Introduction

In recent years, the rate of police killings have climbed exponentially. With police brutality on the rise, many different movements have formed in order to protest the extreme, deadly force that police officers use. The most prolific of these protest groups is Black Lives Matter. The Black Lives Matter Organization was formed in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Culors, and Opal Tometi following the acquittal of George Zimmerman1, the man who killed seventeen year old Trayvon Martin. The Black Lives Matter Organization protests following the killings of innocent black men, women, and children by officers of law enforcement. Some of the most prolific cases have been: Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery. So why is it that these killings are occurring so often as of late? Following the killings, police officers have come up with multiple excuses, all along the lines of “I was in fear of mine and my colleagues’ lives.” 

Continue reading Weeding Out the Bad Apples: The Dangers of Law Enforcement Officers Not Receiving Enough Training

In recent years, the rate of police killings have climbed exponentially. With police brutality on the rise, many different movements have formed in order to protest the extreme, deadly force that police officers use. The most prolific of these protest groups is Black Lives Matter. The Black Lives Matter Organization was formed in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Culors, and Opal Tometi following the acquittal of George Zimmerman1, the man who killed seventeen year old Trayvon Martin. The Black Lives Matter Organization protests following the killings of innocent black men, women, and children by officers of law enforcement. Some of the most prolific cases have been: Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery. So why is it that these killings are occurring so often as of late? Following the killings, police officers have come up with multiple excuses, all along the lines of “I was in fear of mine and my colleagues’ lives.” 

The problem is not that police officers fear for their lives, nor is it that the “criminal” had a gun, or an outstanding criminal record, nor is it that they were resisting arrest. The problem is that these officers of the law do not receive enough training before they receive a uniform, badge, and gun. In order to become a police officer, there is not much training or practice involved. The basic requirements for most law enforcement departments are to gain at least a high school diploma or equivalent, attend police academy, and pass the required examinations2. Most police departments do not even require a college education nor diploma. 

In order to obtain a law degree, lawyers must first earn a bachelor’s degree—which takes four years, then follow by taking an LSAT in order to get into law school for an average of three years3. Following law school, they must take and pass the bar exam with a score of between 262 and 2704. Being a judge takes an even longer amount of time. Most judges go through the motions of law school, and then are a lawyer for several years prior to attempting to gain judgeship5. Why are we seeing such a great divide in our criminal justice system? Why is it that in order to practice and defend the law, you need seven years of education, diplomas, and degrees, however to enforce the law it takes merely twenty one weeks? Law enforcement agencies need to update their requirements. Police officers should be required to gain more education and training before being able to hold a gun and enforce the law. 

1. https://blacklivesmatter.com/herstory/
2. https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/requirements-to-become-a-police-officer.html#:~:text=1%20Meet%20Basic%20Prerequisites.%20Step%201%20is%20to,final%20step%20is%20to%20find%20a%20job.%20
3. https://www.enjuris.com/students/how-long-is-law-school.html#:~:text=1%20From%20obtaining%20a%20bachelor%E2%80%99s%20degree%20to%20sitting,degree%20programs%20take%201%20year%20to%20complete.%20
4. https://legal.uworld.com/blog/legal/mbe-score-guide-what-percentage-of-mbe-questions-to-pass/#:~:text=In%20jurisdictions%20where%20a%20total%20score%20of%20262-270,131-135%20questions%29%20on%20the%20MBE%20to%20be%20safe.
5. 5. https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/become-a-judge.html#:~:text=The%20process%20of%20how%20to%20be%20a%20judge,undergraduate%20courses%20and%20three%20years%20of%20law%20school.