Tag: police

POLICING I DON’T UNDERSTAND

 

#1 High Speed Chases

Unless it is in pursuit of someone who has or is about to do physical harm to a another person, why endanger our officers and the population in the area of the chase? How do we justify putting our officers and our civilians in jeopardy over stolen property. With modern technology there is no reason to chase. There are non-lethal means to follow suspects like red light cameras, security cameras, stops etc.

Is it a matter of police ego?
Is it a matter of finally being able to drive as fast as the patrol car can go?
Is it giving into the adrenalin rush of predator vs. prey?

#2 Who Should Authorize High Speed Chases?

I can answer this one. It should be anyone besides the officers involved in answering the call. Or
It could be as simple as answering a couple of questions:
#1. Has a person been injured or about to be injured?
If the answer is yes, go to question #2.
#2. Would high speed pursuit increase the possibility of injury to officers and civilians?
If the answer is yes, do not pursue high speed chase but continue to follow at a distance which will not encourage the accused to speed. Use other police procedures to apprehend.

Comments, discussions, etc. appreciated.

Torches and Pitchforks at the Castle Gate

storming the gate
Why are the federal and state governments facilitating the acquisition of military style weapons and equipment by local police forces?

I suggest that a review of recent legislation and court rulings provides a possibility.  In random order these are:
– Citibank writing the language dismantling of Dodd-Frank law,
– cuts in SNAP,
– refusal to extend unemployment compensation,
– the failure to prosecute those shooting the poor and black,
– 47% comments,
– cutting of educational funding,
– laws which allow major corporations to pay no federal income tax,
– voter suppression of elderly, poor and youth,
– the increase of wealth by the wealthiest compared to the middle class and the poor,
– a military system which uses primarily the poor,
– corporations have the same rights as people,
– money is free speech ergo, Jimie Dimon,
– reduction of retiree’s pensions,
– attacks on unions,
– opposition to a living wage,
ad nauseam.

Basically, there is a movement in which legislation and policy are aimed at aiding the wealthy (like Congress) to increase their riches and power by taking from the poor, the working poor, women, the youth, the aged, and the middle class.

The numbers affected by this sea change in wealth distribution are growing exponentially.

The frustration and anger are growing exponentially.

There will be a point where rage will erupt.

The wealthy and the powerful have been careful not to attack the firefighters, the police and the army.  They have been systematically preparing the national guard and local sheriffs and police departments to “handle” any protest which they will call insurrection.

The one percent will be ready when the torches and pitchforks appear at the castle gate.