Responses should be a minimum of 250 words and include direct questions. You may challenge, support or supplement another student’s answer using the terms, concepts and theories from the required readings. Also, do not be afraid to respectfully disagree where you feel appropriate; as this should be part of your analysis process at this academic level.

Forum posts are graded on timeliness, relevance, knowledge of the weekly readings, and the quality of original ideas. Sources utilized to support answers are to be cited in accordance with the APA writing style by providing a general parenthetical citation (reference the author, year and page number) within your post, as well as an adjoining reference list. Refer to grading rubric for additional details concerning grading criteria.

Respond to Johnny:

A divided loyalty exists post 9/11 for American Law Enforcement for various reasons to include the idea that America already had a developed feared for the Military, Police, and Law Enforcement in general. Additionally post 9/11 and the Patriot Act would grant Law Enforcement the additional power to better conduct intelligence gathering operations to combat terrorism and better promote national security. According to Brown, compared to the increased crime and national security threat the additional power to law enforcement and the police was perceived as the lesser evil coupled by the idea that for nearly two centuries America has seen repressive criminal laws, abuse of governmental authority, and infringement on citizens’ rights that have been headlining public media (Brown, 2011). Without debate the attacks on 9/11 forced a change in law enforcement and national security due to fear and panic of the public as the United States have not had an attack of that magnitude since the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The drafting and implementation of the Patriot Act come about to provide law enforcement the additional powers to conduct intelligence gathering operations which where some would consider a loop hole for government surveillance or spying on private citizens through legal means (Cassady, 2011). 9/11 has indeed changed the legislation to provide additional police powers with regards to national security however viewing the divided loyalty is a completely different story as people come from different backgrounds and mindsets on law enforcement so the judgement maybe biased and based on opinion and personal experiences from ones past. As an example many family members of law enforcement officers would say that the government should be able to look at anyone anytime for homeland security reasons however there is still a right to privacy which many believe are being infringed on. I believe that there should be a reasonable suspension and a warrant required to conduct surveillance on an individual as everyone should have due process prior to being “surveilled” based on our constitutional rights.

Brown goes on to talk about the significant expansion of physical police powers which are deemed as a militarization in America has not gone unnoticed while additionally creating an idea that normalizing the use of military style tactics within law enforcement has become the norm (Brown, 2011). Law Enforcement has seen much of its changes to answer to the challengers that arise from the national threat and requirements of homeland security. Also taking into account with the bigger cities such as Ferguson, MO who drawn national attention to the concern of militarization of law enforcement with the problem being amplified based on the support that policy makers are giving to law enforcement as far as funding and legislation (Fox, Moule, & Parry, 2018). Major cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles all have a high population and concentration of people per square foot which would sound reasonable for military tactics, equipment, and training may benefit its local police departments as far as emergency response to violent protests. While I do not completely disagree with the militarization of law enforcement but I can agree they are pushing the boundaries in responsibilities in which the National Guard should be responsible for.

References

Brown, C. A. (2011). Divided Loyalties: Ethical Challenges for America’s. Case Western Reserve Journal of, 652-675.

Cassady, P. (2011). U.S. PATRIOT ACT AND RACIAL PROFILING: ARE THERE CONSEQUENCES OF DISCRIMINATION? Michigan Sociological Review, 53-69.

Fox, B., Moule, R. K., & Parry, M. M. (2018). Catergorically complex: A latent class analysis of public perceptions of police militarization. Journal of Criminial Justice, 33-46.