Essay
I think you should vote yes on bill HF0538. Bill HF0538 is related to banning hate/extremist groups in law enforcement. This is a very big problem because people of different ethnicities are in danger because of hate/extremist groups. This bill seeks to ban hate and extremist groups from participating in law enforcement, ensuring that officers who serve the community do so without harming different ethnicities out of hatred. By using background checks, Historical facts, and the tragedy of George Floyd HF0538 aims to build a more inclusive and safer police academy.
Police departments use background checks as a tool to make sure that new recruits uphold the law and maintain public trust. Background checks involve looking through an individual's criminal history, employment records, educational background, and sometimes social media activity. Despite this, hate groups/extremists still find ways around the system. Some individuals might use false information, or avoid online activity that could reveal their affiliations. Additionally, these groups often teach their members on how to present themselves during interviews and background investigations, making it difficult for authorities to detect their true intentions.
The history of police in the United States dates back to the slave patrols in the South, which were designed to control and suppress enslaved African Americans. This origin has contributed to a legacy of institutional racism within law enforcement. According to the NAACP, The civil war put an end to slave hunters but they were quickly replaced with other rules and regulations to keep African Americans suppressed such as Black Codes and Jim Crow laws. Over time, practices such as racial profiling and the use of force against minority communities have shown wrongful actions, reflecting institutional racism that was embedded in the system from its start. This helps explain why issues of racial inequality and mistrust between police and minority communities continue to be challenges today.
The tragedy of George Floyd's death in May of 2020 showed the issues of racial profiling and police brutality in Minneapolis. His death was captured on video. This sparked global protests and brought attention to the dangers faced by ethnicities when interacting with law enforcement. This displayed the urgent need for police reform and accountability, as it became clear that people of color, particularly black individuals, are subjected to excessive force and wrongful treatment by the police. This tragic event has heightened calls for justice and equality, emphasizing the necessity to address and dismantle racial biases within the policing system.
In conclusion, by using background checks, historical facts, and reflecting on the tragedy of George Floyd, Bill HF0538 aims to build a more inclusive and safer police force. This bill seeks to ban hate and extremist groups from participating in law enforcement, ensuring that officers who serve the community do so without prejudice or harm toward different ethnicities. Voting yes on Bill HF0538 is a crucial step towards a more equal society.
Sources:
https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/origins-modern-day-policing#:~:text=The%20origins%20of%20modern%2Dday,runaway%20slaves%20to%20their%20owners.
https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/criminal-justice-information-services/background-checks
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/charter-and-code-of-ordinances/city-policies/background-check-policy/