Policing and Violence in the United States: A Comparative Analysis of Protest Against Police Violence in Ferguson, Missouri, Baltimore, Maryland, and Cleveland, Ohio (2012-2015)

Abstract

Policing and violence are two central forces that shape our understanding of government from a national security paradox. Yet, they emerge as two contentious issues in our pursuit of effective policing and ending violence across our communities. Increase violent policing that caused the deaths of unarmed citizens of mainly African American background has left us with so many unanswered questions. On August 9, 2014, Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed in Ferguson Missouri by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. On 22 November, 2014, Tamir Rice was shot in the abdomen by rookie patrolman Timothy Loehmann, Cleveland, Ohio. The boy was holding an airsoft gun. And on April 19, 2015, 25-year-old Freddie Gray died shortly after taking into police custody. These deadly policing activities against predominantly African Americans sparked riots in Ferguson, Cleveland and Baltimore. The paper argues that protest against the police in Ferguson, Cleveland and Baltimore are entrenched in grievances for targeting mainly African Americans and the available opportunities to protest police action. Using a clearly defined comparative framework, the paper looks at the grievances and opportunities, examines the strategy (violent and non-violent nature) of the protests across the three major cities, and examines how policing can be more effective.