Mike's Musings: Reform the Police

 Derek Chauvin was found guilty, on all charges, for the murder of George Floyd.

Thank God.

That's as it should be.  One need only see the infamous image of a police officer kneeing on a man's neck to understand that his behavior was criminal and should have led to his immediate termination.  Such behavior is unacceptable under any circumstances.  Full stop.  But that Chauvin was allowed to do that for nearly 10 minutes while none of his fellow officers stopped him from ultimately killing a man defies description.

And yet, the world waited with baited breath to hear the verdict that should have been a slam dunk.

It's insulting to think that it was even possible, never mind inevitable, that Derek Chauvin could possibly be acquitted for murdering a man in cold blood and in full view of the public and cell phones.  Something clearly has to change.

It does, and there are signs that things are changing.  The racial reckoning that Floyd's murder unleashed in this country is long past due.  But in order for real, lasting change to occur, there needs to be accountability from out police officers.

It's long past time that someone hold our police force to account for the atrocities committed by some of their members.   While it is certainly true that the wide majority of the men and women who serve as police officers are committed to their jobs and would never abuse their badge, there are exceptions.  But it's damn hard to make them answer for their crimes.  Just look at Aurora officer Nate Meier who wasn't charged, or even fired, after he was found passed out drunk in his patrol car.  With a blood alcohol content five times the legal limit.

Police unions and "tough on crime" laws have ensured that contracts with the cities in which they serve make it next to impossible to discipline officers for their misdeeds, let alone fire them.  Records of infractions are hidden, officers cannot be interviewed immediately after any incident, and there's never any punishment for officers turning their body cameras off and on at will.  And let's not forget that they're able to rob people blind (if they suspect the money itself of a crime...or whatever they see and want to keep for themselves).  And keep the loot.  Or that their victims have no civil recourse if they are not held criminally  liable for their behavior.

Bad officers should not be allowed on the job.  Period.  By all accounts Derek Chauvin was the poster child for problem officers.  He had 18 complaints filed against him, and due to the union contracts, they were not only hidden from him but couldn't be used against him as evidence.  A man with that kind of record and who was described as "high strung" should never be allowed to be on the police force.

Both the public and the police community need to do work to change the culture.  The public needs to stop being so easily swayed by "tough on crime" mantras and demand that officers accused of misconduct be treated like any other suspect.  Do not put people in office that will allow police unions to dictate how suspected officers are investigated.  "Fearing for one's life" and "getting shit done" are overly broad and easily abused.  Dirty Harry is fine for the movies, but not for real life.

Police officers need to accept that there is something deeply, deeply wrong with cop culture.  Officers should not cover up for their fellows accused of misconduct.  And when they do, they should be punished accordingly.  The notorious "blue wall of silence" has to go.  It doesn't "protect good cops."  It violates the trust between the officers and the community they protect.  Reporting misconduct doesn't make a cop a rat.  It saves lives, and should be viewed as such.

A cop is someone who risks their life every day to keep the community safe.  But that cannot be used as a cover for criminal behavior.  People who do not have the temperament or common sense to be officers (like Chauvin and Meier) should not be allowed to wear the badge.  No officer should ever, or be expected, to protect such people.  That means getting rid of union leaders like the notorious, recently retired Bob Kroll.  Brashness and impulsivity are good for the movies but not real life.

Systemic change is needed.  The idea that a significant portion of the population fears the men and women who are paid to protect them is indefensible.  We as a people need to say enough is enough and demand accountability.