By: Serwaa Akua Manu
November 8, 2022
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "perception is the way you think about or understand someone or something." The question of how one understands another then comes into play. As a construct, perception relies on an individual's comprehension of how their environment functions, using the construct as an analytical tool to process viewpoints, arguments, and ideals to arrive at a specific conclusion. In criminal justice, one must learn how to use it as a tool to function; it helps one practice decency and intervene in situations that do not justify a cause.
This becomes a tool that an officer can use during police brutality. In a report by Hutchinson for 2022, It states, "Assistant U.S. Attorney Manda Sertich told Magnuson that Keung, who was a rookie cop at the time of Floyd's death, admitted during his trial testimony that he was aware that it was his duty to intervene, but he failed to act. The statement says Keung was a rookie, meaning he had just started on the job after finishing his training. As stated in the report, that he was aware of what was going on but failed to intervene. The word "intervene" becomes an action part that was required from him, and he failed to provide.The background of Keung was of a different culture; without enough on job training.The word "intervene" becomes an action part that was required from him, and he failed to provide.
When a person switch careers, visits a place of unknown, one gets what is called "culture shock." When you know what is happening, but you do not know how to perceive it, and to even take an action towards the situation. For instance when an accident occur, those that are involve can remember the time it occured but cannot remember in detailed of what was happening in the frame of seconds. This is where victims can state sentences like,"it happened so quick that I did not know what to do."
His perception of what was happening in front of him was not properly formed. Perception is also needed to critically think in a lot of situations. This is something that one cannot teach or inherit but an action where a person must exercise constantly to shape one's viewpoint. Perception is important and must be considered in all aspects of life.
References
Hutchinson, B. (2022b, July 27). 2 former cops convicted in George Floyd’s death sentenced to prison. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/cops-convicted-george-floyds-death-set-sentenced/story?id=87427866
perception. (n.d.). In The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perception
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