Thompson 1

Ariel Thompson
Connie Douglas
UWRT 1102
8 February, 2015

Policing the Police

Due to social networks and media, over the years, police brutality has become more
noticeable in America. The recurring patterns of police overusing their authority has left many
citizens in utter shock and dismay. In the articles, Police Tactics by Peter Katel written in 2014,
and Police Misconduct, by Kenneth Jost created in 2012, police brutality and wrongdoing is
analyzed and addressed. Both of these articles use recent incidents where police brutality was
questioned. These articles address police and their tactics as well as giving ideas to help combat
cruelty. Police brutality and racial profiling is an issue in America that has left many wondering
does it really exist, and if so, how will it be solved.
In the introduction, author of Police Misconduct Kenneth Jost, clearly shows that he
realizes police brutality is a factual entity in America. Jost gives a brief summary about Wendell
Allen, who was a victim of a police brutality incident in, New Orleans. The author mentions that
Wendell had previous charges; however, during the home raid he was standing unarmed in a
staircase before Officer Joshua Colclough fired a single gunshot that hit Allen in the chest. The
bullet penetrated Allen's heart, aorta and lungs. (Jost 303) Jost appears to be extremely critical
on police tactics implying that racial profiling has become a huge part of recent police brutality
happenings. He states, Racial and ethnic profiling appears to be continuing despite increasing

Thompson 2
diversity on local police forces. (Jost 309) Jost solely questions how police force should be
utilized. Yearly killings in arrest by police officers have been on the rise. So, how should this be
solved? Should police officers become trained to learn new tactics that would be less harmful
during these situations? Jost also believes that there is unfortunately a positive correlation
between racial profiling and police brutality. In a pie chart entitled Racial Origin of Those
Killed While Under Arrest, 2003-2009, a little over half of those death were those of Hispanic
or Black descent. Jost is directing his article towards officers and citizens of America who may
be blind to the fact that racial profiling and police brutality factually do go hand in hand. The
audience is viewed as uninformed to the accurate information that supports that racial profiling
with police officers does exist. Jost views his audience as being ignorant to the fact that there are
more incidents of completely innocent killings than those that we hear about on the news. He
says that more cases of racial profiling and police brutality go unnoticed than noticed.
In contrast to Josts article, author Peter Katel does believe that there is police brutality
and misuse of force, but he views this a different way. In his article Police Tactics he poses the
question that United States police departments are becoming militarized. The shooting of
Michael Brown by white officer Darren Wilson has led to angry and sometimes violent protests,
initially heightened when police in military-style gear and armored vehicles responded to the
unrest. (Katel 1034) Katel inquires whether the military-like tactics that have been used in
recent cities during protest against police brutality are effective or if they are more harmful.
Katel indirectly encourages change in the way that police officers handle these type of situations.
Katel bases his article completely on logic information. He questions the use of SWAT teams and
military tactics in the police departments. Katel is directing his article towards those in favor of
officers using military force in the police systems. The money being used for the military tactics

Thompson 3
could truly be used in a better way such as properly training police to better handle situations that
deal with racial profiling. Military tactics on citizens are not helpful and just cause more stir to a
burning situation. Katel wants his audience to know that these military tactics will not get the job
done. However, they will create even more controversy and anger even more citizens. Many
minority citizens already feel as if they are profiled, militarizing the police systems just creates a
worse scenario.
Both of these article analyze the negativity that police brutality in regards to racial
profiling is truly an issue in America. The authors of these two articles pose different information
that both support that a solution must be found to combat brutality. However, Jost is more clear
and concise with portraying the social effects of police brutality. Jost focuses on the overall
effects of police brutality instead of specifically the militarization of police forces. Possibly
cameras and more training could be very helpful and useful to fight against police brutality. A
previously stated, the positive correlation between police brutality and racial profiling has left
many Americans looking at the faults of our police systems. Many wonder how this issue will be
solved. Police brutality and racial profiling is something that unfortunately exists, not with all
officers or all people, but it does exist. It is important to find a solution to create a better
environment and relationship between police officers and citizens.

Works Cited
Jost, Kenneth. "Police Misconduct." CQ Researcher 6 Apr. 2012: 301-24. Web. 4 Feb. 2015.
Katel, Peter. "Police Tactics." CQ Researcher 12 Dec. 2014: 1033-60. Web. 4 Feb. 2015.