Open AccessPolice Violence Against Black Protesters: A Public Health Issue
Author(s) -
James F. Anderson,
Tazinski P. Lee,
Adam H. Langsam,
Kelley ReinsmithJones
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
international journal of social science studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2324-8041
pISSN - 2324-8033
DOI - 10.11114/ijsss.v10i2.5456
Subject(s) - criminology , law enforcement , public health , criminal justice , political science , enforcement , stigma (botany) , economic justice , law , sociology , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , nursing
With the increased number of documented cases of violence perpetrated by police against protesters of the Black Lives Matter movement, public health officials are starting to list police violence as a health risk or a public health issue for black Americans. Using several timely theoretical explanations, we explore reasons why law enforcement officers routinely inflict violence against black protesters and avoid criminal stigma. Although police use of excessive force and untimely killings of blacks have always been criminal justice issues, the number of negative health consequences that are emerging after violent police confrontations implicates public health concerns. We argue that several strategies can be used to reduce police violence in the future.