How do we diffuse racial tension involving the police?

2016-09-23T16:30:03-04:00

There is no simple answer because we can't even agree on what the problem is. Are we concentrating on the wrong issue? Are we capable of challenging our own perception or are we so wise and all knowing that no one can tell us anything different? Why do we dismiss facts that don't fit our perceptions? This is a complex question for a complicated issue.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 23 at 2016 4:49 PM

2016-09-23T16:49:42-04:00

It's even harder to be a cop now.

https://www.facebook.com/mark.merino/posts/ [login to see] 92820

Mark Merino - Mark Merino shared a link. | Facebook

Mark Merino shared a link.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Sep 23 at 2016 5:52 PM

2016-09-23T17:52:46-04:00

If I say what I want to say...there will be some who will have a problem with it...

Maybe all of these folks who are bitching and complaining should spend six months as a cop...go through Police academy, and then hit the beat and see what it's like...especially some of these congressmen and law makers....then they'll get a good idea of what it's like and they'll see all of the crime and crappy activity going on in the INNER cities, and through out the cities....and finally get off of their high horses and come to a realization of the TRUTH and then hopefully come up with a solution that'll work better and work out for everyone.

Response by LTC David Brown made Sep 23 at 2016 6:28 PM

2016-09-23T18:28:26-04:00

I think police review boards composed of police citizens and activists to review cases. If the media reports a false naaitive they should be subject to suits for damage from demonstrations etc. I nean if the media jumps on Trump "for jumping the gun on the New York City bombing what is this?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2016 8:13 PM

2016-09-23T20:13:07-04:00

I beg to differ. Ninety-nine point nine-nine-nine-nine-nine percent of police vs. citizen issues begin when the latter is asked by the former to do something, anything, and the latter doesn't. It's as simple as that. Hence, tension and conflict. Place the blame where the blame is due.

Secondly, your photo VERY strongly and wrongly suggests that Police are Stormtroopers in black leather who burn the American Flag. You just about received a crate full of down votes, Mr. Mark. You have my vote to change your visual aid for this thread to something far more appropriate and far less prejudicial.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2016 9:00 PM

2016-09-23T21:00:46-04:00

Three things need to happen:
1. Police need to render medical aid to the people they injure during the course of their job. If you have to shoot someone, you have to shoot someone... police officers just standing around for several minutes while the person bleeds out is unacceptable. If a police officer is unwilling to render first aid to the person they shot once they are no longer a threat they need to find a new line of work.
2. Police in many areas are underfunded, they are overworked, stressed out and inadequately trained. Funding for police needs to be made available to meet the requirement, instead of police being forced to make due with whatever funding is available.
3. Police need to be a part of the communities they are policing. They need to live in the areas covered by their police department. They need to be active and visible at community events and fundraisers.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Sep 23 at 2016 9:55 PM

2016-09-23T21:55:24-04:00

I wrote this last night. Put some thought to it: https://beslagsmed.wordpress.com/author/mikelwdawson/

Mikel W. Dawson

Grew up west of Caldwell, Idaho. Work a number of years as a professional guide in the Wilderness Area in Centeral Idaho. Completed almost 23yrs military service as a Sergeant Major. Currently r…

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Sep 23 at 2016 9:59 PM

2016-09-23T21:59:08-04:00

Sooo all cops are white?. That would surprise the Hispanic , Asian, and other cops..
People are shitheads....of all races.
But hey if you want to buy into the racial . Knock yourself out.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2016 10:19 PM

2016-09-23T22:19:25-04:00

What's with the picture of a cartoon character holding a burning US flag? I get the use of imagery, but why is it necessary. Call me old school, but this gets under my skin.

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Sep 23 at 2016 10:23 PM

2016-09-23T22:23:31-04:00

At this point I am not sure that we can diffuse the tension. It does not seem to matter whether an officer is justified in their actions (Charlotte, NC) or criminally negligent (Tulsa, OK). The media will report it in a sensational manner and the community will react in a visceral, raw, emotional manner with little rhyme or reason. What is occurring in NC is not a protest, it is aggravated riot for the purpose of destruction of property, theft and a myriad of illegal activity. There is no discourse only intimidation and disorderly behavior.

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Sep 23 at 2016 10:52 PM

2016-09-23T22:52:38-04:00

SFC Merino, You should check out a website called PragerU.com. It has a video posted by Manhattan Institutes Heather MacDonald called Are the Police Racist? In which she breaks down the facts and figures intellectually. It is quite enlightening.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Sep 24 at 2016 1:34 AM

2016-09-24T01:34:25-04:00

serious dialogue between the public and cops

Response by TSgt Thomas Monaghan made Sep 24 at 2016 12:15 PM

2016-09-24T12:15:32-04:00

Police need to be respected and so do the people the police are serving. But that being said when Police engage on any contact they need to be a respectful community servant until they are given a reason not to Respect goes both ways everybody needs to remember that.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2016 4:20 PM

2016-09-24T16:20:00-04:00

It can only happen when people quit lying and when people respect each other.

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made Sep 24 at 2016 4:48 PM

2016-09-24T16:48:51-04:00

You diffuse racial tension when we stop dividing people by physical characteristics. EVERYONE must do so.

I confess that I do not know the black experience. I've never been black.

Then again, I have no idea what the white experience is. I don't attempt to speak for everyone who happens to share my appearance.

I do know my PERSONAL experience, which frankly is far different than what is portrayed by BLM and the media. I am the first generation in my family that did not pick cotton by hand. I grew up poor. The only "privilege" I have is that my parents loved each other and loved us. I have faced adversity from a variety of sources. I have been passed over for jobs because I didn't fit into a quota, despite being the most qualified applicant by their own hiring standards.

I made a conscious choice to OVERCOME obstacles, rather than becoming a victim of circumstance.

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made Sep 24 at 2016 4:56 PM

2016-09-24T16:56:56-04:00

If we want to see an immediate impact, bring charges against George Soros and anyone else guilty of race-baiting for inciting riots.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 24 at 2016 5:24 PM

2016-09-24T17:24:51-04:00

Texas Tribune excerpt.

The city has long made efforts to mend the rift between law enforcement and its black community. The 1986 death of Etta Collins, a 70-year old black woman who had called 911 because of a burglary next door, at the hands of a Dallas policeman fueled a push for stronger oversight of the department.

Over the next two decades, attempts at reform continued, particularly after a series of officer-involved shootings in 2012 and 2013. Since becoming police chief in 2010, Brown has implemented a highly restrictive deadly force policy and officer training heavily focused on de-escalation tactics. In that time, the number of excessive-force complaints against Dallas officers has steadily decreased.

There has been a marked improvement in the relationship between the Dallas police force and the black community, said Naomi Baxter, a member of Mothers Against Police Brutality, who attended the rally Thursday.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 24 at 2016 5:27 PM

2016-09-24T17:27:04-04:00

I hesitate to say what I see as the solution, because of all the hate and vitriol that comes about, and there some on here I really care about.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 26 at 2016 2:20 PM

2016-09-26T14:20:31-04:00

The biggest solution is bring back the community policing. We need more officers walking a beat and getting their faces out there rather than sitting in an unmarked police car waiting like a vulture for the next infraction.

The biggest problem with the police/black community is the misperception that they are unfairly being targeted. If crime is heavier in the black community, then more police will be dispatched into those areas to reduce crime. This leads to more black people being arrested than white people which causes a view of favoritism which causes new generations of black people to either hate or distrust police.

The problem right now is a solution is impossible. With the amount of violence and rioting that is going on, police can't make themselves into a public presence again. It'd basically be putting targets on their backs. We need people to be able to trust police again and that's never going to happen with the way things are going right now.

Response by SPC Michelle Codding made Jun 16 at 2018 9:46 AM

2018-06-16T09:46:05-04:00

Maybe they should all stop looking at each other as the enemy.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 16 at 2018 11:32 AM

2018-06-16T11:32:19-04:00

1. The main issue is respect on both sides. When I was young- you respected your elders and authority. Folks today, want to push their rights down the throats of anyone who doesn't agree. The media makes everyone an Angel- showing their HS picture when they are 28, screaming about unnecessary killing- when the thugs just robbed a store and were believed armed. Blame the Police for black killings, when 82% of all Black killings are done by Blacks. A cop stops you in your car- asks for your ID, now days that gets a 10 min rant about rights, etc., in stead of just showing your ID. I have been warned and sent on my way, just by being polite, helpful and truthful- no damn arguing.