Week 6 Flashcards
What is Tennessee vs Garner
Police were called to the scene of a burglary. Edward Garner (the burglar) was seen fleeing the scene. Police knew that he was unarmed. When he fled after being ordered to stop, police shot and killed him.
The U.S. Supreme court held that deadly force cannot be used against a fleeing felon unless the police believe he poses a risk of serious harm to himself or others.
What is Graham v Connor
Graham asked a friend to run into a store to get him orange juice to counteract an insulin reaction. A police officer became suspicious after seeing the friend run into and out of the store so quickly. The two men were held in custody until police could determine what had happened in the store.
The U.S. Supreme Court developed the “objective reasonableness” standard. What would a reasonable officer believe and do? Police can only use objectively reasonable force in a given situation.
What is Saucier v Katz
Two military officers grabbed and arrested a protester at an event celebrating the conversion of a military base to a national park. The Supreme Court held that the officers had “qualified immunity.” This means that police officers may not be liable for their unlawful or unconstitutional actions in cases where a reasonable officer may not have known that he was violating law/ rights.
Which U.S. Supreme Court case established the “objective reasonableness” standard for police behavior?
A) Tennessee v Garner (1985)
B) Graham v Connor (1989)
C) Saucier v Katz (2001)
B Graham v connor
What is the use of Force today
- Force used in less than 2% of police-citizen encounters, typically not excessive force
- Officers actually MORE likely to use force against those of their own ethnic background
- Force more common among less experienced officers & male officers
What is the opinion of high speed pursuits
Courts have generally supported police in this area. It is thought that high speed chases are justified when the driving of the offender poses a serious safety risk.
Officers are more likely to use force against those who are not of their own ethnic background.
A) TRUE
B) FALSE
False
What is the racial profiling
- Refers to instances where police use a person’s race/ ethnicity as justification for taking police action (writing a ticket, pulling a car over, searches, etc.)
- 4th Amendment protects us from search and seizure without a warrant (probable cause)
- 14th Amendment– equal protection under the law, regardless of race/ ethnicity
- Police must often make decisions based on little information– leading them to rely on stereotypes
- Overt racism may also be a cause
how do blacks and latinos feel about police?
- Blacks cite personal experience with racial profiling as one reason for decreased confidence.
- Latinos also have less confidence in police than whites
What are potential concerns about police?
- Mistrust breeds hostility
- Police treat those with a poor demeanor more harshly
- Mistrust may lead minorities to respond to police with a negative demeanor
- Vicious cycle
What is a Terry Stop?
- Terry v. Ohio 1968
- police may briefly detain a person “reasonably suspected” of criminal activity (may also do a brief pat-down for weapons if weapons are suspected)
- Less strict than “probable case”
Courts generally support police use of high speed chases.
A) TRUE
B) FALSE
True
Michael is a young, Black male. After heavily speeding and running a red light, he is pulled over police. Michael believes he has been racially profiled. Is he correct?
A) Yes
B) No
No
