4 ms·
This is really not getting at the root of the problem (not saying we shouldn't also do this). Police are trained to see citizens as enemies and to see themselv
by eagsalazar2 6y ago
This is really not getting at the root of the problem (not saying we shouldn't also do this).
Police are trained to see citizens as enemies and to see themselves as "warriors". The specific tactics they utilize are tactics they have been trained to use and/or are widely used in practice so new recruits are immersed in a culture where these things are the norm.
Additionally the reason cops get away with things in all the ways you list above are because of unions and lack of independent accountability.
Persecuting individual officers for doing the job they were trained to do actual inflames the problem because they already see themselves as the victims (that is crazy, but it is 100% true they feel this way).
Of course individuals play a large role but focusing on charging officers isn't likely to be an effective strategy for changing things.
A much better strategy would be to take officers themselves out of the blame/change equation. They get the most political sympathy so going at them increases divisions and decreases likelihood of any compromise. What's needed to to change police training, yes add independent accountability, and change the charter of police forces by breaking away social services to take over most calls that don't involve felony crimes or immediate life dangers.
- dillondoyle 6y agoI agree with most of this but I also think it leaves out a huge piece of the puzzle: systemic racism. Which obviously doesn't have an easy solution. Maybe mandating more diverse forces, that officers actually live in their city, and training/culture accountability from the top down (that unions can't block).
- alexashka 6y agoI don't know why you think racism is a 'huge' piece of the puzzle. You may be surprised to find out there exist countries other than USA that have far worse corruption and abuse at all levels of society that have nothing to do with race.
- dillondoyle 6y agoyeah sure. but that has nothing to do with reforming racist US police forces
- jfengel 6y agoUnfortunately, the police are right. The laws in the U.S. mean that every single encounter has the chance to be fatal. American citizens hold it as the highest right to be able to deal death at a moment's notice. Once they decide to, it's practically impossible to stop or avoid, because it takes only an instant. Few citizens will choose to do that, but every single one could, and you can't tell which until it's too late. Any encounter with the police is not only hostile, but it carries the ultimate consequence for both sides. There is no way to ratchet down that hostility when the police are justifiably in fear of their lives. They really could be victims and it's no surprise that they act accordingly.
- eagsalazar2 6y agoPolice work being as dangerous as you describe is a myth and part of the false justification for police tactics. Look up the statistics.
- jfengel 6y agoThe danger I describe does exist and needs to be mitigated against. The fact that it's practically never actually applicable exacerbates the problem, and makes de-escalation difficult.