Replies

There was a campaign years ago in which I played a part. It was “SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE”. Unfortunately, not enough folks gave a rats ass. Now HERE WE ARE!

First, the GOOD news: Though still disturbing, the number of police officers killed each year has fallen back to mid-1960s levels. Most of THOSE lamentable 60s deaths were the result of actions by criminals suspects or really bad people during law enforcement efforts at apprehensions.

Now, the BAD news: We are seeing something very, very different today. We are witnessing the random executions of cops by those who appear to have been animated by the unfortunate race-baiting and other efforts to disrupt our culture by certain members of the political class and the consequent break-down in the rule of law. This is Third World, banana republic stuff most Americans have traditionally rejected.

The drift away from the traditional, Constitutional American ethos that the duty of the police is to protect and serve and the ongoing militarization of the police is very disturbing to those who know and understand the tragedy that sort of activity has brought upon other nations. If not curtailed, the dangerous idea that the police and the decent, taxpaying, law-abiding citizens whose resources pay for that protection and service are somehow enemies will end very badly. There is a growing sense in some quarters that the “service” the police increasingly provide is the “protection”of the elitist oligarchs by controlling and suppressing those these elites consider an existential threat to their power and control.

Normal distribution curves tell us that every barrel of apples will contain x number of bad apples. You good officers who try only to do the best job you can and are NOT on some uniform, badge and pistol power trip enjoyed by some of your colleagues know who the abusive power trippers in your department are. It is in our interest – but especially in the interest of you good, dedicated officers who may some day become targets of random, unjustified assassination attempts – to identify and do what you can to get the abusive power-trippers out of your departments.

And it is incumbent on the managers of those departments to attempt to prevent those individuals from simply joining other departments by giving inquiring agencies honest evaluations of those dismissed officers. Let them take jobs where they do not carry a gun and badge and the authority of the state. Because the uniform makes you guys an easy target, you should think about that before you close ranks in that thinning blue line in a misguided effort to shield the abusive power-trippers.

I believe the increase in street and other common crime is a result of the real disrespect for law in the very highest levels of our system all the way up to state capitols, Pennsylvania Avenue, Capitol Hill and the very courts themselves. After years of it, some citizens, who may already be disposed to lawless acts finally say “What the hell, if they can get away with it, why shouldn’t I?”

One final note. Can anyone remember when the term “Police State” conjured a happy, warm, comforting feeling?

Neither can I! So let’s do all we can to stop before we get there.

PS: Before you attempt to peg me as a cop hater, the Best Man at my wedding many years ago was my Uncle Bob, a 30 year police officer/detective. And my only sister is married to a retired cop!