Reference no: EM132735438
Assignment: The discussion assignment provides a forum for discussing relevant topics for this week on the basis of the course competencies covered.
For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to the Discussion Area by the due date assigned.
To support your work, use your course and text readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.
Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates' initial postings. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Cite sources in your responses to other classmates. Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week.
Sean Bell, a 23-year-old African-American, and two other friends were leaving Bell's bachelor party at a strip club on November 25, 2006, when they were shot by a group of undercover detectives who had been monitoring the club. More than 50 shots were fired at the car containing the three men.
Research the circumstances of the case and consider the officers' thought process leading up to the shootout.
• Was the officers' use of force legal under Tennessee v. Garner (1985)? If yes, why? If no, why not?
• Explain with reference to case law whether or not the suspect had the right to resist the stop and whether the suspect could use force to resist the stop.
• Did the officers who shot the suspect have a reasonable belief that other officers were in danger? Explain.
• Was the use of force by the officers excessive under Graham v. Conner (1989)? Why?
• If you were an officer in a similar situation, and had been indicted, would you opt for a bench trial or jury? Explain your choice.
Support your responses with adequate research and supporting data. Review and comment on the submissions of at least two of your classmates by the end of the week.
Cite any sources using APA format on a separate page. Let's learn how to cite sources using APA guidelines.