gorgehiker wrote:
When I try to discuss the long list of African Americans murdered by police officers, my conservative friends immediately change the subject to officers killed in the line of duty or black kids shooting black kids. Those are important but separate issues. Racism in our police forces obviously exists and should be recognized. Black Republican Senator Tim Scott was stopped by police 7 times in one year. Have any of the white readers of this post been stopped by police 7 times in a year? Our country will never be great no matter who is president if we can't find a solution for systemic racism in police forces and in our society.
When I try to discuss the long list of African Ame... (
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Although Racism is another form of hate, it should not be tolerated in any police force in America. IMHO, it's impossible to eliminate hate in America, but we could eliminate it in our police.
It's the responsibility of the frontline police supervisors, managers, and administrators, to police the police, and remove problem officers. In Minneapolis, I guarantee you, that the supervisors and up, knew about the problems with these officers, but did nothing about it. Why? Some of it is lack of procedural knowledge, some is lack of support in the chain of command, and some of it is the blue line, the fear of being labeled.
The real problem is at the top, in the form of not disciplining and demanding the proper conduct within the ranks of the force. The chief's and command staff should demand, and follow up the demand within the ranks, the proper demeanor and conduct that's acceptable. The chief's, dep chief's, commanders, captains, lieutenants, and sergeants should know their respective subordinates, who's good, who's weak, and the problem children in their respective units. There should be no hesitation to act when an officer or whoever, needs disciplinary action. But frequently, this doesn't happen, for a number of reasons. And the Mayors, Governors, or heads, should be in constant contact with the leaders of the police force going over any issues that may exist. And demanding that everyone do their jobs properly.
And there are proper ways to supervise a unit, things the supervisors should be doing, but that's another issue.
Take Minneapolis as the example, the officer involved was known to be a problem, disciplined I believe 18 times, and yet he was still allowed to patrol the street. Minneapolis apparently didn't know how to discipline this officer. Or couldn't. In the event of lack of knowledge, or lack of courage, that particular officer should have been riding a desk, or other function, where he wouldn't of been able to harm anyone. But that didn't happen. The result, a man lost his life, the family will own a good piece of Minneapolis, and the taxpayers will be footing the bill for the failure of their elected leaders to properly run things.
And when no one in power performs their duty properly, we have at a minimum, major discontent in the electorate. And the protests and rioting.
And for whatever reason, some of the do nothing political leaders keep getting re-elected. But not always!, and not all of them have this problem!