I don't know about any new legislation or reform stuff some are talking about. If that's your bag, then go for it.
My take is pretty simple and doesn't require any new legislation.
It just requires everyone to do what they are already supposed to be doing!
1. Public relations
I think the majority of cops are decent and do a good job and are just trying to earn a living and make it home each night.
But I also think right now law enforcement has a huge PR problem. What needs to happen to help is for EVERYONE in law enforcement to come out RIGHT NOW and be on record DENOUNCING the kind of disgusting behaviour we saw in Memphis last week. I mean EVERYONE!
I mean top to bottom.....absolutely FLOODING the media. Personal appearances on radio, TV, Internet, and print. The whole nine yards.
"We in law enforcement are ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED by what we saw, etc etc...."
"We take FULL RESPONSIBILITY, etc. etc...."
"We are currently going back through all training and education programs to see where we went wrong and there will be accountability where applicable....you have our word."
2. Training, education, tactics
Emphasis on bringing in the suspect HEALTHY and ALIVE - period!
Emphasis (where possible) on EASING OFF the tactics of immediate pursuit and more of the followup LATER, because we know who you are and we have you on video!
Emphasis on EVERY single officer holding EVERY single OTHER officer responsible for their actions. No more of this look the other way - I have your back BS. Because that will cost YOU your job in a New York minute!
Emphasis on EDUCATING the PUBLIC on THEIR responsibilities....because yeah......they have them too.
3. Accountability
All patrol units wear body cams. ALL cam footage reviewed at the end of each shift. At least two persons reviewing - maybe more. These reviewers will be those who have FULLY demonstrated they understand what it means to "Protect and Serve".....and have the ability to critique LEO behaviour, so that red flags are IDENTIFIED, documented, and addressed. If certain officers continue to demonstrate the wrong personality for the job, they are shown the door.
Open door policy that provides the general public a platform straight to a liaison at each precinct, who then conveys concerns forward. And....reports are completed on each concern and documented for future reference.
4. Leadership
Self-explanatory. Same as on a football team - without a leader things turn into a Chinese fire drill. Identify leaders and make them lead! Cannot emphasize how important this is!
5. Politics
IMHO, it's a shame that politics has to always be inserted into these discussions, but that's the world we live in.
It would be my objective to somehow avoid ALL political conversations and stay as "solution-oriented" as possible.
Those who continue to dwell on the politics should be identified and called out for who they are.....dividers and parasites.
6. The Media
I don't think the public has ANY idea of what's really going on, beyond just surface reporting mostly for shock and awe (for ratings, of course).
I wish we had more documentaries and more detailed reporting and less drama-based stuff.
We keep seeing the same stuff over and over again and people wonder why things don't change....
7. Summary
Right now I want law enforcement to provide as much transparency as possible into what goes on in the day and night of their job. Then (and this is very important)......be open to making adjustments as needed to improve the public's opinion. That takes into account a whole lot of stuff, probably.
I was in corporate sales for quite a few years and have to say right now I don't see anyone doing ANY selling. It's just a big freaking mess with a bunch of dumb ideas being mentioned as a fix when the basics just seem to be getting ignored....
My take is pretty simple and doesn't require any new legislation.
It just requires everyone to do what they are already supposed to be doing!
1. Public relations
I think the majority of cops are decent and do a good job and are just trying to earn a living and make it home each night.
But I also think right now law enforcement has a huge PR problem. What needs to happen to help is for EVERYONE in law enforcement to come out RIGHT NOW and be on record DENOUNCING the kind of disgusting behaviour we saw in Memphis last week. I mean EVERYONE!
I mean top to bottom.....absolutely FLOODING the media. Personal appearances on radio, TV, Internet, and print. The whole nine yards.
"We in law enforcement are ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED by what we saw, etc etc...."
"We take FULL RESPONSIBILITY, etc. etc...."
"We are currently going back through all training and education programs to see where we went wrong and there will be accountability where applicable....you have our word."
2. Training, education, tactics
Emphasis on bringing in the suspect HEALTHY and ALIVE - period!
Emphasis (where possible) on EASING OFF the tactics of immediate pursuit and more of the followup LATER, because we know who you are and we have you on video!
Emphasis on EVERY single officer holding EVERY single OTHER officer responsible for their actions. No more of this look the other way - I have your back BS. Because that will cost YOU your job in a New York minute!
Emphasis on EDUCATING the PUBLIC on THEIR responsibilities....because yeah......they have them too.
3. Accountability
All patrol units wear body cams. ALL cam footage reviewed at the end of each shift. At least two persons reviewing - maybe more. These reviewers will be those who have FULLY demonstrated they understand what it means to "Protect and Serve".....and have the ability to critique LEO behaviour, so that red flags are IDENTIFIED, documented, and addressed. If certain officers continue to demonstrate the wrong personality for the job, they are shown the door.
Open door policy that provides the general public a platform straight to a liaison at each precinct, who then conveys concerns forward. And....reports are completed on each concern and documented for future reference.
4. Leadership
Self-explanatory. Same as on a football team - without a leader things turn into a Chinese fire drill. Identify leaders and make them lead! Cannot emphasize how important this is!
5. Politics
IMHO, it's a shame that politics has to always be inserted into these discussions, but that's the world we live in.
It would be my objective to somehow avoid ALL political conversations and stay as "solution-oriented" as possible.
Those who continue to dwell on the politics should be identified and called out for who they are.....dividers and parasites.
6. The Media
I don't think the public has ANY idea of what's really going on, beyond just surface reporting mostly for shock and awe (for ratings, of course).
I wish we had more documentaries and more detailed reporting and less drama-based stuff.
We keep seeing the same stuff over and over again and people wonder why things don't change....
7. Summary
Right now I want law enforcement to provide as much transparency as possible into what goes on in the day and night of their job. Then (and this is very important)......be open to making adjustments as needed to improve the public's opinion. That takes into account a whole lot of stuff, probably.
I was in corporate sales for quite a few years and have to say right now I don't see anyone doing ANY selling. It's just a big freaking mess with a bunch of dumb ideas being mentioned as a fix when the basics just seem to be getting ignored....
