienced numerous incidents of police misconduct, which occur several times in every decade, particularly when a high profile case takes place. Actually, police misconduct including police shooting has always been exposed by high profile cases, which highlight some forms of police abuse and violation of human rights. While police officers are mandated with the task of making several decisions and taking necessary actions in protecting the society, they sometimes use force irresponsibly and end up hurting the people they are supposed to protect. In the past few months, there have been increased incidents of police shooting, which can be effectively examined and understood through a sociological perspective.

The Phenomenon of Police Shooting

The increased cases of police shooting in the past few months are not a new phenomenon that has been highlighted by increased media coverage. This case of increased shooting of people by police officers is primarily an example of police misconduct that usually takes place in every decade throughout the history of law enforcement. Generally, policing is a distinctive profession or occupation with characteristics that provide opportunity for deviant behavior since these officers enjoy many freedoms that are not granted to ordinary citizens and residents (Chappell & Piquero, 2004, p.90). Some of these freedoms include use of force, speeding, and seizing property. Moreover, these officers have occupational justifications in cases where such behavior and freedoms are questioned. Therefore, the increased shooting of people by the police is an example of how these officers capitalize on their occupational freedoms, especially use of force, to carry out illegal actions. This is not a new phenomenon but something entrenched in the nature of this occupation or profession.

Race or Ethnicity as a Factor in Police Shooting

The recent cases of police shooting in the United States have seemingly been fueled by race or ethnicity.

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According to recent statistics, the number of individuals killed by police officers in the recent past has increased by more than 30% despite the significant decrease in the number of police officers assaulted or murdered while at work. When these statistics are adjusted-based for populations, it is quite evident that black people or African-Americans were twice as likely to be shot and murdered by police as compared to other races, especially white people. In addition, black people are disproportionally more likely to become suspects in violent crimes (Poturalski, Sweigart & Tucker, 2014). These statistics demonstrate that race or ethnicity is a factor in police shooting.

The role of race as a factor in police officer related shooting of civilians, especially innocent people emerges from the racial bias that still permeates numerous aspects of the American society. Racial bias seemingly influences the decisions and actions of police officers who unfairly target some races in comparison to others. Therefore, addressing police shootings of civilians requires examination of racial inequities and bias prevalent in the American society.

Forms of Deviance that Provoke Lethal Responses

Most of the recent cases of police shootings across various cities in the United States have seemingly been fueled by racial bias with relatively no form of deviance that would provoke the police to use force. For instance, federal data in the aftermath of high-profile police shootings in Ferguson, Cleveland, and Beavercreek shows that the victims in each of these incidents were black and unarmed or carrying non-lethal weapons. These people were seemingly shot on the premise of being black rather than being in possession of harmful or lethal weapons that could provoke lethal responses from the police.

However, there are some forms of deviance that seemingly provoke lethal responses from police officers. One of these forms of deviance that act as provocation for….....

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