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Reports say that violent crime
is down. Citizen fear of violent crime is up. Police killed in the
line of duty is up. Citizen confidence in police is
down.
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What does one
make of all this? We need to make sense of the situation soon as
the conditions in our communities change in the face of a shaky
economy and abuse of authority.
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The National
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund recently reported a 14
percent national increase in cops being killed in the line of duty
this year. Steve Froeninger, spokesperson for the Fund, believes
the increase can be tied to budget cuts.
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It’s true that
85 percent of police departments reported budget reductions over
the last year. But I just can’t see criminals sitting around
monitoring statistical data on the ratio of police to citizens
before they make a move.
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All of us know
there are criminals running amuck in our communities. Black and
brown communities are also acutely aware of police with criminal
behavior running amuck in our communities. Many an innocent black
person has experienced heart palpitations when a police car pulls
up behind them (without the siren).
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There are
programs that address strategies for crime and good policing
techniques. However, there never seems to be an honest discussion
about why there is mistrust of the police and how that issue can be
addressed. That discussion gets lost in the unconditional defense
of rogue behavior. It is worsened by the lack of consequences when
wrong has been confirmed.
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Police agencies
will say that theirs is a dangerous job. But many police will
retire without even firing their gun. (Years ago Capt. Chuck Alpin
informed me of this while he was on the St. Louis police force and
it’s still basically true.) In the scheme of dangerous jobs,
according to CareerBuilder, farmers are twice as likely to die
while performing their jobs as police. Statistically speaking, cops
are pretty safe at an 18 percent fatality rate.
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Every day
across this country, there are reports about crimes committed by
police. Examples of those crimes include extortion, gun running,
drug sales, assault and murder. Police departments like New York,
Miami, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Chicago have long and bloody
histories of police violence against citizens.
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Police say they
feel threatened. Citizens say police are threatening. Police say
rogue cops are a few bad apples and don’t reflect the many good
officers doing their job. Citizens say criminals represent a small
minority in our communities and don’t reflect the majority of
honest, law-abiding residents who live there.
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It sounds like
an impasse, except that the law enforcement view is propagated
widely and their collective voice amplified by the media. It is the
average citizen who feels sandwiched between criminals with a badge
and criminals in a hoodie, with no remedy in sight. This is an area
where significant progress can be made.
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We need to see
the same kind of policing in JeffVanLou and Penrose neighborhoods
as in Holly Hills or Ellendale. We need to see condemnation from
the top brass when police engage in unlawful or unethical behavior.
We need to see some consequences when there is guilt of wrongdoing.
We need to see transparency in police procedures and record
keeping. We need to see meaningful dialogue when citizens have
issues with police.
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Understanding
and respect is a two-way street. Right now, citizens in black,
brown and white communities across the country are feeling
misunderstood and disrespected.
