Why are American blacks always having issues with the Police?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds more to me like the police have issues with American blacks.

+1 How ignorant do you have to be to not know this.

Sounds more to me that police have issues with people who break the law and resist arrest.

What country are you from? I ask because here in America, we live by a system of laws. In America, if you break the law you get arrested, not shot. And if you resist arrest in America, we have a law regarding that -- it's called "resisting arrest." You go before a judge and jury, and if you're found guilty, a judge decides your sentence and death is not one of the options.

So what country are you from, where police get to shoot people for resisting arrest? We don't do that in this great country.

I like how you have a high expectation for one party, police officer, to follow the proper procedure, while at he same time you are ok that he person will be resisting arrest. Don't you think that the life would me much easier for all if both sides follow the rule?

You don't have higher expectations for the person you and I pay and entrust to wear a badge and wield a gun?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Your missing the point. We have too many "trigger happy" cops.

It would be great if all cops were Superman. But, you know what? They are human. Here's a clue........they want to go home at night to their families.

Sure, some should be more cautious.

And, to the Eric Garner case--that looks really, really bad. But, let's remember, the supervising policeman at the scene was an African American woman. So, this is not a racial issue. And, Garner did not do what he was asked. And, he was not shot. I think it was mishandled.

We do not yet know the details of these most recent cases. They both look very bad--but we only see what happened after the incidents began.

I am sure there are bad cops, but let's get the whole story first.

Freddie Gray's case should not have been prosecuted. The charges are largely a result of people jumping to false conclusions and a prosecutor who loves the camera.
Michael Brown's case rightfully did not bring an indictment. Under oath, not on national news, stories changed. The protesters went on emotion and hearsay and very false testimony of one guy who was with Brown. This false story resulted in looting, etc.

Treyvon Martin? Two sides to that story. Neither participant was innocent. Neither participant had a stellar record. Was there evidence to bring a trial? Not clear. Both were known to be hotheads.

Oh my God I am so tired of fos trotting out ' there was a black person there' so it was not racial.
Are you that simple minded not to know that people can be racist against their own race?
You really have no clue about race, racial history of this nation, how implicit bias works and how we all have implicit bias.
You really and truly just want to perpetuate ignorance and the mythical black boogeyman !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the most effective things that can be done in the term near are:

1. Independent investigations and prosecutions of police misconduct at the state level (i.e., not the local DA - they are biased)

2. Independent civilian review boards that have the power to fire and discipline ill-behaved officers

3. More funds for on-going:
a. training of police, particularly de-escalation strategies;
b. support for mental health care of officers with no repercussions for seeking help;
c. frequent rotations of duties (i.e., no officer should spend years on patrol or SWAT - too much stress and compounded effects of PTSD);
d. creation of a mental health force that deals solely with disturbed individuals who need to be forcefully admitted to the hospital and who do not possess weapons

+1,000,000 - This is excellent.
Curious what your background/profession is.

Not that PP but many progressive police departments have all this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the most effective things that can be done in the term near are:

1. Independent investigations and prosecutions of police misconduct at the state level (i.e., not the local DA - they are biased)

2. Independent civilian review boards that have the power to fire and discipline ill-behaved officers

3. More funds for on-going:
a. training of police, particularly de-escalation strategies;
b. support for mental health care of officers with no repercussions for seeking help;
c. frequent rotations of duties (i.e., no officer should spend years on patrol or SWAT - too much stress and compounded effects of PTSD);
d. creation of a mental health force that deals solely with disturbed individuals who need to be forcefully admitted to the hospital and who do not possess weapons

+1,000,000 - This is excellent.
Curious what your background/profession is.

Not that PP but many progressive police departments have all this.

I'm a mental health professional, and these are all great suggestions. Just wondering how best to get these things implemented? I know I've heard some featured stories on NPR or similar that discussed police departments that provide training in de-escalation with mentally ill individuals or those that are under the influence of substances. They made it sound really positive, but also like a novelty, in that most PDs don't have this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the most effective things that can be done in the term near are:

1. Independent investigations and prosecutions of police misconduct at the state level (i.e., not the local DA - they are biased)

2. Independent civilian review boards that have the power to fire and discipline ill-behaved officers

3. More funds for on-going:
a. training of police, particularly de-escalation strategies;
b. support for mental health care of officers with no repercussions for seeking help;
c. frequent rotations of duties (i.e., no officer should spend years on patrol or SWAT - too much stress and compounded effects of PTSD);
d. creation of a mental health force that deals solely with disturbed individuals who need to be forcefully admitted to the hospital and who do not possess weapons

+1,000,000 - This is excellent.
Curious what your background/profession is.

Not that PP but many progressive police departments have all this.

I'm a mental health professional, and these are all great suggestions. Just wondering how best to get these things implemented? I know I've heard some featured stories on NPR or similar that discussed police departments that provide training in de-escalation with mentally ill individuals or those that are under the influence of substances. They made it sound really positive, but also like a novelty, in that most PDs don't have this.

You need money. Tax money. And supportive local legislatures. Montgomery county is like this. So is Howard. I would assume Fairfax too. Dallas is like this, and that's the irony. It's a very progressive police force. Smaller departments likely don't. But there are many national police organizations who research and publish these best practices. Major City Chiefs Association. Police Executive Research Forum, etc. The knowledge is out there. We need to push to implement it much more widely.

Hillary wants universal use of force standards. I think universal training standards would be better. But again that will take money.

[Anonymous]

Until high crime is dealt with, these issues will never be dealt with. If you talk about what is really going on, you are called racist. Look at the DC police reports and videos and see who the suspects are daily. Also, what about Chicago and the 2,000 African Americans that have been shot there this year alone? Where are the BLM protesters to protect their lives? 500 African Americans have been killed in Chicago this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suppose this is politically incorrect, but does anyone have any sympathy for the police? Five officers were killed in cold blood last night, and i believe we should grieve their loss of life, too.

You've got an incorrect concept of being politically correct. As many have said in the press, you can be pro-black and pro-police at the same time. You can be passionately for ending police brutality and passionately pro-police at the same time. In fact, I'd argue that those who love the police the most want to see an end to the ones who abuse the system. It hurts the rest of the exceptionally good police officers, and there are many.

It's a given that people grieve the police.

Amen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the most effective things that can be done in the term near are:

1. Independent investigations and prosecutions of police misconduct at the state level (i.e., not the local DA - they are biased)

2. Independent civilian review boards that have the power to fire and discipline ill-behaved officers

3. More funds for on-going:
a. training of police, particularly de-escalation strategies;
b. support for mental health care of officers with no repercussions for seeking help;
c. frequent rotations of duties (i.e., no officer should spend years on patrol or SWAT - too much stress and compounded effects of PTSD);
d. creation of a mental health force that deals solely with disturbed individuals who need to be forcefully admitted to the hospital and who do not possess weapons

+1,000,000 - This is excellent.
Curious what your background/profession is.

Not that PP but many progressive police departments have all this.

I would consider MPD progressive. As of four years ago, MPD police academy was not teaching deescalation skills; academy time was shortened to get new recruits on the street; the only way to get out of patrol in 3D, 5D, 6D and 7D is to get promoted out; our SOD killed a mentally disturbed man. The last one is debatable about whether everything was done correctly. So if MPD can't do it right, I don't hold out much hope for smaller departments. There are over 18,000 police departments in this country, and they are using 18,000 different policies and procedures.

[Anonymous]

What country are you from? I ask because here in America, we live by a system of laws. In America, if you break the law you get arrested, not shot. And if you resist arrest in America, we have a law regarding that -- it's called "resisting arrest." You go before a judge and jury, and if you're found guilty, a judge decides your sentence and death is not one of the options.

So what country are you from, where police get to shoot people for resisting arrest? We don't do that in this great country.

From the USA. Yes, if you break the law you get arrested. If you resist arrest you will be subdued. AND if you are carrying a weapon and you reach for it you are going to get shot.
Even if you do not reach for it and they see you might have one, they are highly likely to shoot first and ask questions later because if it is a gun you won't get a chance to ask a question later.

All of these decisions police make are split-second, made on instinct and training. If the suspect is armed he is likely to use the weapon. Bam! He gets shot.

Solution? If you are carrying a weapon and the police approach you, announce you are armed. Do not spit, snarl, curse, yell, or do anything to antagonize the police because they have to approach as if you are a ticking bomb about to explode. They are not going to think, "Well, maybe Mr. Black Partypants will be a good boy and play nice."

You cannot take that chance hoping the other person who is armed or appears to be armed is going to not use the weapon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Until high crime is dealt with, these issues will never be dealt with. If you talk about what is really going on, you are called racist. Look at the DC police reports and videos and see who the suspects are daily. Also, what about Chicago and the 2,000 African Americans that have been shot there this year alone? Where are the BLM protesters to protect their lives? 500 African Americans have been killed in Chicago this year.

Demographics. Please stop being an ostrich. If you look at police blogs from Bradenton, Gibson,Burlington, or perhaps Miami you get different demographics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Until high crime is dealt with, these issues will never be dealt with. If you talk about what is really going on, you are called racist. Look at the DC police reports and videos and see who the suspects are daily. Also, what about Chicago and the 2,000 African Americans that have been shot there this year alone? Where are the BLM protesters to protect their lives? 500 African Americans have been killed in Chicago this year.

Demographics. Please stop being an ostrich. If you look at police blogs from Bradenton, Gibson,Burlington, or perhaps Miami you get different demographics.

What are you saying? Its unclear.

[Anonymous]

How to avoid hassle from police of any color as a person of any color when pulled over for any reason (perceived fair or not).

1 lights or siren in rear view mirror first spotted by driver

2 driver: immediately slow vehical - turning on indicator while looking for a safe place to pull off the road.
(Logical perception by cop: this person is responding in a calm, compliant manner; turn indicator suggests clear thinking of safety and respect for others (ruling out alcohol and drugs). If cop is upset, tired, biased, etc., this will help deescalate his/her anxiety.

3 when safely parked:
3a turn on dome light,
3b take out drivers licence
3c take out registration. (Registration should always be on top of pile of items in glove box for easy, quick access.)

4 roll your driver's side window all the way down.

Be mindful where the cop is at all time. You should have time to do all of these things before he/she exits the cruiser. If he/she is nearing or at your vehicle, skip steps 3b and 3c. Move to step 4 immediately. Moving and reaching in your vehicle when cop can see you can be viewed as threatening (cops perception: reaching for weapon, hiding contraband, confusion, impairment, etc.)

5. Holding both ID and registration in your left hand, place both hands in the 10 and 2 o'clock position on the steering wheel.

6. Turn face towards cop using a neutral or open faced friendly expression.

7. Do not speak unless spoken to first. The cop is assessing multiple things. Don't distract him. Your prep work eliminates part of his/her interaction with you because he sees you clearly (because you turnef on your dome light), sees you have your license and registration, sees your hands clearly gripping the wheel )not a threat to him/her). He/she will shine flashlight in and around car interior. Note: keeping your car interior clean and neat vs messy will further deescalate cop because sloppiness can indicate an unstable life (unemployed, on drugs, mental health issues, hidden, dangerous cargo, etc.)

The hardest part is behind you and you haven't opened your mouth yet.

The interrogation process:

Whether the cop asks you a question, makes a statement, or pulls his/her gun on you, your part is the same so it's easy to remember.

1 use a calm clear voice
2 make eye contact
3 respond with "yes/no/I don't know, sir/ma'am/officer"

Regardless of the perceptions and biases you have against the cop or law enforcement, society at-large, justice, race, sex/gender issues, sexuality, religion, etc., your job at this point is to:

1 keep it to yourself
2 be polite
3 be respectful

Your main objective when getting pulled over is not to make a point or a stand, represent a class of underprivileged or disenfranchised people - your job is to:

1 not get murdered
2 not to get injured
3 not to get arrested
4 not to get a ticket

If you have broken the law. Steps one and two should be your primary objective.

If you have not knowingly broken the law, your actions up to this point will go a long way towards avoiding arrest or a ticket

If you think you've been unfairly treated, discriminated against, unfairly profiled, etc., TAKE THAT MATTER UP WITH A LAWYER BEFORE A JUDGE AFTER YOUR ENCOUNTER WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOUR WORST ENEMY: PRIDE

Being pulled over is humbling and humiliating experience. If you are prone to narcissism, temper, being a social justice warrior, have a sense of entitlement (you're a celebrity or think you are), this is the time to decide if this moment is a battle you want to fight. You can stand your ground and get tased, humiliated, beaten, handcuffed, searched, shoved in a wagon, finger printed, jailed, etc., - OR - you can take these steps to deescalate the situation, changing a cop's preconceived bias of people he thinks you represent, be inconvenienced for twenty minutes and move on your way.

If you have a target on your back and your good, sensible behavior does not help you fight the system, get a hidden dash cam and press record before you turn the dome light on at the beginning of this article. That way, when you are lying in a pool of your own blood, your story of injustice will be seen - broadcast throughout the news and social media for all time. When the rioting and chaos that ensues dies down and real justice and social change occurs because YOU chose to take the high road - you will win over the hearts and minds of reasonable people and make a good and lasting impression.

If you survive, you'll be a hero, friend and advisor to world leaders, frequent guest on talk shows, the subject of songs, plays, books and movies, an icon of popular culture - and probably very wealthy.

If you die, you'll get a statue, national holiday, streets and high schools bearing your name and a chapter devoted to you in future history books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds more to me like the police have issues with American blacks.

Exactly

Could it possibly be because cops including black cops have been killed by said race more often and more often they see said race on their wanted list?

Actually, whites kill more police officers them black people do.

[Anonymous]

Why indeed. That's the million dollar question.

[Anonymous]

Remember this, last election? When Ike Leggett was pulled over by a Park Police officer and screamed and cursed at?

The County Executive, people. But still, a black man.

http://www.mymcmedia.org/mcm-editorial-the-fault-is-not-in-our-police-but-in-ourselves/