Consider the events of the Ferguson riots and assume the role of either the : a)
ID: 422002 • Letter: C
Question
Consider the events of the Ferguson riots and assume the role of either the :
a) City Manager
b) police commanders at the scene.
For either of these positions,
*identify various theories and concepts studied during the course of study which is relevant to understanding how these leaders made decisions under conditions of uncertainty. These are some of the theories i) Federalist system ii) Public authority or corporation iii) Privatization iv) Shared service agreements v) Economies of scale vi) Categorical grants vii) Block grants viii) Marble cake model ix) Layer cake model
For context, please view the video at the attached link, “America – After Ferguson.”
*Also, in terms of elements of federalism and intergovernmental relations,
-what challenges were faced by the various units of government as they attempted to address this complex situation?
Explanation / Answer
Answer1: The fergusson riots triggered by the killing of a black african american by a white police officer had spread widely and created lot of stir.Putting myself in the shoes of city manager at the scene, it is clear that the potential clashes could have been avoided if proactive actions had been taken and proper analysis had been done rather than a knee jerk reaction. The major contributors of the issues are:
- The miltary law enforement act was a consequence of the Federalism model . Although the state and center promotes the use of stringent law enforcements and use of militarization to control the mob , International human rights acts and laws on use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials are violated.
-Over militarization of local police relating the concept of block grants . The arms and riot gears were supposed to be used against hard crimilans and terrorists and not against unarmed rioters.But the privileges were misused. The privileges were provided without any strings and hence the consequence is evident.The heavy riot gears infact provoked the rioters.The local police was armed to protect the citizens rather than intimidating them
-The use of force and lethal weapons invoked mob mentality and the mob started thinking like a unified entity rather than separate individuals . All crowd members are deemed to be dangerous and trated equally aggressively irrespective of their actions.
-The concept of public authority or corporations can be applied to the fact that the police department is entrusted the task of protecting the intersts of the public at large and assume more bureaucratic role. The police actions have given rise to the notion that either public should succumb to the whatever methods are used by the police or police should find ways to deal with the public.
Answer 2: The issues /challenges faced by the various units of government include:
- US congress; Review the militarization law ennforcement act
-Department of justice: Conduct thorough and impartial investigation of the incident of killing of Brown.Review the law enforcement act to ensure compliance to international human rights acts
-Ferguson police department: Ensure restoration of law and order. Win back the trust of the common people.Review and ensure fair practices by the officers on duty so that any unfair detention , red tapeism ,arbitrary arrests can be avoided.
-Tone down riot gears to avoid instigating the crowd in similar instances in future and contain the violence tactfully.