Police SHOULD Be Worried
Yesterday's events in Baltimore were caused by a persistent use of unnecessary force by the Baltimore PD against people who live in that city. A young man died in the most recent incident. There are records of large payments after lawsuits over such brutality. That the illegal, brutally violent or deadly practices continue, even after huge awards to victims of it is clear evidence that such behavior by police officers is not only tolerated, but approved by the leaders in that city. The same story occurs again and again, across the country. Every week we read about yet another instance of police violence against citizens.
City officials need to act immediately to put an end to this kind of treatment of people. You would think that they already would have done so, but the fact that it continues is clear evidence that they are not trying to end these brutal practices, but actually approve of them. If they did not approve, they would have acted. The logic is simple.
If they do not act decisively and publicly now, they risk something that is lying just under the surface. That risk is not just of protests and occasional looting. The real and present risk is of actual armed actions against the police and even toward against those who approve of police brutality against minority and disadvantaged citizens. We all live in an armed nation. Firearms, including highly accurate weapons that can be used by snipers at a distance are common everywhere. They can be easily purchased or stolen from those who already own them. Some of those people being brutalized by authorities or who are otherwise connected with those who have been brutalized have military training themselves.
That such actions have not taken place in the past with any frequency is no guarantee that they will not happen in the future. As more and more instances of police brutality occur and are publicized in the media, the tension grows. At some point it will lead to individuals or groups of individuals taking things into their own hands.
This can be prevented. But, it will require immediate action on the part of leadership in cities where such police violence is a commonplace practice. Suspending officers with pay is not in any way adequate. Arrest and trial for the crimes committed and firing of police officers who do such things immediately when evidence exists of brutality should be the practice. Fired officers can sue to get their jobs back, assuming they are not convicted and imprisoned. The victims should not be the ones to have to sue the city.
If action is not taken, the environment in such cities is very likely to change for law enforcement personnel. It could quickly become an environment that is extremely dangerous for such personnel. Cities are full of opportunities for covert actions by people seeking revenge. If I were a police officer, I would be very, very concerned about this possibility.
Make no mistake: I am in no way advocating any such violence against law enforcement. I deplore all violence. I am simply stating what should be obvious to anyone observing the current state of affairs. Immediate and decisive action is needed.
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