Use of Police force

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Student’s Name
Professor’s Name
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Date
Use of Police force
Information about the case
Kathryn Johnson’s case focuses on highlighting some of the atrocities committed by the
police officers in Atlanta. The lawsuit identifies three cops based in Atlanta attempting to cover
up failed substance raid that saw a 92-year-old woman killed in her house. The invasion was
mainly based on fallacious information alleging the presence of illegal drugs at Johnston’s house.
The case highlights corruption amongst the Atlanta Police department as the officers thought that
the end justifies the means hence their decision on taking shortcuts and lying.
The officers mainly entered her house without warning which saw her fire at them with a
handgun. The officers, in turn, fired back at her hitting her several times that saw her succumb to
her injuries. The raid was based on misinformation by an informant on alleged drug dealings in
Johnston’s house. However, the informant later confirmed that Johnston was in no way the
peddler.
The three police officers responsible for raiding Johnston’s house pleaded guilty of
conspiring to infringe the civil rights causing death. Two of the officers admitted their
responsibility in the charges of falsification of statements and voluntary killing. Smith as well
pleaded guilty of planting evidence in Johnston’s house after her demise. The judge ruled that the
three individuals serve three years of supervised release after termination of their prison
sentences. The judge as well ordered that the men split Johnston’s funeral costs. The judge
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sentenced Jason Smith to 10 years, with his colleagues, Arthur Tesler and Greg Junnier
sentenced to five and six years respectively.
Responsibilities of police supervisor
The police supervisors often play a significant role in providing the necessary guidance to
the police officers to facilitate just execution of the law enforcement and protection of the
citizen’s rights. There is the necessity for noting that in some instances the police work is often
more demanding and dangerous thus forcing the police supervisors to bear the responsibility of
assisting the officers in the successful and safe completion of their jobs (Muir and Eva, 1). The
police supervisors as well ensure adherence to some of the necessary managerial tactics crucial
for providing the required guidance to the police force in guaranteeing both the fair protection
and justice for every individual.
As a supervisor
The police supervisors bear numerous responsibilities that include providing the officers
with clear written guidelines on the police force’s policies. Such is crucial for ensuring that the
officers are always on the right track besides ensuring their awareness on what is expected of
them through the provision of clear and detailed manuals (Ivković, Sanja Kutnjak, et al., 354).
Moreover, as the police supervisor in the case, there is the necessity for ensuring that the officers
follow the local ordinances and both the state and federal laws in their handling of the
information concerning some of the criminal activities.
Moreover, as the supervisor, there is the necessity for ensuring that the officers are
equipped with the necessary skills and guidance required for their adherence to the force’s
procedures. There is the necessity for providing that the officers exhibit awareness on how to
handle the different cases and situations that manifest during police work. As the police
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supervisor in Johnston’s case, there is the necessity for ensuring effective coordination of the
individuals handling the different cases and investigations. Furthermore, overseeing the cases to
ensure their efficient handling and per the law is of significance. The success of the force mainly
depends on the decisions made by the police supervisor. Provision of warnings and reprimands
where necessary is crucial for avoiding the violation of the law and cover-ups by the officers that
tend to taint the reputation of the department.
Nature of the officers
The officers were wrong as they violated many laws in their raid. From the case, it is
evident that the officers’ falsified information including the fact that none of them was shot
during the raid from Johnston’s gun. Despite the fact that Johnston shot none of them, they went
ahead to handcuff her as she was dying. The attempt to cover-up the manslaughter by planting
evidence at Johnston’s house as well indicates their wrongful acts. The officers attempted to
cover-up their crime in different ways including telling the alleged informant to say that he had
bought crack cocaine from Johnston.
Violation of civil rights
The officers violated many civil rights in their raid. The officers raided Johnston’s house
without a valid warrant. The officers operated by the no-knock warrant whose legitimacy was
questionable at the time. The officers obtained the warrant through falsification of information
hence making the warrant questionable thus showing the violation of civil rights by raiding
Johnston’s house without notice (Phillips, 364). Moreover, shooting Johnston severally even
though she presented no threat to the officers indicates the violation of Johnston’s civil rights.
Her rights to a fair trial were violated by the officers as well through their planting of evidence at
her house and covering up their atrocities through coaching the informant on what to say.
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Works Cited
Ivković, Sanja Kutnjak, et al. "Does Discipline Fairness Matter for the Police Code of Silence?
Answers from the US Supervisors and Line Officers." Policing: An International
Journal, vol. 39, no. 2, May 2016, pp. 354-369. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1108/PIJPSM-10-
2015-0120.
MUIR, DAVID and EVA PILGRIM. "Use of Police Force." World News with Diane Sawyer, 03
June 2016, p. 1. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=115909199&site=ehost-
live.
Phillips, Scott W. "The Attitudes and Goals of Police Supervisors: Results from a National
Sample." Police Practice & Research, vol. 16, no. 5, Oct. 2015, pp. 364-377.
EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/15614263.2014.888349.

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