Assignment Prompt & Instructions
The Term Paper Assignment will consist of at least 15 double-spaced pages (excluding title page, references, figures, illustrations, or other extraneous elements outside the main body of the paper). Students will format their paper using 12-point Times New Roman font and one-inch margins. Students will use at least 15 scholarly references (Wikipedia or blogs CANNOT be used as a reference). APA 7th Edition guidelines are to be followed. The structure of the assignment must include the following sections and mandatory headings:
1. Title Page
2. Abstract
3. Introduction (including Thesis Statement)
4. Description of the Problem or Issue
5. Literature Review
6. Analysis and Discussion
7. Policy and/or Practice Recommendations
8. Conclusion
9. References
TOPIC: **Use of Force and Racial Disparities in Policing**
– Examine systemic inequalities in use-of-force incidents and their effects on public trust.
PLEASE DO NOT USE AI
outline background
### **Topic Overview (WHAT)**
The excessive use of force by police and the resulting racial disparities in its application remain among the most pressing issues in the U.S. criminal justice system. Studies consistently show that African American and Latino individuals are disproportionately affected by police use-of-force incidents (Geller et al., 2021). These disparities not only highlight systemic racial imbalances within law enforcement practices but also contribute to declining public trust—particularly among marginalized communities. This paper will examine how structural inequalities in policing practices, coupled with insufficient reforms, continue to perpetuate mistrust and injustice.
### **Thesis Statement (WHY)**
Racial disparities in police use of force are not isolated incidents but reflect a deeply rooted structural imbalance within the criminal justice system. Meaningful and lasting change will only come through comprehensive reforms in police accountability, evidence-based training, and community engagement—reforms that are essential to restoring trust and ensuring equal protection under the law.
### **Problem Statement (WHO, WHERE, WHEN, HOW, WHY)**
– **WHO:** African American and Latino communities are the primary groups disproportionately affected by excessive police force.
– **WHERE:** These incidents are most prevalent in urban areas with high minority populations but occur across the United States.
– **WHEN:** While the issue has existed for decades, public awareness and scrutiny have intensified in the past 10–15 years due to high-profile incidents and widespread media coverage.
– **WHAT:** The core problem is the consistent and disproportionate use of force by police against minority populations, which results in physical harm, fatalities, and lasting psychological damage.
– **WHY:** These patterns stem from historical racial biases, ineffective policy reform, lack of proper accountability systems, and limited community representation in policing strategies.
– **HOW:** Despite the introduction of tools like body-worn cameras and implicit bias training, the results have been mixed due to inconsistent implementation and lack of enforcement, allowing systemic biases to persist.
This issue undermines police legitimacy, deepens social divisions, and perpetuates cycles of inequality and mistrust. It is essential to approach this problem as a structural issue, not a series of isolated events. Evidence-based reforms focused on transparency, accountability, and equitable treatment of all citizens are necessary for real change.
### **References**
Bennell, C., Alpert, G., Andersen, J. P., Arpaia, J., Huhta, J. M., Kahn, K. B., … & White, M. D. (2021). _Advancing police use of force research and practice: Urgent issues and prospects._ Legal and Criminological Psychology, 26(2), 121-144.
Geller, A., Goff, P. A., Lloyd, T., Haviland, A., Obermark, D., & Glaser, J. (2021). _Measuring racial disparities in police use of force: Methods matter._ Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 37(4), 1083–1113.
Lawrence, R. G. (2023). _The Politics of Force: Media and the Construction of Police Brutality._ Oxford University Press.