Week 2 Journal - Is being both a crime fighter and a public

Week 2 Journal

All questions are worth 20 points: 

1. Is being both a crime fighter and a public servant too much to ask of the police? Does society need to choose what they want police to be, or are both reasonable to expect? Be sure to explain your answer, providing examples as needed.
2. Discuss the use of Tasers by police as they relate to Use of Force. In your discussion be sure to address the following questions:
3. What are the advantages of a taser over other use of force options?
4. Does the public have the right to expect “safe” measures when resisting arrest?
5. Provide an example(s) where police use of a taser resulted in horrific pain, trauma, or death. Do you believe that the taser should have been used in this situation, why or why not?
6. Discuss the concept of Good Samaritan Laws? If one witnesses a person in need of help, should they be obligated to help? What if a person was an off-duty first responder? Please use at least one case example in your discussion.
7. Given what you have read this week, how does the media representation of courtrooms and law enforcement differ from reality? Would you argue that media representations support a consensus, conflict, or pluralistic view of law enforcement? If you could make changes involving how the media represents courtrooms and law enforcement; what changes might you suggest?
8. You are a district attorney prosecuting a burglary case. The defendant is willing to plead guilty in return for a sentence of probation, and you believe that this is a fair punishment because your evidence may not support a conviction. However, the victims are upset and want to see the offender receive prison time. The victims insist that you try the case. What should you do and why?