I am Pro-Police.
This is objectively the right side of this debate.
I am admittedly biased in favor of police officers. This is the type of unconscious bias that I wish more people had buried inside.
For example, when I am watching a random body cam video of an armed robbery suspect who is running from police - I am rooting for the officer to catch the crook. At my core - I want good to prevail over evil. And I do not care how much that offends Ben Crump and his army of anti-police activists.
But, being Pro-Police does not mean that I always agree with every decision that a police officer makes. When a controversial police incident occurs - always taking the side of the cops - like a lazy reflex - is not helpful or thoughtful.
Being pro-police, to me, means that I believe in the institution of policing. That communities are safer and better when they are stacked with strong and trustworthy law enforcement agencies. I honestly believe that police officers are that thin line that stands in between societal order and chaos.
In order to protect the institution that I believe in - it is essential to be honest when police officers make mistakes, commit crimes, or exhibit temporary lapses in judgement. Honest criticism is important. That is - if a police officer does something that you think is incorrect, unsafe, immoral, illegal… ask questions & say something. It is a demonstration of cowardice to be quiet and meek when faced with obvious police misconduct. We must be confident enough to discuss and debate tactics, policy, leadership, and controversial issues in policing.
If we are not honest about the bad ones - no one will believe us on the good ones.
There is a difference between dishonest anti-police activists - who claim that all police are “racist”, “fascist”, etc… and honest/reasonable criticism that is based on education and experience in this field. My preferred method - is to explain exactly where I think the officer made the mistake. Then cite to policy, training, or law - to backup my claim. When you breakdown a controversial police incident in this systematic manner it forces a thoughtful autopsy of chaotic and violent scenes.
This exercise is how police leaders implement better policy and effective training to either ensure that incidents with positive outcomes are repeated or that incidents with tragic outcomes never happen again.
Policing is weird.
Doing it for any length of time - Is like a series of odd dreams.
Strung together with mixed details.
Pushed back and away.
That aren’t remembered unless you drive past that one murder scene or fatal crash intersection.
Then. It’s all you remember.
This is a hard job. A job that the majority of our critics are too afraid to do themselves.
Check in with each other. Actively…
Completely agree! While I'm very much pro-police, I also think it's important to call out poor behavior, provided, however, it's done honestly and fairly. Which you do quite well. : )
Happy New Year!