Police Abuse

            In recent years, police actions, particularly police abuse, has.
             come into view of a wide, public and critical eye. While citizens worry.
             about protecting themselves from criminals, it has now been shown that they.
             must also keep a watchful eye on those who are supposed to protect and.
             serve. This paper will discuss the types of police abuse prevalent today,.
             including the use of firearms and receipt of private information. I will.
             also discuss what and how citizens' rights are taken advantage of by.
             police. For these problems, solutions will be discussed, focusing on.
             political reform, education, and citizen review boards. These measures are.
             necessary to protect ourselves from police taking advantage of their.
             positions as law enforcement officers with greater permissive rights than.
             private citizens. Because of this significant differential, all citizens.
             must take affirmative action from physical brutality, rights violations,.
             and information abuse.
             Problems arise, however, when one side is told what to do by.
             another, as there is bound to be conflicting viewpoints. In regard to.
             police abuse, there will be many officers who feel that their job of.
             fighting escalating street crime, gangs, narcotics violations, and other.
             violent crimes is difficult already, and that worrying about excessive.
             policy for abusive behavior will only further decrease their ability to.
             fight crime effectively, efficiently, and safely. Citizens, however, have.
             been caught up in this gung-ho attitude, and police are more and more often.
             crossing the line of investigation and interrogation with abusive behavior.
             This abuse must be monitored so that police do not forget who they are.
             serving--not themselves, but the public. This means that even the.
             criminals, who are a part of the public, have certain rights, particularly,.
             civil rights. All citizens must be aware of these rights to protect.
             themselves against over-aggressive officers who take advantage of their.