In Minneapolis, Minnesota at around 8:35 PM on May 25, 2020, videos recorded the death of a petty theft suspect at the hands of police officers. The victim was a 46 year old black man, George Floyd. Civil unrest ensued on a global scale.
Persecution and abuse of non-white suspects at the hands of predominately white law enforcement has an ugly history in the US. Successes of black leaders from Martin Luther King to President Barack Obama, have had little effect on the racist undertow of white privilege.
There is, however, one ‘privilege’ white America still has. It is only white America that can end this plague of unjust and bigoted law enforcement. We need to recruit and train law enforcement officers as examples of justice – not examples of authority.
The militarization of local police is seen as one of the causes. But most of the military weapons and training are in direct response to the availability, and frequent use, of military style weapons by the general public. You can write a thank you letter to the NRA.
Militarization, in and of itself, leads to an authoritarian and dominating command structure. A structure that is essential in the military – but can be disastrous in local law enforcement. The mentality of militarization has much more to do with the problem than military equipment and training.
Persecution and abuse of non-white suspects at the hands of predominately white law enforcement has an ugly history in the US. Successes of black leaders from Martin Luther King to President Barack Obama, have had little effect on the racist undertow of white privilege.
There is, however, one ‘privilege’ white America still has. It is only white America that can end this plague of unjust and bigoted law enforcement. We need to recruit and train law enforcement officers as examples of justice – not examples of authority.
The militarization of local police is seen as one of the causes. But most of the military weapons and training are in direct response to the availability, and frequent use, of military style weapons by the general public. You can write a thank you letter to the NRA.
Militarization, in and of itself, leads to an authoritarian and dominating command structure. A structure that is essential in the military – but can be disastrous in local law enforcement. The mentality of militarization has much more to do with the problem than military equipment and training.
The threats that law enforcement face vary and range from simple human emotions to outright assassination. It is always prudent to prepare for the worst; a fully armed public can pose the worst scenarios. I expect further militarization of law enforcement is inevitable as long a gun laws are as liberal as they are today. However, some of the highest profile police misconduct came not from the use of military weapons - but from physical abuse (choking, beatings, etc.). A mentality of 'authority'.
I see several possible approaches in cities and states that employ 25 or more officers:
I see several possible approaches in cities and states that employ 25 or more officers:
- Police training that emphasizes being purveyors of justice - not dispensers of justice. This includes:
- Learning to be a shield more often than a sword;
- Staying in top physical condition and becoming experts in martial arts;
- Applying lethal force only when other means have failed.
- Mandatory body cameras and 360 degree vehicle cameras:
- Recordings sent immediately to the cloud - not held in the field.
- These cameras cannot be turned off or deactivated.
- Loss of signal means the officer (or vehicle) is recalled immediately.
- Today, camera footage is only reviewed when an incident is reported. Thus, aggressive tendencies can go unnoticed until it's too late.
- All camera footage should be reviewed - possibly by AI programs - to look for excessive force, questionable actions or language on part of officers.
- Having a recording of every license plate, every person's face, every street corner,... - every day for every officer - could be a trove of investigative data later on.
- Removal of officers that show tendencies to use undue force or react with violence BEFORE they are instrumental in an incident.
- If reports are correct - this policy alone would have saved George Floyd's life.
- Lastly, and more to the point on #4 above, we need to overhaul and give greater responsibility and accountability to Police Unions.
- Unions should preserve the integrity of the profession, not promote immunity of individuals.
- It would be a fine day when Internal Affairs is all but eliminated due to the effectiveness of the Union.
Technology is a tool. How we use it is the key. Technology that links every police officer with a permanent record may be objectionable by some rank and file. But if you START a new police officer recruit under this policy, they will learn to adjust and adapt. If they are told that every working hour of their police career will be part of a training video - they will adapt - and act accordingly.
We will have a much more professional and accountable police force for the time, effort and money needed. The federal government should lead and provide resources for such a process.
You have ideas or experiences? Please share.
You have ideas or experiences? Please share.
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