COUNTERPOINT: Bill is not enough to eradicate police brutality


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In the latest effort to counter police brutality, Gov. Jerry Brown approved legislation enforcing California police officers to collect demographic data from each person they stop. In each case, the officer must include the race of the person stopped, the reason for the stop and the result of the stop, no matter if it is a citation or arrest. According to the Wall Street Journal, this new action could lead the state to alter its definition of racial profiling. The law follows other measures combating racial profiling throughout the nation, including the inclusion of police body cameras, mandatory diversity training and analysis of each case involving force. Though the congressional tactic is a positive development in the crusade against racial oppression, it is not nearly enough to completely eliminate racist behavior in police officers.

Undoubtedly, racial bias is a huge component in unjust incarceration, and data already collected by the attorney general’s office has provided insight to that. In California, black people make up 6 percent of the population, and yet 17 percent of the people in jail are black, 25 percent of whom die in custody. The statistics also show that young black men are 25 percent more likely to be jailed than white men.

But numbers only provide one piece of the puzzle. The publication of these statistics allows for the public to be clued in to the inherent injustice in the system itself, but it leaves out the corruption found in some task forces. According to Think Progress, police officers infringing upon citizens’ rights are almost never prosecuted for their crimes. In 2013, no charges were pressed against an officer who shot an unarmed black man in Chicago. Additionally, two former police officers were acquitted even though they senselessly beat a schizophrenic homeless man to death. The lack of justice goes without saying in the cases of Eric Garner or Michael Brown’s deaths. In most of these cases, police officers are asked back to the force, sometimes even without suspension.

A conglomeration of tactics should be instated. The mandate of body cameras has been met with controversy, but oftentimes, it paints a clearer picture about any misconduct. Training on diversity and mental health issues is also essential because it increases sensitivity.

Moreover, what’s most important is for the transparency to come from law enforcement. Since most police brutality cases go under the radar and result in the officer leaving unscathed, the public has the right to know when that happens. This would incite much-needed conversation between the police and the community about representation for the victims and a fair outcome. Certain groups, such as 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement, have worked to improve communication between the community and police officers.

Ultimately, the remedy to racial profiling requires a balancing act. Though they can provide information on the next steps in tackling racial injustice, simple numbers can only do so much to help with the overall issue. It takes the equilibrium between the police and community to firmly establish that police brutality must be addressed.

Danni Wang is a junior majoring in psychology. She is also the lifestyle editor of the Daily Trojan. “Point/Counterpoint” runs Mondays.