This line refers to the police standing between criminals and law abiding citizens. Investigating crimes, standing guard against criminals, and general protecting and serving the general peace of society. As we have seen in recent years this line is being erased by politicians, mayors, governors, President Obama, and many others.
Let's go back to the Ferguson riots following the shooting of Michael Brown by Officer Wilson. Protestors quickly escalated their actions into lawlessness: damaging cars and buildings, burning and looting businesses, stopping traffic on highways, and much more. The governor of Missouri failed his state by not quickly and forcefully calling out the national guard to quell such lawlessness. Statements by politicians that implied, or outright stated, that police were to blame for the riots. And the media repeatedly called the rioters protestors.
In the case of Cambridge, MA professor William Gates, who was arrested without identification trying to break into his home after locking himself out, President Obama said the police acted stupidly. Mind you, Gates could not identify himself as the owner of the home he was obviously breaking into.
More recently, the Mayor of San Jose, CA said the lack of police action during riots against Donald Trump supporters following a political rally, was commendable.
Is it any wonder we have anyone wishing to become a police officer at all anymore? Especially in light of what transpired in Baltimore, MD, after the arrest of 6 officers following the death of a suspect in their custody? I am speaking of the riots which followed, lasting for days following the orders from the mayor for police to give them room to riot.
If police are to do their jobs maintaining order and taking criminals off of the streets, they must have the support of the elected political class. This does not mean all cops are always good guys. It does not mean some cops don't behave badly or criminally, or make mistakes in actions or judgments. But it should mean that in general our politicians and society support police in their duty to society. Making broad brush statements condemning police departments does not serve the peaceful coexistence of citizens. Rather it makes people distrust police and emboldens criminals to commit more crimes or more violent and costly crimes.
Giving lip service to police is not enough either. We must support police with active encouragement and not assuming the worst in a group when one goes awry. Sending administration officials to the funeral of criminals and ignoring funerals of police killed in the line of duty sends a terrible message to both police and community.
We want people to trust police, feel safe going to police, and follow the orders of police in carrying out their sworn duty to protect and serve.
Let's go back to the Ferguson riots following the shooting of Michael Brown by Officer Wilson. Protestors quickly escalated their actions into lawlessness: damaging cars and buildings, burning and looting businesses, stopping traffic on highways, and much more. The governor of Missouri failed his state by not quickly and forcefully calling out the national guard to quell such lawlessness. Statements by politicians that implied, or outright stated, that police were to blame for the riots. And the media repeatedly called the rioters protestors.
In the case of Cambridge, MA professor William Gates, who was arrested without identification trying to break into his home after locking himself out, President Obama said the police acted stupidly. Mind you, Gates could not identify himself as the owner of the home he was obviously breaking into.
More recently, the Mayor of San Jose, CA said the lack of police action during riots against Donald Trump supporters following a political rally, was commendable.
Is it any wonder we have anyone wishing to become a police officer at all anymore? Especially in light of what transpired in Baltimore, MD, after the arrest of 6 officers following the death of a suspect in their custody? I am speaking of the riots which followed, lasting for days following the orders from the mayor for police to give them room to riot.
If police are to do their jobs maintaining order and taking criminals off of the streets, they must have the support of the elected political class. This does not mean all cops are always good guys. It does not mean some cops don't behave badly or criminally, or make mistakes in actions or judgments. But it should mean that in general our politicians and society support police in their duty to society. Making broad brush statements condemning police departments does not serve the peaceful coexistence of citizens. Rather it makes people distrust police and emboldens criminals to commit more crimes or more violent and costly crimes.
Giving lip service to police is not enough either. We must support police with active encouragement and not assuming the worst in a group when one goes awry. Sending administration officials to the funeral of criminals and ignoring funerals of police killed in the line of duty sends a terrible message to both police and community.
We want people to trust police, feel safe going to police, and follow the orders of police in carrying out their sworn duty to protect and serve.
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