Discussion on Various Topics
The problem relates to how marijuana should be legalized throughout the United States. There are now twenty-four U.S. jurisdictions that have enacted medical marijuana laws (MMLs), or laws that protect individuals who use marijuana upon recommendation of physicians, farmers who plant and supply the market, and doctors who issue prescription regarding use of marijuana (Smart 1). The legalization of medical marijuana will create a need for change, for example, new laws, policies, knowledge of medical and psychological effects, and education to help people understand the proper use of marijuana.
There are many issues to be resolved if legalization of marijuana should be adapted by the entire country. Passing of MML can lead to changes in acceptance of the drug and its effects and availability in the market. Other issues include social acceptance or community approval, consequences as a result of long years of illegal use, and other health effects which can change depending on how users and suppliers may actively involve in the medical marijuana program.
The question of legalization should be properly debated in congress since this is a sensitive issue with various pros and cons that need careful scrutiny. The United States is party to several international conventions regarding the proper use of marijuana. Allowing some of the states to legalize marijuana use has required the United States to explain and justify its actions, pursuant to the provisions of these international agreements (Bushan 187). What more if the entire country should adapt and legalize marijuana?
The Wearing of Body Cameras by Police Officers
Body worn cameras (BWCs) are important for police officers because this technology and innovation can help police organizations in pursuing their goals. Technology plays an important role in policing, which is true in the past, for example in the adoption of automobiles and two-way radios (Koen 1). However, there is a need for more in-depth research on how BWCs are used and implemented in police organizations, what police officers think of them, and to what extent they change police organizations in the way they operate.
In a study by Koper, Tayler, and Kubu (Koen 10), they found that roughly 26% of police agencies used body-worn cameras, and 96% of those agencies found BWCs to be effective. Proponents and makers of BWCs argue that BWCs can improve many aspects of police practice. Researches by Harris, Draisin, Hayes and Ericson, and White all suggest that BWCs can improve police accountability, transparency, evidence collection efforts, officer safety, and training practices (Koen 10).
Additionally, research focused on police attitudes revealed that police generally have positive views about BWCs, and they also appear to reduce police use-of-force, reduce citizen complaints, improve perceptions of officer safety, and strengthen evidence for internal and criminal investigation (Koen 10). Also, research has shown that BWC implementation has reduced citizen complaints, provided stronger evidence that helps reduce time spent in court, and increased arrest and citation activity (Koen 10).
If BWCs are beneficial for both police organizations and the general public, then there is no reason that this program should not continue. And who should pay for its implementation but the police organizations. Organizations with enough budget allocations should continue doing so, and those who cannot afford may consult the community and the local government regarding BWC program funding.
Traffic cameras at major intersections and violation of privacy
For me, the use traffic cameras at major intersections within the city limit does not exactly violate privacy. This program helps in controlling crimes because there are many occasions that police cannot secure all areas, particularly within city limits. It would not be a violation of privacy because cameras are only focused on the general area and not on particular things. Moreover, if it is violation of privacy, it is not a major issue since the aim of installing the camera is to control crime. Regarding the camera on the dashboard, it may be an invasion of privacy, with the police personnel as the victim. Police organizations should limit this practice and only apply it in emergency situations.
Police Pursuits
A vehicular pursuit is defined as an event which starts when a police officer, riding on an authorized police car, orders a private vehicle to stop, either by means of visual or siren device, as the police officer intends to accost or apprehend the motorist, who continues speed, even increasing it, or making other evasive action. The subject of police vehicular pursuits is mired with complex, legal issues. Pursuit policy has never been clear. And this is also linked with Fourth Amendment seizure policy. There are expert legal opinions that say that once a pursuit is made, the suspect becomes “seized,” psychologically (Hicks 7). Payne posits that seizure begins when pursuit ends (Hicks 7). Law enforcement administrators and policy makers should provide a clear and effective pursuit policy in order to protect the police officer, the suspect and the people from any injury. Without this clear policy, patrol officers will have difficulty in conducting pursuits. So the question whether to eliminate pursuits or not can neither be answered with negative or positive response, unless these are instituted with efficient, written policy so that the police department is free from unsupported allegations of negligence and liability.
Acceptance of Gratuities
Acceptance of gratuities by police (e.g. free coffee, reduced cost of meals, etc.) is both illegal and unethical. Accepting a very small gift or benefit can ruin an officer’s career.
Researches have been conducted on the acceptance of gratuities by law enforcement officers. Ruiz and Bono (White 9) provided two valid reasons against the acceptance of gratuities by law enforcement officers. The first was that the acceptance of gratuities made the police officer unprofessional, and the second one involved the concept of corruption, or unjust enrichment.
The National Institute of Justice published a paper titled The Measurement of Police Integrity (White 10), which mentioned research involving 3,235 law enforcement officers who were presented with 11 ethically based scenarios. Following each of the 11 scenarios were seven assessment questions to which the officers were asked to answer. Of the eleven scenarios, four conformed to the “acceptance of a gratuity” as defined in the research study. The lower the score, the less severe law enforcement officers perceived the ethical violation.
I disagree with the opinion of the police officers, for how can you say that it is ethical to accept holiday gifts from merchants, or “drinks to ignore late bar closing.” This last one is both illegal and unethical. Accepting gifts from merchants, or people you don’t know, is a form of corruption; thus it is both illegal and unethical.
Police tactic of stop-and frisk
The United States has been mired in controversies regarding by police stop, question and frisk policies. Different opinions have been raised on both sides of the spectrum. The pros state that it has been an effective crime fighting instrument and has contributed to a reduction crime. The NYPD has argued that there is a correlation between the drop in murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault as reported by the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) (Odom 1). The cons argue that these policies have had an unjustified impact on neighborhoods of color and have tarnished the relationship between police and the general public. It also violates the suspect’s Fourth Amendment right.
For me, I don’t think that the stop-question-frisk policies have unjustified impact on neighborhoods. In fact, this police action can gain public trust and provide a feeling of security. In a neighbourhood where petty crimes are a regular occurrence, these kinds of policies are needed. Criminal’s rights have to be protected, but we should not pamper them to the point that they become abusive and the police will be put into a pitiful situation. This will backfire on the community, the police are supposed to serve.
The Use of Police Dogs
We all know the benefits of using police dogs – they help us in fighting criminality. Police dogs have the capability to smell and trace criminals humans have a hard time in tracking. First police dogs, or those used in K9 police units, are not ordinary dogs. When they are recruited to be part of an elite police unit, they undergo rigid training only exceptional dogs are capable of. They are able to track down criminals in the remotest of areas; in other words, they are effective law enforcers. Police dogs are just like humans; after undergoing training, they are given police duties and responsibilities, just like their human counterpart. They are given rewards, or medals for exemplary deeds and also allowed to retire after three years in “police service” (“Aizman Law Firm” par. 5).
Should the U.S. stop using the death penalty?
The question of the death penalty has always been controversial. In the United States, we hear different issues and arguments regarding this topic.
Many studies have shown that the death penalty has a deterrent effect. Psychologists and criminologists grapple over this issue. But most of the proponents for the death penalty are politicians. Historically, capital punishment was seen as a deterrent when Issac Ehrlic published an article in 1977 after he studied it using multivariate regression analysis. Ehrlic analysed data on conviction rate and found that conviction rate was inversely proportional with crime rate decrease; this means as soon as the conviction rate increases, the crime rate decreases (Beard 45).
This kind of law is needed in the United States, to deter criminals from wreaking havoc upon our nation. Barry Latzer (qtd. in Dukes 27) in his book, Death Penalty Cases (1998), wrote that Furman was the first of the most significant cases involving the death penalty. But this did not end the death penalty; it just postponed capital punishment for four years. The death penalty is alive and remains a judicial alternative for the state and federal courts.
Should handguns be allowed on college campuses?
Handguns can be allowed on college campuses, but this should depend on who handles and who are allowed to carry handguns. First of all, students and youth should not be allowed to carry handguns, and even adults. But people in charge of security in campuses should be allowed to carry handguns. These are people who can be trusted; they are hired by the university to ensure the safety and security of students inside the school campuses. Security personnel must be adequately trained by qualified personnel authorized to conduct training.
Privacy or national security actions for privacy or national security
As an individual, I would treasure my privacy; but as a citizen of this republic, I would sacrifice my privacy in favour of national security. However, this is easier said than done. Nationalists would certainly prefer national security than privacy, and we have to value the security of the nation. I think it also depends on the kind of government; meaning, if people in government are more transparent and would not hide anything, I can say that I can entrust my personal security and privacy for the sake of the nation. I said that it depends on the kind of government because there are governments who would want to sacrifice individual privacy on the pretext of protecting national security. We hear of this many times, in this country and in many other countries. So, next time that I would be asked this question, I would say that I can sacrifice my privacy for the sake of national security, but that would really depend on who is asking the question.
When should juveniles receive life sentences?
There are justifications in juvenile offenders from severe penalty, just as there are programs to rehabilitate them and make our youth display good behaviour. But when all measures have been done, and they continue to violate the law, or become recidivists, then I think it is time to give them life sentences, or as the law dictates, depending on the gravity of their offenses. We should not forget that no one is exempt from the law, and that “ignorance of the law excuses no one.” This should apply to all, even juvenile offenders.
Prescription drug diversion
Many adolescents use nonmedical prescription drugs. They use it in ways other than the drugs were therapeutically intended. This situation is also an outcome of physician’s behaviour when a medication is intended for a wrong diagnosis (Morris 15). Adolescents tend to abuse prescription drugs. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual defines abuse as “a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress” (Morris 15). Nonmedical use refers to using a psychotherapeutic drug that is not prescribed by a physician.
Adolescents who display this kind of maladaptive behaviour should be given counselling, or admitted to a rehabilitation center because it is one form of addiction. I don’t see this behaviour in our community, but it is not farfetched that it is happening.
Works Cited
Aizman Law Firm: Using Police Dogs to Catch Criminals 2015. Web. 2 Sep. 2016. <http://www.lacriminaldefensepartners.com/using-police-dogs-catch-criminals/>.
Bushan, Aparna. “Note: An evaluation of the Effects of the Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado and Washington from an International Law Perspective”. Canada-United States Law Journal. 39 (2015): 187-201. ProQuest. Web. 1 Sep. 2016.
Hicks, Wendy. Police Vehicular Pursuits: Constitutionality, Liability and Negligence.
Koen, Marthinus. “On-set with Body-Worn Cameras in a Police Organization: Structures, Practices, and Technological Frames”. PhD thesis, George Mason University, 2016. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Web. 1 Sep. 2016.
Odom, O. “An Investigation of Stop, Question and Frisk Practices by the New York City Police: An action Research Study”. PhD thesis, Capella University, 2015. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Web. 1 Sep. 2016.
Smart, Rosanna. “Essays on the Effects of Medical Marijuana Laws”. PhD thesis, University of California, Los Angeles, 2016. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Web. 31 Aug. 2016.
White, David Alan. “Assessing the Differences in Opinion Regarding Gratuities in Law Enforcement”. PhD thesis, Northcentral University, 2008. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. Web. 1 Sep. 2016.
