Police brutality has been an issue for as long as governments have authorized individuals to enforce the law. With the rise of digital communications, information about police violence has never been more readily accessible or easy to share.
Growing awareness about police brutality, wrongful arrests and racial profiling in policing have all led to reform efforts. One common goal is the reduction in unnecessary violence caused by police officers. What has New Jersey done to help keep people safe from inappropriate police behavior?
Officers now have to participate in specialized training
How an officer reacts in a situation is the result of both their experience on the job and the training they receive. Officers trained to use physical or even lethal force immediately may become aggressive more quickly and with less provocation than those given more training on how to avoid physical violence.
De-escalation training prioritizes the use of non-lethal interventions instead of a firearm when dealing with a non-compliant person or someone who appears dangerous to officers. New Jersey has in recent years created a requirement for officers to learn to use language and non-lethal tactics before reaching for their guns. This training could potentially save a life, but it will not undo years of training and cultural lessons that have led officers to think they can use violence with impunity.
Anyone who has faced violence by law enforcement officers could potentially have the right to take legal action — an effort that might protect them and others by changing policing culture. An experienced attorney can help.