Are They Good or Bad??

The existence of police brutality puts all of us in wonder. Are the ones that are supposed to protect us the ones who are offending and hurting us? Are they good or bad? Well, one of the most popular police brutality cases is the one of Abner Louima. According to the victim, he was trying to break up a fight outside a night club when police officers attacked him. Louima, a 30 year old with no criminal record was punched, kicked and taken to the 70th Precinct Station. He also claimed that police officers yelled racial slurs at him right before beating him. At the precinct, Louima said he was beaten again and the wooden handle of a toilet plunger was shoved into his rectum and then into his mouth. Louima was hospitalized with a tear in his colon and a laceration to his bladder. He required a catheter and a colostomy bag to pass urine. Four police officers from the 70th Precinct station were charged in the case and 13 other officers were reassigned.

Ironically, police abuses have increased while city crimes have dropped to its lowest level in a generation. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced Tuesday the formation of a $15 million panel of media figures and community activists to meet with police and address the brutality issue. "I think this is an opportunity to build mutual respect and trust and mutual accountability among police and the community," says Police Commissioner Howard Safir. The city has a board to review claims of brutality, but its members say it is under financed, understaffed and virtually ignored by the police and the city. "Police officers view us as a toothless organization," said Earl Ward of the Civilian Complaint Review Board. "And I think it says to a police officer, 'You can conduct any abusive conduct you want to conduct with impunity.'"

This is a very disturbing case. I was very disappointed at the fact that there are police officers capable of doing these monstrous acts. I believe police officers should be physicologically trained before being hired. When you hear about stories like these you would think background checks aren't done before hiring police officers. Truth is, before becoming one of New York's Finest, many exams and background checks are done. But its impossible to distinguish what cop is capable of doing these acts.

http://www.cnn.com/US/9708/20/ny.beating/