Police Brutality In Detroit

Police brutality has long been a topic of discussion. Police brutality, a form of police misconduct, happens all around the world. In the United States, it has come to light more in recent years. A city especially known for police brutality is Detroit, Michigan. Detroit police officers kill or injure criminal suspects at a higher rate than other US cities including New York and Washington DC, cities known for high crime rates. Between the years of 1990 and 1998, police in Detroit had nearly ten fatal encounters per year, a high statistic with less than one million people residing in the city. Detroit became known for having a violent police force during the 1960s and 1970s, especially against minority youth. This trend held steady during the 1980s and 1990s. One of the most publicized cases was that of 35 year old Malice Green. The use of force and its proper utilization is a defining characteristic of those who control others via policing or corrections. It is an essential element in the "process and product" of a safe, secure, and professional criminal justice environment. Officers can’t just let criminals walk away when resisting but it is also up to each officer to use his or her own discretion when trying to keep be safe, whether or not someone may consider this police brutality is up for debate. Malice Green was not a stranger to the Criminal Justice system. Trouble found him for a good part of his adult life. While living in suburban Chicago, in the late 80s and early 90s, Green was charged with resisting and obstructing the police after he pushed two police officers. The altercation would lead to a battery charge and subsequently, a conviction. That was just one of several crimes on his record. Others charges would include, battery, battery against women, marijuana possession, drinking and driving and driving with a revoked license. The battery against women charge would later be dropped because the victim refused to testify. On the night of November 5th, 1992, Green was seen stopping in front of a house in inner city Detroit to drop off a friend. The house was under surveillance by two plain clothes police officers, Larry Nevers and Walter Budzyn, because of suspected drug transactions. The officers order Green to get out of his vehicle. Green refused their request. Nevers and Budzyn then called for backup and they attempted to remove Green from his car. He resisted. One of the officers noticed Green had a clenched fist and they ordered him to open it. He did not comply and the officers began to hit his hand with their flashlights. As the officers were beating Green, another five officers arrived for back up. In the meantime, the beating had gone from Green’s fist to his …show more content…
An autopsy performed on Green would determine his death was due to a swelled brain. Cocaine and alcohol were also found in his system. Eleven days later, Wayne County Prosecutor, John D. O 'Hair, charged Officer Budzyn and Officer Nevers with second-degree murder. Another officer, Lessnau, was charged with aggravated assault. Sergeant Douglas was charged with involuntary manslaughter and willful neglect for not trying to stop the beating. All four officers pleaded not guilty. Three other officers on the scene were not charged due to lack of evidence. Later that year, on December 23rd, Michigan District Court Chief Judge Alex J. Allen, Jr dropped the charges against Sergeant Douglas because the beating was already taking place when he arrived on the …show more content…
The jury’s verdict for Officer Budzyn was reached on August 21st. Both of these verdicts would remain sealed until the jury in Officer Nevers’ case reached a verdict. That would come on August 23rd. Both Nevers and Budzyn were found guilty of second degree murder. Officer Lessnau was found not guilty. Nevers was sentenced to 12-25 years in prison with no parole until he served at least nine years and eight months. Officer Budzyn received 8 to 18 with no parole until he served at least six and a half years. Both officers requested out of state prisons due to the fact that they may have had a part in convicting the prisoners in Michigan. They were allowed to serve their terms in