Akpan, Nsikan.

“Police Militarization Fails to Protect Officers and Targets Black

Communities, Study Finds.” ​PBS News Hour​, Public Broadcasting Service, 21
Aug.2018,www.pbs.org/newshour/science/police-militarization-fails-to-protect-of
ficers-and-targets-black-communities-study-finds. Accessed 14 Oct. 2019.

In this article from a popular news source, Nsikan Akpan provides commentary on a
2017 study that analyzes the use and consequences of militarized police forces. The
article includes commentary from Jonathan​ ​Mummolo, who led the study. Mummolo is a
political scientist who works at Princeton University. Critics argue that militarized police
forces target minority communities, before conducting his study, Mummolo found this
claim hard to support with evidence. However, he found that predominantly black
communities witnessed more SWAT team deployments regardless of the crime rate. The
article also includes commentary from Fredrick Lemieux, who is a criminologist at
Georgetown University. He explains that the use of SWAT teams has deviated from their
initial role and has become present in less risky operations. To support this, the article
provides an example of the improper and excessive use of militarized force during a drug
trafficking bust in Maryland. Supported by the information of Mummolo’s study the
author argues that the militarization of police departments can lead to the infringement of
civil liberties for the sake of public safety. One of the final arguments highlighted in the
article was that the militant appearance of police officers can lower confidence and
support of police departments. The author Nsikan Akpan is a digital science producer for
PBS News Hour​ and a cofounder of the award-winning digital series entitled
ScienceScope. In 2012 Nsikan Akpan earned a doctorate in cell biology and pathobiology
from Colombia University in the City of New York. Akpan has a variety of work that has
been published by numerous organizations such as NPR, Scientific American, The
Scientist Magazine and Popular Science. ​PBS News Hour​ is a news outlet that distributes
media through television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, podcasts and online news
reporting. The ​PBS News Hour​ website has over 5.5 million monthly national and
international users​. PBS News Hour​ is also supported by over 300 PBS stations,
generating an expansive and diverse viewing audience. The information in this news
article is presented objectively, but hay have a slight lean to the left. The article is
supported by the findings of an academic study and commentary by professionals in this
field of study. This article provides a specific conversation with the opposing views of
organizations like the FBI. This article makes specific commentary on the opinions of the
publisher of one of my other sources. I will use this source to support the general public’s
opinion and perception of police militarization in my paper in contrast to the opinions of
law enforcement agencies. This article is not specifically based on Akpan’s field of study,
but his root in academia provides unique insight on the topic that needs to be considered.
Overall, I think this is a good source of information that explains how the militant
appearance of police officers in certain scenarios can affect the community’s perception
of law enforcement.
Fortenbery, Jay. “Police Militarization in a Democratic Society”. ​FBI Law Enforcement
Bulletin​, FBI Training Division, 13 June. 2018,
leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/police-militarization-in-a-democratic-society​.
Accessed 14 Oct. 2019.
This Article from a periodical explains the need for enhanced training and equipment in
modern policing and how police forces have adapted throughout time to respond to high
risk threats. The author claims that the modern separation of the police and the military
was influenced by the clash between colonists and British troops in colonial America that
took on policing roles. The author agrees with Sir Robert Peel’s philosophy that law
enforcement needs public approval to successfully and efficiently operate. Sir Robert
Peel is recognized as the father of modern policing. He also mentions the influence
August Vollmer, a former police chief in California who is recognized for his effort in
developing the criminal justice field. Vollmer implemented the use of patrol vehicles and
radios, two tools that are still useful in modern policing. Many police departments
operate on a rank system like that of the military, this structure influences the way
departments respond to different situations. This article provides historical context and
reasoning for the implementation of military characteristics in policing. Starting with the
implementation of automatic rifles to combat armed mobs and gangsters in the 1920’s,
the addition of non-lethal weapons used to control large crowds in the 1960’s and 1970’s,
the use of SWAT teams during the War on Drugs, and ending with the use of assault
rifles to respond to active shooters in the late 90’s. Through research, Dr. Fortenbery
found that the militarization of police departments appears to correlate with the criminal
activity within a community and the unique problems in certain locations. The article
warns that the overuse of tactical forces can make the police department appear
intimidating and less approachable, leading to broken community relations. The article
also examines and explains the support police officers often have for the implementation
of military elements in modern policing. Dr. Fortenbery concludes that the rights of
citizens should be considered before the implementation or use of militant training and
equipment. The author, Dr. Jay Fortenbery served as a police officer for 20 years and as
the Edenton Chief of Police for nine years. Dr. Jay Fortnebery earned his Doctor of
Philosophy in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration from Nova
Southeastern University in 2016. He is currently an assistant professor of criminal justice
at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. This publication is focused on police
militarization, making Dr. Fortenbry a credible author. Dr. Fortnebery has published
three articles in the ​FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin​ is
an online only government periodical​. The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin​ publishes
articles on various topics that are considered relevant to criminal justice professionals and
 law enforcement officials. ​The Bulletin​ has been nationally and internationally
recognized since its creation in 1932. All works submitted to ​The FBI Law Enforcement
Bulletin​ are subject to review and revision to verify accuracy and relevancy. ​The Bulletin
is published by the FBI Training Division. The FBI Training Division’s mission is to
inform and educate professionals in the criminal justice field of the issues facing law
enforcement today. This publication is subject to a slight bias supportive of the criminal
justice system, but the author presents this article objectively and refers to multiple
arguments. This is a good source of information because the author is experienced and
knowledgeable in the field he is writing about. This article provided me with the
reasoning behind the implementation of military characteristics in police forces. I will use
this source to incorporate professional recommendations directed towards law
enforcement. I will also reference this source to highlight the specific scenarios enhanced
equipment and training was intended to be used for and how this equipment has been
used out of context in certain instances.

Comments

● Critics argue that militarized police forces target minority communities, before
conducting his study, Mummolo found this claim hard to support with evidence.
However, he found that predominantly black communities witnessed more SWAT team
deployments regardless of the crime rate. - Maybe make the first bit before the comma
one sentence and just a semicolon before the however and a comma after to make the
second bit it’s own sentence.
● Fredrick Lemieux, who is a criminologist at Georgetown University- Good example of
giving street cred.
● The information in this news article is presented objectively, but hay have a slight lean to
the left. - You just typed “hay” in this sentence instead of “may”
● . The article is supported by the findings of an academic study and commentary by
professionals in this field of study.- Maybe be more specific on what “field of study”
you’re referring to.
● Sir Robert Peel is recognized as the father of modern policing. - Maybe include why he
is recognized as the father of modern policing.
● Overall you first source was very well put together. I like how you go into depth
regarding the ​PBS NewsHour​ source and explain what audience it reaches and why
effectively. I was a little confused on what the study being conducted actually was
but maybe I just missed it. The second source was excellent I could hardly find
anything to comment on. It was easy to read, had a nice flow and was very
interesting.