Two very real tragedies have happened due to police brutality recently. Michael Brown was shot and killed by Ferguson police on August 9. Only two days later Ezell Ford was shot and killed by LAPD. Although the tragedy in Ferguson has made more impact throughout the country, Ford’s death has also caused turmoil in his community. The only difference is the community is so used to the violence that they don’t make it so known. Both shootings have not been completely justified and counter claims has resulted in investigations in both incidents.
Michael Brown was walking down the street unarmed with a friend when an officer did an “investigative stop” because of a recent robbery nearby. Witnesses say Brown was complying with his hands in the air when Officer Darren Wilson shot him six times. Officers say Brown tried to attack the officer, and the shots were in self-defense. He was shot four times in the arm and twice in the head. One of the bullets entered the top of his head suggesting his head was bent forward when shot and was most likely the final blow according to Dr. Michael M. Baden, the doctor asked to do a separate autopsy at the family’s request. Brown, 18, had recently graduated high school and was planning to go to college. He had no criminal background.
After the incident Ferguson Police continue to baffle their town. Shortly after Brown was taken from the scene, parents, friends, and the community made a memorial where it all happened. The police ran over the rose petals and let one of the dogs on the force urinate on the memorial. Along with withholding information, such as the officer’s name at first, and the unjustified nature of the shooting, Ferguson went into riots that lasted nearly two weeks. During these riots, tear gas and rubber bullets were used even though children were also present. A curfew was made that enraged the town even more. Law enforcement said they would enable curfew with communication not trucks and tear gas, but the next night they did exactly that. The whole scenario has caused so much attention that the Ferguson Police Department are now being investigated by FBI.
Ezell Ford, who had a history of mental illness, was also shot and killed by police in Los Angeles. A recent statement said that Ford “continued walking and made suspicious movements, including attempting to conceal his hands.” While other witnesses say they “saw no struggle between the officers and Ford.” They released the names of the officers involved in the shooting two weeks later after they were leaked by Los Angeles blogger and political analyst Jasmyne Cannick. The disaster is yet again the polices’ word against others.
These incidents are happening more than anyone realizes. Police abuse their power or misuse their authority. Something needs to change: either more restrictions on police departments or different regulations put in place.