Abstract
Tension between police officers and local residents is nothing new. Community relationships with and perceptions of law enforcement have ebbed and flowed over the years. Nonetheless, the fact that recent criticisms of law enforcement practices are not novel does not mean that claims about mistrust in local police are unfounded. However, surprisingly absent from discussions about present problems with law enforcement are what caused the "broken relationship" between officers and their communities, and how to mend these ever-increasing rifts. This Note seeks to fill that void by uncovering what has caused the current and deteriorated relationship between law enforcement and the community, and what can be done to restore public trust in the police. To that end, Part II discusses the relevant factors that have culminated in our nation's militarized police departments. In particular, Part II first analyzes various federal programs, historical events, police recruit training techniques, and general policing strategies that encourage and incentivize the excessive militarization of law enforcement agencies. Thereafter, the combined effect of each of these factors is examined, whereupon this Note argues that the current model of policing has resulted in the warrior mentality being instilled in our police, who are increasingly using military-grade weaponry to respond to mundane and routine matters. Part III offers a solution to this daily and excessive use of combatlevel force by local law enforcement. Part III begins with an examination into what compels citizens to voluntarily comply with the law, and continues by recommending that law enforcement agencies should restructure their policing strategies to conform with community policing. This Part concludes with a discussion about body cameras as a possible solution for rebuilding the community's trust in law enforcement, and argues that such support is misplaced. While the use of body cameras may improve the speed and accuracy of investigations into disputes between police officers and local residents, cameras will not solve current tensions because the technology neither prevents encounters from escalating, nor makes the use of deadly force any less justified.
Recommended Citation
Jaclyn M. D'Esposito,
Note, Are Officers Equipped to Protect and Serve Their Communities? An Examination into the Militarization of America's Police and Police Legitimacy,
30
Notre Dame J.L. Ethics & Pub. Pol'y
403
(2016).
Available at:
https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndjlepp/vol30/iss2/7