Three of at least a dozen police officers on site of the arrest inflicted 41 of the blows. The Philadelphia Police Department has long struggled with a bad reputation as one of the nation's most violent forces. In the 1960s and '70s, Police Commissioner Frank Rizzo was hated for allegations of bigotry and brutality. Police brutality is an issue that police departments across the country need to address. Philadelphia is an example of a police force that has not been properly trained to deal with potentially volatile situations.
Excessive force becomes an issue when police officers are unprepared for events.
When police are not in control of a situation and beat an unruly suspect, they overreact in fear and lack of knowledge. Incidents such as this elicit the public's questioning of whether police are more scared than they are prepared. Keeping order in society is not an easy job, and many police officers go beyond the call of duty to keep city streets safe and clean. We commend those that are concerned with the best welfare of the nation's citizens. Police need to remember, however, that many of their criminal suspects are citizens too, and should be treated as humanely as possible.