Criminal Justice

CIVIL LIABILITY AND THE FED LAW ENFORCEMENT
READ CHAPTER 9 and 10 IN Freeman/Griggs before you answer this board
When you read about police liability, you read how police chases are a tremendous liability for police officers and the departments they work for in terms of lawsuits.
Should officers be held liable for the actions of the suspect they are chasing?
What is your opinion of departments restricting police chases to only offenses that involve a violent felony offense?
How would you feel if you were a police officer on the street and someone you are trying to pull over will not stop, but you cannot chase them?
What is a suspect killed your family and the police officer DID NOT KNOW he had just committed this act and attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. The officer cannot chase the suspect because he is only chasing him for a traffic violation. What is your opinion on “no-chase” policies now?
The federal government has been increasing its presence in local police departments by providing money and equipment to the locals for their “war on terrorism” and “war on drugs.”
What is your opinion on local, state and county police agencies receiving military surplus items from the federal government?
Has local, state and county agencies become too militarized?
What would be your solution to the militarization of law enforcement? Would you keep it coming or cut it off?
Have you seen an increase in police militarization in the community you live in? Provide examples.

ANSWER

Civil Liability and The Fed Law Enforcement

Should officers be held liable for the actions of the suspect they are chasing?

The police can only be held liable for damages and injuries they cause while chasing a suspect. The police must be directly responsible for the damage or injury before they can be held liable for them. The police cannot bear the liability of the suspect they are chasing if the suspect’s actions result in any legal issue. The suspect being chased in a police encounter must bear the burden of care during the encounter. The driver can be charged with me any damages or injuries arise as they are chased by police.

What is your opinion of departments restricting police chases to only offenses that involve a violent felony offense?

I agree with police chases being limited to only violent felony offenses. Police chases are high-risk encounters that can jeopardize the safety and lives of many bystanders and people in their business. These chases are prone to accidents that can lead to loss of life, destruction of property, and injury. Their use should be highly limited to only violent felony offenses. There are certain minor offenses that police can investigate later using technology and locate the suspects instead of creating chaos in the streets while conducting police chase.

How would you feel if you were a police officer on the street and someone you are trying to pull over will not stop, but you cannot chase them?

I would feel disrespected because as an enforcer of the law, I would be impressed if people complied with my orders as I attempt to keep order in the community. However, I would be upset about not being able to pursue them because I can take their plate numbers and communicate with other officers to block them from passing.

What if a suspect killed your family and the police officer DID NOT KNOW he had just committed this act and attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. The officer cannot chase the suspect because he is only chasing him for a traffic violation. What is your opinion on “no-chase” policies now?

If the officer is not aware of the status of the suspect from a prior offense, my opinion does not change still about no-chase policies. I believe that the police have various ways of seeking suspects and apprehending them to answer their charges. I believe that the police have sufficient technology to search and locate a suspect and submit them to the criminal justice system.

The federal government has been increasing its presence in local police departments by providing money and equipment to the locals for their “war on terrorism” and “war on drugs.”

What is your opinion on local, state, and county police agencies receiving military surplus items from the federal government?

Police departments should not receive military surplus items from the federal government. The police are not a military organization and should therefore not be equipped with military items. The police have used this equipment to terrorize locals in various communities. People of color have been disproportionately targeted by the police department with scary military equipment. The U.S. military is for defense against external aggressors. The job of police departments is not to protect against external aggressors but to maintain local law and order. Equipping the police with military items makes them operate like military organizations yet that is not permitted on American citizens.

Have local, state, and county agencies become too militarized?

Yes, local state and county agencies have become too militarized. Disguising under the banner of “war on drugs” and “war on terrorism”, these agencies have been over-equipped with military-grade weapons that should only be used against foreign enemy combatants.

What would be your solution to the militarization of law enforcement? Would you keep it coming or cut it off?

I would cut off law enforcement militarization and use the funds to invest in social programs that can address the root cause of crime instead of focusing on incarceration. For instance, drug addiction should be treated as a health issue, and resources focused on treating those who fall into it instead of attempting at all turns to incarcerate them.

Have you seen an increase in police militarization in the community you live in? Provide examples.

Yes, I have seen police in the community militarized with the addition of military-grade weapons like armored vehicles, installation of SWAT teams, assault rifles, submachine guns. Grenade launchers and increase in excessive use of force. Encounters with police have become more violent since police want to place their weapons in use instead of diffusing the tense situation and retaining order.