The Problem of Police Brutality & Corruption (Good & Bad Cops) #ferguson

The Police, are both black and white in more ways than one. Like in any field or job there are peer expectations, social/gender roles, hierarchies, institutional arrangements, customs, dialectic, social rules. The police have their own views and stereotypes of the public outside the bubble of law enforcement. Often times, they have a very specific cultural view that originates from the circle of socialization from which they arose. This circle, is commonly far removed and very different from the ones they patrol. Thus,  stirring a kind of culture shock that affects their situational analyses, judgements, and strategic responses to immediate pushes and pulls to which they are subject. The police officer (good or bad), based on our current standards, has limited points of reference. The academy, a tour in Iraq or Afghanistan, peer assessment, and their circle of culture that formed them. This would explain the many social experiments within City/Government departments. Such as diversity training, stress counseling, as well as offering lower cost housing in neighborhoods they patrol. I interviewed a police officer for a project I was working on in the mid 90’s. I asked them if they or their fellow officers had considered purchasing property in the areas they patrolled. The response was a negative. Most of the officers chose to live outside the areas they worked. However, she did demonstrate that she was a human being with ethics and a family. Just like you and I.

Yet, with so very little to derive upon, these programs are useless and generally interpreted as a form of liberal indoctrination. As the participants (usually resistant) haven’t the prerequisites to actually benefit from the training. The consequences, though scarcely portrayed in the media, are Ferguson’s Michael Brown and Rodney King. Often times with a slant towards racism to boost sales and arouse interest. This kind of macro misinformation is a primary source of my aggravation. Distorting the problem when it is obviously already difficult for people to grasp. We want to be lead. We want to be protected. So we surrender to the positive and hopeful trust in humanity. As it requires way less critical thought, effort and of course work.

How can we prevent incidents like Michael Brown’s Death. The beating of Rodney King. The arrest of Dale Akiki, falsely accused of child molestation. The rape, assault, and kidnapping perpetrated by SDPD Daniel Edward Dana. The wide spread corruption by the LAPD in Rampart, CA. The beating of 16-year-old boy Kahreem Tribble by NYPD officers. The violence and corruption by SDPD officer Christopher Hays. The sexual assault committed by Detroit police officer Deon Nunlee. As well as the countless, untold, unreported crimes by the police.

First, we must accept that there are a number of problems with law enforcement and the overall judicial system.
Most importantly, we need to emphasize, by way of the peoples voice and example. that the laws are consequential to everyone including law enforcement and government offices. This could be written into the law. To contrive more stringent sentencing for crimes committed while in the service of the people.

Higher academic requirements and credentials for police officers at all levels. Such as a bachelors degree in a related field and a 2-year credential program. Followed by police academy basic training. We require this for teachers who work with children. This should be the minimum requirement for an individual with a loaded gun on the street. The same teachers are paid on a higher pay scale based on additional units and if they have a masters degree. The same could be applied with law enforcement. This would be an incentive for continuing education and broadening their capacity for problem solving. This could also include volunteer work with local community social programs.

The managing and regulating of police officers in the field. Aside from the use of body and patrol car cameras. We need a community organization funded by city/government but without official ties. To police, the police. Unlike the Internal Affairs Department. A grass roots organization with volunteers that partners with officers in patrol cars and monitors police routes. These community watch dogs would be the conduit to insure public transparency of law enforcement. This would also include, observing holding facilities and court rooms. This organization, could additionally be an extension or required course for aspiring police officers,  law students, political/social science and even art majors in the University.
All video footage and reports would be made accessible for public access.

Finally, the complete abolition of guns nation wide. Law enforcement would have access to non-lethal weapons. Such as tasers, pepper spray, and extendable batons.

I am open to any additional ideas or improvements to the solutions given.