The Controversy over Policing in the United States

Over the last few years, the awareness of the tactics of policing in urban centers of the United States have grown due to many high profile cases of what liberals call police brutality and conservatives call necessary and unfortunate policing. These cases, more often than not, occur between police and a person of color. Often resulting in the death of the person of color. This is a major issue that none of the candidates in the 2016 election will speak about because they are afraid of the backlash from either side. It is one of the major issues that your generation will have to decide.

Your task is to produce a Colbert/Oliver/Daily Show type news report, where someone is behind a desk talking. This video will detail the events that lead to the death of the person in the case you are assigned. You will then write an opinion piece on what you think should occur with the police officer in your case.

It will need to include the following:

  • The time, names, dates, and events of the case. A complete retelling.
  • The use of force policy of the specific police department in question.
  • The civil liberties potentially violated. (Bill of Rights)
  • The police report. What did the report say? Was it accurate? Was it disproven?
  • The litigationof the event. What occurred in court? Was the officer arrested and charged? Or acquitted? Was a grand jury called? Is it still in court?
  • The video if there is one. (it is your choice whether to show it, some are pretty graphic. Keep in mind the length of your video.)
  • What is the argument of the police?
  • What is the argument of the person/family involved?
  • Was the police officer justified in his/her actions?
  • What should be done about this situation? Convict the officer? (Manslaughter, murder, negligence, perjury, etc) Fire the officer? No crime committed?
  • Should policing (departmentally, locally, state, or nationally) change? Why or why not? (Big picture)

Cases:

  • Kelly Thomas - Fullerton, CA
  • Eric Garner - New York City, NY
  • Michael Brown – Ferguson, MO
  • Ezell Ford – Los Angeles, CA
  • Tamir Rice – Cleveland, OH
  • Freddie Gray – Baltimore, MD
  • Jamar Clark – Minneapolis, MN
  • Oscar Grant III – Oakland, CA
  • Laquan McDonald – Chicago, IL
  • Ronald Johnson – Chicago, IL
  • RumainBrisbon– Phoenix, AZ
  • Samuel DuBose– Cincinnati, OH
  • Diaz Zeferino– Gardena, CA
  • John Crawford - Beavercreek, OH
  • Nicholas Robertson – Lynwood, CA
  • Rickey Williams – Chicago, IL

Requirements for Video

  • 5-7 minutes.
  • Addresses all issues
  • Uploaded to YouTube and shared with
  • Must be shared by February 19, 2016, at 11:59pm
  • Essay due 3/2
  • Example:

Video Rubric

4 / 3 / 2 / 1
Video addresses all items of information. / Video is missing 1-2 items. / Video is missing 3-4 items. / Video is missing 5+ items.
Video is between 5-7 minutes. / Video is 30 seconds more or less than 5-7 minutes. / Video is 1 minute more or less than 5-7 minutes. / Video is 1+ minute more or less than 5-7 minutes.
Video takes a clear stand on the events. / Video does not take a side.
Video supports opinion with strong evidence in a way that cannot be disproved. / Video supports opinion with strong evidence, but there are a few questions. / Video supports opinion with evidence. / Video does not provide evidence.
Video’s information is 100% accurate. / Video presents inaccurate information.
Video is cited in the description on YouTube in MLA format. / Video is not cited.
Video makes me emotional. Laughing or feels. / Video is creative. / Video is informational only. / Video is boring.

Requirements for Essay

  • Answers the following question:What should be the result of your case?
  • Short opinion piece. Answer the question with evidence of course, but it is more based on what you think should be done with the police in question.
  • 2 pages. Double-spaced. 1” margins. 12 pt. Times New Roman.
  • MLA Format; Works Cited.
  • Due March 2nd, 2016

Essay Rubric

4 / 3 / 2 / 1
  • Is perfectly formatted.
/
  • Is not perfectly formatted.

  • Citations are perfect.
/
  • Citations are not perfect. Plagiarism

  • Introduction has a strong thesis and engaging opening.
/
  • Introduction has a strong thesis or an engaging opening.
/
  • Introduction has a thesis and opening.
/
  • Introduction lacks focus and does not have a clear thesis.

  • Body paragraphs have fascinating and appropriate pieces evidence.
/
  • Body paragraphs have appropriate evidence.
/
  • Body paragraphs have evidence, but evidence is not clearly related.
/
  • Body paragraphs are missing evidence.

  • Each piece of evidence is well explained and linked to the thesis.
/
  • Most pieces of evidence are well explained and linked to the thesis.
/
  • Some pieces of evidence are explained and linked.
/
  • Evidence is lacking connection and explanation.

  • Conclusion sums up argument and leaves reader thinking.
/
  • Conclusion sums up argument or leaves reader thinking.
/
  • Conclusion is complete.
/
  • Conclusion is unclear.