How to fix Police in the United States.
We need to look at policing in the United States, not from a race perspective but from a view of systematically defining what we want police in 2016 to do. I offer the following recipe which takes out of the theory that there is a system that creates racial boundaries, but that the policing in modern era need not be what it is today.
1. MILITARIZATION
Not only have we over-equipped our Police force, a body that has the sole purpose of bringing possible law breakers to a judicial body, but we have also over-ego'd them. We have convinced our Police Officers through the media (including social) that they are somehow life-saving, 'last line of defense', heroic Gods. They aren't. This doesn't mean occasionally they do great acts of self-sacrifice, of course they do. What it means is a false impression, and one that has gone bad. When an Officer is put on a mantle by society it doesn't just create a feeling of worth and purpose, but loathing from those that feel it unjust. It also creates an over-abundance of confidence. They type of confidence that gets people killed. Such was Dallas, a tragedy that we all watched. Seeing an Officer run, almost blindly, towards a murderer who clearly knew how to kill, and then be systematically shot and killed was tragic. This Officer lacked the tactics or knowledge of how to handle the situation. And that truly was tragic.
2. LOSS OF PURPOSE
Police Officers should be there to bring possible law breakers to a judicial body, assist Citizens and provide an outlet for service. Police are not supposed to be authoritative, dictating individuals whose presence somehow scares the very people who hired them. Modern day policing in America, not all of it but enough to warrant discussion, has become more of a "you breaking the law?' and 'listen to me because I'm a cop' mentality versus a 'hey do you need any help?' or 'is anything wrong?'
3. AMERICANS LOST THEIR SELF-DEFENSE CAPABILITIES
This one is in no way the a fault of a Policing body. America and it's politicians have told citizens they should not be in the business of defending themselves; whether it be through gun laws, politically correct ridicule, absurd 'bullying' references or consistent bombardment that if you're in trouble 'call someone' instead of defending yourself. We have convinced Americans that if they are in danger they should call the Police, NO, they shouldn't. The Police aren't there to 'save you' they are there to maintain order according to law. They aren't your ultimate defender and shouldn't be looked at as some line of 'Avenger' that would come assist your problems. You are your first line of defense, you are what stands between you and chaos. When we get back to Citizens realizing that they are their first line of defense, we will be in a better place.
So now that I stated what I believe are some of the driving issues, I'm going to offer some possible solutions. Now, I caveat this by saying "I'm a Libertarian, a registered Democrat and a NRA Life Member". (Figure that one out)
Our issue with Police today clearly is not about race, if it were there would be no 'urban violence' by blacks, because 'white' police would have just shot them. Why risk your life arresting these people when you could must drive by, murder them, and move on. A much more successful and safe practice if it really were about 'race'. When we try to blame race for plights, as leftists do, we tend to overlook things like: criminal history, statistical analysis and common sense. Simple statistics show a few things which are statistical facts:
Those aren't theories, they are facts. So arguing around them is like arguing if the sun rises in the East. Pointless.
Now on to solving this issue, or at minimum offering suggestions. First we need to de-militarize the police, they are not a pseudo-army over the citizens, and they do not need all the armor and gear. They parade this equipment at any 'mass shooting' event, but the equipment is not required. You can not justify the need for armed personnel carrier, and pimped-out kevlar gear that actually is of higher grade than active-duty military. It makes the Police believe they are more capable than they are and it scares citizens that pay their salaries. This is pointless, causing and uncomfortable state that we can relieve. If we stop making Police believe they are action characters in Call of Duty and start realizing their job is to serve the Citizens, we could dump the abundance of 'over-ego' and theories of superiority that create tension. Police shouldn't be armed with guns, at least not your average Police Officer; SWAT and special arms of the Police absolutely should be lethally armed and trained accordingly, but your average Police Officer that a Citizen walks by should not have a gun - especially if we say that Citizens around the United States can not openly carry under Federal law. The purpose of Police is to bring you to a judge, not execute you, not terrify you and in no way harm you unless it is to stop you from harming another. The vast majority of Police never use their weapon, and the mythical rational is 'they didn't need to because bad people knew they had it' - well if that were in anyway accurate, then we should have no issue what so ever with a fully armed society. But, I bet we do.
Now on to Americans. We need to wake up and stop telling each other that the world is a peaceful and safe place, and at all times we should feel safe. This is bullshit. The world is not safe, it isn't meant to be there is a reason you genetically have a fight or flight mechanism, it is for self-preservation. Act accordingly. If we start insisting and demanding that people be secure in their person, end fights, be responsible for their action and up the accountability, we can stop having Police be babysitters. Over the last few decades we have told each other that Police are the line of law and order, they are not. We only gave them that role (which wasn't intended) when we began telling citizens they need not protect themselves. If we get to a state where we as individuals feel that we are responsible and accountable for ourselves and our day-to-day security, we will be in a better state and so will the Policing.
I don't know how we go down this road, but I do know we cannot continue on our current path. We need to seriously consider our expectations of modern day 'Policing'.
1. MILITARIZATION
Not only have we over-equipped our Police force, a body that has the sole purpose of bringing possible law breakers to a judicial body, but we have also over-ego'd them. We have convinced our Police Officers through the media (including social) that they are somehow life-saving, 'last line of defense', heroic Gods. They aren't. This doesn't mean occasionally they do great acts of self-sacrifice, of course they do. What it means is a false impression, and one that has gone bad. When an Officer is put on a mantle by society it doesn't just create a feeling of worth and purpose, but loathing from those that feel it unjust. It also creates an over-abundance of confidence. They type of confidence that gets people killed. Such was Dallas, a tragedy that we all watched. Seeing an Officer run, almost blindly, towards a murderer who clearly knew how to kill, and then be systematically shot and killed was tragic. This Officer lacked the tactics or knowledge of how to handle the situation. And that truly was tragic.
Police Officers should be there to bring possible law breakers to a judicial body, assist Citizens and provide an outlet for service. Police are not supposed to be authoritative, dictating individuals whose presence somehow scares the very people who hired them. Modern day policing in America, not all of it but enough to warrant discussion, has become more of a "you breaking the law?' and 'listen to me because I'm a cop' mentality versus a 'hey do you need any help?' or 'is anything wrong?'
This one is in no way the a fault of a Policing body. America and it's politicians have told citizens they should not be in the business of defending themselves; whether it be through gun laws, politically correct ridicule, absurd 'bullying' references or consistent bombardment that if you're in trouble 'call someone' instead of defending yourself. We have convinced Americans that if they are in danger they should call the Police, NO, they shouldn't. The Police aren't there to 'save you' they are there to maintain order according to law. They aren't your ultimate defender and shouldn't be looked at as some line of 'Avenger' that would come assist your problems. You are your first line of defense, you are what stands between you and chaos. When we get back to Citizens realizing that they are their first line of defense, we will be in a better place.
So now that I stated what I believe are some of the driving issues, I'm going to offer some possible solutions. Now, I caveat this by saying "I'm a Libertarian, a registered Democrat and a NRA Life Member". (Figure that one out)
Our issue with Police today clearly is not about race, if it were there would be no 'urban violence' by blacks, because 'white' police would have just shot them. Why risk your life arresting these people when you could must drive by, murder them, and move on. A much more successful and safe practice if it really were about 'race'. When we try to blame race for plights, as leftists do, we tend to overlook things like: criminal history, statistical analysis and common sense. Simple statistics show a few things which are statistical facts:
- Blacks speed more then whites, in turn leading to blacks being pulled over more than whites
- Over 70% of black children today are born to single mothers
- Nearly 50% of prosecuted crimes are performed by blacks who make up 13% of the population
- White people are shot by Police Officers in higher rates than black people
- When blacks were asked if they felt blacks were racist, 31% said yes and only 24% considered whites racist. In this 38% of whites thought blacks were racist, while saying that 10% of whites were.
Those aren't theories, they are facts. So arguing around them is like arguing if the sun rises in the East. Pointless.
Now on to solving this issue, or at minimum offering suggestions. First we need to de-militarize the police, they are not a pseudo-army over the citizens, and they do not need all the armor and gear. They parade this equipment at any 'mass shooting' event, but the equipment is not required. You can not justify the need for armed personnel carrier, and pimped-out kevlar gear that actually is of higher grade than active-duty military. It makes the Police believe they are more capable than they are and it scares citizens that pay their salaries. This is pointless, causing and uncomfortable state that we can relieve. If we stop making Police believe they are action characters in Call of Duty and start realizing their job is to serve the Citizens, we could dump the abundance of 'over-ego' and theories of superiority that create tension. Police shouldn't be armed with guns, at least not your average Police Officer; SWAT and special arms of the Police absolutely should be lethally armed and trained accordingly, but your average Police Officer that a Citizen walks by should not have a gun - especially if we say that Citizens around the United States can not openly carry under Federal law. The purpose of Police is to bring you to a judge, not execute you, not terrify you and in no way harm you unless it is to stop you from harming another. The vast majority of Police never use their weapon, and the mythical rational is 'they didn't need to because bad people knew they had it' - well if that were in anyway accurate, then we should have no issue what so ever with a fully armed society. But, I bet we do.
Now on to Americans. We need to wake up and stop telling each other that the world is a peaceful and safe place, and at all times we should feel safe. This is bullshit. The world is not safe, it isn't meant to be there is a reason you genetically have a fight or flight mechanism, it is for self-preservation. Act accordingly. If we start insisting and demanding that people be secure in their person, end fights, be responsible for their action and up the accountability, we can stop having Police be babysitters. Over the last few decades we have told each other that Police are the line of law and order, they are not. We only gave them that role (which wasn't intended) when we began telling citizens they need not protect themselves. If we get to a state where we as individuals feel that we are responsible and accountable for ourselves and our day-to-day security, we will be in a better state and so will the Policing.
I don't know how we go down this road, but I do know we cannot continue on our current path. We need to seriously consider our expectations of modern day 'Policing'.
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