The Big Problem: Police Brutality

Police Brutality

"We were following are training as L.A.P.D. officers," said officer

Stacey Koon who was one of four officers accused of using excessive force

against Rodney King. {Brutality in Los Angles 7 } Koon along with fellow

officers Timothy Wind, Lawrence Powell, and Theodore Brines chased King through

downtown Los Angles. King had allegedly committed numerous traffic violations

and was thought to be high on PCP. After a hour King pulled his car over and the

officers swarmed in to arrest him. King began to struggle then the beating began.

Little did the officers know a bystander was filming the whole thing.{Brutality

in Los Angles 8}

The officers were tried for using active force and the tape were

reviewed by experts who found that king was struck with over 50 blows to the

body by the officers. {Brutality in Los Angles7} The officers were found not

guilty of using excessive force against Rodney King. This sparked a week long

riot in Los Angles. There was looting and building being torched. {Burning 14}

Following the riots it was announced that two officers Stacey Koon And

Lawrence Powell would stand trial yet again, but this time in federal court for

violating Rodney Kings civil rights. Both were convicted and sentenced to prison

terms {Brutality In Los Angles 7} The Rodney King video and trial sparked a

question in many peoples mind through out the nation, “How big of a problem is

police brutal...