Are there Poorly trained or A$$hole Racist Cops out there abusing their authority? ABSOLUTELY! Are people afraid of the Police? Yes!...BUT... The Police are afraid of the PEOPLE as well, and they should be!
I grew up in the 60's, 70's and early 80's in a neighborhood with several families of police officers. Many of their son's became police officers in the 80's until recently retiring. None wore Bullet Proof Vests. They were not Terrified to go on a domestic call, issue a warrant, stop a speeder or person driving erratically. They exercised caution but did they fear that any call could be met by an individual, group of Thugs or Gang Members that are more well armed than the police with their Glock or Shotgun? No!
Yes police and their tactics have changed. Because Criminals have become more violent and better armed! A few decades ago, a policeman could walk up on a traffic stop with nothing more than a book of tickets in hand. These days the police have their hand on their gun as they approach, in the suburbs, and damned well need to have their gun Drawn approaching a car in American Cities!
In the 70's if a group of Teens walked through a neighborhood carrying Guns a policeman stopped them and asked, " What are you guys going Hunting for? " Now, teenagers are ARMED but they AIN'T going Rabbit Hunting!
The Police NEED to be afraid! They NEED to stop an individual or group and detain the people with cuffs or weapons drawn until the police KNOW they are Safe and going home to their Families at the end of a shift.
I have been stopped by the police in several situations, some doing something illegal, but I have NEVER had an issue with police because I don't give them an attitude or hard time. No policemen, I know, ever hurt anyone for complying with their instuction to keep BOTH of them from getting hurt or killed.
Police who abuse their authority need to be punished. Reforms and training or retraining is desperately needed. But just like every protester is not Looting and lighting Fires...Nobody should condemn an entire organization for the heinous acts of a few.
Example...My best friend, growing up, became a policeman. He just retired after 30 years on the force. As a civilian, he was recently stopped by a NJ State Trooper. For reasons unknown, the trooper made the traffic stop. As my friend Matt was comfronted by the officer and got out to comply with instructions, the trooper explained that...27 years ago, the trooper's parents were stopped by Matt for speeding. The trooper's mother was in labor. They were not going to make it to the hospital so Matt delivered their Baby, the now NJ State Trooper, on the side of the road! The trooper wanted to thank Matt for helping his mother. Matt's wife took pictures of the exchange and posted it on FB and Insta gram. Did it go Viral? NO! Was this story covered by CNN,NBC,ABC,MSNBC or even the local News outlet, NO! BUT...Had Matt tried to give this BLACK driver a speeding ticket, or tried to arrest the Father and ended in a physical confrontation...THAT would have been covered as another act of violence by a White Officer on a Black man! You Never hear about the Good Police do, but the MEDIA sure makes sure you hear when something goes wrong...Sorry for being Long Winded,but both sides of this discussion should be covered...JJ
