It’s a Wednesday night. You and three friends are leaving the school library. You make it halfway back to the dorms and they stop you. You recognize the flashing lights and your emotions range from panic, to annoyance and disbelief. It’s the police.
According to aol.com, “Black Americans are more than twice as likely to be unarmed when killed during police encounters than whites.”
Black Americans and law enforcement officials have been at odds for centuries. Black people can often fall victim to policemen who abuse their authority and they are ignored in consequence.
“People have a real distrust for police officers. The role has kind of changed from a hero or someone people look up to, to someone people are scared of,” Public Information Officer of the Southern University Police Department (SUPD), Brian Philson, stated.
Thanks to the digital age, the police have been repeatedly prosecuted by the public with both video and audio evidence in the last several years.
In cases such as Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, and Sandra Bland, police interactions have escalated to deadly heights.
Former Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD) officer, Jason Matthews stated, “A high percentage of the police officers who are killed are killed on traffic stops. That’s why sometimes law enforcement are a little bit more aggressive on traffic stops because they want to establish control. Once that I see that I have control and you’re compliant I can tone it down a little bit.”
Based on recent police-civilian interaction that has been reported in the media, the current relationship between law officials and Black Americans seems to be negligent and taboo.
Amnesty International, an organization that conducts research on social issues stated, “African Americans are disproportionately impacted by police killings.”
In areas with a high population of Black citizens, now more than ever, it is important for civilians to know their rights.
“The way I police in a country club is not the way that I would police in the 70805 area,” Matthews stated.
Matthews admits that certain barriers must be broken in order for police and civilians to have a better relationship and understanding of one another.
In the state of Louisiana, lawfully, you must stop and identify yourself on the street if questioned. However, if you are not under arrest by proof of a warrant for arrest or probable cause, you can leave. Proof of a warrant is also probable cause for a search of the suspect in question.
During a traffic stop, if anything illegal or questionable is in “plain view,” the arresting officer is not required to provide a warrant to perform a search. The driver is obligated to provide a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
In the event that the encounter escalates, filming police officers is legal. The filming of officers is allowed on patrol, when investigating the public, detaining an individual in public, or conducting a traffic stop. Although filming is legal, it is unlawful to film when and where it may be interfering with police investigation.
“If I were to be pulled over by an officer and I felt that I was being treated harshly, I would comply with his demands at the moment and then afterwards ask for his identification and take actions from there, legally depending on how severe the situation was,” stated freshman Nursing major, Lia McCloyn from Lake in the City, Illinois.
Extreme situations with the police are not the most pleasant thing for college students to deliberate about, but unfortunately it is very realistic.
In the event that a situation interacting with the police does intensify, there are some things to watch for.
As stated in General Order 135 through the Baton Rouge Police Department, “use of force should follow a prescribed continuum: physical presence, verbal direction, aerosol subject restraint, soft empty hand control, hard empty hand control, TASER, intermediate weapons and finally when appropriate the use of deadly force.”
If the officer is following protocol accurately, use of force should only be used in response to resist of arrest, defense against physical assault, or in official duty. It is also noted in order 135 that, “only force which is reasonable and necessary may be used in these objectives.”
When interacting with the police, trying to stay calm is the best way to keep the situation in control. When trying to keep the peace fails, being informed on your rights as a citizen, as well as how officers are supposed to behave in conduct can be helpful in encounter.
Freshman Nursing major, Nazsha Demoulin, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana shared her opinion of the best thing to do when met with an aggressive officer.
“Start recording and give them what they want. Always cooperate with the officers at times like this. You never know what will happen if things get worse,” finished Demoulin.
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Law Enforcement 101: Facing the Blue
September 28, 2017
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