I am really starting to get tired of Cop Block. I'm just really tired of fact-checking a stupid meme. I recognize that something needs to be done about police brutality, especially in light of the events of Ferguson. By the same token, however, this is a problem that needs to be approached as objectively as possible. There is a balance issue that needs to be debated: One one hand the police need to do a job no one else wants to deal with, but the rights of the arrested need to be allowed for as well. This is not going to be an easy debate.
There have definitely been too many mysterious suicides where the person was handcuffed in the back of a cop car. There has to be a better weeding out process for cops, especially during the training phase. Making sure that cameras are part of the basic equipment needs to be seriously looked at, and penalties for not having the camera on during an arrest need to created enforced. This is one time when "accidentally" leaving it off or turning it off during an arrest should not be considered an excuse. I would also suggest some sort of anger management session made mandatory for all cops in the field, but they should be paid for it; a little meditation would save any precinct a lot in potential court and training costs.
I think cities also need to debate some sort of citizen oversight board. This would allow citizens to investigate to investigate police abuses, and suggest solutions before problems escalate as well as after. They should have the power to fire police, or at least suggest it, as well as the ability to suggest that charges be brought. Although I'm sure that the COB would quickly sympathize with the police as they learn the nature of some of the complaints, there needs to be some community input.
I think that this a solvable problem, or at least one that can be solved well enough to work. Something does need to be done, and the sooner the better. And if it could start with someone slapping Cop Block, I would be much appreciative.
There have definitely been too many mysterious suicides where the person was handcuffed in the back of a cop car. There has to be a better weeding out process for cops, especially during the training phase. Making sure that cameras are part of the basic equipment needs to be seriously looked at, and penalties for not having the camera on during an arrest need to created enforced. This is one time when "accidentally" leaving it off or turning it off during an arrest should not be considered an excuse. I would also suggest some sort of anger management session made mandatory for all cops in the field, but they should be paid for it; a little meditation would save any precinct a lot in potential court and training costs.
I think cities also need to debate some sort of citizen oversight board. This would allow citizens to investigate to investigate police abuses, and suggest solutions before problems escalate as well as after. They should have the power to fire police, or at least suggest it, as well as the ability to suggest that charges be brought. Although I'm sure that the COB would quickly sympathize with the police as they learn the nature of some of the complaints, there needs to be some community input.
I think that this a solvable problem, or at least one that can be solved well enough to work. Something does need to be done, and the sooner the better. And if it could start with someone slapping Cop Block, I would be much appreciative.
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