Introduction
Given how they carry out their duties, police brutality is a hotly debated subject. Although the police department is meant to protect civilians and uphold law and order, they often disregard citizens' ethics, values, and rights. This paper outlines the perceived motives for the powers' use of ruthless mechanisms, as well as the consequences for civilians. It blends the theories of ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos denotes honesty and trustworthiness in one's conduct, while pathos denotes emotional appeals such as indignation, pity, or fear. Logos, on the other hand, involves the invitation to reason within the boundaries of set logic.
Causes of Police Brutality
Several police officers appear cruel to the subjects because of various reasons. The oppression seems rampant because of the covering up of police mistakes and protection of the forces whenever they fault the public (Miller et al., 2017). The top officials in the judiciary protect the cops despite the ruthless behaviors. Besides, the consequences of the misconducts are minimal for the officers. The findings from the Central New Jersey ascertain the report of 99% brutal police cases that go without investigation (Miller et al., 2017). Furthermore, the research ascends the high rate of convicting the civilians in comparison with the officers, who are victims of cruel treatment. Therefore, the failure to take adequate actions against the police officers and victimize the offended instead is a reason for the continued brutality.
Belief in Harsh Strategy as Persuasion
The belief that harsh strategy persuades the citizens has intensified the state of ruthlessness among the officers. A study by the Department of Justice accorded that 84% of the officers were using forces on the civilians, while 61% of the officers agreed that the cases finally disappear before being reported for the further investigations (Miller et al., 2017). Also, the increased militarization of the police organ associated with additional weapons makes some officers exercise malice on the citizens. Additionally, the heartless officers find compensation from the taxpayers whom they fault. The research from human rights affirms that the tax payers pay thrice for the officers of brutal offenses to cover the injuries of the police, and to pay for the police defense funds.
Analysis of the Effects of Police Brutality Based on the Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
The ruthless nature of police contributes immensely in thwarting the ethics, rational reasoning among citizens, and destabilizing the emotions of people. Importantly, people must understand the privilege of living in a society with civil rights and dignities. The Constitution clearly outlines the various aspects of freedom such as freedom of speech, freedom of expression as well as the right for religion, including those criminally accused, and the right to assemble peacefully and to petition the state (Renshaw, 2013). However, it is pathetic that the forces in many nations compromise the law and assume the important roles of law in the society.
Fierce Nature towards Minority Groups
The fierce nature of officers seems very much intensified to the minority groups. The evidence from Beyond the Rodney King Story ascertained that white officers were multiplying the ruthless authorities on the non-white settlers (Brown, 2015). The similar study maintains that the high number of merciless handling from the forces emanate from the marginalized minorities as compared to the American Natives. The harassment of the marginal group is anti-ethical virtues, requiring the officers to uphold the universally reputable standards with trustworthiness (Brown, 2015). Furthermore, the police officers should protect the Constitution and equally maintain the right of individuals without discrimination.
Limiting the Right of Expression and Reasoning
Also, the brutal officers limit the right of expression and reasoning from the local civilians when engaged in problems. The phenomenon goes contrary to the logos - it is enrooted on the principle of skillful personal thinking. Often, the fierce officers give the limited room for argument, even when the victim is right. In reckon, the statement from Ronald Hampton, the retired police officer in America, outlined that one must be willing to "forsake some of the rights and privileges to enable the forces to carry their work efficiently" (Brown, 2015). The sentiments could mean that at times one may keep quiet and avoid complaints even in the event of ruthless handling by the officers. In some instances, the officers give no ear for the perceived casualties and maintain that further explanations are for future moments while in court.
Effects on Emotions of Subjects
On the other hand, the police affect the emotions of the subjects - pathos. The fierce nature introduces the negative emotions on citizens. Some people, for instance, develop anger and face it off with the officers, regardless of the level of harm. Several cases have occurred, where the officers nurtured injuries from the crowd due to the pitiless behaviors (Brown, 2015). Similarly, some people become fearful and uneasy to stay in places, where police officers are. The dreadful trait could occur, when the party has witnessed the previous mishandling of a colleague and the general perception that the officers are inhuman. The notion could scare away people and prevent them from carrying out essential daily economic activities.
Conclusion
The police cruelty is quite common in the modern society. The underlying factors attributing to the intensified cruelty leadership include the covering up and over protection of the officers in the case of mistake, the minimum consequences of misbehaviors, increased militarization of the forces, and the notion that fierce leadership persuades the subjects to offer respect. It is evident that brutality should be minimized, and the states should devise the various mechanisms to curb the situation. The police should comply with the law-abiding citizens and treat them with more concern and integrity. The state should also monitor the manners and actions of the officers and ensure that they clearly uphold the expected behavioral stands. Ultimately, people will be staying in safe nations, where everyone trusts the law and becomes effective ambassadors by imitating and practicing good morals.
References
Brown, G. R. (2015). The blue line on thin ice: Police use of force modifications in the era of camera-phones and YouTube. British Journal of Criminology, 62(2): 1-12
Miller, T. R., Lawrence, B. A., Carlson, N. N., Hendrie, D., Randall, S., Rockett, I. R., & Spicer, R. S. (2017). Perils of police action: a cautionary tale from US data sets. Injury Prevention, 23(1), 27-32.
Renshaw, C. S. (2013). The ASEAN human rights declaration 2012. Human Rights Law Review, 13 (3): 557-579.
