In this era of cellphone cameras we are able to document the extent of police overreach and overreaction.
There is a
problem with police departments across the nation.
There is a Dirty Harry attitude of be tough and shoot first – a closed rank society that sees all civilians as outsiders, and black civilians as the potential enemy to be intimidated and controlled –there is an attitude of superiority and power over the masses.
This persona is not only endemic in police departments, but also attracts the wrong type of people to its ranks.
There is a Dirty Harry attitude of be tough and shoot first – a closed rank society that sees all civilians as outsiders, and black civilians as the potential enemy to be intimidated and controlled –there is an attitude of superiority and power over the masses.
This persona is not only endemic in police departments, but also attracts the wrong type of people to its ranks.
There needs to be nationwide regulation on use
of force by police officers, and cowboy cops removed from the ranks.
There needs to be a higher bar set for police recruitment, including academic excellence and community service as a prerequisite.
There needs to be a higher bar set for police recruitment, including academic excellence and community service as a prerequisite.
With the exception of SWAT, any police officer involved in the death of an individual, justified or otherwise, should be permanently removed from police duties - and if not charged offered transfer to some other public service department or given some determined separation pay.
In the military I served for two
years as base police at three different bases, and in Florida worked with the Clay County Sheriff's Department as a volunteer diver.
I know the feeling of authority the pistol and badge confers; and the
feeling of camaraderie with the local civilian police officers in their attitude
toward the public. It is too easy to get caught up in the macho bullshit of the police culture. In retrospect I too often overreacted as a thug with a badge and a gun.
the Ol'Buzzard
the Ol'Buzzard
You defend yourself and someone (other than you) dies you lose your job? I'd imagine that police do the job for more than just a paycheck.
ReplyDeleteTalk about putting doubts in someone's mind...
I see the State of Colorado is going to require psychological screening for all prospective law enforcement officers. Maybe that will help eliminate some of the power-tripping thugs. I've known a few good cops, but I've also seen quite a few who apparently went into law enforcement because it gave them cover for being bullies, asshats, or sexual predators.
ReplyDeleteCulture is a hard thing to change. It has to come from the top down in the sense that the undesirable behaviour cannot be winked at or tolerated. Such change can take a long time because current "old guard" officers have to retire in order to have their influence removed. That's not to say that cultural change shouldn't occur, it's just that it cannot be done overnight.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a problem with the police.
ReplyDeleteI think Colorado has right idea.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason I never intend to enter the USA again.
ReplyDelete