This Powerful Idea Could Prevent Future Police Killings

[libdem4life]

I've been hoping for a Civilian Oversight Group, and this is already going. Hope it gets a lot of publicity. From further down in article: http://wecopwatch.org/

http://news.yahoo.com/powerful-idea-could-prevent-future-police-killings-180915258.html

This Powerful Idea Could Prevent Future Police Killings

David Whitt recalls being beat up at the age of 18 in the back of a police cruiser, then dropped off in an unfamiliar neighborhood in a suburb outside of Washington, D.C. He stands by his story to this day: He didn’t have a weapon when police officers arrested him and a couple other young black men months before the beating. The police accused the trio of weapons possession, but the charges didn’t stick. When Whitt crossed paths with those cops again, he bore the brunt of their belief that he had gotten off lightly. Bleeding and stranded, Whitt, who is black, found a payphone and tried to call his mother to pick him up, but realized he didn’t know what neighborhood he was in. A white man approached him and tried to help, ultimately giving his mother directions over the phone. Whitt was grateful, but afraid to tell him about what had happened with the police.

“People don’t even believe that cops do stuff like this,” Whitt, now 35 told TakePart. “He probably wouldn’t have believed me, or helped me, if I had told him.”

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. I read that S. Carolina has a review board. It is a good idea, if it works. n/t

[libdem4life]

2. Good. I didn't know that. But connecting with these folks would be good too.

Also, often Review Boards take a loooooooong time. So having a Non-Profit in the wings or watching, will help. Most of all, to let the Police know that they are likely to be filmed/watched at any time. After the fact, the follow up gets much less publicity/pressure.

But, I'm hopeful for my black brothers and sisters.

[salib]

3. This could easily be presented as (And truly be) a positive for the Police

It could bring citizens into the realities that we, as a society, make police officers face every day.

Much of the discussion here about so many bad apples, a culture of violence and corruption, simply evil intent and a lack of oversight/consequences when referring to the police, mirror very closely what law enforcement say about those they are required to police.

There is much to learn on all sides. This could be a real opportunity in communities with such an oversight authority.

[libdem4life]

4. Agree totally. I'm going to try and find a place online that I could email or call to

just introduce the service and another tool in the best of fairness, honesty, and accountability. I'll start on Monday and check out San Bernardino County for the latest event there. Maybe if everyone took one that is close to their heart or base, they could do same. I used to live near there and I know how horrendous they are against blacks and browns...brutal.

Sometimes it's just one small thing that stems the tide. At least I will have made the contribution I could.

[salib]

5. Would be good for me to do the same here in Berlin VT

Even places which do not appear to have a problem probably have much to learn.

[libdem4life]

9. So true. Maybe MSNBC would get/allow Rev Al to invite a spokesperson on one of his shows.

The media needs to know about them, too. Going to check with the group itself on Monday. Get their background, how best to help...especially those of us who could be online helpers.

"Cell phones and helmet/dash cams, not guns."

[treestar]

7. a good point

a lot of cops try to be good cops, and I dislike it when it is treated like they are all automatically evil people for choosing that profession.

[libdem4life]

10. So true. And it places a hardship on the good cops who don't participate, but fear losing

jobs and pensions. I mean, think about it...it's not easy getting trained and then getting a job as a cop. And yes, giving up a pension...how would one describe that to their family...just because of another who chooses to be an asshole.

Just video everything. That 2nd cop maybe should have been more forthcoming, but blacks and minorities have a higher bar in the police organization.

[RKP5637]

14. I agree with that too. I think there are a lot of good cops, but a fair number of

bad apples also go into the force for reasons other than wanting to be a good cop. Maybe lots of videos mandated will be a way to weed out the bad creepy cops.

[Comrade Grumpy]

18. Well, then you have things like that mob of cops in San Bernardino.

That beat the shit out of that helpless prisoner.

Which one was trying to be the good cop?

[treestar]

6. there's also the ride-a-long program

cops likely to behave if a local citizen is in the car with them.

It would be best to approach it as a positive, contributing to the community sort of thing. Though another duty might be tough to impose, seeing as how people don't like voting or jury duty and that is all that's asked of them. This society is so individualistic, a community anything seems to be tough to get off the ground.

[libdem4life]

12. I don't know how many people would be comfortable doing this any more. We no

longer have the Officer Friendly concept.

Many of these guys are war vets...they need a job and it saves the locals time and the expense of training. Unfortunately, their training was very different and just turning their aggression/fear around to reflect American citizens rather than "bad guys" isn't easily done for many.

Plus American cities and towns were given armaments that came from the war theater...so even enforces the concept of war.

[treestar]

13. Is that statistically true?

I don't think there could be enough war vets.

I'm not afraid of them to that extent. Middle aged white woman, so there is reason. Maybe we can be the ones to ride along and calm the boys down.

And girls. More female cops and more black cops. This is an area where affirmative action is really necessary.

[libdem4life]

15. I found an article in Police Magazine. Long, but speed reading it was pretty

much what I thought. I acknowledge your willingness to ride-along. I'm afraid we'd have little in common. Also, there are real legal liabilities to having a civilian in a police car, other than keeping an eye on the officer. And, they don't want you there...at all.

More female and black cops is a good start, but remember, as hazing in college fraternity, the same "hazing" happens ... sometimes even more so to the minorities they aren't anxious to have in their midst.

I noticed in the recent sodomizing of a volunteer fireman, the woman was told to film it. She's going down, as well. Remember the famous torture of the Iraqi...it was the woman, one of many who participated, who got the publicity and think she went to jail., but her life was ruined, for sure.

[treestar]

16. I went once ages ago, had no vibe at all that he didn't want me there

I did learn a lot.

Another took me through a booking. Poor girl arrested for being under the influence of heroin. In the area I was in at the time, the biggest crimes there were DUI, being under the influence of PCP or heroin. That was like 99% of cases.

He was calm and nice with her. I don't think they are really in much danger most of the time. It's like refusing to fly because there are plane crashes. We hear about the crashes, and that's good, but that doesn't mean there aren't millions of normal flights (days in the police stations where nothing big happens).

[libdem4life]

19. I call those the Officer Friendly days. "ages ago" I was inviting OF into my elementary

classroom. Kids loved it. Raw Power and always a nice cop...specially chosen for these types of visits. These days they go there on call or as security. Lots of changes since back then.

[VScott]

8. Ideally, there should be more services and apps avilable

that uploads the videos in real time to YouTube or the cloud, ya'know... just in case
someones camera/smartphone is "accidentally" damaged or lost.

[libdem4life]

17. Have heard about this...kind of a streaming? Yes, would go a long way, I believe.

Technology is our friend, at this point in time.

[edgineered]

11. His story is not only believable, but probable.

As a member of an LEMC (law enforcement motorcycle club) many stories just like his are routinely laughed about by cops and former cops. Listening to them would make me sick, and on just about every ride there would be someone one-upping the last story.

Being a veteran qualified me to be a member, although throughout my entire membership I was the odd man out. Even my road name was a slap in the face to those who knew the reason I chose it. By the time I was center-punched for missing too many meetings and rides my disdain for the thin blue line had grown into absolute disgust with it.

[duhneece]

20. We now have a 'Citizen Advisory Board' for our city police

That's what it's called, but it turned out to be the Police Chief providing a crime report to the committee....

[libdem4life]

21. Yeah, has to be other than the local yokels. "Where do I sign, Chief?"