A PROBLEM WITH POLICE CULTURE

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 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.

 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