In America, the police force works to protect citizens and provide them with a safe, peaceful society. The men and women that are trusted with a badge must sometimes use force in order to serve the citizens of America. Currently, in the United States, there is a debate surrounding the police force and how they utilize force while doing their jobs. Some citizens argue there is a serious epidemic of police brutality in America, Michael Harriot supports this position stating “Police officers killed more Americans than mass shooters and terrorists in 2017.” Others believe police brutality is not an issue, these citizens are on the side of the police force and have an ideology that criminals are to blame for police using force. Faith Kirk describes “Often the case is an individual refusing to comply with police, pushing the officer to use force.” In America the police are not to blame for this so-called
There are countless stories of police acting in an aggressive way. How can Americans simply forget about these stories? This debate has become so popular, athletes have started to speak out. Americans have seen Colin Kaepernick, an NFL quarterback kneeling during the national anthem. He is protesting against police using excessive force. Travis Waldron describes an event of an 18-year-old teenage boy killed by police just 2 days after Kaepernick's initial protest, he goes on to say over the year 963 people were killed (Waldron). It is a sad fact that American police have killed the very citizens they serve and protect, but it is a fact nonetheless. Michael Harriot writes “Police officers killed 1’129 people in 2017 more than the total number of American soldiers killed in battle, and more than terrorists and mass shooters killed.” These terrible incidents happen but it is not the police force who causes them it is American