chapa10@... asked this question on 5/1/2000:

1. Prior to the aquited verdict of Rodney King, did you believe that the officers involved should be imprisoned, if found quilty? yes or no

2. One of the most intersting phenomenas in the lenghty O.J.Simpson case was the early polarization of attitudes regerding Simpson's quilt or innocence. In your opinion did you think O.J. Simpson was quilty or innocent.

3. Do you think police protection in black neighborhoods is better, worse, or about the same as in white neighborhoods?

4. In your opinion, who do you think is treated more harshly in the country's criminal justice system- black, whites, or are they treated about the same?

5. Have you personally ever felt treated unfairly by police or by police officers specifically because you were (black, white)?

6. We have heard of racism towards blacks by police officers in some big cities. Now, how widespread do you think the problem is: a. just what we see and hear b. in big city departments only c. widespread through the U.S.

7. After discovering and seeing the incident involving Rodney King and several L.A. police officers, in your opinion were the actions taken by police officers towards King fair? Yes or no?

8. Is your view or opinion on the criminal justice sytem a negative or positive view?

9. How much confidence do you have in police officers in your community in terms of treating blacks and whites equally. a. a great deal b. a fair amount c. just the same d. very little e. no confidence

Amandab gave this response on 5/3/2000:

Hi I will try and answer this as accurately as I can, I am in Australia so my perspectives are from a different point of view, mainly based on media and university studies.

1. Imprisonment would be a rather harsh sentence for the police officers. Officers of law should be investigated by an independant body such as an ombudsman, I believe there is different laws if somewhat unspoken about police officers on duty. Suspension and anger management would need to be investigated. Also the officers involved may not have acted in such a way if they were in pairs, or alone. A "pack mentality" occurred like that in gang violence. The officers should be divided, suspended and rehabilitated.

2. My own theory is not a popular one (especially in Australia) I believe that OJ is guilty in that he may have planned the murder, I would say it was executed (no pun intended) by a different party. He has the money and the power - due to celebrity status to keep the blood from his own hands, and be conveniently untouchable. From a distance Australia saw a very racially motivated assumption of guilt/innocence from Americans. It appeared that blacks supported him, whereas whites were against him. Regardless of what anyone thinks, he was able to afford the best lawyers money could buy and some say he paid his way out of jail.

3. Racial difference is different in Australia. We have more class distinction than race distinction. And I can say that police now refuse to enter into "danger" or "hot" spots without added assistance. Therefore the better the class the more protection offered.

4/5. Being a white female, I am treated quite well by police, speeding tickets have been dropped or I have been given leniency.

6. This is a difficult question to answer. My point of view is that there are factions where blacks are treated differently - usually more harshly. But it is not widespread.

7. As I said earlier I believe the actions of the police had more to do with pack mentality than anything else. A group of men proving their power over another.

8. Another tough one. Usually the media only publicises negative things. Such as when a criminal gets a lenient sentence. However in it's day-to-day role it must be doing something right. I believe a tougher stance, such as the zero tolerance policy is a good idea. We are trying the three strikes and you're out method here at the moment, however a few bad cases (an aboriginal youth suicides in jail) has meant that the politicians have gotten into the fray and have screwed things over.

9. (b) It is inbuilt for there to be a prejudice against another race. If a white cop has to make a choice of white or black he will always take the side of the white. Just as a black would do for his own race etc etc etc. However, impartiality must be attempted, but usually preconceived ideas take control.

I hope this helps you in some way!

Amanda

The average rating for this answer is 4.8.

chapa10@... rated this answer a 5.

Thank you so much!