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A take off from "Black Lives Matter" slogan, this unoriginal message may be obstacle to bringing cops and protesters together.
When National Action Network leaders announced that they would be sending Al Sharpton to rally against Cobb County Lieutenant Greg Abbott's "We only kill black people" remark, Cobb County, Ga. Police Chief Michael Register recommended that Abbott be fired immediately.
That's the kind of change happening across the United States where communities have seen an uptick in "Killed by Cop" incidents, and the police themselves have become targets.
"Instead of implementing change by accident, lawsuit, or crisis, law enforcement professionals need to act deliberately — with confidence and purpose — to ensure the desired outcomes," say Deborah Lewis and Fredinal “Fred” Rogers of the United States Capitol Police. ( https://www.policeone.com/police-jobs-and-careers/articles/6969429-Overcoming-3-key-challenges-to-change-management-in-policing/ )
Recently, a Georgia Tech student armed with a knife, Scout Schultz, was killed by campus police who did not deploy non-lethal bean-bag rounds which could have saved his life. The result: violent protests erupted in Atlanta.
Yet, this is a moment when relationships between police officers and the public are under the microscope, ready for improvement on both sides. What will improve relations between the police and community members they serve?
Transparency. Sensitivity training. Reinforcement of positive behaviors. Breaking down stereotypes. Accountability. This is the responsibility of human resources, the union, training facilities, public relations administrators, review panelists, and community activists.
The police should not be at war with the citizens they serve. Ongoing and sustainable changes are keys to improving community policing.
ReplyDeleteAnother life is gone due to police over-reaction and brutality.
Now on a college campus in front of students. Tasers are meant to disable people and it is presumed that these officers had Tasers. However, an officer, yet again, chose to make a “kill shot” shooting a mentally-challenged student in the heart.
This was a choice, with at least one other option – the use of non-deadly force.
Unfortunately, we live in a society where respect for each other has faltered greatly. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., stated decades ago “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
There are many things that people do not like about others. However, one thing must be respected about everyone, we all have a right to our beliefs. Considering these facts, people need to get past hatred, disrespect, and the attitudes of supremacy over others for whatever reason their minds lead them to believe in this manner of psychological irrationalism.
Killing individuals, even where expressly necessary to prevent harm to others, is not funny.
We have more individuals reacting, and protesting, to animal abuse and fighting-for-sport than the killing of innocent individuals in our society. It is further a shame to be ostracized for standing up for your rights and what you believe in.
Colin Kaepernick is a primary example of this “supremacy” syndrome.
More individuals need to step up and fight for their rights as Kaepernick has done, even at the sad reality of how individuals feel that he needs to “stay in his place” by not making a bold statement, and stance, about his discontent with police brutality around the United States.
Even young elementary school football players who understand what is going on in this society are taking a stance for mankind. https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/look-a-football-team-of-8-year-olds-knelt-for-the-anthem-in-response-to-st-louis-protests/
I applaud these youngsters for their beliefs. It also makes me wonder at times how many "grown" adults function as human beings, as they often fail to use basic common decency, sense, and respect for their fellow man.
Police departments in this nation need to review their hiring, promoting, and training within their organizations, as their method of operation (MO) is simply failing our society.
Now, 8-year-old children are watching very closely….
D says: Thanks Tomi,
ReplyDeleteSome good stuff. I agree with it all. I would only add one thought. I would consider filling in the message by adding that there is e need to reinforce that citizens should be less at war with the officers that serve us.
In my opinion, the last paragraph is only half the equation. Last paragraph states that - "The police should not be at war with the citizens they serve. Ongoing sustainable changes are keys to improving community policing."
This one directional view misses the point that it's a mutual effort, and that "The citizens should also not be at war with the police that serve us. Ongoing sustainable changes are keys to improving community policing."
I believe there are criminal and political forces that want, and work to upset the delicate balance between citizens and police. They desire to tip the scale in an already difficult relationship. We, the citizens, need to acknowledge this and have some responsibility to know our role. There are bad guys out there, and it's sometimes it's difficult to discern the good from the bad.
Citizens are not always the victims.
Again, Thanks,
W says:Good article Tomi! The use of deadly force vs. less than lethal options is a hot-button topic, posing black and white policy against the perception and judgment of the officer in the field. Not an easy fix.
ReplyDeleteSup guys
ReplyDeleteI think the main issue is body language. Where I came from was a place shooting & booming are just part of life. When an official walk into place he/she has no idea who is who and therefore body language most be put in place. Every one must learn to lay down & put their hand above their head in case of shooting. This can be a great support for the official when the walk into the area. This can save life as well as easily identifie the bad guys.