ASSIGNMENT

You will develop a 500-word paper reacting to law enforcement and the community as it relates to Pennsylvania Title 18 Consolidated Statutes Annotated Section 508(a) – Use of force in law enforcement. Focus your argument on the public unrest when police officers use deadly force especially when the force involves an unarmed citizen.

Your paper does not need to answer these questions, but as food for thought:

1. Can the shooting be justified if a citizen is unarmed?
2. When the courts acquit an officer of a shooting, why does the media not outline the justification rather than promote the un-justness of the Court’s decision (whether judge or jury)?
3. With all the media attention about police shootings, after reading the law for yourself, did you really know when a police officer was justified to use deadly force?
4. Should police departments and the media educate the public about the law?
5. Should the law be changed and how, while still ensuring police officer safety and public safety?