Do Not Judge Unless You Understand

 Police officers have been around for hundreds of years in the United States, and many people have different views on them. Some see them as enforcers of the law and others as corrupted individuals that should not have that much power. An issue that I have not talked about, but is a big issue in a lot of people eyes is police discretion. All police officers have there opinion on others whether its religious, racial, or sexual orientation. People believe that officers should not let these opinions effect hoe they do their job, I agree completely of that matter. 

Acquired at: http://thiscantbehappening.net/node/974

In the years of searching for a serial killer, this discretionary opinion affected the life of a young Vietnamese boy, when a serial killer known as Jeffry Dohmer had kidnapped this boy and did unbelievably cruel and sickening things to him. A warning that this story is gruesome, but follow this link to get the full story. This young boy got away and was running down the street naked. The police were called and stopped the man, but they did not understand what he was saying cause the young boy did not speak English. Jeffery Dohmer came up and said that the young man was his gay partner. The police helped Dohmer take him back to dormer’s place. Dohmer than shortly after killed the young boy. You first are thinking how could the police help Dohmer, but because of view of homosexuals of that time, the police did not see an issue because Dohmer was a well-spoken, intelligent man. (Ballard)

That story is just one of many, but not all officers are like that. You’re probably thinking to your self; that sounds like something a police officer would do. You are probably remembering a time an officer judge you based on your age, appearance or sexual orientation, but also remember you are doing the same thing when you judge every police officer based on a incident in the past. Some officers make judgments based on past encounters they have had. Police officers are humans too and make assumption just like everyone of us before we even meet a person. The biggest difference between a police officer and others is that a police officer’s life is on the line every time they stop a car or go to a call. Officers must make dicitions that could cost them their life or a fellow officers all the time, so when you here about police brutality sometime you need to look in the view of the officers eye.

Work Cited:

“The Ballard Of Jeffery Dohmer, Part II.” Mr. Knappy-Head. Mr. Knappy-head, 19

            Mar. 2010, Web. 21 Nov.2013

Police Misconduct It's Not What It Seems

I have looked at many sources to find the one most suitable and reliable for my topic. I found that the best sources are the ones that are well known. I have mainly used online sources like CNN and Washington Post, because they tend to have the most creditable information. I have used small known sites, but I have found that they do not give as much information as the larger sites. In almost all my post I have used CNN, NY Times, and The Washington Post. All three sites I feel are the most reliable for giving me the information for my paper.

My first source I thought of was CNN, which I use for just about all of my post. The amount of information they provide is amazing. They are very creditable for the information they provide. I have not had any problems with looking up information on their website. The have a comment area at the bottom, which I find a great source for the opposing view on a matter.

Acquired at: http://lostremote.com/tag/cnn 

NY Times is great with inf ormation on smaller events or topics. This sometimes can be on my topic, and I enjoy looking at articles related to my topic even if it’s not a major story. Sometimes the smaller stories provide more information in detail and less bias.

Acquired at:https://sites.psu.edu/kow5247/2013/10/04/online-news-ny-times/

The Washington Post has lots of information that is all over, but most importantly local to my area. I like looking for stories that are local, because I can connect with the story better. I find myself more interested with the stories that are local, than for the larger more publicized stories.

Acquired at:http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2013/08/14/native-journalists-seek-opportunity-under-new-washington-post-owner-150868

All of the sources I feel are the best for my Paper, because they do not have any signs of being bias and incredible. They all are very easy to read and are very interesting. The web sites’ source of information seems to be reliable. 

Officer Larry Deprimo

I decided to do something a little different this week with a story not about police corruption. As a student in college that wants to be part of the criminal justice profession, I have met many people part of law enforcement from the federal and local levels. I have met some that I wasn’t fond of, but many more that were unbelievably great individual. I enjoy reading up on the stories that sometimes get over looked, because the media does not feel its what viewers what to see. 

Acquired at:http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/generosity-immortalized-photo-article-1.1210565

In New York City, NY Officer Larry Deprimo was walking the streets on foot patrol, when he heres people laughing at an elderly gentleman sitting on the ground with no shoes on. The temperature outside was numbing as Officer Deprimo states, “ I had about two pair of socks on and also my combat boots, and my feet were still freezing.” He approached the man and finds out he does not own a pair of shoes. Officer Deprimo went into a shoes store and told the man at the counter  “ I want to buy a pair boots, something that will last awhile; I don’t care what the price is.” Officer Deprimo gives the man the boots and socks, and at the same time a women by the name of Jennifer capture the heartbreaking moment.

In the news or internet you really only here about Officers that make mistakes and commit misconduct, but you rarely here the good side of law enforcement. Its heart warming that officer Deprimo would spend his own money and not care of price to ensure this man had shoe that will keep his feet warm. Many officers all over the country do a lot for their community, but they don’t get credit. Much of this is because they do not ask for credit.  The media eats up the opportunity of possible police misconduct. If you put in the Internet “police misconduct” you will find hundreds of articles on a “huge rise” of police misconduct. In a report by national police misconduct reporting project (NPMRP) only 6,613 sworn in officers are involved in police misconduct in 2010.  In 2010 there were 452,037 sworn in officers in the United States making a percentage of 1.46% involved in misconduct.  That is a very small percentage to be calling a “ huge rise.” I hope that many more of these stories like the one about Officer Deprimo come to light, because the public needs to have a better understanding of the officers that protect them every day.

Work Cited:

Associated Press. “NYPD Officer Gives Boots to Homeless Man.” YouTube. YouTube,    

29 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2013

Packman, David. “2010 NPMSRP Police Misconduct Statistical Report Draft.” CATO

Institute, 5 Apr. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2013

Katrina Killings Case

            In 2005 New, Orleans was hit with a one of the worst disasters in the United States. Hurricane Katrina rocked New Orleans and the United States frozen from shock. To make matters worse, one of the worst police misconduct case occurred just less than a week after Katrina hit in the city of New Orleans.

      Acquired at-http://mediamythalert.wordpress.com/category/hurricane-katrina/

            Katrina Killing Case

It started on bridge in the city of New Orleans. Six unarmed individuals walking on a bridge were looking for food and supplies when four officers approached them. The officers opened fire and shot all six, killing two. The four officers and a fifth investigating the incident attempted to place evidence and false witnesses in order to cover up the tragic incident. The officers falsely accused Lance Madison, one of the six individuals of the bridge of shooting at officers on the bridge. Madison was released when the judge freed him.

 The verdict

After a long investigation and lengthy case all five officers were found guilty of various crimes. One officer was convicted of fatally shooting Madison. Three officers were convicted in the killing of Brissette, and the fifth officer was convicted in participating in a cover up. Today all officers are serving time in prison.

                               Acquired at- http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2017902840_apuskatrinabridgeshootings.html

Who can we trust?

A city looking for help did not see it from the New Orleans Police. They lost trust in those who are there to provide help in their time of need. This made what was going even harder to all the individuals still in the city. I am glad to see a judge notice something was terribly wrong with the investigation, yet it should of never even come to that.

             Don’t Lose Trust

People need to remember that a very small amount of officers are considered bad cops, but a few individuals can make a whole department look corrupted. A quote by Douglas MacArthur “You are remember for the rules you break,” I believe sums up how the public views a police department when misconduct occurs. We judge the whole and not the individuals involved. It upsets me to see a department fall apart because of the actions of cops that should not be cops. The profession of being an officer of the law is very stressful and demanding. Most of the time officers are under paid for what they do. Most get into the profession not for the money but for the want to help. We should not lose trust in officers, because a couple lost track of their duties. We should give officer more credit for putting their life on the line to protect us. The New Orleans Police department used the Katrina Killings Case as a Centerpiece as a push to clean up the department.(“5 ex-cop”)

Work Cited

“5 ex-cops Sentenced In The Katrina Killings Case.” USA today. USA Today News, 4

Apr. 2012. Web. 7 Nov. 2013