Write a 3-5 page paper titled "Conflict and Power" that explains how individual perceptions of power can create conflict situations between law enforcement and members of a community. Use the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions affect the ability to resolve conflict. Then, identify a conflict resolution strategy and predict the outcome.Introduction
Power plays a role in most conflicts. According to Coleman, Deutsch, and Marcus (2014), power can be understood by looking at its relationship to a situation and how that power is used. It is important to consider the role that each person in a conflict situation plays and that person's place in the power hierarchy. Also, consider culture, as it can influence the way people react to power inequalities. Understanding these differences is key when trying to understand the dynamics of conflict and formulate strategies for conflict resolution.Reference
Coleman, P., Deutsch, M., & Marcus, C. (Eds.). (2014). The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice (3rd ed.). Wiley. Demonstration of Proficiency
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

Competency 1: Identify variables within an organizational structure that can promote conflict. 

• Describe the factors that contribute to conflict between law enforcement and members of a community.

Competency 2: Apply theoretical perspectives on conflict. 

Use the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions of power interfere with the ability to resolve conflict.

Competency 3: Apply appropriate strategies to reduce or resolve conflicts. 

Identify conflict resolution strategies for law enforcement community conflicts.

Competency 4: Analyze the impact of conflict on relationship building in face-to-face, virtual, cyber, and group communication. 

Explain how perceptions of power contribute to conflict situations.

Competency 5: Evaluate the outcome of proposed strategies of conflict resolution. 

Determine the outcome of a conflict resolution strategy.

• Competency 6: Communicate effectively in a variety of formats. 

Write coherently to support a central idea in appropriate APA format with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.

• Preparation
  Search the Capella library and the Internet to locate resources that address the dynamics of power and conflict (in particular, with relation to law enforcement), the relational theory of power, perceptions of power, and how things such as gender, culture, and ethnicity can affect that perception.Instructions
  Complete the following:
• Describe the factors or conditions that contribute to conflict situations between law enforcement and citizens.

Explain how perceptions of power may contribute to conflict situations between law enforcement and members of a community. Be sure you consider the perceptions of both the police and individual citizens.

• Use the relational theory of power to explain how perceptions of power affect the ability to resolve police–community conflict.
• Identify strategies you believe might be effective in reducing or resolving conflicts between police and communities.

Choose one strategy and determine the likely outcome.

• Although an actual blog would not have any specific formatting, format this assessment following APA guidelines. This format will facilitate faculty evaluation and feedback.Additional Requirements

 

Conflict and Power

Contributing Factors

            Factors sparking conflict between citizens and law enforcement are explicit and can be observed on local news, the internet, social media, and other communication platforms (Terpstra & Salet, 2019). Misunderstandings on cultural, social, political, and religious grounds is a leading factor of antagonism. For instance, the protests engulfing the Dakota Access Pipeline stemmed from sheer misunderstandings between the rioting crowd and law enforcement officers. The incident resulted in a dysfunctional conflict that left several officers and citizens bruised and injured. Fundamentally, the antagonism emerged from miscommunications and misunderstandings between residents and law enforcement officers, with the former seeking to protect the land on religious and ownership grounds.

            Second, conflicts between law enforcement and citizens can also stem from the latter's use of excessive force. Such incidences are standard on the roads, precisely when drivers feel profiled or intimidated. For instance, in 2019, Louisiana officers were caught on camera beating an African American man for allegedly attacking one of the troops at a stoplight (Vigdor, 2021). Aaron Bowman ended up in hospital with a deep gash on his head while his attacker quit the force after being found guilty. Overall, the conflict stemmed from excessive use of force and could have been avoided entirely by following arrest protocols. Such incidences are common in contemporary America, and they continue to taint the integrity of law enforcement.

Perceptions of Power    

            Perception of power plays an immense role in the escalation of conflict, given that police officers and citizens are likely to stand on contrasting grounds (Peleg-Koriat et al., 2017). Typically, the law mandates police officers to protect and serve, meaning they must safeguard rights and keep citizens safe. Nonetheless, some law enforcement officers overstep their power and violate fundamental citizens’ rights and freedoms. Such scenarios generally create or intensify conflicts, given that oppressed individuals are likely to retaliate and mobilize communities and human rights activists. In a nutshell, individual and collective perceptions of power from some law enforcement officers nurture inappropriate conduct like excessive force, sparking conflicts with the affected community.

            On the other hand, citizens also depict inconsistent perceptions of power, which enhance conflict with law enforcement. For example, Americans today are quick to film and judge police officers engaging in heated arguments with particular individuals. People are likely to criticize and rally against a Caucasian officer arguing with an African-American driver on the grounds of racial profiling without a prior understanding of their contact. In such scenarios, the community uses an inaccurate perception of power to disrespect and attack the officer and potentially jeopardize his life or career. Like police officers, community members must act respectfully to minimize the chances of using their power to misjudge situations or spark conflict. Overall, citizens and law enforcement officers are often guilty of overstating their power, justifying the role of individual perceptions in conflict.

Relational Theory of Power      

            According to the relational theory of power, conflicts are an inherent element of social relationships that is hardly influenced by individual differences (Zhao et al., 2015). Thus, experiences between police officers and the community are likely to alter personal perceptions of power and conflict. For example, a citizen who bases their judgment solely on the negative stories and social media comments on law enforcement is likely to question the integrity of the entire force. Efforts to realign such perspectives are somewhat challenging and futile unless the individual encounters a significant change. Likewise, a police officer grounds their perception of power on their authoritative responsibility, making it difficult for some to abandon certain behaviors. Thus, the contradicting power position between both parties creates a typical impasse that can only be resolved by compromise. The "deadlock" nature of the conflict between citizens and law enforcement makes it hard to settle differences, which invites more conflict. Overall, the relational theory of power indicates the role of perception in conflict as each entangled party seeks to overpower its opposer.

Conflict Resolution Strategies

            Regardless of the status quo, law enforcement officers are mandated to nurture positive perceptions of power among citizens. Therefore, a community approach is reliable since it safeguards personal and collective interests, communicates problem-solving approaches, and corrects underlying societal fears. Positive community engagement will be widely helpful for law enforcement to address the negative perceptions of power that predominate contemporary society. Citizens should know officers more personally and understand their role and position in the somewhat complex agency relationship. Likewise, law enforcement officers should be actively involved in community events and projects to lay a foundation for functional conflict since antagonism has historically proven inevitable.

            Overall, comprehending the factors leading to conflict enhances the understanding of varying perceptions of power, a catalyst of dysfunctional conflict. Unfortunately, the relational theory of power clarifies the time effect of perception, which makes it challenging to address antagonism between police officers and citizens. Nonetheless, community conflict resolution can solve existing perceptions of power inconsistencies by improving communication and empathy.

OUTLINE

CONFLICT AND POWER

Thesis statement: This paper examines factors that spark conflict between law enforcement and citizens and the role of perceptions of power on the same. It also evaluates how the relational theory of power makes it hard to address the antagonism and recommends the most effective mitigation strategy.

1. Contributing factors
2. Perceptions of power
3. Relational theory of power
4. Conflict resolution strategies
5. Conclusion