“Why did you shoot me? I was reading a book"

7/7/2013

This article discusses the growing militarization of police forces in the United States and the negative consequences it has on civilian encounters with law enforcement. It highlights several cases where innocent individuals have been subjected to excessive force, including a man who was shot while reading a book in his own home. The article argues that the transformation of police into "warrior cops" with military equipment and tactics has led to a culture of aggression and a disregard for constitutional protections. It calls for a reevaluation of police training and policies to restore trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

racial bias in policing ꞏ police violence against minorities ꞏ social justice ꞏ police violence prevention ꞏ criminal justice system ꞏ police violence reform ꞏ broken windows policing ꞏ police discretion ꞏ police state ꞏ police brutality statistics ꞏ police militarization ꞏ police reform ꞏ police violence legislation ꞏ police brutality cases ꞏ excessive force ꞏ police oppression ꞏ police misconduct lawsuits ꞏ police misconduct ꞏ police brutality victims ꞏ police violence ꞏ systemic racism ꞏ criminal justice reform ꞏ fourth amendment ꞏ police shooting victims ꞏ police aggression ꞏ police transparency ꞏ police culture ꞏ racial profiling ꞏ police brutality news ꞏ police brutality ꞏ abuse of power ꞏ police training ꞏ police shootings ꞏ use of force ꞏ constitutional rights ꞏ police brutality documentary ꞏ police reform movements ꞏ police accountability ꞏ civil rights ꞏ police tactics ꞏ police violence awareness ꞏ police brutality protests ꞏ police violence impact ꞏ community policing ꞏ police brutality investigation ꞏ law enforcement ꞏ police accountability measures ꞏ police corruption