Policing and Violence in The United States: A Comparative Analysis of Protest against police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin Milwaukee

• In Event: Research on Police Use of Force

Abstract

Increased deadly police violence against unarmed young black males has left us with so many unanswered questions. On July 5, 2016, Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was shot several times at close range while held down on the ground by two white Baton Rouge Police Department officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On July 6, 2016, a Falcon Heights, outside Minneapolis Minnesota police officer shot and killed Philando Castile, a 32- year old black Motorist. On August 13, 2016, Smith, 23, was killed in Wisconsin after what Milwaukee police said was a brief foot chase when he ran from a traffic stop. This paper distinctively argues that policing in all the three cases are rooted in institutionalized racially biased practices entrenched in stereotyping and targeted policing activities, excessive force and the inability of officers to use discretion. Using a comparative case analysis, the paper draws on literature of policing and violence, grievances, opportunities to provide policy recommendations.

Author

• Binneh Minteh, Rutgers University