Many in the criminal justice system are there for power and not justice. They have contempt for justice. This goes beyond interaction with the police that you can view on camera. That brings the issue into your face that something is wrong. Being on camera is only bad when it goes viral on the internet, otherwise they lie and it doesn't affect them. So sue me.
10
What's the point?
That mentally unstable untrained police offices are totally normal around European Americans?
My white HS assistant principal in charge of discipline after retirement in th early '60s was reported as being arrested 114 times within three years. Sometimes twice or more a day.
No one at class reunions gave it a second thought. I wanted to install a bronze statute of our assistant principal in front of the principals office commenorating his sound moral compass and bravery. One baton to the head could have ended his life.
Where do you think perjury parties are held? In federal and state courts.
Who controls the courts? Not in the editorial.
Yes, I was an activist for voter registration in the deep South in the early '60s but nothing like our assistant principal whom I admire for his sit-ins and marches.
That mentally unstable untrained police offices are totally normal around European Americans?
My white HS assistant principal in charge of discipline after retirement in th early '60s was reported as being arrested 114 times within three years. Sometimes twice or more a day.
No one at class reunions gave it a second thought. I wanted to install a bronze statute of our assistant principal in front of the principals office commenorating his sound moral compass and bravery. One baton to the head could have ended his life.
Where do you think perjury parties are held? In federal and state courts.
Who controls the courts? Not in the editorial.
Yes, I was an activist for voter registration in the deep South in the early '60s but nothing like our assistant principal whom I admire for his sit-ins and marches.
6
Surely the good governor and the FBI director understand that there is a real problem when the men and women in uniform are seen as agents of oppression. In what scenario does that ever end well?
16
" Mr. Comey said that heightened scrutiny of police behavior — and fear of appearing in “viral videos” — was leading officers to avoid confrontations with suspects. This, he said, may have contributed to an increase in crime."
This is not inconsistent, nor does Mr. Comey claim, that there are not abusive police organizations or individuals. It stands to reason that in ambiguous suspicion of an offense, a police officer would be less likely to investigate, as no one knows whether the suspect could be hostile, even threatening.
Even the ideal police officer could meet with this hostility, perhaps potentiated by drugs, that would require the use of force. In the absence of a citizen's stated request for an investigation, with ubiquitous videos of perhaps a forceful suppression of a suspect, the officer would more likely choose to ignore the possible criminal act.
The Times investigation of racial profiling referenced in the article must be read with care. It showed that a much higher percentage those young men of color had been committing infractions or crimes.
There are many difficult realities in this issue. Discrimination, meaning discerning hidden qualities, is not inappropriate when there is a valid relationship to what society has deemed to be criminal activity.
We are faced with an ethical conundrum, and simplification into good guys against bad, will not lead to a solution.
AlRodbell.com
This is not inconsistent, nor does Mr. Comey claim, that there are not abusive police organizations or individuals. It stands to reason that in ambiguous suspicion of an offense, a police officer would be less likely to investigate, as no one knows whether the suspect could be hostile, even threatening.
Even the ideal police officer could meet with this hostility, perhaps potentiated by drugs, that would require the use of force. In the absence of a citizen's stated request for an investigation, with ubiquitous videos of perhaps a forceful suppression of a suspect, the officer would more likely choose to ignore the possible criminal act.
The Times investigation of racial profiling referenced in the article must be read with care. It showed that a much higher percentage those young men of color had been committing infractions or crimes.
There are many difficult realities in this issue. Discrimination, meaning discerning hidden qualities, is not inappropriate when there is a valid relationship to what society has deemed to be criminal activity.
We are faced with an ethical conundrum, and simplification into good guys against bad, will not lead to a solution.
AlRodbell.com
6
As a former police officer, I can say AMEN to this editorial. You are exactly on point. Comey is wrong, and Christie is, well, Christie. I'll look forward to James Comey correcting his comments, or providing evidence for what any police officer worth his/her salt knows to be true. Black Americans have 100% been victimized by our often under supervised, under educated, and under-disciplined police ranks.
26
What Comey should have said more clearly is that, if police feel that they don't have a community's support, police MAY be less compelled to put their lives in danger. Isn't that likely of any person in that position?
You editorial says that he implied something that is far, far different from what he said -- that is not helpful to the dialogue.
It's important that there be as much support for good police as there is condemnation for bad police.
You editorial says that he implied something that is far, far different from what he said -- that is not helpful to the dialogue.
It's important that there be as much support for good police as there is condemnation for bad police.
9
Police who are resisted in a non-violent way have to learn to respond in a nonviolent way. "Mouthing off" and other forms of disrespect does not justify violence from anyone, including the police.
23
I've been conducting an informal survey - asking NYC Cops how they feel about Mayor de Blasio. They despise him. They're "on strike," - not making arrests, not caring about quality of life issues, and not putting their lives at risk. Why? To make de Blasio look bad. Plain and simple. Every action has a reaction. de Blasio picked a fight. NYers are the losers.
3
Having seen how the so-called "Black Lives Matter" movement destroyed the life of Darren Wilson of the Ferguson, MO police department, it is little wonder that white police officers are now overly cautious in dealing with black suspects. Because of that, it is little wonder that the murder rate in many big cities has markedly increased over the last year. Yet, the New York Times ignores that side effect of editorials such as this.
15
A janitor surely would be happy if somebody indicated him by a discreet gesture or a kind word that he/she does not NOT have to clean up messy toilets anymore! He/She will be eager to comply. I know this is hard to believe, so just try it out!
Police officers are even more eager to NOT do certain things that can cost them their life and career. I can't say enough about how nice and good this editorial is, we don't want another Darren Wilson to see his career destroyed, do we? So let's hang this editorial + comments in all police offices everywhere.
I want to kindly encourage police officers to come to work in my beautiful, secure and mostly white/Asian neighborhood to equalize how much policing every race in this country can enjoy. The same goes for pesky teachers that discipline unruly kids and try to teach! Send them over to my school! I think we like teachers that like to teach so much that they don't shy away from confronting disruptive kids!!
I have learned to love political correctness. It always seems to work out in my favor! Some places in this country look like war zones, but those who less need it get it all!
I really shouldn't say those things because I don't want the gold rain to stop. Now, time to play a soft tune of jazz!
Police officers are even more eager to NOT do certain things that can cost them their life and career. I can't say enough about how nice and good this editorial is, we don't want another Darren Wilson to see his career destroyed, do we? So let's hang this editorial + comments in all police offices everywhere.
I want to kindly encourage police officers to come to work in my beautiful, secure and mostly white/Asian neighborhood to equalize how much policing every race in this country can enjoy. The same goes for pesky teachers that discipline unruly kids and try to teach! Send them over to my school! I think we like teachers that like to teach so much that they don't shy away from confronting disruptive kids!!
I have learned to love political correctness. It always seems to work out in my favor! Some places in this country look like war zones, but those who less need it get it all!
I really shouldn't say those things because I don't want the gold rain to stop. Now, time to play a soft tune of jazz!
4
"There is no data suggesting such an effect."
You can certainly argue you find the existing data unconvincing or flawed, but it's dishonest to argue none exists. In fact, there is evidence a crime spike has occurred, and Mr. Comey's explanation is a valid if as of yet not proven one.
You can certainly argue you find the existing data unconvincing or flawed, but it's dishonest to argue none exists. In fact, there is evidence a crime spike has occurred, and Mr. Comey's explanation is a valid if as of yet not proven one.
12
The FBI Chief's contempt for Black Americans in our nation is nothing new nor a newsflash. The backward remarks he has recently made regarding the increase in crime across the nation reveals how clueless and inept he is and for that reason alone he should be fired ASAP by the President.
For years the police in very major venue in our nation have not performed at effective levels in every aspect of their jobs from preventing crimes to investigation of crime to effecting in legal and violence free arrests.
The police under the FBI Chief's tenure as the nation's top law enforcement official have been the most lethal and destructive governmental service except for our Defense Department. From excessive jury awards for police terrorism to wasteful costs to the budgets of cities and municipalities.
The most destructive aspect of impotent and inept policing is the reality that JUSTICE is threaten and quite often not possible for many in America today because of lousy policing and shallow leadership from people like the FBI Director.
For years the police in very major venue in our nation have not performed at effective levels in every aspect of their jobs from preventing crimes to investigation of crime to effecting in legal and violence free arrests.
The police under the FBI Chief's tenure as the nation's top law enforcement official have been the most lethal and destructive governmental service except for our Defense Department. From excessive jury awards for police terrorism to wasteful costs to the budgets of cities and municipalities.
The most destructive aspect of impotent and inept policing is the reality that JUSTICE is threaten and quite often not possible for many in America today because of lousy policing and shallow leadership from people like the FBI Director.
5
Re: Comey. FBI chiefs have been lying to Congress, the Presidency, and the public ever since J. Edgar found it the practical means to get what he wanted. Each year, he came before Congress for more money for the FBI as he claimed that crime had risen in the 12 months past. No one bothered to ask him after the second or third appearance why, if he kept getting more money for his Bureau crime continued to go up.
8
I'm not Black. I do not readily subscribe to the notion of where there is smoke there is fire. However when there is overwhelming video evidence of repeated abuses I find it hard to dismiss the charge of racially based miscarriage of justice.
15
The obvious solution is to assign only black officers to majority black communities. When white officers encounter blacks committing crimes elsewhere, they should stand back and call for black officers to take charge of the situation.
11
October 27, 2015
Small minds think what drives the operational world is budgets - in the service of
payroll and retirement's goal. Now just invert the process and put in place rewards for service that demands ethics and decency and with earnings points for the goal -
Proper management is always the rewards for doing right for all times and in all matters for our humanity.
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
Small minds think what drives the operational world is budgets - in the service of
payroll and retirement's goal. Now just invert the process and put in place rewards for service that demands ethics and decency and with earnings points for the goal -
Proper management is always the rewards for doing right for all times and in all matters for our humanity.
jja Manhattan, N. Y.
3
Obama leads the executive branch of our government. The executive branch is charged with enforing the law. Why isnt he stepping up to own his responsibilities, after 7 years as president. No, he thinks that leadership is established by stabbing his men in the back.
The lawlessness, the anti-authority attitude, the police brutality are on him now. Obama owns this mess.
The lawlessness, the anti-authority attitude, the police brutality are on him now. Obama owns this mess.
6
These isolated incidents are not enough to make any sweeping allegations of police violence. They are merely anecdotal but receive undue emphasis because they happen to be on video. The NYT is sensationalizing this issue because of its liberal agenda but a more responsible editorial policy would call for a systematic in-depth study before jumping to conclusions. We need to support our police, not demonize them and make it harder for them to do their jobs.
14
My son is 17. Starting 3 years ago, we began having regular conversations about how to handle an encounter with a police officer. He understands the necessity of being polite and respectful. He also understands the proper way to ask for his parents and/or legal representation. Understanding how to handle oneself in a police officer encounter is a life or death skill these days.
13
A very troubling detail of the recent instances of police brutality is the difference between the police report and the video of the event the report is supposed to describe. For example, the university cop who shot the man for not having a driver's license. That police report was nonsense.
This behavior is akin to a drunk driver hit-and-run murder, except its worse because the act committed is criminal rather than negligent. Escape and deny your actions even when you've done such an awful thing. Just think how many innocent black men and women have been beaten or killed over the years, while their assailants sit around collecting pension.
This behavior is akin to a drunk driver hit-and-run murder, except its worse because the act committed is criminal rather than negligent. Escape and deny your actions even when you've done such an awful thing. Just think how many innocent black men and women have been beaten or killed over the years, while their assailants sit around collecting pension.
10
This opinion piece is disingenuous at best. It takes a few incidences (cherry picking) and throws all police into the racist bucket. More interestingly, many of the incidents are black cop on black. Are black cops racist too?
Brown was a hoodlum and payments to his family an outrage. What happened in Baltimore left me wondering what was wrong with the mayor in telling police to stand down. I won't go there again, the city is lost. But it's also run by blacks, so what am I to conclude? All officials, whether black or white, are racist?!
If we are to have a conversation about police brutality, let's do it. Do police unions have too much power over an investigation of an officer? Yes. Are officers more likely to have a run in with violence? Yes. If an officer works in a highly concentrated area where crime is rampant, are they more likely to stop and/or arrest someone? Yes. If that someone is black, are they racist? No.
It's time for Obama to stop pandering to blacks that are not innocent of wrong doing. It's time for Obama to be everyone's president. And the FBI, while coming to conclusions for an increase in crime is premature without 'statistics' it must be obvious to anyone with a brain that it is the attack on police that is driving at least some of the increase in crime. The other driver is the relaxing of the penal system - where those that break the law, if they are black, get reduced or no sentencing and instead go off to seminars. Crime pays now.
Brown was a hoodlum and payments to his family an outrage. What happened in Baltimore left me wondering what was wrong with the mayor in telling police to stand down. I won't go there again, the city is lost. But it's also run by blacks, so what am I to conclude? All officials, whether black or white, are racist?!
If we are to have a conversation about police brutality, let's do it. Do police unions have too much power over an investigation of an officer? Yes. Are officers more likely to have a run in with violence? Yes. If an officer works in a highly concentrated area where crime is rampant, are they more likely to stop and/or arrest someone? Yes. If that someone is black, are they racist? No.
It's time for Obama to stop pandering to blacks that are not innocent of wrong doing. It's time for Obama to be everyone's president. And the FBI, while coming to conclusions for an increase in crime is premature without 'statistics' it must be obvious to anyone with a brain that it is the attack on police that is driving at least some of the increase in crime. The other driver is the relaxing of the penal system - where those that break the law, if they are black, get reduced or no sentencing and instead go off to seminars. Crime pays now.
12
I am usually in agreement with the Times editorials, and also agree that the relationship between police and communities of color would benefit from more scrutiny, transparency, and understanding of the tragic history of being black in this country. But to accuse FBI director Comey of being Orwellian is excessive and unnecessarily polarizing. The narrative of Black Lives Matter, an organization that is not a monolith and includes different factions with different agendas, is also not beyond critique, and the Times and others are too quick to act as if it were, and pounce on anyone who offers one. I don't think the FBI director was suggesting that a critique of police tactics or an exposure of police excesses was illegitimate. I think the inference was that many policeman on the beat feel that there were excesses in factions of the black lives movement that prejudged all policemen as the enemy, and made disrespecting them a badge of courage, and the legitimate aspects of their work harder and more dangerous. Maybe this is an accurate reflection of what policemen feel or maybe not, but if the Times cannot be more balanced on legitimate concerns on both sides, i.e. communities of color and the police (of all colors) who serve them—the result will be polarization and the undermining of genuine reform.
13
When police must force people to comply with their orders, they will use maximum force to ensure that they succeed and that the people they are arresting cannot do them harm. It's brutal but it's not unreasonable under such circumstances. When the brutality is just street justice by cops, it's unreasonable and the police should be held to account for their poor behavior. Is the bias in the crime statistics due to racist perceptions of police and prosecutors and juries or the legacy of racial discrimination which has yet to be overcome actually resulting in higher crime rates amongst some minority populations, due to poverty and unequal opportunities resulting from overt attempts to marginalize minorities for many generations when the country's economy was rapidly expanding, but not since the mid-1970's? Perhaps that is why police officers seem to be arresting more people from those minority populations, even police officers from those same minority populations.
2
I had the unique experience (as a white man) of being profiled by police - for having out-of-state plates. I was followed, I was pulled over for a minor error, I was personally humiliated in front of my significant other, I was punished financially, and I had no real recourse to contest any of it. During the stop, several "brother officers" stopped by and exchanged jokes with the officer in question creating a distinctly "atta-boy" atmosphere.
I won't say I know what blacks feel since this was a one-time event and (thank god) not a life-long experience. But I did get a small taste of what it's like, and it has redefined my whole perception of law enforcement - and of law enforcers. I sat in my car for almost 10 solid minutes to be sure the officer had definitely left the area. I spent the rest of the day looking over my shoulder, terrified of making the tiniest mistake lest I be forced to repeat the experience.
I felt watched, in the creepy, serial-killer way. I didn't even dare to complain, lest this officer contact his other "brothers" in my home state and take some petty revenge. And it goes without saying that the entire department would have "closed ranks" behind him anyway.
To be subject to that kind of scrutiny and bias on a daily basis would not simply outrage me, it would drive me insane. If we don't hold our enforcers to the same standards as our citizens, we deserve a police state.
I won't say I know what blacks feel since this was a one-time event and (thank god) not a life-long experience. But I did get a small taste of what it's like, and it has redefined my whole perception of law enforcement - and of law enforcers. I sat in my car for almost 10 solid minutes to be sure the officer had definitely left the area. I spent the rest of the day looking over my shoulder, terrified of making the tiniest mistake lest I be forced to repeat the experience.
I felt watched, in the creepy, serial-killer way. I didn't even dare to complain, lest this officer contact his other "brothers" in my home state and take some petty revenge. And it goes without saying that the entire department would have "closed ranks" behind him anyway.
To be subject to that kind of scrutiny and bias on a daily basis would not simply outrage me, it would drive me insane. If we don't hold our enforcers to the same standards as our citizens, we deserve a police state.
14
I hear the hypothesis that police brutality is a race issue, and undoubtedly it is in some parts of this country. The danger of this hypothesis is that many will extrapolate it to be the case for the whole country.
I am a 4th generation American, neither white nor black, an even-tempered law-abiding tax-paying family man that is "color blind", a West Pointer at the height of the Vietnam War, and a top business executive with two advanced degrees. Nevertheless, In the last five years - for the first time in my life, I have twice been abused verbally and physically, locked up for days, punished by the court, and had to pay to clear my "arrest record" for minor misdemeanor charges that were dropped by the county district attorney's office.
Those white and black "Peace" and correctional officers, as well as the county district attorney's office and the county court collectively violated most if not all of my Constitutional Civil Rights.
My view is that when you have serious systemic violations across the board, there is a failure of leadership and policies. The problem is much worse than racial profiling. The wisdom of the founding fathers, the blood of the courageous who defended their Utopian vision, and the very existence of this well-endowed country and our children are at stake.
The time to own up to our wrongs, make restitutions and fundamental changes to get back on the correct path is now!
I am a 4th generation American, neither white nor black, an even-tempered law-abiding tax-paying family man that is "color blind", a West Pointer at the height of the Vietnam War, and a top business executive with two advanced degrees. Nevertheless, In the last five years - for the first time in my life, I have twice been abused verbally and physically, locked up for days, punished by the court, and had to pay to clear my "arrest record" for minor misdemeanor charges that were dropped by the county district attorney's office.
Those white and black "Peace" and correctional officers, as well as the county district attorney's office and the county court collectively violated most if not all of my Constitutional Civil Rights.
My view is that when you have serious systemic violations across the board, there is a failure of leadership and policies. The problem is much worse than racial profiling. The wisdom of the founding fathers, the blood of the courageous who defended their Utopian vision, and the very existence of this well-endowed country and our children are at stake.
The time to own up to our wrongs, make restitutions and fundamental changes to get back on the correct path is now!
6
I have read a good many of the comments here and it seems that most people want to turn it into an "either/or" situation.
This is too simplistic. What many seem to be doing is simply reenforcing the beliefs they've had all their lives and applying it to the current situation. The available facts have changed, dramatically, and video is the reason.
Most people have very limited experience with police officers. Most white people in America have not been stopped ten, fifteen or twenty times while just going about their normal business. Most have not been arrested and faced the fear, anger and cost of defending against a legal charge and trying to prove innocence.
My suggestion is just this: we need to look at the facts. The video evidence shows numerous cases of people being shot without justification. Further, there are many other videos that, when studied closely and with some prior knowledge of police work, reveal out of control officers.
An example: there was another police shooting of a suspect near Ferguson, Mo. in the summer of '14. If you watch that video closely, you can see that the officers cut off their own option not to shoot the man (who was violent, but not firing a weapon) by coming at him aggressively. The shooting: legally justified, morally wrong.
The available video from many different events, extrapolated to a modest degree, gives abundant indication of potentially hundreds of murders across America by police officers.
This is too simplistic. What many seem to be doing is simply reenforcing the beliefs they've had all their lives and applying it to the current situation. The available facts have changed, dramatically, and video is the reason.
Most people have very limited experience with police officers. Most white people in America have not been stopped ten, fifteen or twenty times while just going about their normal business. Most have not been arrested and faced the fear, anger and cost of defending against a legal charge and trying to prove innocence.
My suggestion is just this: we need to look at the facts. The video evidence shows numerous cases of people being shot without justification. Further, there are many other videos that, when studied closely and with some prior knowledge of police work, reveal out of control officers.
An example: there was another police shooting of a suspect near Ferguson, Mo. in the summer of '14. If you watch that video closely, you can see that the officers cut off their own option not to shoot the man (who was violent, but not firing a weapon) by coming at him aggressively. The shooting: legally justified, morally wrong.
The available video from many different events, extrapolated to a modest degree, gives abundant indication of potentially hundreds of murders across America by police officers.
6
A video of a police/citizen confrontation that goes viral or may be used against an officer, is no threat at all compared to the possibility that an officer may be confronting an armed individual, who may be even better armed than he/she.
Director Comey's focus and time would be better spent making sure the country's gun laws are more strictly enforced and strengthened.
Director Comey's focus and time would be better spent making sure the country's gun laws are more strictly enforced and strengthened.
1
Who is served by these opinions? Who is not held responsible? Elected officials and public community leaders. All of which have failed in their responsibility to watch over both the police and the communities. The elected officials have failed to address the issue of officers in the field who suffer from PTSD, and the community leaders for failing to confront the illegal drug gangs that have taken over their neighborhoods, and created a culture of drug violence in the inner cities. The escalation of police force is directly balanced in response to the escalation of drug gang violence in the jurisdictions where they serve. Right now the cops and general public are just pawns in the game of distraction, that those in power use to garner more support and votes for themselves. They will sacrifice the individual cops who surrender to their demons, and incarcerate those in the community engaged in illegal behavior to a degree where they can say they are doing something to stop the onslaught, but the truth be told, it is 30 years now and none of the folks who hold power have had the stomach for stopping the violence.
5
It happens in poor, rural predominately white communities all of the time. the majority of my clients have been physically abused, the officers regularly lie in their supporting paperwork and on the stand and the prosecutors, at the very least, turn a blind eye to this criminal behavior. In addition to properly funding indigent defense, police departments need to answer to a civilian authority. In our town's case, there is no one in a position of authority over the police chief (we have a town manager and a figurehead mayor) so he, and his department, run roughshod over the civil rights of the community.
9
Every white cop is now on notice that his next encounter with a violent black felon could make him the next Darren Wilson.
15
As it should be.
4
Can somebody, anybody, explain how a couple of indicted white cops in encounters with blacks, and several ambiguous encounters, proves the existence of rampant racism among the police?
13
Start with the fact that being a cop is potentially dangerous and unionized. Add a lot of new paperwork and scrutiny of how the job is done. You end up with cops who don't see as much, don't stop as much, don't arrest as much. It is so clearly the path of least resistance. There are no reports of "I didn't see or do anything on this shift."
It is going to be hard to restore balance. How do you correct excesses without encouraging cops to back off doing their jobs at all?
It is going to be hard to restore balance. How do you correct excesses without encouraging cops to back off doing their jobs at all?
6
We pay police chiefs a lot of money. It is precisely their job to enable their police force to do the best job of protecting the citizens and visitors to their area from criminal activity. This is mostly done by apprehending criminals--and otherwise discouraging lawlessness. Shooting or beating randomly chosen citizens (or randomly chosen dark skinned citizens) does not keep anyone safe. Escalating conflicts rather than defusing them also keeps nobody safe, nor does it reduce crime. Metrics matter: Does your citizenry feel safe in the presence of a police officer? Do they contact police when they see lawlessness? Does your citizenry feel safe in their neighborhoods? What percentage of robberies, car thefts, vandalism, homicides are resolved? What percentage are even reported? How does this compare to similar communities?
Training and rewards for chiefs and officers need to focus on outcomes. Arrests are a pretty poor metric by themselves. A community with completely lawful activity should have no arrests. Should the officers be punished because of their poor arrest records?
Training and rewards for chiefs and officers need to focus on outcomes. Arrests are a pretty poor metric by themselves. A community with completely lawful activity should have no arrests. Should the officers be punished because of their poor arrest records?
1
Too bad the editorial board did not examine how the murder rate (overwhelmingly blacks killing blacks) in Baltimore skyrocketed after the Freddi Gray incident, where it's almost certain that the police officers will be exonerated. The cops, justifiably fearing for their jobs, pension and even freedom, stopped doing what they are supposed to be doing - trying to stop crime before it happens.
But to some, "black lives matter" only when a white cop kills a black person. When a black kills another black, all you hear is crickets.
But to some, "black lives matter" only when a white cop kills a black person. When a black kills another black, all you hear is crickets.
20
Am sorry. Have seen too many people asserting their right to be obnoxious. I have NEVER seen a person behaving in a civil manner being abused. 30 years, never seen anyone, in airports, streets, building, who were not inebriated, full of them selves, or abusive to Police that resulted in an encounter that was unjustified. I have, on the other hand witnessed embarrassing encounters, where the police displayed amazing restraint. 46 airports.
12
at last, nyt taking a stand on this issue. level headed, direct and backup research proof for conclusion. thank you so much.
now, if the nyt will publish on the front page the taxpayer cost and the work hours paid for us taxpayers (not included in the cost) of the benhgazi committee investigations, many more americans living outside nyc, wdc and essentially out of the loop of american politics can learn of these excesses that we are paying for on a fruitless wish.
had any employee wasted a comparable portion of their work time and racked up expense reports equal to these failed investigations, we would be without job or references.
middle america doesn't know thus does not care.
please take your clout and spread more of the real news.
now, if the nyt will publish on the front page the taxpayer cost and the work hours paid for us taxpayers (not included in the cost) of the benhgazi committee investigations, many more americans living outside nyc, wdc and essentially out of the loop of american politics can learn of these excesses that we are paying for on a fruitless wish.
had any employee wasted a comparable portion of their work time and racked up expense reports equal to these failed investigations, we would be without job or references.
middle america doesn't know thus does not care.
please take your clout and spread more of the real news.
1
That black cop's blood is on the hands of radical leftists who hate cops like the writer of this screed. You blew up Trayvon to an international incident, then you did the same with Ferguson, Baltimore, and every death of a non-caucasian in the hands of the police.
How many more innocent people have to die to make the elite haters see what they are doing? Ask George Soros, you're all doing his work already anyway. Have him bail the paper out.
How many more innocent people have to die to make the elite haters see what they are doing? Ask George Soros, you're all doing his work already anyway. Have him bail the paper out.
7
No one argues that police who commit crimes shouldn't be punished. But it is indisputable that individual good cops are now consciously choosing not to engage for fear of ending up on YouTube, or of making a split-second decision, guessing wrong, and being hung out to dry by the PC cowards at City Hall. What no one, from Obama to Holder to DiBlasio to Sharpton to this editorial board seems to care about is that when the police hang back from doing their job, it is overwhelmingly young black men who die in the resulting mayhem, joined by the occasional toddler caught in a gangbanger crossfire.
So black lives only matter in the small minority of cases when they die at the hands of white cops. If they're killed by black thugs, or if they're black cops killed by almost anyone, they are simply eggs that had to be broken to make the omelet of black grievance.
How can you live with yourselves?
So black lives only matter in the small minority of cases when they die at the hands of white cops. If they're killed by black thugs, or if they're black cops killed by almost anyone, they are simply eggs that had to be broken to make the omelet of black grievance.
How can you live with yourselves?
13
Christie's comments can be dismissed as unimportant. Comey's on the other hand were disgraceful in light of all the video and statistical evidence we have seen in the last year or two of poor judgement at best and at worst misconduct by individual police officers and some forces.
Perhaps in his next speech, Comey could give his opinion on why US police officers cannot perform their jobs without shooting to death an inordinate number of citizens, while police forces in other advanced societies with comparable overall crime rates (that is, excepting murder where we leave everyone else behind) manage to do their jobs and kill few ordinary citizens in the process.
Perhaps in his next speech, Comey could give his opinion on why US police officers cannot perform their jobs without shooting to death an inordinate number of citizens, while police forces in other advanced societies with comparable overall crime rates (that is, excepting murder where we leave everyone else behind) manage to do their jobs and kill few ordinary citizens in the process.
5
There is a definite problem with police violence, militarization, and SWAT teams on every corner. There is also a problem with black crime, the victims of which are overwhelmingly black. Finding a solution to both will require EVERYONE to confront uncomfortable truths.
However, like calling "wolf" one too many times, it doesn't help when some seek to lionize criminals Michael Brown and Freddy Moore, nor when a lie like "Hand's up. Don't shoot" becomes supposed fact.
However, like calling "wolf" one too many times, it doesn't help when some seek to lionize criminals Michael Brown and Freddy Moore, nor when a lie like "Hand's up. Don't shoot" becomes supposed fact.
6
The cops being above the law, by the court acting under the "color of law" gimmicks is most unfortunate. The legal system has to separate its blind allegiance to the police in meaningful, articulate, and defined ways. The current misrepresentation of mind sets and the ensuing leniency on probable cause, reasonable doubt, etc etc. are entirely skewing and emboldening the law enforcement and judiciary to act with impunity to degrade civilian protections and protect criminal perpetrators within law enforcement and legal system.
3
Silence plagues America. The silence of good policemen before and after bad behavior by bad cops. The silence of centrist Republicans in the course of years of sliming of our POTUS and of demonizing Democrats. Silence is compliance.
9
Jim Comey had my respect when he refused an unlawful order from the Bush Administration. I was surprised, and dismayed, to hear him make such a subjective and harmful statement about why some law enforcement personnel might not be doing their jobs.
To many police officers, it's all or nothing - you either support me or you don't. Or, you don't see what I see every day so don't judge me. The truth, which they would do well to realize, is that most folks do support the police when their behavior is not unnecessarily abusive or worse. Yes, you are under more scrutiny, so use it to your advantage and stop complaining - it's unbecoming of the badge to do so.
To many police officers, it's all or nothing - you either support me or you don't. Or, you don't see what I see every day so don't judge me. The truth, which they would do well to realize, is that most folks do support the police when their behavior is not unnecessarily abusive or worse. Yes, you are under more scrutiny, so use it to your advantage and stop complaining - it's unbecoming of the badge to do so.
4
Rather than talk about how "black citizens are far more likely than whites to die at the hands of police" please give the actual statistics and normalize those statistics so that you are comparing the treatment of white suspects versus black suspects who are suspected of comparable crimes. Since African Americans are involved in crime and violent crime at a higher rate than White Americans expecting the numbers to match their population percentages is nonsensical.
5
Another thought:
We have frightening anecdotal information about police and race. However, this paper has also recently reported on studies that say the issue isn't that police are more violence-prone to blacks, but that blacks have more "encounters" with police. That sounds like a small distinction, but it leads you toward where racism truly resides.
The study to which I'm referring showed that roughly the same percent of "encounters" with police end violently, even fatally, for blacks and whites. So everyone has an equal chance of dying when they see flashing lights behind them. If true (and the issue remains that hard data is difficult to come by, so studies on police and race often rely on extrapolation) this indicates that bad cops don't make distinctions between races, and/or that policing methods are universally too brutal.
Why do blacks have more "encounters?" That's where racism can be found. The institutions that promote stop and frisk or stop and ask, that deploy battalions into minority communities, that criminalize ridiculously tiny misdemeanors that ensnare a greater percent of blacks and turn them into "known criminals" in their own communities... those are the areas to target. And cops may not need a lesson in race - they need a lesson in civility.
We have frightening anecdotal information about police and race. However, this paper has also recently reported on studies that say the issue isn't that police are more violence-prone to blacks, but that blacks have more "encounters" with police. That sounds like a small distinction, but it leads you toward where racism truly resides.
The study to which I'm referring showed that roughly the same percent of "encounters" with police end violently, even fatally, for blacks and whites. So everyone has an equal chance of dying when they see flashing lights behind them. If true (and the issue remains that hard data is difficult to come by, so studies on police and race often rely on extrapolation) this indicates that bad cops don't make distinctions between races, and/or that policing methods are universally too brutal.
Why do blacks have more "encounters?" That's where racism can be found. The institutions that promote stop and frisk or stop and ask, that deploy battalions into minority communities, that criminalize ridiculously tiny misdemeanors that ensnare a greater percent of blacks and turn them into "known criminals" in their own communities... those are the areas to target. And cops may not need a lesson in race - they need a lesson in civility.
3
Ultimately, it's all about fear. Fear of others. Fear of the unknown. Fear does terrible things to people, and if you're already predisposed to violence, it will exacerbate the response.
Both sides are afraid, and without blame, no one got there unabetted. The fear doesn't spring fully formed from the head of anyone; it's cultivated and nurtured both intentionally and unintentionally. The results, however, are rarely positive and all too often are destructive.
But the acknowledgement of fear has to begin someplace. On both sides. There is no substitute for admitting your afraid, confronting the fears in yourself, and then working with others to get past them. That is where community begins.
Politicians who fear-monger in their speeches are nothing more that willful participants in the destruction of this country. Either We, the People stand up against them and refuse to buy whatever fear they are selling, or we crawl back under the table to duck and cover. There is no middle ground.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
Both sides are afraid, and without blame, no one got there unabetted. The fear doesn't spring fully formed from the head of anyone; it's cultivated and nurtured both intentionally and unintentionally. The results, however, are rarely positive and all too often are destructive.
But the acknowledgement of fear has to begin someplace. On both sides. There is no substitute for admitting your afraid, confronting the fears in yourself, and then working with others to get past them. That is where community begins.
Politicians who fear-monger in their speeches are nothing more that willful participants in the destruction of this country. Either We, the People stand up against them and refuse to buy whatever fear they are selling, or we crawl back under the table to duck and cover. There is no middle ground.
http://wifelyperson.blogspot.com/
3
A political lie about police brutality? Would that be something akin to suggesting that Dorian Johnson's testimony before the Ferguson grand jury had as much corroboration as Officer Wilson's?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/opinion/verbatim-the-ferguson-case.html
No one is immune.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/05/opinion/verbatim-the-ferguson-case.html
No one is immune.
5
I want to be supportive of law enforcement to do good police work. The problems we have are many due to our history of slavery and extra-judicial law enforcement.
Currently, the US has widely varying quality of police conduct across communities from very professional to incompetent and abusive. Even within a police force, I have observed (Minneapolis) police officers deescalating potentially lethal situations and I have observed an officer putting an intoxicated Native American man in the trunk of his car. The police can be a part of the solution to major violence problems in American cities. A way to reduce all violence is to have police forces which are very professional (European policing), police who have the resources to investigate and provide evidence to prosecutors to make sure that serious violent crime is addressed.
We are providing the wrong resources to police. Para-military organizations labelled police create fear and suspicion in the populous. We need far fewer tanks in the streets and more money for crime labs and resources for police to investigate violent crimes.
The way to reduce black-black crime is for the police to have better community relationships because they don't allow perpetrators of violence to terrorize a community. If the community can't count on police to ask questions before shooting, who will call the police? Police need to hold each other accountable to the highest standards.
Currently, the US has widely varying quality of police conduct across communities from very professional to incompetent and abusive. Even within a police force, I have observed (Minneapolis) police officers deescalating potentially lethal situations and I have observed an officer putting an intoxicated Native American man in the trunk of his car. The police can be a part of the solution to major violence problems in American cities. A way to reduce all violence is to have police forces which are very professional (European policing), police who have the resources to investigate and provide evidence to prosecutors to make sure that serious violent crime is addressed.
We are providing the wrong resources to police. Para-military organizations labelled police create fear and suspicion in the populous. We need far fewer tanks in the streets and more money for crime labs and resources for police to investigate violent crimes.
The way to reduce black-black crime is for the police to have better community relationships because they don't allow perpetrators of violence to terrorize a community. If the community can't count on police to ask questions before shooting, who will call the police? Police need to hold each other accountable to the highest standards.
2
The answer is really quite simple: break up police departments into small agencies, each under control of its own neighborhood. The cops must live in the neighborhood, much like the night watchman of yesteryear.
Everyone knows the officers, and the officers know everyone in the community.
Why does NYC have one massive department? Why not have 10,000 different police departments, each reporting to a neighborhood board? The funding would be provided by one taxing body, but the hiring etc. would all be local.
A small town near me has a force of three, yes, three full-time officers and four part-time officers and one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.
Sometimes, smaller is better.
Everyone knows the officers, and the officers know everyone in the community.
Why does NYC have one massive department? Why not have 10,000 different police departments, each reporting to a neighborhood board? The funding would be provided by one taxing body, but the hiring etc. would all be local.
A small town near me has a force of three, yes, three full-time officers and four part-time officers and one of the lowest crime rates in the nation.
Sometimes, smaller is better.
3
As a citizen I am "on camera" every time I park in a buildings parking lot, I'm filmed in every store. I'm filmed at a ATM or when making a bank deposit. I'm filmed, by many jurisdictions, when traveling down the highways. I'm filmed in public offices and/or schools. I'm filmed EVERYWHERE I go. But this guy that heads up the FBI is worried about the poor abusive police officers being filmed when they abuse citizens they are suppose to protect?? That mythical police officer he mentions to back up his theory, you know the one who's afraid to get out of the car because of the dangerous camera's, should be fired as unprofessional. If the police are doing something they don't want others to see, then perhaps they shouldn't be doing it.
6
A woman I know quite well was arrestrd and badly beaten (by a civilianly dressed undercover officer) in a southern airport, after positing the court's Eric Garner decision in NYC. She was in quiet conversation with another woman as she waited to board her flight.
Southern law enforcement has changed very little in it's assessment of the Human Condition. And to say nothing of freedom of speech. Very troubling.
Southern law enforcement has changed very little in it's assessment of the Human Condition. And to say nothing of freedom of speech. Very troubling.
3
I've had to call the DeKalb County GA police several times for minor property crimes. Every time they responded quickly and professionaly. I was very impressed each time. I disagree with your assessment on Southern law enforcement.
1
Please cite the citation and arrest from the public record - I presume that you are able to provide the link?
1
Watch the right wing zealots come flying out from under their rocks after their head this column! lIke Governor Christie - a man to whom both common sense and moral ethically seem utterly foreign - they refuse to recognize that in many communities in America a badge is seen as a license to kill.
While the majority of police officers are probably decent, fair and impartial, too many are simply thugs in a blue suit. It doesn't take many rotten apples to spoil the department, and the rotten apples must be cored or the whole place starts to stink.
While the majority of police officers are probably decent, fair and impartial, too many are simply thugs in a blue suit. It doesn't take many rotten apples to spoil the department, and the rotten apples must be cored or the whole place starts to stink.
4
While there are abuses by a very small percentage of cops the real story, the real problem is the black on black crime. Who is doing anything about that? The Black Lives Matter, an anti-law enforcement organization, no matter how often they deny it, should look in the mirror. Stop crime in your neighborhood, cooperate with police when a crime is committed instead of see no evil, hear no evil and never ever speak up. It is real easy to sit behind a desk and write an editorial condemning cops, try going a long on a few rides at night in the worst neighborhoods with the cops and bring extra underwear you will need it.
10
Every community needs an oversight group comprised of one cop, one lawyer, and one independent citizen ... all selected at random from their respective cohorts, This kind of group should investigate EVERY incident resulting in injury or death regardless of the injured or deceased ethnicity and issue a written report to the local chief. his civilian boss, and ultimately the media. Both public citizens and law enforcement officers must be held accountable. Police must be allowed to apprehend criminals using whatever level of force becomes necessary, but follow practices that are openly transparent to the public. The wheels of justice grind too slowly to effect real justice. We need more trials by juries within strict time limits for both those accused and those in law enforcement. Justice delayed is justice denied.
1
Such local committees are always manipulated by the politically corrupted local mayor and Democratic Party. It has been tried often but generally solves nothing. You're asking politicians to give up some of their Power.
Director Comey, true to his Bush administration roots, is clearly part of the problem. I don't expect that he will have the decency to resign, but we can hope that he will, as Vince Lombardi used to say, 'shut his pie hole.'
6
The police problem is not restricted to relations with blacks. A (white) friend, a retired top executive of a Fortune 500 company, suffered a mild stroke while driving and bumped into a police car. The cops didn't like that so instead of taking him to the hospital--when minutes mattered in terms of treatment--the cops took him to the police station where they spent two hours administering alcohol and drug tests with the help of cooperative medical personnel. Only after this was the man admitted to the hospital. No one was reprimanded, Quite the reverse.
What seems to have happened throughout the country is that the police regard themselves as a kind of nationwide clan separate from the rest of society. This has been very much accentuated by the Department of Homeland Security and its attempt to turn the country's local police forces into a nationwide anti-terrorism force. There has been a lot of attention to how they get military equipment. But there has not been enough attention to the effect of training together under the auspices of DHS. Continuing this process, and the exaggerated emphasis on anti-terrorism, risks having the police acquire the mentality of an occupying army.
What seems to have happened throughout the country is that the police regard themselves as a kind of nationwide clan separate from the rest of society. This has been very much accentuated by the Department of Homeland Security and its attempt to turn the country's local police forces into a nationwide anti-terrorism force. There has been a lot of attention to how they get military equipment. But there has not been enough attention to the effect of training together under the auspices of DHS. Continuing this process, and the exaggerated emphasis on anti-terrorism, risks having the police acquire the mentality of an occupying army.
10
Yet the lady who caused 4 deaths in that pre-football game gathering last weekend did indeed see that she was not drunk. I believe that at least in the South, things are getting better.
I am very sorry your friend's situation turned out so badly.
I am very sorry your friend's situation turned out so badly.
When a law enforcement official says to minorities in no uncertain terms that your choices are poor policing or no policing, it makes you wonder which country the SCOTUS was looking at when they said racism has been extinguished. A policeman afraid of winding up in an internet video has only to follow the law and follow procedure. That's it. What he got away with before cellphones became widespread was illegal then. It hasn't just now become illegal. This is the height of hubris. It is indefensible.
10
You can't have it both ways, P. Devotion to Party politics never changes the dynamics of human behavior and interaction.
Put the cops on unicorns?
Put the cops on unicorns?
When this "cops-violent-with-blacks" saga started a couple of years ago, I expected the number of incidents to rise. Can someone explain to me why it did? Cops in some locations have been notorious for placing themselves above the law, in others for being exemplary. We got to blame crooked city halls for not having taken proper measures to prevent this phenomenon before it even started and state governments for turning the other way.
1
I don't need data to know that black people live in a world of the Gestapo and white people don't -- I grew up in the Deep South in a family of criminal defense attorneys. What gets me is why people want to revisit slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow and re-fight the Civil War when this brutality and oppression against black and brown is here and now. In general, white people have no idea what black people go through.
9
With all due respect to Mr. Comey, law enforcement has demonstrated time and again (just about daily) that it doesn't deserve anything even remotely resembling free rein. Just look at that video of the school resource officer throwing a student across the room Monday in Columbia, S.C. Without it, we'd be left with a "he said/she said."
We need to see and hear what these supposed peace officers are purportedly doing on our behalf. Otherwise, we would have a full-fledged police state, and we're perilously close to that already.
The more accountability, the better.
We need to see and hear what these supposed peace officers are purportedly doing on our behalf. Otherwise, we would have a full-fledged police state, and we're perilously close to that already.
The more accountability, the better.
9
Shall we all assume Dot reccomends accountability in the case of Hillary's penchant for lying to cover up politicians' mistakes?
The officer used poor judgement and should be fully investigated and punished if found guilty.
I would like to know why the teacher asked for help with the student who disrupted the class.
I would like to know why the teacher asked for help with the student who disrupted the class.
I noticed the NYT trotted off to North Carolina to find a place with higher levels of reported abuse, and then broadened to indict officers everywhere. The President uses his bully pulpit to bully honest police, and imply that mistreatment and racial profiling are ubiquitous. He then express 'shock, shock I say' that the FBI director tells the truth- that cops are pulling back because they know the media, and even the White House hate them, and are desperate to get the public to hate them. Let's see the NYT embed a reporter on ride - alongs with the LAPD in Compton- night shift, police uniform, no announcing he/she is a journalist there to expose the great oppressor. After a couple weeks, he/she can write about the routine experience of twenty people taunting you with cell phones, calling you every epithet in the book, while you try to apprehend a violent individual.
7
Cliff " The President uses his bully pulpit to bully honest police, and imply that mistreatment and racial profiling are ubiquitous."
The president clearly hates only police brutality, not the police
themselves. Everyone seems to have got that but you.
"...the media, and even the White House hate them, and are desperate to get the public to hate them..." You have paranoid delusions. The media love brutality, as everyone knows --reporting it gets viewers --, and the president is not "the white house", but a black man who sees the obvious: that the police have aquired an institutional prejudice against black people, even black schoolchildren. Which, again, everyone -- just everyone, including you -- already knows, so there is no need for any persuasion on anyone's part, though of course people like you love to shut your eyes and scream silly denials.
Try not to deny obvious facts in print. You can't deny you lied when your words are in print.
The president clearly hates only police brutality, not the police
themselves. Everyone seems to have got that but you.
"...the media, and even the White House hate them, and are desperate to get the public to hate them..." You have paranoid delusions. The media love brutality, as everyone knows --reporting it gets viewers --, and the president is not "the white house", but a black man who sees the obvious: that the police have aquired an institutional prejudice against black people, even black schoolchildren. Which, again, everyone -- just everyone, including you -- already knows, so there is no need for any persuasion on anyone's part, though of course people like you love to shut your eyes and scream silly denials.
Try not to deny obvious facts in print. You can't deny you lied when your words are in print.
The Guardian’s running tally of police-involved homicides, which has been cited by previous New York Times articles, shows that police so far this year have killed 940 people, of whom 228—or 24 percent—were black. African Americans make up 13 percent of the population, but the FBI Uniform Crime Report (Data Table 43: Arrests) shows that in 2014 blacks made up 28 percent of arrests and 37.8 percent of arrests for violent crime, including 52.3 percent of those arrested for murder, 56.4 percent of those arrested for robbery and 31.3 percent of rapes. The racial disparity in police homicides is smaller than the racial disparity in arrest rates. According to the Guardian data, the chances of a black being killed by police is 5.46 per million while the chance of a non-Hispanic white being killed by police is 2.21 per million. But the odds of being killed by police drops dramatically for people who don’t assault police officers. According to a Washington Post survey released earlier this week, in 74 percent of all fatal police shootings, the individuals shot had already fired shots, brandished a gun or attacked a person with a weapon or their bare hands. In 16 percent of the shootings that did not involve firearms or active attacks, the individuals shot brandished other types of weapons—usually knives—and refused to drop them. So, police homicide would drop about 90 percent if people would stop assaulting police officers with guns or knives.
7
@ William Case I appreciate the statistics you have gathered. They would be compelling except for the fact that cops lie about things like resisting arrest. For example we all watched that one video where the cop picked up the taser and dropped it next to the guy he killed. Both he and his fellow officer lied in their statements. The police have invalidated the data themselves. Lying not just a now and then thing with the police.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/opinion/sunday/why-police-officers-lie...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/03/opinion/sunday/why-police-officers-lie...
1
“Public scrutiny is being challenged by politicians who want to soft-pedal or even ignore police misconduct.”
Could it not also be that public honestly is being avoided by politicians and activists in regards to pervasive criminality and the harm that it does to many communities?
Could it not also be that public honestly is being avoided by politicians and activists in regards to pervasive criminality and the harm that it does to many communities?
2
It is telling that recently the Israelis have been pointing to American police methods as their new standard for use of force in a crackdown on the Palestinians.
They're right. We've got our own Occupation, and it is a harsh one.
They're right. We've got our own Occupation, and it is a harsh one.
10
There are two issues here. The NY Times only addressed one.
Despite the tremendous progress we have made in this country re race relations, as little as 60 yrs ago, Blacks were de facto slaves in the South, there are still issues of unequal treatment under the law.
What makes it so deadly, the second issue, is our cultural gun sickness, that all of us suffer from, gun owners, non gun owners, criminal, victim, police etc. etc. In fact people of color are guilty of it as much as any police officer.
Until we cure ourselves our our cultural gun sickness, the issue of unequal treatment under the law will continue to be deadly instead of just discrimination.
Despite the tremendous progress we have made in this country re race relations, as little as 60 yrs ago, Blacks were de facto slaves in the South, there are still issues of unequal treatment under the law.
What makes it so deadly, the second issue, is our cultural gun sickness, that all of us suffer from, gun owners, non gun owners, criminal, victim, police etc. etc. In fact people of color are guilty of it as much as any police officer.
Until we cure ourselves our our cultural gun sickness, the issue of unequal treatment under the law will continue to be deadly instead of just discrimination.
5
Ridiculous. We'd be at the mercy of every thug and criminal. Not knowing who is armed and who is not is the criminal's nightmare.
Why hasn't Comey been fired?
13
Assuming Director Comey is right in saying that public scrutiny has impeded the police..............isn't that what we wanted? Less brutality and killing?
7
What is needed is for the police to to do their jobs legally and effectively. Brutality is a symptom of a larger problem. Police break the law with impunity and there are no checks or balances on this kind of behavior. The DAs and the judges back up the law breaking police.
4
Reading the comments, it's clear that many people are outraged that Mr. Comey said that police officers are now pulling back from intervening in potentially difficult situations in which they may end up being accused of brutality, and that that may be causing the crime rate to rise. But is what he said true? I've spoken to several police officers who tell me that it is. They're good cops, but when the media scrutiny so high and the public so ready to think the worst (in the police officers opinions), they don't want to risk losing their jobs or potentially going to jail if they have to use force. And who loses in this situation? The people in the communities with the most crime. A sad situation. And it doesn't allow us to try to address this problem when anyone who points it out is called a racist.
14
maybe people are willing to believe the worst is because the worst is never punished. Never.
5
Even if you're an honest cop just doing your job, why would you want the possibility of ending up as the bad guy for all the world to see when all you are doing is your job?
If I were a cop, I'd want body cams to vindicate my actions -- but the truth is, if any cop uses any degree of violence against a Black, regardless how justified, if a citizen has a camera it will go on the internet and BLM and others will use it as "evidence" of police brutality to Blacks.
If I were a cop, I'd want body cams to vindicate my actions -- but the truth is, if any cop uses any degree of violence against a Black, regardless how justified, if a citizen has a camera it will go on the internet and BLM and others will use it as "evidence" of police brutality to Blacks.
I was shocked and deeply dismayed to read Comey's comments. He was just wrong -- unjustly wrong, disrespectful to truth and facts, unconscionably injurious to the spirit of our laws and Constitution.
I could not read his comments without gasping at the thought that this kind of racism, reckless disregard for facts, and public promotion of illegal, unnecessary, excessive police brutality is ON OUR PAYROLL? Running an entire federal agency? REPRESENTING OUR DEMOCRACY?
FIE on Comer, and SHAME on any who do not immediately call for his resignation! He is not representing this democracy's principles, and should not be leading anything! Much less the FBI. I now question the integrity of EVERY investigation the FBI is involved in.
KUDOS and thanks to the Editorial Board for speaking out so promptly and clearly on this. Yes, Christie is a thuggish vote-seeking GOP politician, so I expect vicious rhetoric and excess from him. But Comey -- my gosh, is this the kind of thing high-paid federal officials are allowed to do? NO WAY. Get rid of him, now. He taints and tarnishes the entire idea of Justice.
I could not read his comments without gasping at the thought that this kind of racism, reckless disregard for facts, and public promotion of illegal, unnecessary, excessive police brutality is ON OUR PAYROLL? Running an entire federal agency? REPRESENTING OUR DEMOCRACY?
FIE on Comer, and SHAME on any who do not immediately call for his resignation! He is not representing this democracy's principles, and should not be leading anything! Much less the FBI. I now question the integrity of EVERY investigation the FBI is involved in.
KUDOS and thanks to the Editorial Board for speaking out so promptly and clearly on this. Yes, Christie is a thuggish vote-seeking GOP politician, so I expect vicious rhetoric and excess from him. But Comey -- my gosh, is this the kind of thing high-paid federal officials are allowed to do? NO WAY. Get rid of him, now. He taints and tarnishes the entire idea of Justice.
15
Lighten up Francis. Go back to the original article and see that Comey only stated that he had been told by police leaders this may be happening and he indicated it may have an air of truth. It makes perfect sense that it "could" be happening as wrong and reprehensible as such action by police officers would be. But even if police are holding back, no one is saying to lessen the scrutiny on police.
4
If the surgeon general can be fired for saying masturbation is ok, then Comey needs to be fired NOW.
4
Due to his conflicting views on police issues, if the FBI director, Mr. Comey doesn't resign, the President, Mr. Obama, should fire him. How can he institute changes from the FBI if he believes that for police officers around the country must mistreat minorities for them to enforce and guarantee security for the white population? Since he believes that police officers are right to disobey the law in order to uphold their oath to protect and to serve, then he should not be a law enforcement agent. For God's sake, he is that, a "law enforcement" agent. President Obama must fire him.
7
Too bad for you, he can't be fired. You'll have to listen to a little truth every now and then.
1
Is the bias reflected in the statistics great or just significant, because police are brutal with anyone who does not comply with their orders, regardless of race. How does one explain the motives of African American police officers manhandling African Americans? There has been and undoubtedly continues to be racially biased treatment of people, but in a lot of the cases where protests have occurred, the press and the political advocates are the ones overreacting because they are seeking high profile cases to further their own agendas, not infrequently leading to unfounded accusations of misconduct. There was a time in the early 1970's when people who were opposing racist practices came up with the assertion that all people of color in prison were political prisoners and should be freed and all convictions voided because of it, crazy idea to most people but they were serious. We will never achieve a just society by ignoring the complexity of human behavior with simplistic attitudes driven by rage or fear.
6
The backlash against BLM is at base being driven by race- and class-based anxiety about weakening the forces -- the police -- that keep Those People down. As the American middle class is being pulled apart, the upper middle class -- those who preserve the Leave it to Beaver image of what the middle class is all about -- are anxious not about police brutality, but about a rising chorus protesting it, and hence presumably weakening the police batons that keep Those People from taking their stuff. Rarely do we see the contours of class warfare more clearly than in the BLM backlash.
8
So you are in favor of "those people" taking YOUR stuff? I'll bet not.
The 1% see all of us[the 99%] regardless of color as "those people" taking their stuff.
1
Our California courts (I'm a trial lawyer) often dispense what I like to call "western justice." Judges cut through the political and legal niceties to get to an efficient, even if not technically correct, resolution of disputes because someone's gotta do it. A legal purist or a policy wonk would find a lot of problems with this western justice, but it may be the only efficient way to maintain civil order. On the streets, the police also dispense western justice. They are the prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner in a lot of cases. Without a wholesale revision of our social system, western justice will remain the law of the land.
1
the videos clearly show the law enforcement officers BREAKING THE LAW. This is not "Western Justice."
1
There is no doubt that in many cases the Police go to far. At the same time, I sometimes wonder if the video's we are shown show enough. Who is to say that the videos are not edited so that what actually provoked the Officer to take certain actions were not precipitated by the supposed victim?
Bottom line, It seems to me that there are far to many individuals and groups, today, organized to make it seem that ALL policemen are the enemy. Sadder still many of the loudest, shrillest voices are politicians seeking to get re-elected. Getting elected by PANDERING to the lowest common denominator is NOT what we need from our politicians. We need them to be the adults in the room not the bought and paid for verbal puppets of certain vested interests. The people need to be much more careful and attentive to what is going on around them. Yes we have a problem with a small number of cops. But, than again we have a problem with a small number of Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists, School Teachers, and Parents. We do not chase after all of them like we are, now, chasing the Police. Ladies and Gentlemen, remember an old adage, " Be careful what you wish for, You might get it." The cops are not the enemy, BAD COPS are!
Bottom line, It seems to me that there are far to many individuals and groups, today, organized to make it seem that ALL policemen are the enemy. Sadder still many of the loudest, shrillest voices are politicians seeking to get re-elected. Getting elected by PANDERING to the lowest common denominator is NOT what we need from our politicians. We need them to be the adults in the room not the bought and paid for verbal puppets of certain vested interests. The people need to be much more careful and attentive to what is going on around them. Yes we have a problem with a small number of cops. But, than again we have a problem with a small number of Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists, School Teachers, and Parents. We do not chase after all of them like we are, now, chasing the Police. Ladies and Gentlemen, remember an old adage, " Be careful what you wish for, You might get it." The cops are not the enemy, BAD COPS are!
4
Alas, in the conservative world racism is never the problem. It is the people who protest racism that are the real racists. For Comey and others, police brutality isn't half as bad as complaining about police brutality, then you're for the criminals or something. It must be a nice place to be where you can just ignore the suffering of others because you're so comfortable accept when they disrupt your peace with the moaning and groaning.
10
I'm a conservative and I DO worry about racism -- of course, most (but not all of course) racism is of the anti-White kind these days.
2
"justifiable reason" in the latest South Carolina school incident... how can anyone else (video watchers) measure the level of resistance encountered by the officer called in to respond to a hostile student? The officer did not initiate the request to deal with a very difficult classroom disruption. Obviously the teacher was scared to confront the student and escalated the response by calling in a policeman. That seems appropriate and indicates an abnormal and/or dangerous circumstance. If you have ever been in a physical situation, you are aware of measuring the response from the other person. Jesse Jackson has already called the incident a "national disgrace" and that he thinks the officer involved should face charges and lose his job. I guess he only believes in the judicial system when it serves his own political prejudices without regard to due process, or that there may be another side to the story. Was the 'administrator' or teacher that asked the student to leave black? Should we claim Jesse Jackson is a 'national disgrace' with all the mistakes of judgment he has made over many years? Should we ask Jesse Jackson, Jr. for his opinion?
4
If it was your child would you allow a police officer to drag your child out in front of his or her peers?
2
Yes, if my child would not honor a request by the teacher, administrator and finally a policeman. Every child should be taught to respect authority because it will be expected when they are 'adults'. What is the age when you stop calling a person a child that should know the difference between right and wrong?
2
The alleged brutality is not just a fuction of race but also class. I believe poor whites also suffer disproportionately at the hands of rogue police officers ( I hesitate to just say the police because I believe like in most profession, most officers are decent people with some very honorable ones also). We have to agree that people like Donald Trump and his class rarely get roughed up. A poor guy stealing sausage from the local store because of hunger is a thousand time more likely to get roughed up rather than a Wall Street mogul who steal millions. That being said I agree that stopping people for driving while black and the general harassment of blacks in some department is still modern day Jim Crow and must be stopped. It will take informed and enlightened police chiefs however it can be achieved.
6
On January 2th of this year I was driving in Baltimore, Maryland going at the lawful speed and obeying the traffic lights. Then I saw the lights of a police,s car behind me and I noticed that there was not other vehicle around and I stopped. I noticed that the driver of the car did not come out I proceed and about 2 minutes the lights of the police,s car were flashing again and again I stopped and then the policeman came and asked for drivers license, registration and insurance all of which I gave to him. He then walked back to his car and few minutes later came to me and asked where did I get my driver,s license and I said in Arizona, he then told me that in all 50 states it is against the law not to stop when an emergency vehicle is in the way and he was going to give me a warning only. Now does this policeman knows that a Doctor of Medicine knows better than that and he new when I gave my driver,s license. I did not say anything to him because I was just afraid that could possible say that I was resisting arrest or whatever he wanted to say in order to make me to have to go to jail or go to court to defend myself of a violation of the law. I just let anyone that so desire to make their own judgement.
3
I know that it's mixing issues, but I often wonder how the police do their job in the face of a massively-armed population. Every time I read the tragic story of another police officer's death, it's by gunfire.
The battleground tension so many guns produce is, I believe, one big cause of police violence. A year or two ago I (an older white male) was questioned in a darkened parking lot by a police officer. He kept putting his hand on the butt of his gun as though making sure he could get it out fast if he needed it. I don't blame him. I offered to put my hands up or wherever he wanted them to be.
But yes, in addressing the main issue, I've been with black friends in low-key encounters with the police, and the distrust was palpable. One friend is an MD, and he's been pulled over and talked down to enough times that he disdains police officers. That is not a good thing, and I know that it didn't come about for no reason.
I think that lowering the danger of the police's job through sensible gun control would help lower the police's level of violence.
The battleground tension so many guns produce is, I believe, one big cause of police violence. A year or two ago I (an older white male) was questioned in a darkened parking lot by a police officer. He kept putting his hand on the butt of his gun as though making sure he could get it out fast if he needed it. I don't blame him. I offered to put my hands up or wherever he wanted them to be.
But yes, in addressing the main issue, I've been with black friends in low-key encounters with the police, and the distrust was palpable. One friend is an MD, and he's been pulled over and talked down to enough times that he disdains police officers. That is not a good thing, and I know that it didn't come about for no reason.
I think that lowering the danger of the police's job through sensible gun control would help lower the police's level of violence.
5
Many politicians at all levels and in all parties are afraid of the "blue wall" and whatever the fire department calls theirs because they control so many votes. However, the time has come to get OUR law enforcement officers under control before they morph into the German Brown Shirts - the military before Hitler who terrorized Jewish people in their homes and places of business - then into the SS. Power unchecked leads to absolute, destructive power and the "blue line" and other people who were employed to protect WE average citizens had better get off their self-made pedestals. It is time to weed out the government/order/civility haters among them.
3
Then there are the lies, based on a very, very few cases, where people want to exploit police brutality.
4
There are thousands of documented cases of police misconduct on the Conservative CATO Institute's website www.policemisconduct.net
1
"The police searched black motorists or their cars twice as often as whites — even though whites where significantly more likely to be caught with drugs and weapons."
Whites "where"? Oh gosh, you must not have sent this to the editor. Proofread, please. Or maybe the editor was black and stopped by police for a "random" check?
(Mods, I don't care if you let this comment get posted, but please take action to fix the typo. If you can't fix it, find someone who can. This newspaper is well-respected and should be professional and polished in return.)
Whites "where"? Oh gosh, you must not have sent this to the editor. Proofread, please. Or maybe the editor was black and stopped by police for a "random" check?
(Mods, I don't care if you let this comment get posted, but please take action to fix the typo. If you can't fix it, find someone who can. This newspaper is well-respected and should be professional and polished in return.)
4
The New York Times and WNYC have both published the results of investigations into police conduct. Add the lies the Times notes to legal protections documented by WNYC and the political power of police and security institutions in the US, and we have reason for great concern, even fear.
WNYC (http://www.wnyc.org/story/police-misconduct-records/) found that laws in many states protect police from public scrutiny. In New York State, it makes them almost entirely exempt. In response to WNYC's reporting, the NYPD made it clear that it wants to have its cake and eat it. NYPD representatives and advocates objected that WNYC's report was incomplete and inaccurate but continue to fight to keep full records secret. Now the NYPD is claiming it will compile its own database -- but without public oversight.
Cases like Kalief Browder's or Eric Garner's make it painfully clear that something is wrong. But apologists for police conduct like Patrick Lynch, Chris Christie, and James Comey place all the blame on victims. And, crucially, police and others have tried to dismiss or ridicule charges that victims are indeed being blamed.
James Comey's language was somewhat diplomatic. Somewhat. Chris Christie's and Patrick Lynch's language must be identified as what it is -- racist.
WNYC (http://www.wnyc.org/story/police-misconduct-records/) found that laws in many states protect police from public scrutiny. In New York State, it makes them almost entirely exempt. In response to WNYC's reporting, the NYPD made it clear that it wants to have its cake and eat it. NYPD representatives and advocates objected that WNYC's report was incomplete and inaccurate but continue to fight to keep full records secret. Now the NYPD is claiming it will compile its own database -- but without public oversight.
Cases like Kalief Browder's or Eric Garner's make it painfully clear that something is wrong. But apologists for police conduct like Patrick Lynch, Chris Christie, and James Comey place all the blame on victims. And, crucially, police and others have tried to dismiss or ridicule charges that victims are indeed being blamed.
James Comey's language was somewhat diplomatic. Somewhat. Chris Christie's and Patrick Lynch's language must be identified as what it is -- racist.
8
Comey should be fired.
Of course there is freedom of speech. But for a guy at the top to have a thought process like that and to utter such unsubstantiated speculation shows that beyond being tone deaf, this guy is ill suited to the reality ahead of him.
Send a message that times are changing and for the dinosaurs, extinction is at hand.
Of course there is freedom of speech. But for a guy at the top to have a thought process like that and to utter such unsubstantiated speculation shows that beyond being tone deaf, this guy is ill suited to the reality ahead of him.
Send a message that times are changing and for the dinosaurs, extinction is at hand.
6
The liberal media is constantly looking for structural excuses for the ills of African American society. There "must" be something wrong with "the system" to explain most blacks' failure to thrive.
While part of the problem is indeed structural, much more of the problem is "cultural." The NYT will not touch the cultural problem with a ten-foot pole. Until we both name and address the profound illness of African American culture, structural changes in the system will have little beneficial effect. African American attitudes about education, machismo, guns, women, marriage and dependence on government need to be changed.
And even if the structural/cultural dichotomy is a "chicken or the egg" phenomenon, why is the NYT only addressing the "chicken" part of the equation? Let's have the courage to admit we have a bad egg and try to make some core changes. Spending 100% of our effort demonizing the police or reducing the number of traffic stops is not going to do much to create a successful African American culture.
While part of the problem is indeed structural, much more of the problem is "cultural." The NYT will not touch the cultural problem with a ten-foot pole. Until we both name and address the profound illness of African American culture, structural changes in the system will have little beneficial effect. African American attitudes about education, machismo, guns, women, marriage and dependence on government need to be changed.
And even if the structural/cultural dichotomy is a "chicken or the egg" phenomenon, why is the NYT only addressing the "chicken" part of the equation? Let's have the courage to admit we have a bad egg and try to make some core changes. Spending 100% of our effort demonizing the police or reducing the number of traffic stops is not going to do much to create a successful African American culture.
11
Yes it's quite a black cultural problem when 10 year old Tamir Rice is shot within 2 seconds of the arrival of the cops where the original call on Rice stated that most likely he had a toy gun. It's quite a black cultural problem when Walter Scott is shot in the back clearly running away and posing no threat to the police officer. It's quite a black cultural problem when Eric Gardner is choked to death stating I can't breath, I can't breath. To mimic the Bob Marley song, everyone is talking about defective culture. But tell me whose culture is really defective.
2
I do not think that there are no instances where police brutality is unjustified. However, to indict all police officers as racist bullies, is much too extreme.
I am sure that there are many cases of over zealous cops interacting with whites and other ethnic groups. On the whole, it is my belief that the overwhelming majority of police officers do not leave their house thinking, how many people of color can I assault today.
In conclusion, there are problems and solutions are needed. But it is much too extreme to label all potential cops as racist.
I am sure that there are many cases of over zealous cops interacting with whites and other ethnic groups. On the whole, it is my belief that the overwhelming majority of police officers do not leave their house thinking, how many people of color can I assault today.
In conclusion, there are problems and solutions are needed. But it is much too extreme to label all potential cops as racist.
3
when the bad apples go unpunished, the whole barrel rots
1
Yes, of course you are right, but as we have seen no government worker either nationally or locally ever gets punished from the IRS to the State Dept, to some police departments.
However, while I think there has to be accountability, the problem I have is indicting all cops based on the few bad apples out there.
However, while I think there has to be accountability, the problem I have is indicting all cops based on the few bad apples out there.
I'm white and grew up in a very safe, leafy surburb in the 70s, yet when I got my driver's license, my father instructed me to always be respectful to police, comply with their requests and never make sudden moves in a vehicle. When I asked why, my father replied that not doing so would increase the chances of me getting arrested or killed. Why is this type of advice so ignored today? Though there always needs to be better police training and some recent incidents have been tragedies, the majority of these high-profile cases have involved non-compliant behavior first.
9
Yours is a sad commentary on the reality of our violent and subservient society. In most countries around the world being stopped by an authority while unarmed and acting politely if forthrightly without complete subservience is not a death sentence. Sandra Bland is a classic example, she was criminalized for no good reason at all, for exercising her right, as an American citizen, to peacefully question authority. You sadly prove that America is not what it claims to be, a free and fair democracy. Complete subservience to authority was a characteristic of 20th century European fascist states like Italy and Germany.
I'm white and blame this sad state of present American affairs on the white people who came to this country before our present generation and set up our power structure. The hysterical Puritans, the slavers, those who committed native American genocide, the wild west gunslingers, and the Jim Crow perpetrators all fashioned our system of governance.
England is just one example that proves American societal violence is cultural in origin, and not an inherently human character flaw. The British rarely kill each other as citizens, and their authorities almost never kill a British citizen, and they are just as multicultural a society that's packed cheek to jowl, on a small island. American violence is a uniquely American sickness with local historical origins. That's why we've killed 100,000+ in the past three years since Sandy Hook, why we own 300+ million guns.
I'm white and blame this sad state of present American affairs on the white people who came to this country before our present generation and set up our power structure. The hysterical Puritans, the slavers, those who committed native American genocide, the wild west gunslingers, and the Jim Crow perpetrators all fashioned our system of governance.
England is just one example that proves American societal violence is cultural in origin, and not an inherently human character flaw. The British rarely kill each other as citizens, and their authorities almost never kill a British citizen, and they are just as multicultural a society that's packed cheek to jowl, on a small island. American violence is a uniquely American sickness with local historical origins. That's why we've killed 100,000+ in the past three years since Sandy Hook, why we own 300+ million guns.
1
It is insulting to Americans to hear the oft repeated mantra equating "Black Lives Matter" with an apparent endorsement of violent crime. Nothing is further from the truth, though the truth may be what some in law enforcement fear. We often hear about the bravery of the police who serve to protect us every day and none should suggest otherwise. It isn't bravery though when police officers turn a blind eye to the small minority in their ranks who perpetrate brutality on citizens, especially citizens of color, it's cowardice.
I have always maintained that the thin blue line is lost, blended into the blue wall of silence when fellow police officers act in concert to protect undeserving co-workers who act in brutal ways towards the populace they serve.
Clearly the two issues are mutually exclusive. When will law enforcement stand up and protect themselves from the harm done to their reputations and our trust in them by the few who insist that to protect us they must be allowed to brutalize us as they see fit?
I have always maintained that the thin blue line is lost, blended into the blue wall of silence when fellow police officers act in concert to protect undeserving co-workers who act in brutal ways towards the populace they serve.
Clearly the two issues are mutually exclusive. When will law enforcement stand up and protect themselves from the harm done to their reputations and our trust in them by the few who insist that to protect us they must be allowed to brutalize us as they see fit?
8
I wish I could connect this discussion to the missing men. Ir would seem a fair number of black men slipped through the cracks and have a hidden existence. The other explanation is that black men have been murdered and these crimes are unknown.
1
The irony of the article is that of the millions of encounter daily of people with police, it stereotype "the police" as a monolithic whole, no different then the disgust we have for people who "stereotype" the African American community. Like all things there is some, likely much truth to this editorial--- BUT there also needs to be an strong acknowledgment that African American are ALSO far more likely to commit crime, particularly violent, then whites. The murder rates of young black men, by predominately other young black men is unquestionable, and speaks to larger issues that make policing these communities extremely difficult. It is not a job I would do, and I doubt many readers would sign up for either. This is not to diminish the case or cause outlined in this article, everyone should be treated reasonable and fairly by the police, as an individual - and no it is not racist to say both things can be true. I would argue the it is the article "that fails to grasp the problem" as is overly simplest. Crime follows poverty, poverty follows lack of opportunity, lack of opportunity follows poor education and family structure.
8
Alan, it's ironic that you talk about stereotyping police officers - yet you did the exact same thing to African-Americans. The majority of the younger African-American males that you refer to are being arrested for NON-violent drug-related offenses. Empirical research shows that African-Americans are not more likely to possess or use drugs than their white counterparts. The Greensboro example in the article states that whites were more likely to possess drugs and weapons - yet African-Americans were more likely to be pulled over, searched and arrested. Moreover, crime data do not suggest that African-Americans commit more violent crimes in total than whites (disproportionately, yes - but in total).
Lastly, it is common misperception that a two-parent family structure is inherently "better". However, social research suggests the main benefit of a two parent household is having two wage earners. It's not the "structure" that's better, it's having a higher family income that is associated with better outcomes for children. Stated differently, single parent and/or mother-only families that have similar incomes as two parent families have children who do equally well.
Lastly, it is common misperception that a two-parent family structure is inherently "better". However, social research suggests the main benefit of a two parent household is having two wage earners. It's not the "structure" that's better, it's having a higher family income that is associated with better outcomes for children. Stated differently, single parent and/or mother-only families that have similar incomes as two parent families have children who do equally well.
The FBI has been at the tip of the spear since its founding in oppressing vocal minorities and individuals who are forces for real improvement in our society. Their views have always been right-wing conservative. In another place, and another time, they would wear brown shirts.
Look how the FBI infiltrated and muzzled the Occupy Movement. A few years ago they silienced Anonymous. In the case of Anonymous, hackers revealed the corruption in a southern town trying to cover up the rape of a teenage girl by a well-connected football star. In another case, Anonymous shut down Wells Fargo's home page after they refused to refund money lost to users of their ATMs.
It seems to me, when you spend so much time going after "troublemakers" on the left, you miss guys like Timothy McVeigh. When was the last time we heard of the FBI stopping attacks on abortion clinics?
Look how the FBI infiltrated and muzzled the Occupy Movement. A few years ago they silienced Anonymous. In the case of Anonymous, hackers revealed the corruption in a southern town trying to cover up the rape of a teenage girl by a well-connected football star. In another case, Anonymous shut down Wells Fargo's home page after they refused to refund money lost to users of their ATMs.
It seems to me, when you spend so much time going after "troublemakers" on the left, you miss guys like Timothy McVeigh. When was the last time we heard of the FBI stopping attacks on abortion clinics?
6
Haven't trusted the police since they tried to ban singing in Washington Square Park in NYC in the late 60's, including the singing of The National Anthem. The police loved busting the heads open of Vietnam War protesters. Where are you millennials? The times should be a changin'.
4
Every once in a great while the corporate media will in the name of justice, fairness and common decency publish a take-no-prisoners editorial. The Times deserves a hand for cutting through the cant and, yes, lies about police brutality.
3
I'm sorry Darryl, the liars here are the editorial board. Plain and simple.
1
You're defending the indefensible.
1
While the editors accuse Mr. Comey of various implications in his statement, they go above and beyond in their response. It is thoroughly unsurprising that the NYtimes board takes this tack.
Additionally, on the same day they choose to publish this:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/us/officers-classroom-fight-with-st...
What on earth are law enforcement officers to do in an environment that requires action, bravery, improvisation (and more) to keep people generally safe, when we as a society will microscopically critique their every move?
How do you remove someone from a room who is unwilling to budge without some form of violence?
The distemper exhibited by this student is a small example of the behavior that law enforcement across this nation has to deal with everyday.
Get real!
Additionally, on the same day they choose to publish this:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/us/officers-classroom-fight-with-st...
What on earth are law enforcement officers to do in an environment that requires action, bravery, improvisation (and more) to keep people generally safe, when we as a society will microscopically critique their every move?
How do you remove someone from a room who is unwilling to budge without some form of violence?
The distemper exhibited by this student is a small example of the behavior that law enforcement across this nation has to deal with everyday.
Get real!
3
How can anyone seriously doubt that increased scrutiny and publicity will cause some of the police to avoid dangerous confrontations, especially in ambiguous circumstances? Any cop has to weigh their sense of duty against the risk of action, and their personal risk is much higher now. Some will continue to do what they believe is right but others won't need much encouragement to take the easy way out. It's folly to think there would be no downside to the protests and public condemnation of excessive use of force in such different situations as the Ferguson, Staten Islan and North Charleston cases.
6
President Obama is to blame for picking both Comey and Lynch from the New York area, home of the American police empire that spreads throughout the nation. The cops and feds know the Television industry is in their pocket.
The editorial board must think it is entitled to its own opinion and also its own data, but you aren't (re data). You are deliberately misleading readers and perpetuating a false narrative that cops are targeting blacks. Blacks commit more crimes. Period. You willfully refuse to present all the facts, rely on anecdotal data and keep repeating the word Ferguson as if that whole situation hasn't been debunked.
You -- the editorial board -- are being divisive and unfairly portraying the police as racist. There is no evidence for this, merely your biased views and your unwillingness to present the data accurately.
Or perhaps you're incompetent and shouldn't be in your jobs. I dare you to allow anyone with a knowledge of the crime data and statistics to counter your arguments. I dare you to defend your statements here in light of the well known Black crime rate (commit half the homicides).
In all fairness, allow an objective voice to address the issue of whether or not there is disproportionate targeting of Blacks. I dare you, but you won't You, the editorial board, are gutless liars. Period. So, I can guarantee there won't be one column inch devoted to an objective view.
And what do you think you gain by vilifying the police? I suppose, based on many of the misguided comments here, you are trying to appeal to your uninformed progressive base. What about truth and credibility? Ever heard of that?
Shame. You are betraying your trust.
You -- the editorial board -- are being divisive and unfairly portraying the police as racist. There is no evidence for this, merely your biased views and your unwillingness to present the data accurately.
Or perhaps you're incompetent and shouldn't be in your jobs. I dare you to allow anyone with a knowledge of the crime data and statistics to counter your arguments. I dare you to defend your statements here in light of the well known Black crime rate (commit half the homicides).
In all fairness, allow an objective voice to address the issue of whether or not there is disproportionate targeting of Blacks. I dare you, but you won't You, the editorial board, are gutless liars. Period. So, I can guarantee there won't be one column inch devoted to an objective view.
And what do you think you gain by vilifying the police? I suppose, based on many of the misguided comments here, you are trying to appeal to your uninformed progressive base. What about truth and credibility? Ever heard of that?
Shame. You are betraying your trust.
8
Americans are beginning to see the truth about law enforcement and the criminal justice system and it's not a pretty picture.
It's ugly to realize that those in authority may be rotten to the core and cannot be trusted.
It's that overall creepy feeling about America that led me to become an expat 12 years ago.
It's ugly to realize that those in authority may be rotten to the core and cannot be trusted.
It's that overall creepy feeling about America that led me to become an expat 12 years ago.
3
This problem is being magnified way out of proportion. In NYC alone, the police arrest 1,000 people every day. Project that figure out for the whole country and you'll get an idea of the miniscule proportion of problem arrests.
3
The shrill charge that the comments of FBI Director James Comey re a possible Ferguson Effect amount to "political lies" about "police brutality" belies the weakness of the editorial board's position. For one, Director Comey's remarks were echoed by former Obama Chief of Staff Ram Emanuel who remarked that his officers had gone "fetal" in the wake of Ferguson. Reasonable people can look at rising murder rates in cities like Baltimore post-Ferguson and reasonably conclude that it may have something to do with police retrenchment. The absence of data does not establish of a phenomenon. It's early days but perhaps the Times could do some of that journalism thing & develop some. It's touted Greensboro study should not be its model, however, in that it's 99% anecdotal & takes no account of differences in offense rates between demographic groups. Show trials for the purpose of crowd control as in Baltimore give rational cops a reason to hold back to protect themselves and their families.
4
REREMAREGAS: Living in one of the most soigne environments in the US,Mission VIEJO, where the average price of houses in this affluent area is in the 6 or 7 figures, and crime is almost non existent, it is difficult for me to take your views on the video and your criticisms of Mr. Comey seriously. Like many liberals, and no se ofenda, you generalize from one isolated incident to conclude that all white p.o.'s are racists, and Mr. Comey, an attorney and FBI director, is somehow gaming us when he says that p.o's are disheartened by the ongoing political climate, and r holding back. What would u expect them to do?The far left is in control in this country, and the anti police rhetoric will only get more heated. Hence, p.o.'s, who I have found to be unfailingly benevolent and altruistic, qualities not shared or appreciated by their critics,reckon that it is better to "coop," as it were, than get involved in preventing crime, since it can get them into hot water with their superiors and the political establishments. Just what is the level of crime in Mission Viejo? My presumption is that it is very low.
2
White & affluent people just don't get it there are bad people in all professions and they should be weed out and dealt with . We have been taught that their are consequences for bad behavior and police shouldn't be above the law . The law they are sworn to uphold and not break because they have the badge & uniform. Jim Comey should be ashamed of himself for the comments he made in Chicago over the weekend if no solution then you are part of the problem. I thought we have advanced pass the days of J.Eager Hoover but I guess not the more things change the more they stay the same ! We have to remember the orgins of the police departments in America they where invented originally to hunt slaves in S.Carolina and sad to say 260yrs later we have not come very far at all and the power that be let's us know that everyday !
I have to wonder, if we replaced 'excessive use of force' with 'bribery', would this conversation be different? If the viral videos were of police shaking down black Americans for money, letting motorists off with a bribe, stopping and frisking to take peoples' wallets, would conservatives still be defending the cops? Somehow, I think not. We are a country that accepts a very high level of violence, not just by police but by the average citizen. We accept road rage and school shootings and murderous ex-boyfriends, disgruntled coworkers and concealed carry 'heroes' shooting up a parking lot in the name of preventing shoplifting. And lets not even get into the history of domestic terrorism against black Americans. Meanwhile, taking a bribe is just plain wrong. I will never understand why shooting an unarmed, fleeing man in the back is more justifiable to some people than if the cop had asked for $20 bucks.
1
One would like to know more of the circumstances leading up to this unfortunate and perhaps unnecessary encounter. Why did the teacher demand that the student hand over her cell phone? Then, why call the police if she wouldn't? Was the student being disrespectful? After the cop shows up, what could he have done differently to handle the situation? Could the teacher have dismissed class and then had authorities called outside? In situations like this, teachers need some sort of guidance from administration, which apparently wasn't in evidence here. Or was it?
1
It seems the NYT editors are equally unable to grasp the nature of the problem with police brutality. This pattern of racism and abuse by police in this country comes down to one word: Unions. Police unions are the sole reason cops beat on black and brown people and shoot 12-year-olds. Why? Because they can, without any type of accountability or retribution. They can kill us and abuse us because no matter what they do, their union will protect them. And those unions are all empowered by the Democrat politicians they bribe with their membership dues. Police unions, like all public sector unions, are a cancer on our society. Their members are the people we need held most accountable to us - our public servants - yet the unions and their Democrat lackeys make sure these folks face no consequences for their actions, however grotesque, corrupt and evil. Look in the mirror NYT editors (and readers) - YOU are the reason this keeps happening. Your fealty to "Labor" (what a joke!) is why we can't reign in our own police forces. Until all police unions (and all public sector unions) are outlawed, this problem will not only continue but get much worse.
2
Police forces and editorial boards are made up of people. There are some bad apples in any barrel. To ruin someone's career when they did everything right is wrong. You cannot expect the police to 'get involved' and have their lives and careers upended just for some political cause.
2
conversely, to allow a brutal cop to evade punishment only enables the entire force to emulate them
1
If you are black, Hispanic, or look like a "hippie'the police are very dangerous to your well being. People are killed everyday throughout our country with the excuse "I thought he/she was going to attack me". These are called preemptive strikes in war fare. Most people, do not trust the police or the justice system but they are so relived if they are not involved.
90% of the cases are resolved without a trial,and that's because no one trusts the trial process to get justice done. Once charged the whole process is to close the case with any way possible. A young black man with a joint? years in prison. A rich white guy embezzling millions via a bank , a bonus.
90% of the cases are resolved without a trial,and that's because no one trusts the trial process to get justice done. Once charged the whole process is to close the case with any way possible. A young black man with a joint? years in prison. A rich white guy embezzling millions via a bank , a bonus.
5
The NYT always puts the consequences before the causes.
So long as black people commit murder at rates that are 8 times higher than white Americans, they will always be treated with greater suspicion, greater fear, and therefore more force, by the general public, the police, and the courts.
It is unavoidable.
Yes, we can train police and we can make them more accountable. But the race of a suspect is a *huge* and valid indicator in America of that person's propensity to commit murder. And there is no way any law enforcement officer can ignore that. It would be stupid and a dereliction of duty to do so.
So long as black people commit murder at rates that are 8 times higher than white Americans, they will always be treated with greater suspicion, greater fear, and therefore more force, by the general public, the police, and the courts.
It is unavoidable.
Yes, we can train police and we can make them more accountable. But the race of a suspect is a *huge* and valid indicator in America of that person's propensity to commit murder. And there is no way any law enforcement officer can ignore that. It would be stupid and a dereliction of duty to do so.
6
Just to be more precise with the statistics and the comment. It is not black Americans in general, but young black men, that are at issue.
Black men age 16-25 comprise less than 2% of the population, but are responsible for 52% of murders in this country.
So long as this is true, black males will always be approached by the police, the courts, citizens with more fear, more suspicion and occasionally with more force, then the rest of the population.
It is unavoidable. The police are trained to identify high risk threats and potential threats. And sadly young black men are huge threats to the safety of others.
Black men age 16-25 comprise less than 2% of the population, but are responsible for 52% of murders in this country.
So long as this is true, black males will always be approached by the police, the courts, citizens with more fear, more suspicion and occasionally with more force, then the rest of the population.
It is unavoidable. The police are trained to identify high risk threats and potential threats. And sadly young black men are huge threats to the safety of others.
"There is no data suggesting such an [Ferguson] effect, and certainly Mr. Comey has none"
This is a classic fallacy, literally, since it has a Latin name: argumentum ad ignorantiam.
Something can be true even if there currently is no proof of it. You will note that the editorial does not cite proof that Corney is wrong. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. We simply don't know yet. It will take a few years before the statistical evidence is in that will allow some conclusions.
This is a classic fallacy, literally, since it has a Latin name: argumentum ad ignorantiam.
Something can be true even if there currently is no proof of it. You will note that the editorial does not cite proof that Corney is wrong. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. We simply don't know yet. It will take a few years before the statistical evidence is in that will allow some conclusions.
3
And so we should what? Do nothing?
1
one thing is abundantly clear from past cases: The police found brutalizing people are never punished or fired. Even when its on tape. Even when the evidence is staring everyone in the face.
1
I have not doubt that James Comey speaks the truth when he says police are hesitant to do their duty for fear of all sort of negative repercussions.
We have this from Chicago Mayor Emanuel:
"We have allowed our Police Department to get fetal, and it is having a direct consequence. They have pulled back from the ability to interdict … they don't want to be a news story themselves, they don't want their career ended early, and it's having an impact,"
Is Mayor Emanuel telling politically motivated lies?
Crime rates and shootings are increasing in alarming numbers through out the nation. What else explains this?
The "Black Lives Matters" movement has worthy goals, but making it harder for police to do their jobs is not the way.
And the NYT's anti-police advocacy does not help also.
We have this from Chicago Mayor Emanuel:
"We have allowed our Police Department to get fetal, and it is having a direct consequence. They have pulled back from the ability to interdict … they don't want to be a news story themselves, they don't want their career ended early, and it's having an impact,"
Is Mayor Emanuel telling politically motivated lies?
Crime rates and shootings are increasing in alarming numbers through out the nation. What else explains this?
The "Black Lives Matters" movement has worthy goals, but making it harder for police to do their jobs is not the way.
And the NYT's anti-police advocacy does not help also.
5
I spend years as a criminal defense attorney. Some Cops have abused "suspects" for years. Their is little background checking done before an officer is hired and then if an officer does abuse people, lie about an investigation or manufacture evidence, the system sweeps it under the rug. The wealthy whites are not abused but everyone else is. If you are young, poor of not white you are fair game. Law enforcement agencies, fellow cops, Judges and the District Attorneys protect bad cops. Although the majority of cops are decent, honorable people there are far too many bad cops hired and promoted. Body cameras will do a lot to curb police violence and misconduct. The Right hates the Black Lives Matter movement because it puts a spotlight on bad cops.
4
How can we have confidence in Coney when he seems to have been captured by the police apologists for brutality? He needs to go
4
We get what we pay for. We don't provide law enforcement with the kinds of rewards that would attract people who could meet our expectations. We don't fund the level of patrolling that would minimize conflicts, two patrolmen in each car, enough resources for community policing, etc. We also don't invest our own time in reaching out to inner city communities with tutoring or mentoring. I doubt many people who complain about police behavior here have ever walked down an inner city street alone after dark, much less spent time in the projects. We also don't have the courage to hold professional activists and violent criminals accountable for fear of being labeled racists. So we get what we pay for.
1
The NY Times front page has this article regarding police brutality. Also on the front page is an article about possible police brutality in South Carolina. But if one looks deeper into the paper, one will find an article regarding the funeral of the 4th police officer killed in New York this year. The Times certainly has it's priorities straight. Rather than just criticize the police, let us see an example of how it should be done. Baltimore would be a great test case. Not too big, not too small, and currently enjoying a murder spree possibly encouraged by the Obama administration. (Then again, maybe not). Let the FBI and OCR patrol the streets, reduce the murder rate, be praised by the Black community, and show us how it can be done. Less talk, more action!
3
Absolutely disgusting that you would run this on a day that the NYC police pay respect to Randolph Holder.
There is no evidence that unjustified police shootings disproportionately affect African-Americans. This is a movement based on a handful of video recordings and sensationalist journalism (such as this editorial).
There are thousands of police-citizen interactions every day. Police (of all races) deal with the worst elements of society. Every day.
There are racist police. There are criminal police. They should be prosecuted. But on the whole? Police are heroic simply by virtue of the job they have signed up to do.
There is no evidence that unjustified police shootings disproportionately affect African-Americans. This is a movement based on a handful of video recordings and sensationalist journalism (such as this editorial).
There are thousands of police-citizen interactions every day. Police (of all races) deal with the worst elements of society. Every day.
There are racist police. There are criminal police. They should be prosecuted. But on the whole? Police are heroic simply by virtue of the job they have signed up to do.
6
Unarmed is a false standard use to make the argument here work. We saw in ferguson, the young was beating an officer tying to take his weapon. So says the Obama justice department.
6
According to the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/white-house-james-comey-ferguson-eff..., Comey told students at the University of Chicago Law School, "the "era of viral videos" has led officers to feel they're "under siege" and unwilling to get out of their cars." The truth is that the "era of viral videos" has led to the documentation of how police officers use excessive force! Police are now being held accountable for their behavior and just like any teenager, they don't like it.
7
So, this couldn't possibly apply to any of the vast majority of police who honorably fulfill their duties day in and day out? Law enforcement professionals who've watched the public vilification of officers doing their duty over the past two years and thought, that's not going to be me if I can help it?
1
Both things are true. I've spoken to police officers recently who tell me that the current political and media environment has caused them to pull back from taking action in situations and neighborhoods where they could get into a difficult situation and find themselves accused of abuse. And, one officer I spoke too said it was too bad because those are the neighborhoods where there's the most crime. Yes, some officers abuse their power, but now we have a new problem which is that the scrutiny of officers has caused many of them to choose not to intervene. To act as thought that's not true, and to call people who point it out racist or disingenuous, doesn't help us to address the problem
2
I never stated that ALL police officers use excessive force. I guess that I could have been more specific and state that "how SOME police officers ..."
Your statement, "Law enforcement professionals who've watched the public vilification of officers doing their duty over the past two years and thought," is a false narrative. No one in the public has vilified law enforcement officers for doing their duty and nor have I. We have vilified them for using excessive force or targeting a specific segment of the population.
As far as your conclusion, "that's not going to be me if I can help it?", I would hope that any police officer would do their best to perform their duty with the utmost dignity and integrity.
Your statement, "Law enforcement professionals who've watched the public vilification of officers doing their duty over the past two years and thought," is a false narrative. No one in the public has vilified law enforcement officers for doing their duty and nor have I. We have vilified them for using excessive force or targeting a specific segment of the population.
As far as your conclusion, "that's not going to be me if I can help it?", I would hope that any police officer would do their best to perform their duty with the utmost dignity and integrity.
1
Police brutality is just a part of the matrix of propaganda that leads all the way back to Hoover's "public service messages" about the indefatigable, incorruptible, and infallible government agent.
Like all propaganda, it was and is a lie.
Policemen are human beings. Often, they, like everyone else, are deeply flawed in motivation and morality.
Compounding this complex problem is the way this country has rejected its Constitutional government of checks and balances, and handed over virtually imperial power to the Executive. Holy Smokes. Somewhere in the Great Beyond, Richard Nixon is having the last laugh.
We know that power corrupts, and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Thus, if we have knowingly handed virtually absolute power to the Executive on who is killed, who is kidnapped, who is tortured, who is locked in a concrete room indefinitely, and so on, who but an idiot would be surprised that we would see abuses?
What we have to remember is that we are the government, not the oligarchs, and the politicians and media which do their bidding. We have the power to take our country back. We have the right to demand honesty from our government officials. This means that when the government is wrong, as it is about so many things, accountability is required.
A War Crimes prosecution would be a good place to start. The US government is not infallible, and the pretense that it is must end.
Like all propaganda, it was and is a lie.
Policemen are human beings. Often, they, like everyone else, are deeply flawed in motivation and morality.
Compounding this complex problem is the way this country has rejected its Constitutional government of checks and balances, and handed over virtually imperial power to the Executive. Holy Smokes. Somewhere in the Great Beyond, Richard Nixon is having the last laugh.
We know that power corrupts, and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Thus, if we have knowingly handed virtually absolute power to the Executive on who is killed, who is kidnapped, who is tortured, who is locked in a concrete room indefinitely, and so on, who but an idiot would be surprised that we would see abuses?
What we have to remember is that we are the government, not the oligarchs, and the politicians and media which do their bidding. We have the power to take our country back. We have the right to demand honesty from our government officials. This means that when the government is wrong, as it is about so many things, accountability is required.
A War Crimes prosecution would be a good place to start. The US government is not infallible, and the pretense that it is must end.
4
I wish that all the retired Assistant District Attorney's throughout the United States would come forward and speak up. We have seen all this Editorial speaks of for over 50 years. Cops who lied in Court. Cops who lied on paperwork, etc.. Cops who beat innocent minorities left and right. The Assistant District Attorneys NEED to speak up and tell the truth.
4
As an older white male living in Texas, one might think that I feel secure with the protection of the police force. Instead, every time I see a cop, I think, "What if he decides to come after me?".
I'm not suggesting that every police officer is a thug with a gun. I am suggesting that some thugs with guns are police officers.
I have been casually threatened a couple of times by FBI agents. Once at a party by an inebriated SAC and once while the Fbbies were running a security check on my neighbors who worked in The George W. White House. In neither case did I feel anything other than disgust at their unprofessional behavior.
A six foot tall 225 lb. cop with a utility belt full of bullets, tasers and clubs sends a chill through me.
I'm not suggesting that every police officer is a thug with a gun. I am suggesting that some thugs with guns are police officers.
I have been casually threatened a couple of times by FBI agents. Once at a party by an inebriated SAC and once while the Fbbies were running a security check on my neighbors who worked in The George W. White House. In neither case did I feel anything other than disgust at their unprofessional behavior.
A six foot tall 225 lb. cop with a utility belt full of bullets, tasers and clubs sends a chill through me.
5
I have long said not all police officers are bad, but the good police officers darn well know who the bad ones are- and their decision to remain silent and not tell on the ones who commit atrocious acts of injustice only elicits tacit approval. This in my opinion makes all police officers corrupt, unethical and untrustworthy.
8
What the Times should be learning is the lesson of our last two major wars -- that when information is cooked and the public sees it, your seemingly virtuous position will lose support. In Viet Nam we had the Gulf of Tonkin incident. In Iraq, the made up weapons of mass destruction. For the Ferguson Movement, its the assertion that Michael Brown was a nice kid minding his own business, who didn't really commit strong armed robbery or try to steal an officer's gun and shoot him with it. According to the Times' shorthand he was an unarmed black teenager murdered by a brutal officer who escaped justice. Let's have a little intellectual honesty in how we try to whip up the troops. This is why so many liberals who can usually be counted on have said "wait a minute now." If Trayvon Martin had been the poster child of the movement you would have had the kind of unanimity of support that followed the bombing that killed four black children in Birmingham decades ago. Wise up Times editors. Liberal progressives aren't obliged to stop thinking. In fact, resistance to having propaganda stuffed down our throats is a key tenant of progressive thinking.
3
Trayvon IS one of the many "poster children" of the movement. Michael Brown, for all the info we have about him, shouldn't have been killed, no matter what stupid, penny ante robbery he committed before his death. We have lots of "poster" children, men and women, too many.
2
Ok, i'll try again since the monitors don't seem to want to let through any comments that disagree with the editorial board's position.
1) Blacks commit violent crimes at a staggering rate, murders for example at roughly 6x the rate of Whites. This in and of it self explains away the higher rate at which cops kill Blacks. If Blacks account for half of violent crimes, cops will encounter them more often.
2) BUT -- the police killings of citizens of any color are almost always justified -- i.e. the "victim" had a gun, was committing a felony or resisting arrest. In the cases where the killing isn't justified, the killings are usually the result of bad judgment in the heat of engagement.
3) Comey may have no data, but his position makes sense. The media is demonizing police and any event can go viral and will be used against the individual cop regardless of whether the situation was justified or not. Why risk your life, career, etc. under those conditions?
4) The Greensboro report did not take crime rates or socio-economic status into account, both factors would probably explain away any differences based on race. Basically, the Greensboro story was bad data with anecdotes but no attempt to interview the police involved.
5) The Times clearly has an agenda here and I'm curious about why? Are the editors simply untrained in statistics (appropriate analysis would make this editorial irrelevant) or are they deliberately trying to mislead the readership?
1) Blacks commit violent crimes at a staggering rate, murders for example at roughly 6x the rate of Whites. This in and of it self explains away the higher rate at which cops kill Blacks. If Blacks account for half of violent crimes, cops will encounter them more often.
2) BUT -- the police killings of citizens of any color are almost always justified -- i.e. the "victim" had a gun, was committing a felony or resisting arrest. In the cases where the killing isn't justified, the killings are usually the result of bad judgment in the heat of engagement.
3) Comey may have no data, but his position makes sense. The media is demonizing police and any event can go viral and will be used against the individual cop regardless of whether the situation was justified or not. Why risk your life, career, etc. under those conditions?
4) The Greensboro report did not take crime rates or socio-economic status into account, both factors would probably explain away any differences based on race. Basically, the Greensboro story was bad data with anecdotes but no attempt to interview the police involved.
5) The Times clearly has an agenda here and I'm curious about why? Are the editors simply untrained in statistics (appropriate analysis would make this editorial irrelevant) or are they deliberately trying to mislead the readership?
7
You still have to explain police misconduct vis-a-vis unlawful shootings and beatings caught on video. More black on black crime doesn't explain the increased use of force against blacks who are unarmed while being pulled over for traffic infractions. Are the police so afraid of ALL black people that they must mistreat all black people they encounter? Are these aberrations, or the norm? This is not "agenda" driven. For years the Times supported the "broken windows" policing of NYC.
2
Do you have any evidence to back this up? Statistics, at the very least? The data I've seen indicate the opposite, so I'm curious about your source.
The media is calling attention to the system that protects and promotes bad police.
1
The New York Times analysis of Greensboro traffic stops is based on stops and searches as a percentage of population. According to the Justice Department’s National Institute of Racial Justice, “social scientists now disregard comparisons to the census for assessing racial bias.” The reason is that black motorists are more likely than white motorists to drive in heavily patrolled high-crime neighborhoods. White motorist who live in high-crime neighborhoods are also pulled over and search more frequently than white motorists who live in low-crime neighborhoods. Since the New York Times analysis compares traffic stops and searches only to black and white percentages of Greensboro’s population, it is invalid for the purposes of assessing racial discrimination.
6
why not deal with all the black on black murders?
2
Ah yes, the "what about black on black crime" deflection.
Your comment takes the form of a question. First, don't hide behind a question mark. Instead, make an assertion. Your assertion would be, "We are not dealing with black on black murders."
I will challenge this 'assertion.' In what way are we not "dealing" with them? (Note I did not ask what you mean by "dealing" but I will ignore that.) You seem to imply that while we argue (rightly) about police brutality, we ignore crimes committed by black people against black people.
What evidence do you have that this is happening? I'm guessing that when a black person shoots a black person, or commits some act of violence other than shooting, law enforcement "deals with it" in a standard fashion. If you have proof that law enforcement somewhere has decided that black on black crime is not being addressed, please present it.
If your implication is that by doing one thing we can't do another -- i.e., by addressing police brutality we are not addressing black on black crime -- I suggest you visit your local law enforcement office and ask them if they are capable of "dealing with" more than one thing at a time.
Your comment takes the form of a question. First, don't hide behind a question mark. Instead, make an assertion. Your assertion would be, "We are not dealing with black on black murders."
I will challenge this 'assertion.' In what way are we not "dealing" with them? (Note I did not ask what you mean by "dealing" but I will ignore that.) You seem to imply that while we argue (rightly) about police brutality, we ignore crimes committed by black people against black people.
What evidence do you have that this is happening? I'm guessing that when a black person shoots a black person, or commits some act of violence other than shooting, law enforcement "deals with it" in a standard fashion. If you have proof that law enforcement somewhere has decided that black on black crime is not being addressed, please present it.
If your implication is that by doing one thing we can't do another -- i.e., by addressing police brutality we are not addressing black on black crime -- I suggest you visit your local law enforcement office and ask them if they are capable of "dealing with" more than one thing at a time.
1
Do you think that black on black murders are not being dealt with?
The NYT Editorial Board should read NYT articles more carefully. This editorial cites an NYT article and then states that the FBI Director said that heightened scrutiny of police behavior "WAS" leading officers to avoid confrontation. Nowhere in the article was that claim made. At best the Director said that he has been told by many police leaders that officers are avoiding confrontation. Is the NYT Editorial Board calling the Director a liar?
But can anyone deny that heightened police scrutiny "MAY" impact how some police officers do their job? If the goal of scrutiny is to alter individual police officer behavior so they respect civil rights, is it not probable the behavior of some individuals is altered as suggested by the Director? But because even saying such could POSSIBLY be interpreted as advocating for less scrutiny, apparently no one should consider the idea.
Finally, the FBI Director's formulation does not imply that police must have free rein to be abusive to do their job. However, it is probable that the general public would be safer if police were abusive. But such security would obviously come at too high a cost for everyone, including the NYT Editorial Board.
But can anyone deny that heightened police scrutiny "MAY" impact how some police officers do their job? If the goal of scrutiny is to alter individual police officer behavior so they respect civil rights, is it not probable the behavior of some individuals is altered as suggested by the Director? But because even saying such could POSSIBLY be interpreted as advocating for less scrutiny, apparently no one should consider the idea.
Finally, the FBI Director's formulation does not imply that police must have free rein to be abusive to do their job. However, it is probable that the general public would be safer if police were abusive. But such security would obviously come at too high a cost for everyone, including the NYT Editorial Board.
8
For police to be held accountable, politicians must be held accountable. For politicians to be held accountable, lawyers, prosecutors, and judges must be held accountable. The police are but a visible symptom of the endemic rot of corruption and paid protection of America's Aristocracy.
4
"Over the span of more than a decade, 2,151 whites died by being shot by police compared to 1,130 blacks."
But . . .
"More whites are killed by the police than blacks primarily because whites outnumber blacks in the general population by more than five to one. The country is about 63 percent white and 12 percent black."
And . . .
"Rather than comparing the raw numbers, you can look at the likelihood that a person will die due to "legal intervention" in the same way you might look at the chance a person will die in a car accident or a disease like lung cancer. When you do that, the numbers flip.
A 2002 study in the American Journal of Public Health found that the death rate due to legal intervention was more than three times higher for blacks than for whites in the period from 1988 to 1997."
In conclusion . . . .
"Police kill more whites than blacks. In absolute terms, that is accurate. However, the statement ignores that there are more than five times more whites than blacks in America. When comparing death rates, blacks are about three times more likely than whites to die in a confrontation with police."
http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2014/aug/21/michael-medv...
But . . .
"More whites are killed by the police than blacks primarily because whites outnumber blacks in the general population by more than five to one. The country is about 63 percent white and 12 percent black."
And . . .
"Rather than comparing the raw numbers, you can look at the likelihood that a person will die due to "legal intervention" in the same way you might look at the chance a person will die in a car accident or a disease like lung cancer. When you do that, the numbers flip.
A 2002 study in the American Journal of Public Health found that the death rate due to legal intervention was more than three times higher for blacks than for whites in the period from 1988 to 1997."
In conclusion . . . .
"Police kill more whites than blacks. In absolute terms, that is accurate. However, the statement ignores that there are more than five times more whites than blacks in America. When comparing death rates, blacks are about three times more likely than whites to die in a confrontation with police."
http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2014/aug/21/michael-medv...
4
well, that is undoubtedly true -- but you've got to take into account as well the high violent crime rate among Blacks. Blacks commit 6x the murders that Whites do, which explains why the end up being killed by cops at a higher rate.
1
What "right wing" politician has stated that "holding the police to constitutional standards endangers the public?" Who believes this? I'm as conservative as they come, and I believe that the police are not above the law. What responsible person believes that? Where do the editors come up with such notions?
7
In the article it says, "This movement focuses on the irrefutable fact that black citizens are far more likely than whites to die at the hands of the police. The more the country ignores that truth, the greater the civic discord that will flow from it.'
In discussing this issue with a person who believes the black lives movement is mistaken in such claims, I asked this individual to provide documentation. He directed me to a report made by the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, CDC that says white people are far more likely to die at the hands of police. My concern is that if this in fact true, then statements such as the one in the article is incorrect and "greater civic discord" will come from one group believing one thing while another group believes another.
Can someone shed some light on these two statements?
In discussing this issue with a person who believes the black lives movement is mistaken in such claims, I asked this individual to provide documentation. He directed me to a report made by the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, CDC that says white people are far more likely to die at the hands of police. My concern is that if this in fact true, then statements such as the one in the article is incorrect and "greater civic discord" will come from one group believing one thing while another group believes another.
Can someone shed some light on these two statements?
6
From Bob: why, after so exhaustive an investigation of the Michael Brown case (by local, state, federal, including Eric Holders DOJ; and all backed by forensic, ballistic and eyewitness evidence) are we still afraid to admit the truth? Mr. Brown, while high on drugs, removed nearly $50.00 of merchandise from a store by shoving a clerk aside, then later attacked a cop inside a patrol car, causing two shots to be fired, then attempted a second attack whereby he was the lawful recipient of deadly force?
A still better question: why is this still the template example of alleged police brutality? Dosent anyone understand the damage done to the credibility of a movement? Lastly, Trayvon Martin (who was NOT in a police related incident despite repeated attempts to associate the two) chose to respond to stupidity by slamming his antagonists head against a sidewalk, yet few are willing to discuss the gravity of his (Mr. Martin"s) conduct. Again, why?
A still better question: why is this still the template example of alleged police brutality? Dosent anyone understand the damage done to the credibility of a movement? Lastly, Trayvon Martin (who was NOT in a police related incident despite repeated attempts to associate the two) chose to respond to stupidity by slamming his antagonists head against a sidewalk, yet few are willing to discuss the gravity of his (Mr. Martin"s) conduct. Again, why?
11
So Trayvon Martin fought back against an armed man who had been stalking him, and it's his fault? Hearing your dog whistle loud and clear.
1
As I have said before in countless comments, unless police and prosecutors are held accountable for their violent actions, this will get worse. Violence against children is unacceptable and a uniform should not change how it is viewed.
9
The guilt shared by upper middle class whites including the media and academia is all too real. Unfortunately, that guilt can be worn on their sleeves behind the gates, fences, doormen, campuses and other barriers that prevent them from being a victim. I say let the criminals have their way and at some point when little jimmy and jane get their ipads stolen and are beat up often enough folks will start to wise up. Have you ever heard a liberal after they get beat up and robbed? They want swift justice!!
8
reRON: Great comment deserving of inclusion in the GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS for being among the most spiritual witty and perceptive remarks I have ever read re elitist, primarily white hypocrisy on the race issue. Bravo and right on!
1
There was a time when the FBI was considered an elite agency. They were educated, they wore suits, they did research, they righted wrongs. Comey's remarks and sluggishness in investigating abuse of force suggest that all that has changed. They're just ordinary cops.
2
In summary Mr. Christie and Mr. Comey assert that tolerance for police brutality helps keep crime under control? Cell phone video recordings and other corroborating evidence clearly establish that the crime of police brutally is a nationwide problem. To suggest public outrage over illegal behavior by police officers have made police officers reluctant about doing their job and resulted in increase crime reveals an agenda that is inconsistent with professional law enforcement and the U.S. Constitution.
Between the two men, Mr. Comey's statements cause far more damage to professional law enforcement and the credibility of our criminal justice system. After a 20 year career as a federal prosecutor I know this to be true: The FBI Director controls the mission and culture of that agency. Mr. Comey's statements informs and guides his top managers, the supervisors under them, the special agents and even the support staff on what's important and what is not important. His beliefs and priorities become their beliefs and priorities. After all, most people want to please the boss and the employees within the FBI are no different.
In short, Mr. Comey's statements are inconsistent with professional law enforcement practices, state and federal statutes and the U.S. Constitution. He should resign.
Between the two men, Mr. Comey's statements cause far more damage to professional law enforcement and the credibility of our criminal justice system. After a 20 year career as a federal prosecutor I know this to be true: The FBI Director controls the mission and culture of that agency. Mr. Comey's statements informs and guides his top managers, the supervisors under them, the special agents and even the support staff on what's important and what is not important. His beliefs and priorities become their beliefs and priorities. After all, most people want to please the boss and the employees within the FBI are no different.
In short, Mr. Comey's statements are inconsistent with professional law enforcement practices, state and federal statutes and the U.S. Constitution. He should resign.
4
The proverbial "what if". If the majority of stop-and-frisk, body slamming, shooting of unarmed citizens was at the hands of a predominate Black police force nationally- this matter would have been "fixed" long ago. And yet, as this editorial is barely hours old, South Carolina is no at the center of the Universe. White police officer brutally extracts black female from school desk/chair by forcing it backwards allowing the child to land hard on her back and then dragged out of the classroom- to everyone's amazement. Why the amazement? In the eyes of a predominately White police force- nationally, Blacks are not humans (even children). It seems however, there is never "the moment" when White America, looks in horror and rather than justifying such criminality of police officers- finally says to itself- This IS ENOUGH and Black Lives matter to US.
4
Police Officers are PUBLIC employees. Given the nature of how they must engage with all of us and factoring in all these recent cases of police misconduct and brutality. WE the public citizen who provide them with salaries and benefits and comfortable pensions have deemed it now necessary to have a camera pointed at them at all times while on duty.Any Officer who objects or feels this is justification for slacking up on the job is very much free to seek employment elsewhere.
4
It's been more than 30 years since I was a uniformed officer. Back then the racism was more out in the open. "Gonna go me a n***** tonight" was a common refrain. Have things changed? Are they any better? Yes, there have been all kinds of improvements, and while those 'gonna go get me' pronouncements aren't as common, it's the actions that are telling. It was tacitly accepted back in the day, and it still is in some places.
It doesn't help that 911 and Homeland Security helped create an everybody-is-suspect atmosphere that goes a long way toward making unconstitutional behavior defensible in the name of 'safety.' Then there's hiring and training, both of which have become much more militarized, and makes the public out to be the enemy. Some cops create there own private war zones instead of keeping the peace.
None of this is really new, it's just that it is only now seeing the spotlight, something that is way, way, way overdue. There are good cops out there. Good cops are actually the majority. But have no doubt that the bullies and the power trippers resent giving up free rein over the public and as long as they are being hired they will continue to exercise what they see as their personal superiority, even if they don't openly talk about as much.
It doesn't help that 911 and Homeland Security helped create an everybody-is-suspect atmosphere that goes a long way toward making unconstitutional behavior defensible in the name of 'safety.' Then there's hiring and training, both of which have become much more militarized, and makes the public out to be the enemy. Some cops create there own private war zones instead of keeping the peace.
None of this is really new, it's just that it is only now seeing the spotlight, something that is way, way, way overdue. There are good cops out there. Good cops are actually the majority. But have no doubt that the bullies and the power trippers resent giving up free rein over the public and as long as they are being hired they will continue to exercise what they see as their personal superiority, even if they don't openly talk about as much.
8
I'll be honest, I'm glad I didn't have to wear a body-cam at work recording everything I do and every mistake I made. I consider myself a good worker, but I'm human and made mistakes. I'm also glad I didn't work in public so any miscues weren't recorded and posted on social media for the world to see.
I write this to say I'm sympathetic to what we're demanding of our police officers today, but they brought it upon themselves. Obviously a significant number of our police officers see every black person as a criminal or a violent thug and treats them accordingly. This must end. Leadership at the top is crucial, but the most important step is to demand police unions stop defending racist behavior. This should be a big part of every new union contract.
I write this to say I'm sympathetic to what we're demanding of our police officers today, but they brought it upon themselves. Obviously a significant number of our police officers see every black person as a criminal or a violent thug and treats them accordingly. This must end. Leadership at the top is crucial, but the most important step is to demand police unions stop defending racist behavior. This should be a big part of every new union contract.
2
The police are supposed to serve and protect us; they are supposed to be willing to die for us, which is why we give them guns, pepper spray, tasters, clubs, handcuffs and the special training on how to use them in a non lethal way to serve and protect us. We are not supposed to serve and protect them, to die for them because they thought someone's wallet was a gun or because someone gave them "lip" or ran away from them. Murder at the hands of police officers was a perceived myth until the video of the murder of Mr. Scott and the attempt to plant a weapon near him to cover up the murder. Moreover, once the video was seen we were all thunderstruck with the realization that without the video the murderer would be on the street, armed and ready to do it again. The FBI director cited non data to support his bilious assertion that because police are afraid to shoot citizens in the back, there is a rise in crime, because there is no such data, just the gut instincts of a cop used to getting away with murder who wants things to return to the good ole days when he knew he could.
5
I have two thoughts.
First, Mr. Comey's remarks should result in his being fired. He seems to epitomize exactly what is wrong with law enforcement.
Second, the issue with police departments goes beyond race, although I do agree that blacks are more likely to be treated harshly. From the way the police interact with the public, it often appears that instead of acting as if they are a part of the community, police officers too often think they are above the rest of us and have no need to treat citizens with respect.
Somewhere along the way, the police seem to have forgotten that they work for and serve the public, not that they are somehow superior to the public. It is hard to tell whether police conduct is a result of training or the selection process, but when, for example, a policeman stops a citizen for even a minor traffic violation, the usual confrontation is immediately authoritarian and militaristic. The first words out of the officers mouth are usually spoken harshly and are frequently, "License and registration. Do you know why I stopped you?" It has always seemed to me that it is more appropriate for the officer to greet the citizen, to introduce himself or herself and to tell the citizen exactly why the stop has occurred. If the police start the interaction with antagonism, it sets the wrong tone and is likely to make the situation antagonistic rather than harmonious.
First, Mr. Comey's remarks should result in his being fired. He seems to epitomize exactly what is wrong with law enforcement.
Second, the issue with police departments goes beyond race, although I do agree that blacks are more likely to be treated harshly. From the way the police interact with the public, it often appears that instead of acting as if they are a part of the community, police officers too often think they are above the rest of us and have no need to treat citizens with respect.
Somewhere along the way, the police seem to have forgotten that they work for and serve the public, not that they are somehow superior to the public. It is hard to tell whether police conduct is a result of training or the selection process, but when, for example, a policeman stops a citizen for even a minor traffic violation, the usual confrontation is immediately authoritarian and militaristic. The first words out of the officers mouth are usually spoken harshly and are frequently, "License and registration. Do you know why I stopped you?" It has always seemed to me that it is more appropriate for the officer to greet the citizen, to introduce himself or herself and to tell the citizen exactly why the stop has occurred. If the police start the interaction with antagonism, it sets the wrong tone and is likely to make the situation antagonistic rather than harmonious.
5
Police have been so used to not being held accountable for abuses that some in their ranks in engage in (and I want to believe that most police officers are law-abiding themselves), that when accountability is demanded of them like any other public servant they close ranks and become defensive because the public has the temerity to demand that they respect their own rules of conduct and procedure.
As much as the FBI Director, Chris Christie and other people on the right may yell about how we (meaning us black folk) should just "put up and shut up", fact is that movements like "Black Lives Matter" and the larger call for greater police accountability for their abuses is not going away. Much like there was virulent resistance to the Civil Rights Movement (at the time, NAACP, SNCC, and other organizations were seen as threats to national security and even Communist subversives who were accused of being unpatriotic), there is the same rhetoric against BLM and the anti-police abuse movement. BLM and all people who advocate against police abuse not not "anti-police" they are anti-police abuse.
History has shown that it is dangerous to reflexively and blindly submit to unquestioned police powers because they wear a uniform, badge and have the power of life and death. Atrocities have been committed by state apparatuses under the guise of "policing." We do not need to slide down that slippery slope. Police misconduct and abuse needs to be exposed and stopped.
As much as the FBI Director, Chris Christie and other people on the right may yell about how we (meaning us black folk) should just "put up and shut up", fact is that movements like "Black Lives Matter" and the larger call for greater police accountability for their abuses is not going away. Much like there was virulent resistance to the Civil Rights Movement (at the time, NAACP, SNCC, and other organizations were seen as threats to national security and even Communist subversives who were accused of being unpatriotic), there is the same rhetoric against BLM and the anti-police abuse movement. BLM and all people who advocate against police abuse not not "anti-police" they are anti-police abuse.
History has shown that it is dangerous to reflexively and blindly submit to unquestioned police powers because they wear a uniform, badge and have the power of life and death. Atrocities have been committed by state apparatuses under the guise of "policing." We do not need to slide down that slippery slope. Police misconduct and abuse needs to be exposed and stopped.
4
I’m all in favor of body cameras and other methods to ensure police act legally with all people. But no discussion of police brutality even approaches objectivity unless it discusses the brutality the police are trying to stop, and the brutality the police, themselves, face.
Even black policemen kill blacks at a much higher per capita rate than whites. Are we to assume that is because they are racist. No, it’s because, on a per capita basis, blacks are much more criminal and murderous than whites. As “Homicide Trends in the United States, 1980-2008”, a 2011 U.S. Justice Department report shows, blacks have 7 times the murder rate of whites. Using the statistics in this report, it appears that over 7,000 more American black people are killed every year because blacks kill at such a much higher rate than whites. Even if one assumes the police committed 3 unjustified killings of blacks a week (a much higher number than I have seen any evidence for) the number of blacks killed by blacks would be 45 times higher than the number of blacks unjustly killed by police.
For the Black Lives Matter Movement and the New York Times to both spend much more effort fighting the less than 1/45th as many black deaths caused by police injustice -- while spending much less effort fighting the at least 45 times more black deaths caused by blacks murdering blacks -- means that black lives (roughly 7,000 of them per year) really don’t matter to them as much as they should.
Even black policemen kill blacks at a much higher per capita rate than whites. Are we to assume that is because they are racist. No, it’s because, on a per capita basis, blacks are much more criminal and murderous than whites. As “Homicide Trends in the United States, 1980-2008”, a 2011 U.S. Justice Department report shows, blacks have 7 times the murder rate of whites. Using the statistics in this report, it appears that over 7,000 more American black people are killed every year because blacks kill at such a much higher rate than whites. Even if one assumes the police committed 3 unjustified killings of blacks a week (a much higher number than I have seen any evidence for) the number of blacks killed by blacks would be 45 times higher than the number of blacks unjustly killed by police.
For the Black Lives Matter Movement and the New York Times to both spend much more effort fighting the less than 1/45th as many black deaths caused by police injustice -- while spending much less effort fighting the at least 45 times more black deaths caused by blacks murdering blacks -- means that black lives (roughly 7,000 of them per year) really don’t matter to them as much as they should.
6
excellent. The Times editors won't respond to this. They probably are aware of the data but could care less as the have a narrative to sell.
1
The NRA, the concealed carriers, the frequent slaughter of innocents by gun-wielding psychotics, the police brutality, the tea partiers, the chronic unemployment and poverty, Ben Carson leading the race for the Republican nomination for president. Lot of bad stuff going on in the US these days.
Generally, media focus on these issues would be a positive thing, but with the dysfunction in the US federal government and the general inability of government to provide solutions to any problem, one wonders if it doesn't just inflame the situation, like pumping up a tire until it explodes.
Generally, media focus on these issues would be a positive thing, but with the dysfunction in the US federal government and the general inability of government to provide solutions to any problem, one wonders if it doesn't just inflame the situation, like pumping up a tire until it explodes.
1
I think it is a mistake. Police are our cultural representations of Law and Order. They are supposed to have a pretty good authority over representing cultural code. In other words, it is not so much that police and politicians see themselves as exercising some exceptional power but don't really have a choice. It is a fair political argument to say that regulating their conduct can have severe ramifications: which can radicalize, alienate and push police away from their humane and moral proximity. A good example of what can happen is when the US military, which operates with near impunity executing people half way around the world, tenaciously codifies an operations as 'prosecuting.' That does not mean that everyone killed is necessarily innocent or that everyone in the military is evil. But what alternative is there between absolute black and white terms? That is where the real political fight ought to be: in allowing a gray area.
Those in power need to be protected so they get some vicious dogs but when the vicious dogs start attacking black people they wonder what the black victims did to provoke the dogs. Perhaps a DWB (driving while black violation) well that’s the price of protection. They could leash or muzzle the dogs but they can’t have it both ways.
That is what happens when you rely on vicious dogs instead of well trained professional police and demand, yes demand that the limit of their power stops where an individual’s constitutional rights begin.
But there are people who see blacks as a threat and want them controlled and kept in their place and fearful of whites and the vicious dogs they put up with to enforce law and order, which means white supremacy and the installation of fear. Politicians who represent them pander to them and tell the big lie that if you do not have the police boots on the necks of blacks, crime and violence will increase.
So as the apologists for brutality assert white safety and the Constitution are incompatible and you cannot have both; but the whites still have their constitutional rights while the blacks have neither safety or their rights. Public outrage is the answer and that is driven by video of police violence. We must take the targets off of the backs of black people and question when so many die in police custody.
That is what happens when you rely on vicious dogs instead of well trained professional police and demand, yes demand that the limit of their power stops where an individual’s constitutional rights begin.
But there are people who see blacks as a threat and want them controlled and kept in their place and fearful of whites and the vicious dogs they put up with to enforce law and order, which means white supremacy and the installation of fear. Politicians who represent them pander to them and tell the big lie that if you do not have the police boots on the necks of blacks, crime and violence will increase.
So as the apologists for brutality assert white safety and the Constitution are incompatible and you cannot have both; but the whites still have their constitutional rights while the blacks have neither safety or their rights. Public outrage is the answer and that is driven by video of police violence. We must take the targets off of the backs of black people and question when so many die in police custody.
6
It isn't just police violence. The right-wing, so-called "leaders" in our country sit passively in the face of Islamophobia, homophobia, claims that the president isn't really an American...just about anything the paid pundits and talk-radio espouse to fatten their own wallets. This isn't leadership, and it has ruinous consequences for democracy.
3
It is likely that the behavior of police is heavily colored by the violence they see on the job. On average, police in suburban settings tend to be patient and helpful. They deal with population that respects them and are rarely combative.
Police in urban settings are more likely to deal with hardened criminals who are legitimately assumed to be dangerous. In addition, they see more domestic violence, murders, theft, etc.
Common sense suggests that to stay alive in an urban setting, a defensive posture is needed. It must be exhausting and corrosive to do a job where you rarely see the good side of humanity.
Perhaps we need devise a system wherein police are routinely rotated out of these settings so that their view of humanity is more balanced.
None of this excuses unsolicited violence by some officers. But it is easy to imagine a bad day where their frustration builds to a breaking point.
Police in urban settings are more likely to deal with hardened criminals who are legitimately assumed to be dangerous. In addition, they see more domestic violence, murders, theft, etc.
Common sense suggests that to stay alive in an urban setting, a defensive posture is needed. It must be exhausting and corrosive to do a job where you rarely see the good side of humanity.
Perhaps we need devise a system wherein police are routinely rotated out of these settings so that their view of humanity is more balanced.
None of this excuses unsolicited violence by some officers. But it is easy to imagine a bad day where their frustration builds to a breaking point.
2
This all seems so new and fresh, with words like "viral video" and "youtube" and "social media", when in fact none of this is new. I've seen images of police rage perpetrated against innocent citizens my entire life. Our whole system of law enforcement, criminal justice, creation of laws, incarceration and on and on supports the grim reality that Americans who vote in this country are perfectly content with the perceived safety of a police state. This is not likely to change. Take all the videos you want, but the people who make the rules will still be elected by the people who choose a police state.
3
I have a question, and I hope someone has the data. What percentage of folks killed by police are resisting arrest? What percent are armed? From what I've read, most of those are armed and many resist arrest but I don't know the overall statistics.
Thank you New York Times for printing the truth about police brutality. If only we had similar courageous acts here in Los Angeles where the Media and local politicians are merely shills for the Los Angeles Police Protective League (the pro- brutality police union).
2
Of course the police need to be held to race-neutral Constitutional standards. Any case of police brutality or misconduct should be fully prosecuted. However no one should be surprised that young black males are subject to greater police suspicion and scrutiny. They are far more likely to be involved in criminal activity than the rest of us.
Also there are problems with the Left's latest anti-police crusade. Yesterday evening's liberal TV news was inundated with a cell phone video of a white police officer pushing and dragging a black male student. This image was accompanied by several sober black commentators expressing their shock and outrage. Where are the videos and outrage about yesterday's murder and mayhem committed by blacks against blacks in Detroit, Baltimore and St. Louis? How do you even compare an over-zealous cop pushing a black student with actual gun homicides? The problem is that the media and black community leaders are more concerned with punishing white cops than they are with reducing violent crime in their own communities. And while we do yet have statistics, The FBI Director's comments on the likely effect of anti-police rhetoric certainly make sense. The "Ferguson effect" should at the very least be a real concern for the black community, if their leaders were really concerned about the safety of that community.
Also there are problems with the Left's latest anti-police crusade. Yesterday evening's liberal TV news was inundated with a cell phone video of a white police officer pushing and dragging a black male student. This image was accompanied by several sober black commentators expressing their shock and outrage. Where are the videos and outrage about yesterday's murder and mayhem committed by blacks against blacks in Detroit, Baltimore and St. Louis? How do you even compare an over-zealous cop pushing a black student with actual gun homicides? The problem is that the media and black community leaders are more concerned with punishing white cops than they are with reducing violent crime in their own communities. And while we do yet have statistics, The FBI Director's comments on the likely effect of anti-police rhetoric certainly make sense. The "Ferguson effect" should at the very least be a real concern for the black community, if their leaders were really concerned about the safety of that community.
3
This is not a Black & White problem , it is mostly Gray..Dear Editors put yourself in the shoes of a Police officer who spots a person of color that fits the description of a suspect who just murdered someone. As he approaches the suspect he reaches into his pocket for a cigarette or his wallet & is shot and killed by the Police ,because they thought he was reaching for a gun, only to find out he was not the suspect they were looking for.Is this Police brutality or the survival instinct taking control of the officer, As another example,two people of color are fighting, a Police officer just happened to be driving by. When the officer tries to stop the fight he is attacked by both of the men that were fighting each other, & beaten to the ground. He pulls his weapon to protect himself & kills one of his assailants, who was just 16 years old without a record.Police brutality? The police in both of the above hypothetical examples are denounced by the media, suspended from duty & face trial for murder.Which Policeman in his right mind would let himself be put in the position of the policemen above.Rather they would hesitate before they approach a suspect, & certainly wouldn't try to stop a fight.More importantly who in his right mind would want a Policemen's job.
1
First, I would like to thank the New York Times for their continued focus on this issue which is broadly "Aspects of Racial Inequality". Without continuing to spotlight this issue, it would likely continue to be downplayed.
It seems to me that law enforcement desires to operate under the single narrative "We Protect and Serve All".
Yet, the continued surfacing videos forcefully emphasizes this narrative, while true, is incomplete. The more complete narrative seems to be "We Protect and Serve. However, we do not do this equally".
For too long, the Black Community has known this second narrative to be the "more complete truth" and it has been long decried ---and denied by law enforcement. However, today's technology allows us all to see it on a first hand basis.
It is the hard boots on the ground work as contained in the recent article on racial profiling in Greensboro, N.C. that also holds up, for all to see, irrefutable data that shows the "more complete truth".
It is understandable that law enforcement would want to continue to deny this "more complete truth".
If we are again to return to the single narrative desired by us all, there will need to be modifications in the mindset and behavior of law enforcement leadership and politicians. As with most issues to be solved, the first step is to admit that there is a problem.
The necessary changes can really only be driven from the top down.
It seems to me that law enforcement desires to operate under the single narrative "We Protect and Serve All".
Yet, the continued surfacing videos forcefully emphasizes this narrative, while true, is incomplete. The more complete narrative seems to be "We Protect and Serve. However, we do not do this equally".
For too long, the Black Community has known this second narrative to be the "more complete truth" and it has been long decried ---and denied by law enforcement. However, today's technology allows us all to see it on a first hand basis.
It is the hard boots on the ground work as contained in the recent article on racial profiling in Greensboro, N.C. that also holds up, for all to see, irrefutable data that shows the "more complete truth".
It is understandable that law enforcement would want to continue to deny this "more complete truth".
If we are again to return to the single narrative desired by us all, there will need to be modifications in the mindset and behavior of law enforcement leadership and politicians. As with most issues to be solved, the first step is to admit that there is a problem.
The necessary changes can really only be driven from the top down.
Comey's remarks may indeed be true in that police fearing videos being released have discouraged them from policing altogether... but that attitude is criminally negligent. Comey should have condemned that behavior and should have stated that policing has no room for brutality against people of any color but at the same time, the police are there to capture criminals and deter crime. Instead, he seems to be saying we have a choice: either accept police brutality or accept a rise in crime. He should have made it very clear that we expect the police to be professional and to do their job to the best of their ability without resorting to brutal tactics. Why is that so difficult to articulate? Comey should be fired for not making this clear to all police nationwide.
3
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey — the increasingly desperate presidential candidate who is going nowhere fast — took this posture on Sunday when he accused President Obama of encouraging “lawlessness” and violence against police officers by acknowledging that the country needed to take both police brutality and the “Black Lives Matter” protest movement seriously.
Chris Christie demonstrates how the conservative movement in this country has gone the way of all conservative movements, morphing into a fear and hate mongering mob at the slightest provocation. The are no longer fit partners in a sane government, they simply want to take over.
Chris Christie demonstrates how the conservative movement in this country has gone the way of all conservative movements, morphing into a fear and hate mongering mob at the slightest provocation. The are no longer fit partners in a sane government, they simply want to take over.
2
Good, honest, non-abusive policemen and women who risk their lives to provide us with a safe country are not those brutal men that we all saw on you tube. But they are victims of generalizations about police that stem from the brutality, and the political behavior of their union leaders (in NYC) and "law and order politicians" who want to exploit the increased scrutiny, and public outrage. Comey has not helped, by proposing that increased crime is a consequence of police fear of reprisals. There is no evidence of this.
Leadership within the police departments could restore trust if they take measures to identify "problem" cops and remove them.
Republicans are eager to exploit unhappiness among the police, fear in the white public about poor enforcement, and gun nuts. This is a political year. Wishing that Republicans won't exploit fear among whites is hopeless given their dwindling chances with the electorate. Law and order is likely to be a big issue. The Pope has defused Republican "moral decline" bomb. The LGBT, inequality, global warming, immigrant issues are all defused. All the Republicans have left is fear.
Leadership within the police departments could restore trust if they take measures to identify "problem" cops and remove them.
Republicans are eager to exploit unhappiness among the police, fear in the white public about poor enforcement, and gun nuts. This is a political year. Wishing that Republicans won't exploit fear among whites is hopeless given their dwindling chances with the electorate. Law and order is likely to be a big issue. The Pope has defused Republican "moral decline" bomb. The LGBT, inequality, global warming, immigrant issues are all defused. All the Republicans have left is fear.
The problem is not alert citizenry but rather militarized police who have forgotten their first duty is to serve and protect.
4
A gentle reminder: Mr. Comey didn't waltz into FBI headquarters announcing "Hi! I'm the new FBI Director!" He was appointed by President Obama, who needs to take some responsibility.
4
If law enforcement officers do not have the capacity to distinguish between brutality and legitimate use of force, they ought to choose, or be asked to choose, another career path.
For example, I would suggest that shooting an unarmed man in the back or assaulting an unarmed teenager are not legitimate uses of force.
I would suggest that the time has come for the federal, state, and municipal governments to create standing boards to investigate charges of police brutality. These boards should certainly include members of law enforcement, but they should be civilian-based, independent of police agencies, and, most important, have legitimate power to issue subpoenas and issue binding directives.
Some police agencies have demonstrated the capacity to legitimately and fairly investigate incidents of brutality and use of force. That takes courage, decency, and superb leadership. Not all police agencies can offer this mix of traits, or resources, and too often obvious cases of brutality are excused. Yes, I know that the word "obvious" poses a problem. In the case of the teenager (today's front page), there have been reports that the student was particularly recalcitrant, vocal, and rude. That must have riled the so-called school resource office (what a ridiculous euphemism). But to attack an unarmed teenager the classroom as depicted on the video?
Instead of lamenting how unfortunate this all is, it's time to take action.
For example, I would suggest that shooting an unarmed man in the back or assaulting an unarmed teenager are not legitimate uses of force.
I would suggest that the time has come for the federal, state, and municipal governments to create standing boards to investigate charges of police brutality. These boards should certainly include members of law enforcement, but they should be civilian-based, independent of police agencies, and, most important, have legitimate power to issue subpoenas and issue binding directives.
Some police agencies have demonstrated the capacity to legitimately and fairly investigate incidents of brutality and use of force. That takes courage, decency, and superb leadership. Not all police agencies can offer this mix of traits, or resources, and too often obvious cases of brutality are excused. Yes, I know that the word "obvious" poses a problem. In the case of the teenager (today's front page), there have been reports that the student was particularly recalcitrant, vocal, and rude. That must have riled the so-called school resource office (what a ridiculous euphemism). But to attack an unarmed teenager the classroom as depicted on the video?
Instead of lamenting how unfortunate this all is, it's time to take action.
2
For several decades police officers have been given a pass when it comes to holding policing deportment and individual actions to reasonable and proper standards. Many police officers and many police supervisors have, predictably, forsaken professional performance that existed for decades. To make matters worse, many communities have elected political leaders that do not have the backbone to stand up and step forward to ensure that corrective action is taken when needed. Hero worship has no place in properly managing society - it works well only in damaging it.
4
Tom Edsall's column a while age talked about the pettianty abuse of blacks in Ferguson prior to the infamous police shooting of an unarmed black man and showed the explosive situation that was created the by a white power structure of a predominantly black community. Another important factor is that guns are tearing apart the fabric of black communities in large urban areas. One sees the lone gun man senselessly murdering innocent people but guns themselves are a much deeper and dangerous blight to civil society.
1
Piling on the police for the actions of a few will have grave consequences. It makes great articles and a venue for venting for frustrated people but these are the only people who have taken this job and put their lives on the line every day trying to keep criminal activity down to a dull roar. If you want to see what happens when police stay home and avoid conflict then look at Mexico. Criminals run much of that country.
There are a lot of people in the USA who do not respect the law, or anyone else for that matter, and look at it as something to be navigated rather than obeyed. it has been glorified in music and trash talk for decades and now we have to live with this thug mentality. There will always be bad policemen as there are bad people in every walk of life but the conflict police deal with every day from obnoxious and uncooperative people is ridiculous. Who really wants that job and what kind of effect does it have on them year after year?
We need to filter out the bad and burned out policemen but attitudes need to change as well or people will get what they ask for and the next series of articles will be about police that are never around. Criminals will move into whatever vacuum is created.
There are a lot of people in the USA who do not respect the law, or anyone else for that matter, and look at it as something to be navigated rather than obeyed. it has been glorified in music and trash talk for decades and now we have to live with this thug mentality. There will always be bad policemen as there are bad people in every walk of life but the conflict police deal with every day from obnoxious and uncooperative people is ridiculous. Who really wants that job and what kind of effect does it have on them year after year?
We need to filter out the bad and burned out policemen but attitudes need to change as well or people will get what they ask for and the next series of articles will be about police that are never around. Criminals will move into whatever vacuum is created.
3
Nothing is said about the screening applications for police hires that throw out the applicants if they are too smart or too empathetic?! What is the thought process that says one may be too smart to be in charge of our civil rights, to carry a gun, to kill and to judge who it deems a bad person.?! The same people that elect a GW or a Carson to the highest position of authority in the world.
Get. Out. and Vote!
Get. Out. and Vote!
1
Requiring a college degree for police would get you two social improvements:
1; More officers who would avoid racist brutality;
2; Well-paid and-benefitted jobs for the legions of under-employed college graduates now languishing in this economy.
When the Multnomah County, Oregon, Sheriff's Office did this in 1964 it was inundated by graduates from colleges all over the country including Ivy League and the Military Academies.
The result was a highly professional and effective police department that set the highest professional law enforcement standards in the nation for decades until annexed into insignificance by the cities of Portland, and Gresham.
1; More officers who would avoid racist brutality;
2; Well-paid and-benefitted jobs for the legions of under-employed college graduates now languishing in this economy.
When the Multnomah County, Oregon, Sheriff's Office did this in 1964 it was inundated by graduates from colleges all over the country including Ivy League and the Military Academies.
The result was a highly professional and effective police department that set the highest professional law enforcement standards in the nation for decades until annexed into insignificance by the cities of Portland, and Gresham.
4
Impeding this idea is the mistaken, hold-over notion that police work is a blue-collar, lower-class pursuit for tough guys. It should now be painfully obvious that police work requires the highest possible standards for professional expertise.
1
"Mr. Comey’s speculations about alleged pressure on officers to stand down shows that he hasn’t begun to grasp the nature of the problem."
I expect I'll experience a similar involuntary roll of the eyes if & when the Director of the FBI tells me The New York Times editorial board doesn't understand something related to journalism.
I expect I'll experience a similar involuntary roll of the eyes if & when the Director of the FBI tells me The New York Times editorial board doesn't understand something related to journalism.
2
I keep waiting for a chief of police to get up and say "We have a very strong police force and of course we can and will do better, just like all citizens strive to do better in their jobs. We expect this of ourselves."
As the editorial implies most official responses underestimate how professionally our police can and want to respond. It's as if they insult the capabilities of the very officers they're trying to defend.
As the editorial implies most official responses underestimate how professionally our police can and want to respond. It's as if they insult the capabilities of the very officers they're trying to defend.
2
"...police pulled over African-American drivers at a rate far out of proportion to their share of the local driving population. The police searched black motorists or their cars twice as often as whites — even though whites where [sic] significantly more likely to be caught with drugs and weapons."
Black folk aren't stupid. Between being pulled over far more often and getting searched far more often, they see how the odds are stacked against them and behave accordingly.
Whites aren't stupid either. Their percentages of people in possession of drugs and weapons support the realistic notion that they're far less likely to be pulled over and/or searched.
Wonder what the numbers would be if whites faced the same odds as blacks?
Black folk aren't stupid. Between being pulled over far more often and getting searched far more often, they see how the odds are stacked against them and behave accordingly.
Whites aren't stupid either. Their percentages of people in possession of drugs and weapons support the realistic notion that they're far less likely to be pulled over and/or searched.
Wonder what the numbers would be if whites faced the same odds as blacks?
Our nation's national defense forces look like America in its racial and.ethnic diversity. Why doesn't our local "internal army" of local and state police look the same? Why does the usual police brutality episode captured on public web sites nearly always show a white policeman abusing or killing a black suspect in or around a predominantly black community? Are there not enough minority police candidates to police the minority communities?
1
Even if Comey's views were true, that the recent increased attention being paid to and criticism being made of incidents of alleged, seeming or clear police brutality, have caused many police officers to scale back their policing activities, and that this has led to an increase in crime, it still puts the onus for this increase in crime on cops, specifically those who have chosen to scale back their policing activities, either on their own or because they were told to do so by their departments and/or unions, because they are failing to do their assigned jobs, for reasons that have no legal or moral validity.
Cops don't get to decide whether or not they're going to do their jobs, based on a fear of being criticized for it--especially when such criticism is often warranted and necessary. It doesn't work that way. If we can criticize people in other professions when they don't do their jobs properly, be they teachers, doctors, politicians or baseball players, then we can, and must, criticize cops when they don't do their jobs properly--all the more so when it causes someone to be injured or killed.
If cops can handle the physical rigors and dangers of their line of work, then they can certainly handle its emotional aspects. It's understandable why they might not like such criticism, but that doesn't in the slightest justify their neglecting their jobs because of it. So Comey may be right that this is happening, but that doesn't in any way justify it.
Cops don't get to decide whether or not they're going to do their jobs, based on a fear of being criticized for it--especially when such criticism is often warranted and necessary. It doesn't work that way. If we can criticize people in other professions when they don't do their jobs properly, be they teachers, doctors, politicians or baseball players, then we can, and must, criticize cops when they don't do their jobs properly--all the more so when it causes someone to be injured or killed.
If cops can handle the physical rigors and dangers of their line of work, then they can certainly handle its emotional aspects. It's understandable why they might not like such criticism, but that doesn't in the slightest justify their neglecting their jobs because of it. So Comey may be right that this is happening, but that doesn't in any way justify it.
1
Amazing!! The amount of denial among Americans (judging by comments here) that there is racism in this country is simply astounding. If whites were being summarily executed in the streets by black policemen, would the comments here be different? That's what the Black Lives Matter movement is all about. Think about it.
2
If 80% of the crimes in the community are committed by blacks then they really have no reason to question why more of them are profiled. Having said that there is also no reason for the police to be unnecessarily brutal in the handling of the situation. There was absolutely no excuse for that officer to shoot a black man in the back eight times while he was running away from the officer. And there was no excuse for that officer recently shown ripping a black female high school student from her desk and slamming her to the floor as hard as he could.
On thing that never ever gets mentioned in all these discussions is the simple fact that there is a percentage of police who became police for the very reason that they could act brutally and get away with it. They wanted to be able to control people and make them suffer if possible. And until this type of cop is removed from the system things will stay just the way they are. There's little likelihood the sadistic members of law enforcement will be purged because the sadism exists in all ranks right up to the top, so that those sadists at the top will do every thing they can to protect the sadists on the bottom.
On thing that never ever gets mentioned in all these discussions is the simple fact that there is a percentage of police who became police for the very reason that they could act brutally and get away with it. They wanted to be able to control people and make them suffer if possible. And until this type of cop is removed from the system things will stay just the way they are. There's little likelihood the sadistic members of law enforcement will be purged because the sadism exists in all ranks right up to the top, so that those sadists at the top will do every thing they can to protect the sadists on the bottom.
"Even if I needed one I wouldn't call one."
What more needs be said? Cops have for too long been immune from prosecution—even a fair investigation—of abuse of the public they are paid to protect and serve.
As a 72 year-old victim of abuse myself in the only incident I've ever had with a law enforcement officer, my attitude has turned 180 degrees by my experience and amplified by the too numerous killings of African-Americans all over the country.
Even worse, I had not the means to defend myself from accusations within a criminal justice system in which cops, prosecutors, public defenders and judges all collaborate on a daily basis. So, rather than spend my retirement savings on a lawyer to defend myself with an uncertain outcome, I copped a plea to a lesser charge for which I was clearly not guilty, paid a small fine and now have a genuine record and mugshot on file—after 7 decades of leading a fairly plain vanilla life.
In my part of the world, most cops are bullies who sincerely believe they have extra-legal rights to do whatever they have to do to make a pinch. They are usually not much more than high school graduates and come to their work with prejudices; which prejudices only grow by the nature of their work.
The criminal justice system of my community is a closed world of "us" and "them." I know this to be a fact.
What more needs be said? Cops have for too long been immune from prosecution—even a fair investigation—of abuse of the public they are paid to protect and serve.
As a 72 year-old victim of abuse myself in the only incident I've ever had with a law enforcement officer, my attitude has turned 180 degrees by my experience and amplified by the too numerous killings of African-Americans all over the country.
Even worse, I had not the means to defend myself from accusations within a criminal justice system in which cops, prosecutors, public defenders and judges all collaborate on a daily basis. So, rather than spend my retirement savings on a lawyer to defend myself with an uncertain outcome, I copped a plea to a lesser charge for which I was clearly not guilty, paid a small fine and now have a genuine record and mugshot on file—after 7 decades of leading a fairly plain vanilla life.
In my part of the world, most cops are bullies who sincerely believe they have extra-legal rights to do whatever they have to do to make a pinch. They are usually not much more than high school graduates and come to their work with prejudices; which prejudices only grow by the nature of their work.
The criminal justice system of my community is a closed world of "us" and "them." I know this to be a fact.
2
Of course, police patrol less aggressively when their every move is scrutinized and recorded. It's much easier to lay back and just respond to calls than to stick your neck out and find yourself charged with a crime. I would love to see the numbers of arrests, vehicle stops, traffic summonses, field interviews, and stop-and-frisk before and after Fergusun, Baltimore, Staten Island, etc. I'm
betting they are way down and the bad guys picked up on it very quickly.
Comey has touched a nerve and I predict he will soon be urged to retire in order to appease the cop haters.
betting they are way down and the bad guys picked up on it very quickly.
Comey has touched a nerve and I predict he will soon be urged to retire in order to appease the cop haters.
2
How representative are the videos? Your criticism of Comey ignores the flip side of this issue. Police withdraw from poorer and Blacker neighborhoods, as they did in Baltimore, and crime goes up.
1
I am perplexed by this editorial's insistence, shared by others, that the "Ferguson Effect" Comey and other have suggested is somehow exculpatory of police.
The Times itself has reported a sharp increase in violent crime across major cities this year. This increase is coincident with an unprecedented level of public awareness and scrutiny of police misconduct. In New York and Baltimore, where police have been sharply and deservedly criticized, it was the police themselves who claimed they were curtailing out-of-patrol car activities and otherwise attending to their duties less than zealously in the aftermath of widely-distributed videos or evidence of misconduct.
When someone says he isn't doing his job (often with the sneering righteousness of NYC's police union leadership), I suggest we take him at his word. The error of this editorial is that it unwittingly accepts that when police "work to rule" in such an environment, it is somehow justified. Why not instead view this as further evidence of just how deep the rot in policing goes?
Measuring police activity in the wake of filmed misconduct, and establishing its connection to crime levels is undoubtedly complex. But, I can't say that the proposition that less policing = more crime is an implausible one. It is not necessary to justify that dynamic (if it is happening) to accept that it could be happening. And if it IS happening, this merely underscores how much work remains in making policing more accountable.
The Times itself has reported a sharp increase in violent crime across major cities this year. This increase is coincident with an unprecedented level of public awareness and scrutiny of police misconduct. In New York and Baltimore, where police have been sharply and deservedly criticized, it was the police themselves who claimed they were curtailing out-of-patrol car activities and otherwise attending to their duties less than zealously in the aftermath of widely-distributed videos or evidence of misconduct.
When someone says he isn't doing his job (often with the sneering righteousness of NYC's police union leadership), I suggest we take him at his word. The error of this editorial is that it unwittingly accepts that when police "work to rule" in such an environment, it is somehow justified. Why not instead view this as further evidence of just how deep the rot in policing goes?
Measuring police activity in the wake of filmed misconduct, and establishing its connection to crime levels is undoubtedly complex. But, I can't say that the proposition that less policing = more crime is an implausible one. It is not necessary to justify that dynamic (if it is happening) to accept that it could be happening. And if it IS happening, this merely underscores how much work remains in making policing more accountable.
The reason why police brutality goes unpunished is because people in positions of authority do not care. They could make a difference but they do not care.
I watched a video of a police "arrest" online that made me shake my head. The police officer dragged a man out of his car, put him in a headlock, took him down to the ground and started punching the man in the face and head repeatedly while shouting, "Stop resisting! Stop resisting!" The man WAS NOT RESISTING - he was getting the snot beat out of him! What really made me upset was the conduct of the policeman's partner. Why didn't he stop this horrible assault? He helped handcuff the man and stood back. Why didn't this partner report this to his superiors?
Nobody cares. People who could make a difference do not care.
I watched a video of a police "arrest" online that made me shake my head. The police officer dragged a man out of his car, put him in a headlock, took him down to the ground and started punching the man in the face and head repeatedly while shouting, "Stop resisting! Stop resisting!" The man WAS NOT RESISTING - he was getting the snot beat out of him! What really made me upset was the conduct of the policeman's partner. Why didn't he stop this horrible assault? He helped handcuff the man and stood back. Why didn't this partner report this to his superiors?
Nobody cares. People who could make a difference do not care.
2
The police have contributed for generations to the environment of anger and mistrust of law enforcement in communities of color. Since before the founding of this nation minorities have been the target of violence by police and an unjust system of policing, paired with a majority population (all of you) that has remained duplicitously incredulous. Not until the turn of the twenty-first century with the invention of the cellular camera telephone has that evidence of violence been finally indisputably exposed to the world. The urban folklore of a brutal paramilitary organization unfairly targeting minorities for the purpose of ethnic cleansing to buttress a delicate majority population from the onslaught of a subhuman race has been shown not to be a hoax. The camera shows the nonbeliever the phenomena of police brutality against minorities and law enforcement's’ bizarre and contortionist like kindness and understanding to the majority population, yet the cognitive dissidence still remains.
If the police force cannot stand up to the scrutiny of the plain truth electronically recorded by a Samsung camera telephone, maybe they were never a force at all. Maybe they are a political arm of the government that exposes the true intersect of the desires of the Republican and Democratic parties. Hopefully, the cellular camera telephone can free us all from this malignant hypocrisy of society’s belief of a fair and just nation.
If the police force cannot stand up to the scrutiny of the plain truth electronically recorded by a Samsung camera telephone, maybe they were never a force at all. Maybe they are a political arm of the government that exposes the true intersect of the desires of the Republican and Democratic parties. Hopefully, the cellular camera telephone can free us all from this malignant hypocrisy of society’s belief of a fair and just nation.
2
Running simultaneously with this editorial is another occurrence of police brutality involving one of South Carolina's finest physically abusing an African American girl in a classroom:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/us/officers-classroom-fight-with-stude...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/27/us/officers-classroom-fight-with-stude...®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
3
You couldn't pay me enough to be a cop and I don't think anyone on the editorial board of the New York Times would ever take the job no matter how much money they were offered. And the public at large in the final Analysis will decide if the strategy of police intimidation is worthy or not. If crime and particularly violent crime rises in those areas of concern the public will demand that police be more vigilant.
I'm always in awe of how fast the White House calls the Times to complain and plant a story. This time, it was FBI director Comey's remark regarding a link between police officers' recent reduced rest statistics, and fear of appearing in "viral videos."
While anecdotal, it is curious that the Times picks and chooses which anecdotes to make into a news story. For example, there is no empirical evidence that the Confederate battle flag or statutes of Rebel leaders leads to more or less violence against blacks in 2015 but the Times is there to state that it must be so.
Similarly, there is no empirical evidence to show that Muslims are prone to murder journalists because of a few satirical cartoons re-printed in newspapers and magazines, but the Times still self-censored itself due to the anecdotal stories of "causing pain" and out of fear from the few attacks which did kill journalists.
If the above examples are justified, and I am in error, then the FBI director's remark comes with good cause.
Cops do they dirty work of our society. And the Times can pretend that most violent crime does not occur in minority communities, with minorities often the victims, and that the jails are overwhelmed with young black males not solely due to low level drug crimes, but the greater public cannot afford to hide its head in the sand. They see it for what it is.
On their way home from work through Times Square, I'm sure Times employees say a silent thank you to every NYPD officer.
While anecdotal, it is curious that the Times picks and chooses which anecdotes to make into a news story. For example, there is no empirical evidence that the Confederate battle flag or statutes of Rebel leaders leads to more or less violence against blacks in 2015 but the Times is there to state that it must be so.
Similarly, there is no empirical evidence to show that Muslims are prone to murder journalists because of a few satirical cartoons re-printed in newspapers and magazines, but the Times still self-censored itself due to the anecdotal stories of "causing pain" and out of fear from the few attacks which did kill journalists.
If the above examples are justified, and I am in error, then the FBI director's remark comes with good cause.
Cops do they dirty work of our society. And the Times can pretend that most violent crime does not occur in minority communities, with minorities often the victims, and that the jails are overwhelmed with young black males not solely due to low level drug crimes, but the greater public cannot afford to hide its head in the sand. They see it for what it is.
On their way home from work through Times Square, I'm sure Times employees say a silent thank you to every NYPD officer.
3
@Jubillee133, so, what's your conclusion? The police should just shoot whomever they please whenever the notion strikes them? Alternatively, "blacks commit a lot of crime, therefore blacks should be arrested, and shot, in far greater numbers"? What is under discussion are the many cases where suspects, or even confirmed criminals, were shot without legal or moral justification. This is something that should concern everyone, because the next person shot could be someone you care about deeply, even yourself.
2
Clear eye : $110,000 salary in New York City is squat.
Not really. $110,000. is a livable wage. Starting legal associates in NYC, graduates of the very best law schools, are paid around $140,000. per yr. and they are expected to routinely work 60 to 70 hours a week, or more, doing the boring work that the senior attorneys no longer wish to handle. Most people who make under 300 or 400K don't live among the billionaires in Manhattan, but one can live well on 110, especially if it is supplemented by another wage earner in the family.
Repeatedly, the media acts as though the police are an independent entity who are without governance of any outside or higher authority. Police training and policy is determined by elected officials and their failure to change training and policy and to oversee it are testimony to their political views.
3
This is not just an issue with the African-American community. Police emboldened by the very large benefit of the doubt they enjoy - not to mention union contracts that shield them from discipline - makes every encounter between armed police and the public fraught.
There are many reasons for this problem beyond racism. Police are ordinary men required to make complicated legal decisions in an instant and the stakes are often life and death. The proper training of policemen so they have confidence in their ability to use their weapons and are aware of the rules of engagement is often lacking because of budgetary constraints. Likewise they have little training in community awareness.
Let's face it the police overreact when they are terrified and lack confidence in their ability to control a situation using non-lethal means - most of these unlawful deaths result from bad policing. Everyone should want properly trained police who are held fully accountable when they act unlawfully.
There are many reasons for this problem beyond racism. Police are ordinary men required to make complicated legal decisions in an instant and the stakes are often life and death. The proper training of policemen so they have confidence in their ability to use their weapons and are aware of the rules of engagement is often lacking because of budgetary constraints. Likewise they have little training in community awareness.
Let's face it the police overreact when they are terrified and lack confidence in their ability to control a situation using non-lethal means - most of these unlawful deaths result from bad policing. Everyone should want properly trained police who are held fully accountable when they act unlawfully.
1
The racial disparity in Greensboro traffic stops is not as great at the editorial board wants readers to believe. The University of North Carolina released a study on March 23, 2015 that showed Greensboro police made 488,754 traffic stops during a 10-year-period. Blacks, who make up 41 percent of the city’s residents, made up 49.78 percent of those pulled over. Whites, who make up 48 percent of the city’s residents, made up 46 percent of those pulled over. Police searched 24,011 vehicles, or 4.9 percent of vehicles they pulled over. The study showed 6.58 percent of black motorists and 3.16 percent of white motorist were searched. The age disparity between blacks and whites alone is enough to explain most of the disparity in traffic stops and searches. According to the Census Bureau, the median age for blacks is 32 while the median age for whites is 42. But the primary factor is that black motorists tend to live in high-crime neighborhoods that are heavily patrolled. The study showed white motorist driving in high-crime neighborhoods were more likely to be stopped and searched than white motorists driving in low-crime neighborhoods. Black motorists were much more likely than white motorists to consent to searches and were more likely than white motorists to be searched incidental to arrests. This means black motorists were more likely to have warrants out for their arrest. http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/legitimacy/pages/traffic-stops...
3
@William Case, it is fortunate that you have used quotes from another study on the subject of blacks being stopped more frequently by police. I would suggest, however, that no one city can serve as a universal example one way or another. Such varied results are interesting, but they don't prove the case.
As for the issue of blacks being stopped more often because they live in high crime areas, the number of patrols in those areas is itself the subject of controversy and reasonable concern. If you "flood the zone" of almost any neighborhood, you will find reasons to stop and arrest people. An expired tag. A broken taillight. A seatbelt not buckled.
I was driving a van not long ago in Bethesda, Md. We have a county wide police force where I live and an officer who was beside me at a traffic light signaled for me to roll down the passenger side window. He told me that it appeared the stop and turning signals on one side of the van were out. No traffic stop, no "license and registration" please, just a friendly alert. I appreciated the heads-up and corrected the problem that evening. In a largely black "high crime area" such curtesy would not likely have taken place.
The point is this: do we need to have so many officers crowding into black areas? Does it actually do anything to deter crime or does it simply mean, as in Ferguson, Mo., people are afraid to come out of their houses because they will be arrested?
As for the issue of blacks being stopped more often because they live in high crime areas, the number of patrols in those areas is itself the subject of controversy and reasonable concern. If you "flood the zone" of almost any neighborhood, you will find reasons to stop and arrest people. An expired tag. A broken taillight. A seatbelt not buckled.
I was driving a van not long ago in Bethesda, Md. We have a county wide police force where I live and an officer who was beside me at a traffic light signaled for me to roll down the passenger side window. He told me that it appeared the stop and turning signals on one side of the van were out. No traffic stop, no "license and registration" please, just a friendly alert. I appreciated the heads-up and corrected the problem that evening. In a largely black "high crime area" such curtesy would not likely have taken place.
The point is this: do we need to have so many officers crowding into black areas? Does it actually do anything to deter crime or does it simply mean, as in Ferguson, Mo., people are afraid to come out of their houses because they will be arrested?
It is hard to understand what Comey is trying to get at. On the spot video is a reality of life, something that everyone, especially officials, must accept.
Police officers do an essential job and should be respected accordingly. Many officers are also paid rather well--a report by the Houston Chronicle found that NYPD officers on the force for 5 years could expect to earn $110,000 annually. This is about what the average commercial airline pilot makes.
Given the circumstances, we should expect a new wave of police professionalism starting with the recognition that it is wrong, and often incendiary, to police unequally. One might expect the FBI Director to be leading the way toward higher police professionalism, which makes his recent comments all the more disappointing.
Police officers do an essential job and should be respected accordingly. Many officers are also paid rather well--a report by the Houston Chronicle found that NYPD officers on the force for 5 years could expect to earn $110,000 annually. This is about what the average commercial airline pilot makes.
Given the circumstances, we should expect a new wave of police professionalism starting with the recognition that it is wrong, and often incendiary, to police unequally. One might expect the FBI Director to be leading the way toward higher police professionalism, which makes his recent comments all the more disappointing.
4
It is perhaps ironic that the headline is tied so strongly to claims of "lies", as the premise upon which the editorial relies are poorly understood statistics. The old adage of the slippery slope downward from lies, damned lies and statistics might have intertwined itself within the story in an unintended fashion. This editorial later decries the absence of statistics as rendering the opinions of law enforcement a nullity. Statistics in this area are nuanced, and The Times does a disservice to engage in such caustic conclusions, further inflaming an issue, where dispassionate, comprehensive analysis is demanded for the public good. Is this a policing issue or a poorly promulgated legal policy issue? What facts has Comey encountered that leads him to his opinion? None? Really? The Times and its editorial board should lead the way on this issue, as it is uniquely qualified and situated to do so. I will be waiting for this reasoned analysis to bloom and I suspect that most readers will be eager to hear it.
2
The question is how can a man like Comey be heading the FBI, and what can we expect of the agency if the person who heads it believes that police should be given free rein over the rest of society?
4
There can be no definitive answer to the question of whether increased scrutiny of police is leading to increased crime because police are backing off. There is no data to collect and surveys of police would be skeptically received. Comey was expressing an opinion based on common sense and the Times is attacking him because it is more interested in knee-jerk liberal polemics than facts.
Liberals want to reform the criminal justice system, so they reject any notion that their reforms will lead to higher crime rates, which flies in the face of common sense. The end of broken windows policing and stop and frisk and less aggressive policing is bound to lead to an uptick in crime. So will the dumping of millions of non-violent offenders on the street without any change in the underlying economic conditions or any increased support from social services. Just because someone was convicted of a non-violent drug offense doesn’t mean they are non-violent.
There are compelling reasons to institute criminal justice reform, the current system is unjust and when the choice is between justice and safety we must choose justice. But we can’t ignore that there is a trade off because when crime inevitably goes up we invite a backlash. If Liberals stick their head in the sand and say we can have reform without an increase in crime we may not have the next important conversations about how to police effectively and justly at the same time and how to reduce crime by reducing poverty.
Liberals want to reform the criminal justice system, so they reject any notion that their reforms will lead to higher crime rates, which flies in the face of common sense. The end of broken windows policing and stop and frisk and less aggressive policing is bound to lead to an uptick in crime. So will the dumping of millions of non-violent offenders on the street without any change in the underlying economic conditions or any increased support from social services. Just because someone was convicted of a non-violent drug offense doesn’t mean they are non-violent.
There are compelling reasons to institute criminal justice reform, the current system is unjust and when the choice is between justice and safety we must choose justice. But we can’t ignore that there is a trade off because when crime inevitably goes up we invite a backlash. If Liberals stick their head in the sand and say we can have reform without an increase in crime we may not have the next important conversations about how to police effectively and justly at the same time and how to reduce crime by reducing poverty.
3
The response by Christie and Comey reminds me of a situation I found myself in some years ago as Executive Director of a government-sponsored agency. My predecessor E.D. suggested that my best way forward was to "do everything necessary" to avoid an audit by inspectors who might swoop down at any moment. My response was that if my behavior and my supervisory skill are always appropriate and above-board, why should I fear a surprise audit? My predecessor must have had something to hide.
Likewise, police acting appropriately should have no fear of being seen and recorded. The deeper problem is that their superiors, prosecutors, and politicians are all too willing to hide the truth when the police misbehave. Sunshine is the best disinfectant, and truth will set us free.
Likewise, police acting appropriately should have no fear of being seen and recorded. The deeper problem is that their superiors, prosecutors, and politicians are all too willing to hide the truth when the police misbehave. Sunshine is the best disinfectant, and truth will set us free.
6
I would imagine this gentleman is applying for job in the police department as we speak.
And your point would be... what? I'm 72, and not likely to be seeking a job of any kind.
"Straight out of Orwell." Over the last few years, I've watched the NY Times editorial board ratchet up the hype at a level directly inversely proportional to declining stock price and readership. By implying that the FBI Director is part of an Orwellian conspiracy, the Times will no doubt get attention. At the loss of its rapidly diminishing credibility beyond its shrinking base of True Believers.
6
I bet many police leaders said that the Miranda warnings would lead to higher crime and less effective policing, too. Here's an alternative explanation for higher crime: As our society becomes more stratified, with many more hopeless and impoverished people, more are turning to crime.
2
this video was posted on Vox of a video taken by a 3rd party of a police action. We may never have seen this had it not been for this video! the sad thing it is in a school and there is not outrage by other students in the classroom.
http://www.vox.com/2015/10/26/9618246/spring-valley-high-school-police-v...
The police have a problem that cannot just be explained away
http://www.vox.com/2015/10/26/9618246/spring-valley-high-school-police-v...
The police have a problem that cannot just be explained away
8
Let's stipulate right here that the "Black Lives Matter" group is a violent, anti-cop group. Next, let's recognize that most of these public videos start long after the confrontation began. I find it amazing that somehow blacks talk about having "the talk" but still talk back or don't cooperate with cops. I had that talk with my kids (white), they don't talk back, they say "Yes, officer".
It is quite clear that the President consistently sides against the enforcement of law, and this is having a ripple effect. If you don't comply with the cops, expect the worst - you'll deserve it.
It is quite clear that the President consistently sides against the enforcement of law, and this is having a ripple effect. If you don't comply with the cops, expect the worst - you'll deserve it.
2
yes, let's make it illegal to talk back to representatives of our government. Great idea. Just like the founders wanted our country to be.
1
There in lies the problem your inability to separate two groups of people. You are aware that blacks come frome different backgrounds. Also most of the cops doing the violent stuff already have had prior complants.
Thanks, but no, let's not "stipulate right here that the 'Black Lives Matter' group is a violent, anti-cop group." Where are you finding such overwhelming evidence to support such a claim? Black Lives Matter is a protest organization. Is it your opinion that protest is, by it's very nature, violent? Are you confused and given to interpreting protest marches, chants and songs as violence?
Tell you what, let's stipulate that most of these videos start at some point after the confrontation began, and let's look at the incident with the young girl in the school that occurred recently. Let's further stipulate that, regardless of what occurred prior to the cop putting his hands, VIOLENTLY, on the student, given her demeanor at the moment the officer confronted her, it is extremely difficult to imagine a persuasive rationale for the extreme level of force he employed there. If this is why some cops are afraid of video footage, well no wonder! Who would want their recklessness, violence and brutality on display and contradicting their cowardly and shameful rationalizations. Yeah... let's stipulate that. And if you think his approach and use of force with that young girl was appropriate, then like him, you've got serious issues.
Tell you what, let's stipulate that most of these videos start at some point after the confrontation began, and let's look at the incident with the young girl in the school that occurred recently. Let's further stipulate that, regardless of what occurred prior to the cop putting his hands, VIOLENTLY, on the student, given her demeanor at the moment the officer confronted her, it is extremely difficult to imagine a persuasive rationale for the extreme level of force he employed there. If this is why some cops are afraid of video footage, well no wonder! Who would want their recklessness, violence and brutality on display and contradicting their cowardly and shameful rationalizations. Yeah... let's stipulate that. And if you think his approach and use of force with that young girl was appropriate, then like him, you've got serious issues.
1
The critics of the police are definitely right to decry the clear racial profiling and abuses of power that have been going on. That doesn't mean that there's no validity to the claims that changes in police behavior are leading to more crime.
The system had reached an equilibrium in which a certain amount of police abuse was ignored or tolerated as part of its function. Disrupting the system could certainly lead to problems in the short to medium term, which won't be resolved until a new, hopefully better equilibrium is reached.
On another point, we should be very careful to distinguish tough policing from abusive policing. You can tell the difference because tough policing is used only in response to a serious crime, and has a clear goal and a logical endpoint. Abusive policing often attends minor crimes, affects large numbers of people, and includes violations of procedure.
The system had reached an equilibrium in which a certain amount of police abuse was ignored or tolerated as part of its function. Disrupting the system could certainly lead to problems in the short to medium term, which won't be resolved until a new, hopefully better equilibrium is reached.
On another point, we should be very careful to distinguish tough policing from abusive policing. You can tell the difference because tough policing is used only in response to a serious crime, and has a clear goal and a logical endpoint. Abusive policing often attends minor crimes, affects large numbers of people, and includes violations of procedure.
5
I think it is pretty clear that the police unions and some top law enforcement officials have decided that the best defense is a good offense, hence the deplorable claims that videotaping police is causing an increase in crime.
I also believe that some police union officials and perhaps some police officials are promoting or condoning what amounts to work slowdowns in retaliation for long overdue interventions by the US Department of Justice. For example, in Portland, Oregon, where I live, the head of the police union has complained recently that having to report incidents of use of force is interfering with officers' ability to do their job. Never mind that Portland Police Bureau is operating under a federal consent decree because of high-profile incidents in which the use of excessive force caused the deaths of mentally ill homeless people.
The current propaganda campaign illustrates just how much the law enforcement establishment resents civilian oversight and how far they will go to avoid it.
I also believe that some police union officials and perhaps some police officials are promoting or condoning what amounts to work slowdowns in retaliation for long overdue interventions by the US Department of Justice. For example, in Portland, Oregon, where I live, the head of the police union has complained recently that having to report incidents of use of force is interfering with officers' ability to do their job. Never mind that Portland Police Bureau is operating under a federal consent decree because of high-profile incidents in which the use of excessive force caused the deaths of mentally ill homeless people.
The current propaganda campaign illustrates just how much the law enforcement establishment resents civilian oversight and how far they will go to avoid it.
2
"There is no data suggesting such an effect..." The absence of data makes no difference to the entrenched supporters of the status quo. Data are (ok, is) for pinko liberals.
1
Comey's appointment is a perfect example of Obama's pandering to Republican extremism and having it blown right back in his face while decent Americans suffer for it.
3
The real problem here, is that time and time again, it has been shown that nobody can be trusted in a position of authority without accountability. We regularly pontificate about how we don't trust our government, we don't trust large corporations, we don't trust any "authority" figure. Yet for some reason, the same people that decry "big government" and "political corruption", trust an armed civilian force given authority over the life and death of all US citizens with little accountability.
3
This past Saturday, I was talking to some friends on a radio about how my mailboxes were repeatedly smashed by vandals in the past residence. The next day, Sunday, I left the house to shop for just a half hour and returned to find my current mailbox smashed and it cost me 47 dollars to replace the strong wood post and bracket. Was the vandal listening to me on the radio the day before? Could have been. Did I call the cops? NO WAY! The cops have a habit of screwing the victim, which has happened to me before when I was arrested when asking the police for help out in California.
DON'T call the cops anymore. That way they will get less calls, and can't justify their bloated ranks and costs.
DON'T call the cops anymore. That way they will get less calls, and can't justify their bloated ranks and costs.
Individuals like Comey or Christie have no place in the positions they hold, when they are intentionally blind to the reality of racist abuse and brutality carried out by law enforcement throughout our nation.
This is not a new problem. It is only that technology has finally allowed us to see the pervasiveness and level of brutality involved.
For too long, law enforcement abuse has been either explained away by excuses, or swept under the rug. Law enforcement officers do not have the right to escalate into violence when situations do not call for it. Far too often their initial impulse is toward violence.
If politicians and law enforcement leaders are uncomfortable with the legitimate criticisms and calls for justice by an abused populace, they should have the integrity to hold law enforcement officers to the standards of the law- prosecute and jail them when these excesses occur.
If they can't do that, then it's time we find new leadership in this country.
This is not a new problem. It is only that technology has finally allowed us to see the pervasiveness and level of brutality involved.
For too long, law enforcement abuse has been either explained away by excuses, or swept under the rug. Law enforcement officers do not have the right to escalate into violence when situations do not call for it. Far too often their initial impulse is toward violence.
If politicians and law enforcement leaders are uncomfortable with the legitimate criticisms and calls for justice by an abused populace, they should have the integrity to hold law enforcement officers to the standards of the law- prosecute and jail them when these excesses occur.
If they can't do that, then it's time we find new leadership in this country.
2
Police are given power by the State, with that power comes responsibility. How about the NYTimes? Given power by the State, Check, how about responsibility? For the past 20 years, what is the stance of the Editorial board regarding the War on Drugs, I mean the War on Black People? Has the NYTimes asked for equal number of drug raids at Harvard as in Baltimore? It's funny how quick everyone runs from responsibility. WE declared War on Drugs, we did that! WE monetize young black men for Billions of dollars a year at our Universities. We do that, not some "other", not some ISIS or Black hat wearing people, so we can wear the White hat's and claim moral superiority.
1
I think they Black Lives Matter group are getting what they want. Less harassment, less jailed young black men, less hassle to go about their business. Fine.
2
When read in a non-biased way, Chris Christie's comment is neither offensive nor incorrect.
"The police searched black motorists or their cars twice as often as whites — even though whites where significantly more likely to be caught with drugs and weapons." - I'd like to see the evidence backing this statement.
"The police searched black motorists or their cars twice as often as whites — even though whites where significantly more likely to be caught with drugs and weapons." - I'd like to see the evidence backing this statement.
1
It's out there.... look it up!! Google is your friend!!
I'm sure that Himmler and Dzerzhinsky would agree wholeheartedly that cops cannot enforce the law unless they are free to break it with impunity.
Now, what's the stuff about the Supreme Court in the Heller case saying that one of the purposes of the Second Amendment is to allow an armed citizenry to protect itself from a tyrannical government?
Now, what's the stuff about the Supreme Court in the Heller case saying that one of the purposes of the Second Amendment is to allow an armed citizenry to protect itself from a tyrannical government?
2
In many cases, the police escalate the confrontation instead of trying to resolve it peacefully. Witness today video of a school girl being brutally slammed to the floor by the white police office. No one can claim she was a danger to a 200 lb police "officer."!! Why not resolve those kinds of issues peacefully and in a civilized way?! How do you think that girl will feel about the police now?!
America is a very harsh and brutal country, especially if you are poor and the wrong skin color. Police are very rough and unnecessarily brutal.
And those of you who don't understand what "Black Lives Matter" means, please read American history - for the last 400 years.
America is a very harsh and brutal country, especially if you are poor and the wrong skin color. Police are very rough and unnecessarily brutal.
And those of you who don't understand what "Black Lives Matter" means, please read American history - for the last 400 years.
5
I suggest you read afternoons for you for the last 40 years .
Maybe it's time to disband the police. Reinstate the draft. Including a domestic policing component. Those not chosen to serve overseas would be obliged to serve in their community police department.
1
You either don't understand data or are deliberately misleading readers. True, AAs are more likely to be killed by Police -- because their crime rate is in the stratosphere vs Whites. AAs commit murders at 6x the rate as Whites, and in every category of violent crime, AAs are disproportionately represented. And AAs account for about half of all cop killings. Once you take those undeniable facts into account, a higher proportion of AA deaths by cops is no surprise. And in the vast majority of cases, these killings are justified.
Other points -- what empirical data do you have to support the claim that police brutality has damaged AA communities for generations?
2) Comey may not have empirical data yet, but doesn't it make sense that if your every move was taped and you know even ambiguous events will be used against you to demonize you, take your job, criminalize you for political purposes you might back off?
3) I've gone into the Greensboro report in detail. Bottom line, they didn't control for crime rates or socioeconomic status -- they admitted those factors might affect their analysis, but went ahead and presented the data by race only -- wonder why.
Your editorial, as with Greensboro article, misuses data and is merely a partisan attack on police. No one but the far left takes you seriously. Have you no shame -- or do you not understand how incompetent your data analysis is?
1) what evidence do you have that
Other points -- what empirical data do you have to support the claim that police brutality has damaged AA communities for generations?
2) Comey may not have empirical data yet, but doesn't it make sense that if your every move was taped and you know even ambiguous events will be used against you to demonize you, take your job, criminalize you for political purposes you might back off?
3) I've gone into the Greensboro report in detail. Bottom line, they didn't control for crime rates or socioeconomic status -- they admitted those factors might affect their analysis, but went ahead and presented the data by race only -- wonder why.
Your editorial, as with Greensboro article, misuses data and is merely a partisan attack on police. No one but the far left takes you seriously. Have you no shame -- or do you not understand how incompetent your data analysis is?
1) what evidence do you have that
6
The editorial board ought to know what a lie is about police brutality. The board had the Ferguson officer convicted of shooting an innocent person and the thug he killed haled as a wonderful person within days of it happening. We know how that worked out.
6
The periodic rate of accumulation of stops by police officers should be easy to monitor. Therefore, pulling black drivers over at rates periodically adjusted to make them equal to black drivers' share of local driving populations should also easy. Similar actions can be taken regarding arrests. Such actions should placate those who claim that law enforcement shows racial bias toward blacks. How these actions affect crime rates and black attitudes toward police would be very, very interesting to see.
Only the New York Times Editorial Board could attempt to legitimize an organization which doesn't condemn repeated chants by its members of:
"Pigs in a blanket, fry 'em like bacon."
"What do we want? Dead Cops!!! When do we want them? Now!!!"
Black Lives Matters has devolved into nothing more than an anti-police hate group. People have wised up to that - except the usual apologists like President Obama and the New York Times Editorial Board. Shame on both of you!
"Pigs in a blanket, fry 'em like bacon."
"What do we want? Dead Cops!!! When do we want them? Now!!!"
Black Lives Matters has devolved into nothing more than an anti-police hate group. People have wised up to that - except the usual apologists like President Obama and the New York Times Editorial Board. Shame on both of you!
6
Yes - but did it get your attention?! Purpose served.
The hatred of police by blacks, as supported by editorials such as this, leads them to resist to be angry if they get stopped for going through a red light, and to refuse any rational request or order by a cop, as is the case with the latest video of a cop "abusing" a student in South Carolina somewhere. Obama, the NYTimes, Sharpton and the like create the fear and hatred that causes many of these instances... Michael Brown, Trayvon, and on and on... Keep pushing statistics - "Greensboro police officers were .. more likely to use force if the driver was black.." What statistic can prove that the force either happened or was unjustified. Is there any statistic that says blacks were more likely to scream at a cop for being stopped for a traffic violation? Or to run from a cop? Or like Michael Brown, to attack a cop? No, there is just the political use of statistics such as more blacks being stopped for red light violations in the predominantly black side of town or something.
3
Times reporters found that the police pulled over African-American drivers at a rate far out of proportion to their share of the local driving population.
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(1) Can you report on what percent of crimes in those precincts are committed by blacks? If the cops receive an alert about a local bodega heist and the suspect is black and fleeing, then, of course, there is probable cause to stop a black driver to see if that person was the wanted one. It is a sad reality that blacks may represent 30% of a community but commit 70% of all crimes in that community.
(2) Why are you not criticizing the effect slogans such as "pigs in a blanket" and "fry'em like a pig" are having on law enforcement? It would seem to me that if a black person is being stopped and arrested, all he has to do is to put up a fight to have the cops "get a cold chill".
Mayor Rambo Emanuel is criticizing the anti-police rhetoric emanating from the leaders or organizers of BLM movement. Why is your editorial silent on that critique?
-----------------------------
(1) Can you report on what percent of crimes in those precincts are committed by blacks? If the cops receive an alert about a local bodega heist and the suspect is black and fleeing, then, of course, there is probable cause to stop a black driver to see if that person was the wanted one. It is a sad reality that blacks may represent 30% of a community but commit 70% of all crimes in that community.
(2) Why are you not criticizing the effect slogans such as "pigs in a blanket" and "fry'em like a pig" are having on law enforcement? It would seem to me that if a black person is being stopped and arrested, all he has to do is to put up a fight to have the cops "get a cold chill".
Mayor Rambo Emanuel is criticizing the anti-police rhetoric emanating from the leaders or organizers of BLM movement. Why is your editorial silent on that critique?
5
To me the problem is that the stories always start in the middle, by that I mean after a suspect has been stopped by police, it is his behavior in terms of deference or respect that the police officer responds to and this always leads to the justification of force, sometimes deadly force. There is never any discussion or acknowledgement that the way the police officer approaches a person could in fact be the precipitant of an incident, this causes a counter reaction which then justifies the use of force by police.
I am sorry but here is simply no reason ever that an unarmed person who is stopped for a non violent crime or a routine traffic violation should ever end up injured or dead. If we as a society are unwilling to buy into this then we are unwitting enablers to such violence.
When a person feels unsafe, their fight or flight system kicks into gear. Given what we know about our 400 year history, if I were a black man and was stopped by the police I would fear for my life and would react by running or resisting which would get me shot.
I am not a law enforcement hater in any sense but when I look at the pattern I wonder if law enforcement ought to put a premium on
I am sorry but here is simply no reason ever that an unarmed person who is stopped for a non violent crime or a routine traffic violation should ever end up injured or dead. If we as a society are unwilling to buy into this then we are unwitting enablers to such violence.
When a person feels unsafe, their fight or flight system kicks into gear. Given what we know about our 400 year history, if I were a black man and was stopped by the police I would fear for my life and would react by running or resisting which would get me shot.
I am not a law enforcement hater in any sense but when I look at the pattern I wonder if law enforcement ought to put a premium on
1
Police Officer Randolph Holder, Raymond Moore, Rafael L. Ramos and Wenjian Liu
https://www.odmp.org/agency/2758-new-york-city-police-department-new-york
Those are the last four officers killed in New York City. They were all killed by young Black men. And the NYTimes cannot bring themselves to acknowledge that there is a major problem with the behavior of many; but far from all, young Black men.
One white officer, one Black, one Hispanic, one Asian. Pretty diverse group of cops. What does the cop on the street actually feel these days? Why isn't the NYTimes interviewing NYPD officers?
https://www.odmp.org/agency/2758-new-york-city-police-department-new-york
Those are the last four officers killed in New York City. They were all killed by young Black men. And the NYTimes cannot bring themselves to acknowledge that there is a major problem with the behavior of many; but far from all, young Black men.
One white officer, one Black, one Hispanic, one Asian. Pretty diverse group of cops. What does the cop on the street actually feel these days? Why isn't the NYTimes interviewing NYPD officers?
3
There is absolutely no reason to believe that a police officer, when faced with mortal danger, will not protect himself. They are trained to respond, but, what is more, the whole culture of police in America is finely tuned to the idea that violence is appropriate and should be used quickly and effectively.
The idea that James Comey put forward, that police are now afraid of being caught on video, is absurd, but in a backhand way it supports the idea that many of America's police forces are on strike in protest of being called out, and prosecuted, for excessive violence. The working sit down strike is the problem, or a major part of it.
Until recently, there was almost no danger that a police officer shooting and killing someone would be charged with a crime. His fellow officers would back him up. His commanders, likewise. Further, the local prosecutor would be hesitant to indict "one of our own". We are seeing a huge change in American culture from tolerating excessive police force to one of active questioning of the role of police in our society. This is a useful and healthy change.
If you want your police department to operate like paid thugs who can respond to crime with thugism, then you don't want them to be watched closely. You would prefer the old ways: look the other way and accept whatever the police say happened. That is no longer acceptable. With the use of excessive violence, the police have become a force for social and economic suppression of minorities.
The idea that James Comey put forward, that police are now afraid of being caught on video, is absurd, but in a backhand way it supports the idea that many of America's police forces are on strike in protest of being called out, and prosecuted, for excessive violence. The working sit down strike is the problem, or a major part of it.
Until recently, there was almost no danger that a police officer shooting and killing someone would be charged with a crime. His fellow officers would back him up. His commanders, likewise. Further, the local prosecutor would be hesitant to indict "one of our own". We are seeing a huge change in American culture from tolerating excessive police force to one of active questioning of the role of police in our society. This is a useful and healthy change.
If you want your police department to operate like paid thugs who can respond to crime with thugism, then you don't want them to be watched closely. You would prefer the old ways: look the other way and accept whatever the police say happened. That is no longer acceptable. With the use of excessive violence, the police have become a force for social and economic suppression of minorities.
3
There may be hope when one of America's most read newspapers starts holding those who wield all the power in our society accountable to the people they are supposed to work for and represent. In a democracy the press is supposed to hold those in power accountable to the common people, and not visa-versa, especially when American citizens are being killed.
The problem with the violence that our society suffers from comes from the top down, the 100,000+ shot dead since Sandy Hook including the few thousand killed by municipal authorities lies squarely at the feet of our federal, state and municipal authorities. This also includes the millions behind bars. If our system was working well, we would not be saddled with these outrageous statistics. Including the 300+ million guns on the loose in society.
Chris Christie and other authorities who have come out publically the past week against the right of Americans to protest the killings of unarmed African Americans and who support government secrecy when it comes to the use of violence on unarmed American citizens regardless of their ethnicity should resign or be impeached. Their words in support of the use of violence, oppression and government secrecy when American citizens' human rights are violated is a global embarrassment for the USA.
The problem with the violence that our society suffers from comes from the top down, the 100,000+ shot dead since Sandy Hook including the few thousand killed by municipal authorities lies squarely at the feet of our federal, state and municipal authorities. This also includes the millions behind bars. If our system was working well, we would not be saddled with these outrageous statistics. Including the 300+ million guns on the loose in society.
Chris Christie and other authorities who have come out publically the past week against the right of Americans to protest the killings of unarmed African Americans and who support government secrecy when it comes to the use of violence on unarmed American citizens regardless of their ethnicity should resign or be impeached. Their words in support of the use of violence, oppression and government secrecy when American citizens' human rights are violated is a global embarrassment for the USA.
3
there is a massive problem that is also connected to guns. if the community is armed the police are at greater risk and more likely to over react. it must be terrifying being a police officer in the USA but more terrifying being black. this is still no excuse for brutality against the unarmed which should be prosecuted relentlessly
1
I wonder how the average citizen would like to have everything he did put before the camera each and every day. While goofing off in the office, taking drinks from his desk draw, etc. we are living in a very dangerous age with all these cameras in our face. The police reaction will be to back off and say it's not worth our job.
1
There is something terribly wrong when this sort of thing happens, even just once, let alone over and over again: http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/27/us/south-carolina-school-arrest-video/inde...
1
Generalities based on police anecdotes are not as persuasive as addressing a few concrete episodes like the recent South Carolina police abuse incident, a video of a white policeman forcibly ejecting a black female student from a classroom.
Attorney Gen. Loretta Lynch, who once could have been that student, needs to ask FBI Dir. Comey: is the video from that incident the kind of unauthorized information to the public that inhibits police arrests?
He ought to address the anecdotes as well as the videos of both sides. Let's be bluntly honest about what his omission tells us: Not to address what the videos of police abuse show us, in a speech to police, can well be interpreted as evidence of his cultural bias against African Americans.
Attorney Gen. Loretta Lynch, who once could have been that student, needs to ask FBI Dir. Comey: is the video from that incident the kind of unauthorized information to the public that inhibits police arrests?
He ought to address the anecdotes as well as the videos of both sides. Let's be bluntly honest about what his omission tells us: Not to address what the videos of police abuse show us, in a speech to police, can well be interpreted as evidence of his cultural bias against African Americans.
1
As long as the Usan (= American) society relies for its security on mercenary hired guns in municipal police forces, the problem of police brutality and misuse of power will not go away.
It is time for the people to think of an alternative model of a well-organized society, based on the Judaeo-Christian principles of the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule of Ethics ("One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself"). This may include that the people should resort to the immortal words of Wilhelm Tell (transl. Theodore Martin of 1891, slightly modified), "I want my arm, when I want a weapon".
It is time for the people to think of an alternative model of a well-organized society, based on the Judaeo-Christian principles of the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule of Ethics ("One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself"). This may include that the people should resort to the immortal words of Wilhelm Tell (transl. Theodore Martin of 1891, slightly modified), "I want my arm, when I want a weapon".
The evidence is becoming clear that for whatever reason some of our police officers are using tactics with minorities that are simply tactics of oppression creating fear and submission. Yes, this reduces crime. These are the tactics of a police state, I doubt there was much crime in the old Soviet Union or Communist China, but is this how we want to fight crime in this country?
1
I'm not sure I agree with the premise of this editorial. For many years now, at least since the New York Times decided to publish the information about TIA (Total Information Awareness) and the country realized that ordinary people might be under government surveillance, people have spoken about the "chilling effect" of such surveillance on speech. The NYT has talked about it, the ACLU has talked about it, other rights groups, and law schools and journalism schools have talked about it. Surveillance causes a chilling effect.
But now that it is the police that are under surveillance by those who talked about its chilling effect, everyone jumps to the ramparts not to defend that surveillance, or to discuss whether or not it could be improved, but to claim that such an effect never happens and/or doesn't change the behavior of those surveilled.
So which is true? If surveillance didn't change the behavior of the cops, we wouldn't be doing it and demanding it. Shouldn't this be a dialogue to find out whether there are unintended consequences, rather than a flat denial by those who invented the words "chilling effect" that when they do surveillance it also chills the surveilled?
But now that it is the police that are under surveillance by those who talked about its chilling effect, everyone jumps to the ramparts not to defend that surveillance, or to discuss whether or not it could be improved, but to claim that such an effect never happens and/or doesn't change the behavior of those surveilled.
So which is true? If surveillance didn't change the behavior of the cops, we wouldn't be doing it and demanding it. Shouldn't this be a dialogue to find out whether there are unintended consequences, rather than a flat denial by those who invented the words "chilling effect" that when they do surveillance it also chills the surveilled?
2
I wouldn’t want to be a police officer it’s one of the hardest jobs there is in this country, you see the worst of humanity daily it changes you inside its takes your idealism and rips it to sheds. Callouses grow where your heart use to be, you listen to lies and liars all day, “I wasn’t speeding”, “I didn’t steal that”, “that wasn’t in my car” it’s endless. Not to mention the dead bodies, the drug addicted, the hungry dirty children with drunken parents and only cold beer in the fridge. Not many of you could see that on a daily basis and not be perpetually angry or racist or suicidal, police officers deserve our respect and understanding for the job they are entrusted with.
With that being said, they also need to be held accountable when they go too far with an overly aggressive arrest, an unwarranted shooting, or causing the death of someone inadvertently or without just cause. The racist and aggressive without cause need to be weeded out of contact with the public, psychological monitoring should be required after a number of civilian complaints are substantiated. Lastly body cameras should be standard for every police officer on duty; if you cannot do your job in the full light of public scrutiny you should find another line of work.
With that being said, they also need to be held accountable when they go too far with an overly aggressive arrest, an unwarranted shooting, or causing the death of someone inadvertently or without just cause. The racist and aggressive without cause need to be weeded out of contact with the public, psychological monitoring should be required after a number of civilian complaints are substantiated. Lastly body cameras should be standard for every police officer on duty; if you cannot do your job in the full light of public scrutiny you should find another line of work.
2
Chris Christie was a prosecutor before he became governor so his remarks indicate that he probably took anything any police officer said at face value. And, of course, it was his seemingly private militia - the Port Authority police - who executed the days-long traffic jam (oops, I mean traffic study) at the George Washington Bridge. So he owes them.
1
The NY Times Editorial Board has its collective heads in the sand. While the BLM movement no doubt contains some hate-filled mongerers, there are elements that should be seriously considered for improving police actions with regard to blacks.
But the 800-pound elephant in the room which this editorial doesn't even consider are the constituents most harmed by less aggressive police enforcement: black communities. With more lax enforcement, gangbangers and other miscreants are feeling more emboldened to spread mischief and increasingly threaten blacks trying to make an honest living in their communities. If police are not there to protect them due to personal safety issues or misinterpretation of enforcement with pervasive cellphone videos, they are the true losers in this BLM movement.
But nary a word about this consequence from BLM or liberal media like the NY Times.
But the 800-pound elephant in the room which this editorial doesn't even consider are the constituents most harmed by less aggressive police enforcement: black communities. With more lax enforcement, gangbangers and other miscreants are feeling more emboldened to spread mischief and increasingly threaten blacks trying to make an honest living in their communities. If police are not there to protect them due to personal safety issues or misinterpretation of enforcement with pervasive cellphone videos, they are the true losers in this BLM movement.
But nary a word about this consequence from BLM or liberal media like the NY Times.
3
Another white male telling African Americans what's good for them. Just shut up and take it for your own good. I'm sure that African Americans everywhere would like to say thanks Steve!
What do the politicians mean when they claim that cops refuse to engage suspects? The police are not suppose to engage anyone that is not or has not committed a crime. They are not supposed to harass or intimidate anyone. They are supposed to respond to calls for help. They are supposed to patrol and maintain a street presence to thwart crime. Otherwise, they are supposed to leave us alone.
If what Comey said was true, then those cops are not doing their jobs at the expense of public safety. No one is saying that the cops cannot use force, it is the use of unnecessary and sometimes lethal force that is being questioned.
Right wingers often support spying and unwarranted investigations with the excuse if you have nothing to hide, don't worry about it. Well, good cops that do their jobs properly have nothing to hide or worry about.
Part of the problem is low pay. The bottom 10% of officers make less than $32,000 and those are primarily from small communities. Being a cop is not a road to riches. It takes a special person to wear that badge and the low pay for such a risky job is going to attract a few not so special people. A little more public investment in law enforcement infrastructure might help here.
If what Comey said was true, then those cops are not doing their jobs at the expense of public safety. No one is saying that the cops cannot use force, it is the use of unnecessary and sometimes lethal force that is being questioned.
Right wingers often support spying and unwarranted investigations with the excuse if you have nothing to hide, don't worry about it. Well, good cops that do their jobs properly have nothing to hide or worry about.
Part of the problem is low pay. The bottom 10% of officers make less than $32,000 and those are primarily from small communities. Being a cop is not a road to riches. It takes a special person to wear that badge and the low pay for such a risky job is going to attract a few not so special people. A little more public investment in law enforcement infrastructure might help here.
15
Tax cuts for rich people are more important than paying for the best teachers for our kids and more important than recruiting and paying the best people we can find for our police forces. In a sensible world, teachers and police officers would be paid upper middle class salaries and we would go out of our way to recruit the best possible people for these jobs that are essential for a civil, functioning and successful society.
2
There is hard evidence of isolated instances of police brutality against blacks. There is statistical evidence suggesting widespread discrimination. But there is no evidence that the police systematically kill blacks with impunity, not unlike the KKK. This view is, in my opinion, way excessive, and yet it is becoming mainstream. Implicit in the argument here is that it is racist to question the existence of pervasive race-based violence on the part of the cops. I, for one, do not equate the police and the KKK. If that is racist, then that's what I am.
1
I have read the comments here about how evil law enforcement officers from a host of liberal commentators. I have a suggestion for them. If they think they could do the job better, then get off your computer, go to city hall or wherever such applications are made, apply to become a law officer, pass the entrance exam, the background check, and the physical agility and strength test, go through the academy, get the required certification, then go put on the uniform, hit the streets, and a show the veteran law officers how it's done. Believe me it's not as easy as the liberals here seem to think it is. How do I know this? I know this because I have done it.
32
Thanks for your service and dedication. While you are out there risking your life protecting the public, do us all a favor. When you see cops behaving badly or using excessive force, intervene, stop the few bad cops. If you and all the good cops would put the hammer down on the few that are ending up in these terribly incriminating videos, these so called liberal commentators would shut up. A bullet doesn't know the difference between a conservative or liberal. It kills all with equal effectiveness.
3
M R Bryant,
So,,, you are implying that conservatives are the only ones that can/do police work?!? That conservative police have to act aggressive and bully and lie and kill civilians because it is too tough otherwise?!? Do you not see the disconnect here?!? You are condoning the killing of unarmed civilians. You are making excuses for the beating and incarceration of innocent civilians because it is a tough job and you just can't help yourselves?!? This is the reason the issue is finally coming to the forefront. You, conservatives, are not cut out to do this job. Your being afraid and only able to respond one way is the issue Americans want to change. Both in politics and policing. You are the problem.
So,,, you are implying that conservatives are the only ones that can/do police work?!? That conservative police have to act aggressive and bully and lie and kill civilians because it is too tough otherwise?!? Do you not see the disconnect here?!? You are condoning the killing of unarmed civilians. You are making excuses for the beating and incarceration of innocent civilians because it is a tough job and you just can't help yourselves?!? This is the reason the issue is finally coming to the forefront. You, conservatives, are not cut out to do this job. Your being afraid and only able to respond one way is the issue Americans want to change. Both in politics and policing. You are the problem.
1
I tried to become a police officer. I was denied entry into the academy for being too smart, and the ruling was then upheld by the second circuit court of appeals in New York.
Ok, It wasn't me, but it did happen.
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/09/nyregion/metro-news-briefs-connecticut...
I find it curious that a veteran law officer like you claim to be wouldn't know where to apply to become a police officer; In light of the previously cited court case, I guess it comes as no surprise.
Ok, It wasn't me, but it did happen.
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/09/nyregion/metro-news-briefs-connecticut...
I find it curious that a veteran law officer like you claim to be wouldn't know where to apply to become a police officer; In light of the previously cited court case, I guess it comes as no surprise.
Too many cops choose their jobs for the wrong reason, that is because they are bullies who want to be able to intimidate others with impunity, especially black people and others that they see as their inferiors. I've known a number of cops personally for whom this is true. The kind of scrutiny the police are getting now is exactly what is needed to deter bullies from entering police work. A person who aims to be a wise and careful public servant has nothing to fear from scrutiny. That is the kind of person we need in our police forces.
62
Comey's remarks do not appear to be based on any empirical data; but I bet he and his staff talk to a lot of cops. Has anybody thought about asking cops - in a quasi-ethnographic way - what they are thinking about and what informs their actions (or lack of actions)? On the other hand, cops should welcome body cameras. They will give the public the opportunity to see that kinds of abuse that they take from the drunk, stoned, privileged and entitled every day. They will not be good recruiting tools but they will certainly open a window onto the miserable job that they face everyday.
1
The NYT uses anecdotes like Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, etc. to justify its claims of racism on the part of police. But then it criticizes James Comey for pointing out that crime has increased since these events were highly publicized. Of course there is no data, just an increase in the murder rate in Baltimore since the Freddie Grey incident.
And the relevant statistic to compare police stops to is not the proportion of the population that any ethnic group represents, but the proportion of crime that group represents. Thus since blacks account for over half of all murders and over a third of all violent crime, we should expect blacks to be stopped at a rate disproportionate to their share of the population - as even the NYT article on the Greensboro police acknowledged.
Is there police abuse - yes. Is it as rampant as the NYT would like you to believe - no.
And the relevant statistic to compare police stops to is not the proportion of the population that any ethnic group represents, but the proportion of crime that group represents. Thus since blacks account for over half of all murders and over a third of all violent crime, we should expect blacks to be stopped at a rate disproportionate to their share of the population - as even the NYT article on the Greensboro police acknowledged.
Is there police abuse - yes. Is it as rampant as the NYT would like you to believe - no.
4
Jim Waddell,
Maybe the public sees an issue with the killings of Eric Garner and Tamir Rice and the like because the killers went free.?!? Because when the paltry fines that might be instituted are not paid by the police, the tax payer picks up the tab. Because the disconnect of "Gee, that's the way it has to be". " Its just to dang hard to arrest and interact with these bad people without beating them and killing them so they will respect my authority." It is rampant enough that the issue needs addressing and stopped. Why is that so hard to understand?! Because you agree. As long as it's not you and yours let it continue.!? USA!
Maybe the public sees an issue with the killings of Eric Garner and Tamir Rice and the like because the killers went free.?!? Because when the paltry fines that might be instituted are not paid by the police, the tax payer picks up the tab. Because the disconnect of "Gee, that's the way it has to be". " Its just to dang hard to arrest and interact with these bad people without beating them and killing them so they will respect my authority." It is rampant enough that the issue needs addressing and stopped. Why is that so hard to understand?! Because you agree. As long as it's not you and yours let it continue.!? USA!
The editorial is fully on point. Police officers who do their jobs properly have nothing to fear from videos. Those who argue that videos deter effective policing necessarily premise their argument on the idea that only the hidden use of excessive force can be effective in maintaining public order. In any event, neither Comey nor anyone else can make current or future video technology go away,and the First Amendment fortunately prohibits attempts to bar observers from taking videos of police action. So law enforcement -- which is at the forefront of using technology to keep the rest of us under surveillance -- is going to have to get used to their corner of the surveillance society. Hopefully it will improve their practices and make Ferguson and Staten Island and South Carolina-like situations -- and everyday police bullying -- less frequent.
48
Thank you for your stand on this issue. I am impressed by your use of "Freedom of the Press" to highlight the need for the greater good of all citizens, not just Blacks.
I gleaned one important lesson from Mr. Comey's remarks. During his tenure, there will be no justice for those afflicted by police violence. Once again I state; the F.B.I. runs the nations police and backs them up with the threat of military force. They are the political wing of the Pentagon. The shadow military government is the true ruler of America............and the world.
Y.B. Normal............be smarter.
I gleaned one important lesson from Mr. Comey's remarks. During his tenure, there will be no justice for those afflicted by police violence. Once again I state; the F.B.I. runs the nations police and backs them up with the threat of military force. They are the political wing of the Pentagon. The shadow military government is the true ruler of America............and the world.
Y.B. Normal............be smarter.
Instead of reading and learning about police brutality in my community there have been active support programs of police with signs in yards and gatherings of support groups. It doesn't surprise me because this is a "white flight" community of the 60's and 70's where we fight long and hard to keep the :"others" out. We are supposed to be a "Christian" community as is all of this State but it is not in evidence here.
1
Given our nation's history it should come as no surprise violence is a tool used to quell those who, in the minds of many keepers of the peace, attempt to live outside the plantation.
However the fact that a man who many consider to be our highest ranking police officer should offer an assessment, both similar and shallow as the mentally overstuffed Governor of New Jersey, does strike me (none intended) as taken from the pages of the same tired playbook.
What is it that those who are empowered to enforce the law don't understand about the fact that no one, including them, is above the law?
However the fact that a man who many consider to be our highest ranking police officer should offer an assessment, both similar and shallow as the mentally overstuffed Governor of New Jersey, does strike me (none intended) as taken from the pages of the same tired playbook.
What is it that those who are empowered to enforce the law don't understand about the fact that no one, including them, is above the law?
1
Comey should resign over these outrageous remarks, but let's not forget that the ever rudderless Obama appointed him.
Outrageous remarks? That police are more hesitant to engage in confrontations with suspects for fear of appearing in viral videos? That's your notion of outrageous? Talk to some cops sometime and ask them if that's true and why. Maybe it won't seem so outrageous then.
Are African Americans battered less by African American cops? If not, why not? Perhaps it's time to make part of every police force conscripted. Make every race and demographic part of the solution.
1
The last time I read about this specific issue, the data indicated that the race of the office had no significant impact on the likelihood of excessive force. Various theories have been advanced for why, from black officers needing to show their fellow white officers that they are "cool" and "down," to internalized acceptance of anti-black propaganda that views blacks only as suspects, never as citizens.
1
Prior to the drug war, I think two personality types dominated our police force: heroes and bullies. There are still heroes, but the drug war discouraged well-meaning people from joining the police force. It's hard for me to imagine how a well-meaning cop could stay in that work once he saw the ruined families and lives our national policies created, let alone the attitudes and behaviors of his fellow cops. I fear that asking our police to engage in something so wrong has left us mostly bullies. I am a gray haired retired school teacher in the suburbs. Just the same, I do not, ever, call the police. I have discouraged a local dealer whose customers were creating a traffic hazard. I have gone into the street and broken up a teen fight, being threatened with a heavy chain by a teen who was using it to threaten another teen. I recruited neighbors to help me, and they didn't call the police either. I guess like me they feared the police might fail to discern between the attacker and the victim and would harm these young people or ruin their lives. And this is white suburbia. What's more, I have no trust the police wouldn't brutalize or arrest me if I, inevitably, stepped in to protect my young neighbors from police mistreatment. I was not armed or overly fearful in these situations. Police shooting incident reports suggest that our armed police feel oddly threatened by everyday interactions. We need a way to screen police for bullies and fearful people - often the same group.
3
The two points of view are not mutually exclusive. It's likely - and probably more of a good thing than not - that police are more restrained and judicious in their behaviour. Especially with respect to incidents that are within the discretion of the officer, he or she is probably more likely to think through what might go wrong and act accordingly. I'm sure all of us would act differently in our jobs if we thought we were potentially subject to anonymous video recording. Having said that, the increase in police being more restrained is very likely to result in more crime and fewer criminals and those with criminal intent being challenged and arrested. There's no doubt that there is a sad track record of racial profiling and police abuse. It's unacceptable. But there's also no doubt that as police modify their behaviour, crime is bound to increase. If we want less police enforcement, then we will have more crime. The challenge is to find ways to rehabilitate rouge officers and departments so that their motivation is more focused on the public interest and away from unnecessary violence and racial profiling.
We don't want *less* police enforcement, we want *better* police enforcement.
More whites have been killed by police this year, than blacks. Some of them were likely killed by black cops. Of course we won't here about this at the NYT.
Personally, I prefer reading non-fiction than a racially charged "narrative."
Personally, I prefer reading non-fiction than a racially charged "narrative."
1
The statistical anomaly may confuse you. In magnitude, the number of white victims of police brutality almost certainly exceeds the number of black victims, but the number of white people in the US is about four times the number of black people. If the per capita brutalization rate—the number of brutalizations per 100,000 people—is multiple times higher for blacks than for whites, that indicates a likely racial component.
That does not dismiss the equally troubling fact that police kill so many non-black citizens. In reality, we have a police violence problem; all BLM asserts is that race is one risk multiplier. Mental illness and poverty are likely others.
That does not dismiss the equally troubling fact that police kill so many non-black citizens. In reality, we have a police violence problem; all BLM asserts is that race is one risk multiplier. Mental illness and poverty are likely others.
I suggest NYTs includes a couple major relevant points when writing about Police brutality and abuse. The NYT's fails to state that the number of cases of Police brutality occurs in a minute percentage of the incidences of stops and arrests. Some Policemen, as all people in positions of power, may at times become abusive, and have been murderous. I have witnessed it myself. It is inexcusable and despicable the way some have acted. Brutality of any type should not be tolerated. The NYTs also fails to include that even before the recent spike in crime, violent crime rates amongst young Black males(predominantly against other blacks) was nearly eight times greater than the rest of the combined races.(The vast majority of Black males are good upstanding people and the violent ones are the exception)
Unless we(the citizens) walk in the shoes of the Police, having to enter high crime areas, populated with the groups of young men we know statistically are more violent, we should withhold broad brushed judgments. Thank goodness for the Police, who overwhelmingly are good people, who lay their lives on the line to maintain order and protect all our property and lives.
Unless we(the citizens) walk in the shoes of the Police, having to enter high crime areas, populated with the groups of young men we know statistically are more violent, we should withhold broad brushed judgments. Thank goodness for the Police, who overwhelmingly are good people, who lay their lives on the line to maintain order and protect all our property and lives.
28
After spending time walking in a cop's shoes, why not try walking in the shoes of a young black man living in poverty trying to get a job but can't because of his skin color, and who gets pulled over repeatedly for minor problems with his car which is 16 years old (taillights, blinkers, etc), which is really just an excuse to search his car for drugs, and to remind him that the police are always ready to pounce if he gets out of line.
Yes, cops have a tough, dangerous job, and we should respect that, but they have a job, and a future, and they get to go home to a safe neighborhood, unlike most poor young blacks.
Yes, cops have a tough, dangerous job, and we should respect that, but they have a job, and a future, and they get to go home to a safe neighborhood, unlike most poor young blacks.
Control for poverty and black male crime rates plummet to match those of white and Hispanic males. So before we slyly suggest that black maleness calls for outsize police action, let's look at how police treat the poor, and how police treat black females—who do not exhibit this massive crime population disparity.
1
So many people seem to support police in an almost knee-jerk way. I am sure these people have never been the victim of police misconduct or brutality which i fear is much more common than most people realize . There is nothing worse than having someone given authority abuse that authority if not checked this country could turn into a police state.
Suppose Mr. Comey is correct. So what? Our government should not be brutalizing us, full stop.
1
Everyone of the incidents of police brutality you listed in your editorial was preceded by the suspect telling the police officer to go screw himself or threatening the police officer.
Had the suspect complied as was their duty, police brutality probably wouldn't have occurred.
You failed to point that out in your editorial which doesn't make police brutality okay, but it does justify it.
In addition to required compliance by citizens, you also failed to point out that every jurisdiction must also have an independent commission that accepts citizen complaints against the police and punishes police wrong doing.
When both exist, then and only then will police brutality disappear.
But until then, please don't peach to me to turn the other cheek when a suspect tells me to go screw myself, runs away, grabs for my weapon, or tries to kill me.
Had the suspect complied as was their duty, police brutality probably wouldn't have occurred.
You failed to point that out in your editorial which doesn't make police brutality okay, but it does justify it.
In addition to required compliance by citizens, you also failed to point out that every jurisdiction must also have an independent commission that accepts citizen complaints against the police and punishes police wrong doing.
When both exist, then and only then will police brutality disappear.
But until then, please don't peach to me to turn the other cheek when a suspect tells me to go screw myself, runs away, grabs for my weapon, or tries to kill me.
1
"This movement [BLM] focuses on the irrefutable fact that black citizens are far more likely than whites to die at the hands of the police. "
That is one scary "irrefutable fact" because it means that the police kill all colors of citizens, with a reasonable, implicit take-away being that those killings would not be remarkable, but for the fact that black citizens are pushing back against being killed out of proportion to other skin colors.
And that is one sad observation for our Nation: Police kill citizens, and they kill black citizens more often than others.
Obviously whether the reasons for the killings are valued as acceptable or not in the minds of those police involved in the killings, include black skin color as a variable which is out of proportion in all killings. And it is that fact which BLM underscores, and we need to listen carefully to what is being said and ask how many killings are there in total, and are each of them as problematic in circumstance as those of black citizens? These questions inexorably lead us to ask: Are there other segments of society whose personal characteristics make them more likely to be killed out of proportion to their numbers? E.g., homelessness, poverty, mental illness?
The BLM movement, is the seed that needs to be carefully tended by all of us in order to protect all of us.
That is one scary "irrefutable fact" because it means that the police kill all colors of citizens, with a reasonable, implicit take-away being that those killings would not be remarkable, but for the fact that black citizens are pushing back against being killed out of proportion to other skin colors.
And that is one sad observation for our Nation: Police kill citizens, and they kill black citizens more often than others.
Obviously whether the reasons for the killings are valued as acceptable or not in the minds of those police involved in the killings, include black skin color as a variable which is out of proportion in all killings. And it is that fact which BLM underscores, and we need to listen carefully to what is being said and ask how many killings are there in total, and are each of them as problematic in circumstance as those of black citizens? These questions inexorably lead us to ask: Are there other segments of society whose personal characteristics make them more likely to be killed out of proportion to their numbers? E.g., homelessness, poverty, mental illness?
The BLM movement, is the seed that needs to be carefully tended by all of us in order to protect all of us.
49
We need police who defuse the situation and treat everyone fairly. James Comey director of the FBI should not be in that position since he puts out false facts and has already made up his mind despite facts to the contrary. He ignores the facts that every time an African American man is killed or arrested unnecessarily. a family has lost their father and usually falls into poverty.
1
A basic assumption - most police officers are not racists.
As soon as the NYT and MSM report the actions of the vast majority of good police officers (other than after they are murdered!), then there will be a shred of credibility to their opinion.
Till then, the NYT Editorial Board have a story to tell and will only report "news" that fits the story.
There's some 750,000 police officers in the country - I pretty certain the NYT can find ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to showcase a good man/woman.
But they don't.
As soon as the NYT and MSM report the actions of the vast majority of good police officers (other than after they are murdered!), then there will be a shred of credibility to their opinion.
Till then, the NYT Editorial Board have a story to tell and will only report "news" that fits the story.
There's some 750,000 police officers in the country - I pretty certain the NYT can find ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to showcase a good man/woman.
But they don't.
Good police officers aren't news. Police officers are *supposed* to be good; what do you want, a parade? As a society, we accord police a tremendous amount of respect and deference. Consequently, we should absolutely be able to hold them accountable when they abuse their powers.
This siege mentality so many publicly present likely only exacerbates the deteriorating relationship between police and specific communities—there's a comment from a middle-aged, white suburban teacher who says he *never* calls the police. This problem is legitimate, and this is a learning and improvement opportunity for all the good cops and good forces. Don't squander it.
This siege mentality so many publicly present likely only exacerbates the deteriorating relationship between police and specific communities—there's a comment from a middle-aged, white suburban teacher who says he *never* calls the police. This problem is legitimate, and this is a learning and improvement opportunity for all the good cops and good forces. Don't squander it.
The video camera, smart phone and their ready links to the web have shredded the veil of police conduct which was woven and deferred to and which has shielded those with the shield over the past three hundred years, despite the efforts of any and all the kings’ men will never be put new and lowered again. Law enforcement’s understandably created culture of clout (both literal and figurative) is ended. Difficult though it will be - deal with it.
This man's dismissal is a no brainer! If this young woman was rich/white we would not be in doubt. This is one sick male who has no right to that uniform. He should also be kept away from pubertal kids of any race.
So... Christie talks about "lawlessness" when someone uses his/her 1st ammendment rights to record a cop but it is lawful when a cop violates the law.
The FBI director says that civilians taping cops is making them fearful of "doing their jobs". Didn't realize that doing "their job" meant breaking the law.
Enough. Let's have cops that obey the laws, not that break it every which way.
The FBI director says that civilians taping cops is making them fearful of "doing their jobs". Didn't realize that doing "their job" meant breaking the law.
Enough. Let's have cops that obey the laws, not that break it every which way.
82
I would suspect that the members of the NYT Editorial Board are among the first to whine about a lack of police protection, when they or their families are victims of crime.
2
So why did the Times print Comey's comments at the top of Page 1 with the headline "F.B.I. Chief Links Scrutiny of Police With Rise in Violent Crime" even though Comey admitted he had no data to support his allegation? The NY Times has behaved irresponsibly in this matter and cannot put the genie back in the bottle by publishing an editorial days later.
3
We have this perverse fundamentalist view in the US of the absolute right under the constitution to carry a gun or guns. But the most vociferous advocate for "stop and frisk" for guns in New York City was failed republican candidate Giuliani. How many black young men are in upstate prisons (feeding their economy with jobs) for doing what elsewhere in the country is considered a sacred constitutional right? How many of those guns were planted? It takes a most advanced degree of twisted logic by a judge to sentence someone in America to prison for carrying a weapon in an age when gun control cannot be instituted even after the Sandy Hook murder of many beautiful, sweet little angels at the hands of an evil pervert with a gun obsession inherited by his murdered-by-gun mother.
44
In the 60's and early 70"s the victims were poor blacks and students against the war... Now it is blacks and Latinos since the students grew upa nd became middle class........... White police supremacy has overtaken the southerner supremacy of whites against the blacks and Latinos. Cops have to be held accountable for their uncivil behavior and para militaristic actions. They cannot go around abusing the poor and blacks just because they can get away with it ( including the courts and the fines and actions against minorities). I think there should be more cameras and cell phone disclosures there should be more openness..... Cops are no longer above the law, they are there to enforce not exact punishment. If cops abuse the law, then the chiefs of police should be brought down too. Just as a CEO is thrown out for the actions of his underlings. e.g VW and Winterkorn. There is a reason we once called cops by a porcine name. They earned that reputation.
Unlike Chris Christie, James Comey seemed like one of the fairer-minded Republicans in high places. Now he has dashed my hope that more will be done about police brutality and anti-black attitudes. It shows how deep racial prejudice runs in this country.
63
All these people defending the cops doesn't make any sense! The scandal here is that these situations don't require brutality. Yet the cops are the ones to escalate situations outside the bounds of what they are allowed to do. There's no excuse for this. NONE.
6
Black folk usually have to find valid reasons for not being murdered by authorities. What a long way we've come? Police Unions have all the excuses, e l ected people have some, Legal authorities have others and then there are the Hopers, Thinkers and Prayers. Black murder by authorities continues apace. Those of us opposed to wanton killing of black adults and children can see other oppressors abroad shiver while awaiting overdue justice. The USA is not far behind. Stay tuned!
"His formulation implies that for the police to do their jobs, they need to have free rein to be abusive. It also implies that the public would be safer if Americans with cellphones never started circulating videos of officers battering suspects in the first place."
This is the problem with the right's position. They believe, that the Police are absolutely above the law and are not subject to the law. I firmly believe that officers should be held to account. If you need to be abusive to be an officer, then you shouldn't be an officer.
This is the problem with the right's position. They believe, that the Police are absolutely above the law and are not subject to the law. I firmly believe that officers should be held to account. If you need to be abusive to be an officer, then you shouldn't be an officer.
3
REGG: Comey is not sayng that at all. Avoid couching the issue in terms of a polemical abstraction.The FBI director is simply laying out for us, the public, a Hobson's choice: If you r going to handcuff the police, denigrate them and renounce policies like "stop and frisk" and "broken glass" or "broken windows," effective tools for law enforcement, then you must accept the consequences, that p.o.'s will be less inclined to get involved. Who can blame them? When Mayor De Blasio, who has demeaned p.o.'s to appease his left wing base, and demands that Al SHARPTON share a panel with the police commissioner, p.o.'s can only conclude that they will be damned if they do and damned if they don't, and hold back, or "coop" as I suggested in my pub.comment. New York never felt so safe for ALL citizens than when RG was the mayor. I like De Blasio for his stand on the CP carriage horse issue, and for the fact that his spouse is African American like my spouses--one from Senegal and one from GHANA--but he needs to stop being a demagogue on the issue of law enforcement.
Articles like this must keep coming, as police brutality has reached epidemic proportions, revealed thanks to the videos showing the irrefutable reality in 'real time', abuse of power and ethnic profiling...if not racism 'personalized. This travesty of justice, the inability to trust a police officer by the community he or she serves is abhorrent, it is wrong, and counterproductive, and conducive to more crimes unreported for fear of getting implicated. I suspect that the hiring has sunk to levels too low to consider a solid education and empathy and a passion to do the right thing. Perhaps the time has arrived to consider removing their lethal weapons, just 'tasers' if they must (as Great Britain does?), given the rush to use them...instead of being the sane person 'in the room' to defuse a potentially dangerous situation.
Mr Comey needs to "stand down"
1
So, according to Obama and the NYT, Muslims who butcher millions are not Muslims, blacks who committ millions of brutal crimes are doing so because of evil white racists, but whenever a cop behaves badly the Obama/NYT cabal denigrates 'Police', namely white police whether the miscreant is white or not. Ask Americans. Take a poll. "Which is a greater problem in America: Police brutality or Black brutality?".
1
The Obama/NYT cabal is a figment of your imagination and this article has nothing to do with Muslims. Good police should be the most invested in getting rid of bad police, who make their jobs much harder. Videos don't lie.
Why is Comey still director of the FBI after saying that. He should be fired immediately.
4
Absolutely. Public officials should not be allowed to disagree with you. Maybe we can throw him in jail, too?
I'm a good guy and I don't want to interact with the police. They seem so annoyed if you even talk with them. They seem so bothered that you have interrupted their day. They all seem to just want to congregate with other police. They think everyone who isn't in uniform is a potential criminal. Interact with off duty police officers and they bring their sense of persecution, entitlement, and right to get everything "on the arm" to each event. There is a serious disconnect people American police forces and the population. The mutual distrust is palpable.
5
While I hate generalizations, I have to agree with you that many cops today exhibit the characteristics you describe, and that is sad. We as a society must find a way to address it. Any ideas?
" Mr. Comey’s speculations about alleged pressure on officers to stand down shows that he hasn’t begun to grasp the nature of the problem."
Unfortunately, the list of those who have not yet begun to grasp the nature of the problem include the New York Times. You do point to part of the truth but it is rare that part of the truth rather than the whole truth solves problems.
You point repeatedly to white racism, especially on the part of the police. But THAT problem is only part of reality.
Unfortunately, the list of those who have not yet begun to grasp the nature of the problem include the New York Times. You do point to part of the truth but it is rare that part of the truth rather than the whole truth solves problems.
You point repeatedly to white racism, especially on the part of the police. But THAT problem is only part of reality.
2
Agreed. I say this to friends/family and they act as if I'm a traitor (being black) because I won't put 100% of the blame on police abuses in every case. Anyone saying police shouldn't be scrutinized at all is just being ridiculous. Our nation can't ignore what's been happening, especially to blacks. It's particularly disturbing when violence is perpetrated by a GOVERNMENT entity, no matter how private citizens may behave towards each other. That said, I'm naturally wary of arguments that essentially say: "don't blame me, blame society." We see it in a number of areas and it blinds us to harsher, but no less relevant truths. "99% of weight is genetic" (i.e., it's not your fault). "Some people are just bad test-takers" (i.e., it's not your fault). I'm not saying there's no history of institutionalized racism in the U.S., mind you. Again that's absurd. What I AM saying is that as a black man, the most looming threat to my well-being on any given night is not a murderous police officer. It's not even close. To quote the late 2Pac:
"I've been Trapped since birth, cautious, cause I'm cursed
And fantasies of my family, in a hearse
And they say it's the white man I should fear
But, it's my own kind doin all the killin here."
I won't pretend to have struggled with street violence, but crime statistics more than bear out his point. Does anyone think 2Pac was lying about that? Was 2Pac trying to absolve police through his lyrics by making up a "distraction"? No.
"I've been Trapped since birth, cautious, cause I'm cursed
And fantasies of my family, in a hearse
And they say it's the white man I should fear
But, it's my own kind doin all the killin here."
I won't pretend to have struggled with street violence, but crime statistics more than bear out his point. Does anyone think 2Pac was lying about that? Was 2Pac trying to absolve police through his lyrics by making up a "distraction"? No.
1
What is discouraging is that to some, any criticism of police is unwarranted.One must only listen to their union rep Pat Lynch, who justifies every dubious police action, even when video exists to the contrary. Most people, like myself, have no problem with the police defending themselves when faced with deadly force.
Yes, some criminals are very dangerous and will kill a cop without thinking.
A cop, like any citizen has the right to defend himself.
It's when a cop acts and reacts with force that is not appropriate to the situation, which seems to happen with people of color more often, that we protest, justifiably so.
A bad cop can ruin a persons life in a moment' notice, whether thru violence or a false arrest. Very few jobs have that power. Those who abuse it must be held accountable in the most stringent way, which means locking them up if proven guilty, not making excuses for them.
Yes, some criminals are very dangerous and will kill a cop without thinking.
A cop, like any citizen has the right to defend himself.
It's when a cop acts and reacts with force that is not appropriate to the situation, which seems to happen with people of color more often, that we protest, justifiably so.
A bad cop can ruin a persons life in a moment' notice, whether thru violence or a false arrest. Very few jobs have that power. Those who abuse it must be held accountable in the most stringent way, which means locking them up if proven guilty, not making excuses for them.
129
James Comey's suggestion that crime is on the rise because the cops fear getting recorded being criminally abusive in violation of the law and the Constitution warrants his being asked to resign or his being fired. As the appointed hired help head of the FBI an organization with a long legacy of criminality against blacks nothing less will do.
That Comey chose to make his remarks at this time at the University of Chicago Law School where Barack Obama once taught is no mistake. This was some male testosterone street challenge. Mrs. Obama was an executive at the Medical School and their daughters went to the University lab school. The Obama home is within walking distance. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police chief Gary McCarthy have offered up the same corrupt immoral illegal hypocritical excuse for crime in Chicago.
Comey is a lawyer. The fundamental ethical obligation of a lawyer is to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. As long as the FBI is headquartered in the John Edgar Hoover building named after it's corrupt bigoted criminal founder there is more than the mere appearance of impropriety. As long as a Republican like Comey speaks and sounds like a Republican 2016 candidate in dismissing black lives there is impropriety. As long as white men like Comey and Netanyahu can insult and dismiss the President of the United States while black with impunity and without consequence there is more than impropriety. These are simply lies with political motives.
That Comey chose to make his remarks at this time at the University of Chicago Law School where Barack Obama once taught is no mistake. This was some male testosterone street challenge. Mrs. Obama was an executive at the Medical School and their daughters went to the University lab school. The Obama home is within walking distance. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and police chief Gary McCarthy have offered up the same corrupt immoral illegal hypocritical excuse for crime in Chicago.
Comey is a lawyer. The fundamental ethical obligation of a lawyer is to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. As long as the FBI is headquartered in the John Edgar Hoover building named after it's corrupt bigoted criminal founder there is more than the mere appearance of impropriety. As long as a Republican like Comey speaks and sounds like a Republican 2016 candidate in dismissing black lives there is impropriety. As long as white men like Comey and Netanyahu can insult and dismiss the President of the United States while black with impunity and without consequence there is more than impropriety. These are simply lies with political motives.
131
"His formulation implies that for the police to do their jobs, they need to have free rein to be abusive..." We are not an exceptional country. We are increasingly intolerant, ignorant, violent...
3
The notion that police need free rein to be abusive or we risk anarchy is frightening. We need less racist, better trained and better supervised police to guard against anarchy at less impact to fairness to ALL Americans. But Comey and others may be assuming that we can’t greatly alter constraints on the system that give us the police forces we have. Those constraints include communities from which we draw our police that are racist, an inability to fund better police forces due to legitimate competing priorities and, in many urban concentrations, a far greater proportion of violence and lawlessness caused by impoverishment, which in America is disproportionately non-white.
If we can’t alter the constraints yet need to enforce laws and maintain the peace, then something else must give -- traditionally a higher level of abuse against impoverished populations where much of the violence and disorder comes than as a people we believe is acceptable. Comey and others may be right about that.
Until we alter those constraints, which requires that we remove race from poverty, better degrade the racism that still infests us and more reliably fund our police forces, we’ll need to choose between effective policing and fair treatment. We’re in the midst of a process to strike a new, fairer balance, but let’s face it: given current constraints, fairer treatment is going to require less effective policing. It’s just a price we’re going to have to pay until we CAN alter the constraints.
If we can’t alter the constraints yet need to enforce laws and maintain the peace, then something else must give -- traditionally a higher level of abuse against impoverished populations where much of the violence and disorder comes than as a people we believe is acceptable. Comey and others may be right about that.
Until we alter those constraints, which requires that we remove race from poverty, better degrade the racism that still infests us and more reliably fund our police forces, we’ll need to choose between effective policing and fair treatment. We’re in the midst of a process to strike a new, fairer balance, but let’s face it: given current constraints, fairer treatment is going to require less effective policing. It’s just a price we’re going to have to pay until we CAN alter the constraints.
23
Chris Christie says outrageous things and people ignore him, as is evident by the tepid support he is receiving in the GOP primary polls. But Mr. Comey should know better than to say what he said.
Police dash cams are used to record traffic stops and the footage is sometimes used to bring charges against people. So why is it that when civilians videotape police conduct it is a problem?
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, traffic stops are the most common reason for contact with the police, with speeding being the most cited reason for the stop. Half of these traffic stops result in a ticket. That sounds "productive," but that also means half of the stops were for no reason. (http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=702)
Perhaps it is time to rethink these traffic stops and use cameras to capture the infraction and issue tickets so that unncessary police contact and confrontation with the public can be avoided. Just last week one of these traffic stops in Long Island resulted in the offending driver driving wrong way on a parkway to get away from the police. It caused a head on collission that killed an innocent driver as well as the suspect. The parkway was closed for hours resulting in chaos during the morning commute. Was justice really served in that instance?
Police dash cams are used to record traffic stops and the footage is sometimes used to bring charges against people. So why is it that when civilians videotape police conduct it is a problem?
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, traffic stops are the most common reason for contact with the police, with speeding being the most cited reason for the stop. Half of these traffic stops result in a ticket. That sounds "productive," but that also means half of the stops were for no reason. (http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=702)
Perhaps it is time to rethink these traffic stops and use cameras to capture the infraction and issue tickets so that unncessary police contact and confrontation with the public can be avoided. Just last week one of these traffic stops in Long Island resulted in the offending driver driving wrong way on a parkway to get away from the police. It caused a head on collission that killed an innocent driver as well as the suspect. The parkway was closed for hours resulting in chaos during the morning commute. Was justice really served in that instance?
37
RK: your logic is flawed and your conclusion consequently is, too. You wrote " but that also means half of the stops were for no reason. " The non-ticket stops could have resulted in a warning and no ticket. A warning is a reason. I expect that far fewer than half of all stops are for no reason. I don't dispute that some or many stops are based on racial profiling or other improper or unequally applied procedure.
Not issuing a ticket does not mean the stop was "productive". Rather it means the officer showed judgement. If the officer judges that the offense was marginal, he or she may decide that a warning will have the same effect as a ticket. Sometimes, something like an expired registration is found, and a "fix-it" ticket is the outcome, rather than a speeding ticket, or both.
Near my house, there is a lighted sign that records your speed, showing you your speed with "slow down" if too fast (up to a point--over 5 mph, and it just says "too fast". I suppose it could issue a ticket for every driver over 25 mph. I use the sign to calibrate my speed--and make sure I am at the limit. This makes it easier for me to drive the limit in other 25 mph school zones around me.
The entire point of our traffic laws is to operate our vehicles safely. Speeding tickets are neither the only, nor the most effective, ways of getting all of us to drive safely. In fact, taking away cell phones (or forcing cell phones to not function in a moving vehicle) would do more for traffic safety than writing tickets for every car stopped for speeding.
Near my house, there is a lighted sign that records your speed, showing you your speed with "slow down" if too fast (up to a point--over 5 mph, and it just says "too fast". I suppose it could issue a ticket for every driver over 25 mph. I use the sign to calibrate my speed--and make sure I am at the limit. This makes it easier for me to drive the limit in other 25 mph school zones around me.
The entire point of our traffic laws is to operate our vehicles safely. Speeding tickets are neither the only, nor the most effective, ways of getting all of us to drive safely. In fact, taking away cell phones (or forcing cell phones to not function in a moving vehicle) would do more for traffic safety than writing tickets for every car stopped for speeding.
I'm all for citizen videos that show police behavior that, when it is abusive, should have consequences for that Officer. On the other hand, do not dare complain crime victims, when police are told to stand down on policing crime as in Baltimore by its black management structure (including the mayor) because you CANNOT have it both ways.
7
What exactly is the "black management structure" in Baltimore?
Are you suggesting that with the exception of the current President, who half-way meets the criteria, that the rest of America is governed by a "white management structure?"
Are you suggesting that with the exception of the current President, who half-way meets the criteria, that the rest of America is governed by a "white management structure?"
As the mainstream white culture looks to get control of the non-whites this blip of showing massive brutal police work on non-whites will go away. Just like the 1960's South.
You only appeal to the mainstream cukture when you say more crime will result if brutalizing non-whites cannot be used.
It will take time for you all to move the brutality back into the shadows
Good luck.
You only appeal to the mainstream cukture when you say more crime will result if brutalizing non-whites cannot be used.
It will take time for you all to move the brutality back into the shadows
Good luck.
So we lick the boots of police and allow them to manhandle, tase or shoot us at will, or they won't do their jobs? Really?
What we need is better screening of prospective police officers to winnow out the racists, the immature, the violent and rage-filled, the macho supremacists, the gun-happy, the insecure and the sociopathic. And a lot fewer petty little laws that target the behavior of the poor and minorities.
What we need is better screening of prospective police officers to winnow out the racists, the immature, the violent and rage-filled, the macho supremacists, the gun-happy, the insecure and the sociopathic. And a lot fewer petty little laws that target the behavior of the poor and minorities.
Bottom line? Don't call or engage with law enforcement unless you need documentation for insurance purposes. These people only serve moneyed interest, and their institutional interest.
4
The American public sees video after video of police brutality. Yet, no matter how egregious the behavior, the police are found not guilty. The Guardian has a list of the counted (those killed by police this year.) 936. In almost every case, the initial report says the person had was rushing at them with a knife or a gun. Unfortunately, that is also the claim that many police made prior to a video being released --- such as when the officer in SC, who killed the man running away, and was videotaped retrieving a gun to drop next to the deceased.
I find myself being very wary around the police.
I find myself being very wary around the police.
25
Pointing to "crime in the cities" and defending unlawful police conduct is a politically correct way to blow the dog whistle. Subtle, yet effective, propaganda only inflames the distrust, mistrust, and racial tension. The videos I have seen are always white on black. Targeting and vilifying a minority group is the way of fascism.
Maybe we need the racial make up of police and prosecutors and judges to reflect the racial character of the cities or towns or counties.
Maybe we need the racial make up of police and prosecutors and judges to reflect the racial character of the cities or towns or counties.
10
The sad truth is that the objection by law enforcement to police videos implies that even the police know that many routine arrests are too violent and too often unprovoked. Sadly, it is another example of the Blue Line of Silence when good cops protect bad cops and encourage behavior that ultimately demeans the force. Video recordings protect the good cop and expose the cop who joined the force to give outlet to his dysfunctional personality. There is a myth that each police officer must have a bit of the sociopath in him in order to deal effectively with the criminal element on their own turf. Police officers should not see Dirty Harry as a role model for dealing with the public at large.
The police should have nothing to be ashamed of when doing their job, but there are some who want their actions shielded in darkness and are afraid of the light.
The police should have nothing to be ashamed of when doing their job, but there are some who want their actions shielded in darkness and are afraid of the light.
127
"His formulation implies that for the police to do their jobs, they need to have free rein to be abusive."
You have captured a point that has been missing in all the comments by officers and others on this topic. In short, people who have complained about the so-called "Ferguson effect" are saying that for officers to be effective in enforcing the law, they have to be above and be free to break the law. How any more insane and stupid can anybody who claims to be a serious person be? But this is what passes for thoughtful commentary from some leaders of Police Unions and now even the head of the FBI. God save us!
You have captured a point that has been missing in all the comments by officers and others on this topic. In short, people who have complained about the so-called "Ferguson effect" are saying that for officers to be effective in enforcing the law, they have to be above and be free to break the law. How any more insane and stupid can anybody who claims to be a serious person be? But this is what passes for thoughtful commentary from some leaders of Police Unions and now even the head of the FBI. God save us!
19
F.B.I director James Comey said that criticisms of police brutality seem to have contributed to a rise in crime, but he was unable to cite any evidence to back this up, saying it sounded like the best explanation. He also said that he believes in data-based policing, thus supporting the need for data unless no data exist to support his beliefs. Step aside, Mr. Comey. As our chief law enforcement officer, you're embarrassing the country.
20
He did give evidence-- it's what he was hearing from some officers and police leaders. Based on that he suggested we need research to find out if the hypothesis is true. Why is he being attacked for that?
In America, whites own guns, and when they kill, they kill a lot of people at one time -- at least, that's what gets into the newspapers. The killing becomes spectacular.
In American inner cities, bkacks own guns, and the shooting, as well as the killing, is steady, inexorable: rival drug dealers, innocent men and women getting in the way of bullets, children in their beds. All the time.
The black man sitting in his double-parked car, the black man standing for hours on the street, the black man hanging out in an apartment lobby, dropping his cigarette butts on the floor -- these are not people that any city dweller, black or white, sees without a qualm. They are, unfortunately, waiting for buddies to do business. Sometimes that business is murder. They are what keeps elderly black women in their apartments, fearful. And everyone else in a state of wariness.
And the police very busy.
In American inner cities, bkacks own guns, and the shooting, as well as the killing, is steady, inexorable: rival drug dealers, innocent men and women getting in the way of bullets, children in their beds. All the time.
The black man sitting in his double-parked car, the black man standing for hours on the street, the black man hanging out in an apartment lobby, dropping his cigarette butts on the floor -- these are not people that any city dweller, black or white, sees without a qualm. They are, unfortunately, waiting for buddies to do business. Sometimes that business is murder. They are what keeps elderly black women in their apartments, fearful. And everyone else in a state of wariness.
And the police very busy.
6
The tone of this editorial is so harsh, so anti-cop. It is hard to read the old grey lady when it is so biased, so anti-establishment, so anti-white.
Comey is right. There is no such thing as mass incarceration in America. It is one person, one crime, one sentencing. People must be held accountable for their actions or we will have sky-high crime rates like they have in south Africa. The police are being bullied by a highly inflamed public. They feel unappreciated and they are not going to work as hard for a hostile and predatory public.
Good luck NY. Eventually you will learn what old NYC was like.
Comey is right. There is no such thing as mass incarceration in America. It is one person, one crime, one sentencing. People must be held accountable for their actions or we will have sky-high crime rates like they have in south Africa. The police are being bullied by a highly inflamed public. They feel unappreciated and they are not going to work as hard for a hostile and predatory public.
Good luck NY. Eventually you will learn what old NYC was like.
11
Well, this is the first time I've ever seen someone criticize an editorial for being biased.
Are you advocating that the police must necessarily break the law in order to enforce it? Why do police get to slack on their jobs when the rest of us don't get that option?
Are you advocating that the police must necessarily break the law in order to enforce it? Why do police get to slack on their jobs when the rest of us don't get that option?
Well, this honorable USN retiree is still injured & the San Diego, CA popo nearly killed me because I was standing on the sidewalk; then they would not provide medical treatment or allow me to contact anybody after they electrocuted me into respiratory arrest, broke my ribs & shoulder along with inflicting other injuries, abducted, tortured, & caused me to become ill & infected in their disease-ridden facilities. Persecution, theft, fraud, harassment, threats of sexual violence, terrorism, abuses, violations, & other crimes perpetrated by the systemic corruption. No exposure or protection, much less medical treatment has ever been provided. San Diego, CA has my blood on their hands.
3
The FBI director was not referring to videos that show cops breaking the law and doing things that are unlawful. He was referring to "viral videos". These are videos not of actions that catch them in an act that is unlawful, these are the countless videos where it is clear to those who know the law that they acted lawfully. Nevertheless they go viral because they show a person who is carrying on as if what is happening to them is outrageous, yelling how can you do this to me etc. and many cops don't want to be the cop in that video that is viewed by millions.
And just about all of these videos show he same thing. Somebody acting up, the cop warning them to stop it or they will be placed under arrest, and when the cop tries to arrest them they carry on as of they are being attacked, they yell at the cop to keep his hands off of them and look as if something terrible is happening to them.
And so even though there is no question under the law that the cop is acting as he should, the great majority of people are not expert at the law. And so those who view the clip conclude that the cop in the video is a horrible mean man and which results in his being hated by millions.
And just about all of these videos show he same thing. Somebody acting up, the cop warning them to stop it or they will be placed under arrest, and when the cop tries to arrest them they carry on as of they are being attacked, they yell at the cop to keep his hands off of them and look as if something terrible is happening to them.
And so even though there is no question under the law that the cop is acting as he should, the great majority of people are not expert at the law. And so those who view the clip conclude that the cop in the video is a horrible mean man and which results in his being hated by millions.
50
Yeah, Eric Garner was "acting up" when he was killed by a small army of cops who showed zero regard for his well-being, all for allegedly selling loose cigarettes that it turned out he wasn't even doing at the time.
And Walter Scott was "acting up" when he ran away from a cop who shot him in the back in "self-defense".
Tamir Rice was acting up when he played with a toy gun in a local park in broad daylight, forcing a cop to shoot him at point blank range in "self-defense".
Why won't these young black men stop beating up on these innocent cops?
And Walter Scott was "acting up" when he ran away from a cop who shot him in the back in "self-defense".
Tamir Rice was acting up when he played with a toy gun in a local park in broad daylight, forcing a cop to shoot him at point blank range in "self-defense".
Why won't these young black men stop beating up on these innocent cops?
1
You are mistaken. The viral videos Comey and cops are complaining about are precisely videos like the one that surfaced recently of the officer in the high school violently assaulting a female student. His need to confront this young girl may have been entirely legitimate. However, the video went viral because of the egregious and inappropriate application of force the officer casually employed. Make no mistake, the videos that go viral typically don't involve histrionics of a suspect trying to make a scene. The videos that go viral tend to be the ones where the suspect is being beaten or otherwise being treated so violently that they don't have the ability to engage in histrionic display. Remember Rodney King? Tamir Rice? No histrionics. Just egregiously excessive use of force. And here's another newsflash for you: those egregiously excessive uses of force are NOT lawful. This fact is precisely why cops are fearful of video evidence of their actions, because that evidence lays bare the unlawful assaults that are committed against citizens far too often. When there is video evidence, cops have a much harder time fabricating a rationale or crafting a lie to cover their unlawful assault or murder. That's the only reason cops fear video footage of their encounters. Well-trained, professional police officers acting responsibly, and using force appropriately and only where necessary have nothing at all to fear from video.
Before publishing such an inflammatory editorial, there should be some solid statistical data. This editorial presents none and there is probably a good reason why the article lacks supporting data and that is that statistically, this issue does not exist. It is a figment of the liberal mind which is trying to generate hate and discontent hopefully to drive blacks to the polls in the next election. It is a carefully orchestrated propaganda campaign because without a high level of black voting, somebody like Trump might win. Worse yet, Dr. Carson might win and this just cannot happen, a black professional smart guy who has seen through the liberal slavery and escaped the DNC plantation. The NYT has truly become the DNC propaganda machine which is why even its "news" articles are laced with opinion and therefore cannot be trusted.
13
Oh, there's plenty of "solid statistical data" right here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/us/racial-disparity-traffic-stops-driv...
And here:
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jun/01/the-counte...
And some videos here (if you don't like reading):
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/30/us/police-videos-race.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/us/racial-disparity-traffic-stops-driv...
And here:
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jun/01/the-counte...
And some videos here (if you don't like reading):
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/07/30/us/police-videos-race.html
James Comey should be asked to resign--now.
8
There's a middle ground here, and neither Comey nor the NYT has found it.
Clearly , there's a fair amount of police brutality in the Country. Most of it is directed at minorities. Cell phones, YouTube, etc. have helped to bring more of it into the light. Hopefully, this will cause an officer to think twice, to learn to better control his/her temper, or to resign.
However, as a few commenters have stated, there's a vicious cycle also at work. A person being rightfully detained has only to scream "police brutality" and the cop is immediately under the microscope. What is a cop supposed to do if a suspect refuses to comply with a lawful order or physically refuses detention? If a cop grabs him and attempts to drag him away, that's going to appear to many folks that it's excessive force.
Shining some light on these situations is a good thing, but, it's also empowered miscreants who think they can disobey lawful orders at whim. carried to an extreme, that's a sign of anarchy.
Comey didn't cite statistics, but, to some extent, I think he's right. If I were a cop, I'd be very reluctant to detain any misbehaving person for fear of being charged with brutality. Isn't that simply human nature?
Clearly , there's a fair amount of police brutality in the Country. Most of it is directed at minorities. Cell phones, YouTube, etc. have helped to bring more of it into the light. Hopefully, this will cause an officer to think twice, to learn to better control his/her temper, or to resign.
However, as a few commenters have stated, there's a vicious cycle also at work. A person being rightfully detained has only to scream "police brutality" and the cop is immediately under the microscope. What is a cop supposed to do if a suspect refuses to comply with a lawful order or physically refuses detention? If a cop grabs him and attempts to drag him away, that's going to appear to many folks that it's excessive force.
Shining some light on these situations is a good thing, but, it's also empowered miscreants who think they can disobey lawful orders at whim. carried to an extreme, that's a sign of anarchy.
Comey didn't cite statistics, but, to some extent, I think he's right. If I were a cop, I'd be very reluctant to detain any misbehaving person for fear of being charged with brutality. Isn't that simply human nature?
73
My guess is the you may change if you get dragged out of your car for a brake light not working. Comey is in theory supposed to deal on facts, are you old enough to remember "just the facts mam." Comey should be removed from office.
1
A statute making "misbehavior" a crime should be held to be void for vagueness. When a police person intervenes it should be because she has probable cause to think that a specific law has been violated. Her opinion about what constitutes misbehavior should have nothing to do with it.
There is surely no such thing as "a fair amount" of police brutality! It is never less than unfair to the
citizens impacted.
citizens impacted.
1
The police and police enforcement are not perfect, and all group efforts can be improved.
However, the contant "scrutiny," which is really a series of attacks, is hurting those who would protect us from the many thugs who live in the US.
These thugs are now emboldened by this constant, post-Ferguson attack of the left. People do not like to think of this issue like this, but these thugs thrive on these attacks, and they support it. This is their day, not ours.
The result: many, especially blacks, have been murdered.
However, the contant "scrutiny," which is really a series of attacks, is hurting those who would protect us from the many thugs who live in the US.
These thugs are now emboldened by this constant, post-Ferguson attack of the left. People do not like to think of this issue like this, but these thugs thrive on these attacks, and they support it. This is their day, not ours.
The result: many, especially blacks, have been murdered.
30
Scrutiny is not an attack. Using the word 'attack' metaphorically to suggest that accountability is somehow a negative, is Orwellian.
Let's see some data supporting the claim of a causal relationship. This sort of confident assertion of an evidence-free belief reflects a pre-existing expectation based on bias, but not a fact.
Define hurt. Is it taunting, harassment, false accusations, false imprisonment, brutal arrests, murder or a violation of human and civil liberty, because one can get away with it. Is it investigations that lack transparency. Or trials of rogue officers botched by conflicts of interest and cronyism in DA offices? Or us it the constant fear and too frequent loss of the' children of mothers who can find no solace from a state reminiscent is apartheid South Africa?
1
I have no argument against the evidence that racial profiling runs rampant, within and without the police force. However, I believe we have to recognize that we are regularly putting officers into traumatic situations, and we it's completely unrealistic to expect humans to act anything other than instinctually when put into dangerous situations on a regular basis. Without a doubt, we need to straighten out the abusive actions of the police, but we also need to take better care of them and understand more about the physiological and psychological impact of their daily work.
28
The irony is that Mayor de Blasio says that we all kniw who the bad guys are and that we need to go after them. Obviously, he has done his own profiling and has concluded what those of us who live in Flatbush know: Young black men have guns that need to be taken away from them.
Yesterday at six o'clock in the evening, when thousands of people were ducking into the subway to go home from work, a 17-year-old was shot and killed; another one was shot in the hand; five bullets altogether. That was on Flatbush Avenue at the DeKalb subway. That's one crowded area. Lots of room for average, slump-shouldered, working stiffs being killed just at the end of their work day.
These young men are feral. Their mothers wail that they're good boys when they're convucted of murder, but their maternal energy is about 17 years too late.
Birth control . . . .
Yesterday at six o'clock in the evening, when thousands of people were ducking into the subway to go home from work, a 17-year-old was shot and killed; another one was shot in the hand; five bullets altogether. That was on Flatbush Avenue at the DeKalb subway. That's one crowded area. Lots of room for average, slump-shouldered, working stiffs being killed just at the end of their work day.
These young men are feral. Their mothers wail that they're good boys when they're convucted of murder, but their maternal energy is about 17 years too late.
Birth control . . . .
1
What are you saying? The facts are: 1. Whites are just as likely or more likely to have have illegal weapons and contraband in Greensboro. 2. Whites are the majority of the drivers on Greensboro streets. 3. Whites are NOT being stopped in proportion to the population. Barbara, please, get your mind right! If a police officer feels he needs to relieve his job stress by brutalizing and murdering Black people, he needs to leave the force. Period.
Anyone that makes excuses for lawless and unconstitutional behavior of the police against the entire Black community is a racist. Trust me, Barbara, your opinion would be very, VERY different if you, your family and neighbors were routinely violated, humiliated, shook down, beaten, wounded or killed, just because you are you.
Anyone that makes excuses for lawless and unconstitutional behavior of the police against the entire Black community is a racist. Trust me, Barbara, your opinion would be very, VERY different if you, your family and neighbors were routinely violated, humiliated, shook down, beaten, wounded or killed, just because you are you.
49
And just what is the "evidence" of "racial profiling" you agree with? Is it the "opinion" of the New York Times and Obama? Not facts, just opinion?
I think the proper focus should be on policing in general, not on race specifically.
Using the logic of elevated frequency, data show all types of bias. Men are arrested and incarcerated FAR more often than women. Does this indicate gender bias against males? Young adults are arrested more often than older ones? Age bias?
While the vast majority of police are good, some are not. Let’s address real problems without being divided against each other.
Using the logic of elevated frequency, data show all types of bias. Men are arrested and incarcerated FAR more often than women. Does this indicate gender bias against males? Young adults are arrested more often than older ones? Age bias?
While the vast majority of police are good, some are not. Let’s address real problems without being divided against each other.
15
Exactly. To say that police should not be doing those things to BLACK people, specifically, is to say that it's OK for them to do it to others. It's not.
Since we're now calling statements "lies", I would add that there are plenty of these "lies" being thrown around. Call them "racial lies."
One is that police officers are killing black people in record numbers. Another is "Black Lives Matter." We've seen that some black lives matter more than others, especially when they can be used to promote a narrative.
Everyone seems to have an agenda today, including The Times.
One is that police officers are killing black people in record numbers. Another is "Black Lives Matter." We've seen that some black lives matter more than others, especially when they can be used to promote a narrative.
Everyone seems to have an agenda today, including The Times.
46
Cell phone videos don't lie. Go yo You Tube and research the topic.
when police departments and police oriented organizations begin to police the thugs and bigots within their ranks and to admit the presence of racial profiling as a prevalent way to choose which people to slam against a wall or throw across a room then and only then can these organizations gain the respect they do not now deserve.
1
Finally, a conservative admits that she too has an agenda but only by obliquely including herself in the category of "everyone." Oh, the long list of lies I have had to stomach coming from conservatives my entire life. I can assure you that as a white, Southern, male who hears what people say when the doors are closed and they don't quite yet realize what I think of them, I have heard just how little black lives matter to most white, conservative people in America. I've heard it out of the South too, even in places like New York--why, even in comments to this very column. Yep, everyone does have an agenda, but generally he/she can be very cagey about revealing it.
1
So Comer says the police are standing down, and the Times says they're not.
Where are the interviews with the police?
If the Times has hundreds of hours available to analyze traffic stops in one town, surely it also has time to interview police.
Most police are not brutal monsters. Where are their voices? Why are we not reading what they have to say on this topic?
Where are the interviews with the police?
If the Times has hundreds of hours available to analyze traffic stops in one town, surely it also has time to interview police.
Most police are not brutal monsters. Where are their voices? Why are we not reading what they have to say on this topic?
40
Most police departments forbid their members from speaking to the press about police business, at least for attribution. Otherwise, the criticism is not misplaced.
Do you seriously think that mighty-mouth Pat Lynch would allow individual officers to be interviewed? Or that Bratton or Lynch would give accurate statements to the NYT?
the times is clearly agenda driven on virtually every issue they hold dear, including the false narrative that cops are disproportionately targeting Blacks. They lack what one might call, journalistic integrity.
The perfect paradox. Police officers exist to protect us from individuals that act like the police officers in these brutality cases!
17
Even if (and especially) FBI Director Comey is correct in saying that officers are afraid of appearing in videos it would be because they see brutalizing people as a job task. Police who do not brutalize do not appear in videos, or at least they appear in very boring ones.
28
No, short videos, most started after the incitement has happened, will almost always make the cop look "violent" after being attacked by the "victim"... and how will the NYTimes interpret any video, anyway? Cop bad, if the "victim" is black!!
Comey should be fired. He can no longer serve as a credible leader for an unbiased law enforcement organization; leadership like that makes me nervous about the level of racism in the FBI.
54
Fire Comey for speaking the truth as told to him by a reputable police commander? Just because you cannot handle the truth doesn't mean the rest of us aren't interested in hearing it.
36
Comey is very respectable and honest. Why should he be fired? He is just telling the truth as he sees it.
1
and neither Comey or the commander offer any facts just repeat non-facts until they are believed.
“Every time I see a police officer, I get a cold chill. Even if I needed one, I wouldn’t call one.”
This is why crime is rampant in poor Black neighborhoods and not that police officers are afraid to do their jobs. If you believe that you could become the subject of their rage rather than the criminal you called about then you do not call the police. You take your chances with the criminals who you live with everyday. It makes the idea of becoming part of the gang more appealing. This fear of the police is a gift that keeps giving. If the police are not called the criminals get away with their activities and so increase those criminal activities. If a young man feels the need to protect his family he joins a gang, he does not call the police who he perceives are just as bound to batter or kill him as the criminal. Police are not his neighbors but gang members are so who would he trust? When the police become the enemy the gang becomes your friend.
We are in a downward cycle with crime running rampant, and police brutality and racial profiling. As these build upon one another and become worse and worse the public becomes afraid of both the police and the criminals and feel their only recourse is to protect themselves from both making an even more violent and lawless culture.
Police do not live in the communities they work in. It allows racism and prejudices to flourish. It is the same problem between poor and rich. We just don't know each other anymore and so we fear.
This is why crime is rampant in poor Black neighborhoods and not that police officers are afraid to do their jobs. If you believe that you could become the subject of their rage rather than the criminal you called about then you do not call the police. You take your chances with the criminals who you live with everyday. It makes the idea of becoming part of the gang more appealing. This fear of the police is a gift that keeps giving. If the police are not called the criminals get away with their activities and so increase those criminal activities. If a young man feels the need to protect his family he joins a gang, he does not call the police who he perceives are just as bound to batter or kill him as the criminal. Police are not his neighbors but gang members are so who would he trust? When the police become the enemy the gang becomes your friend.
We are in a downward cycle with crime running rampant, and police brutality and racial profiling. As these build upon one another and become worse and worse the public becomes afraid of both the police and the criminals and feel their only recourse is to protect themselves from both making an even more violent and lawless culture.
Police do not live in the communities they work in. It allows racism and prejudices to flourish. It is the same problem between poor and rich. We just don't know each other anymore and so we fear.
261
My son is deaf and has very poor vision and he wears baggy pants.
If told to stop, he would keep on walking and he might pull up his pants.
Put that together with a cop who is terrified of the public, or just plain power hungry.
If told to stop, he would keep on walking and he might pull up his pants.
Put that together with a cop who is terrified of the public, or just plain power hungry.
1
Sadly,the Fourth Estate contributes to the problem of 'perception.The majority of the time an instance of the terms,'poor,criminal,low income,remedial,are publicly asserted,the first image,usually on screen,is that of a Black or Brown American...'Other Americans,seeing these images conclude...'Okay,I 'get it,'so and so news organization, is trying to tell me who 'these people Are.They're(media) describing,(consciously,unconsciously?) Hispanic and African Americans....
So many police working in different communities from their own are racists? So police should only be assigned to their local neighborhoods and if they have the same socio-economic background as the locals' backgrounds? Black police for black neighborhoods, and white police for white nighborhoods? Sounds like the Left wants segregation to me.
Yes, there has been dishonesty in the discussion about interaction no between the police and the public, but it is the NYT that has consistently been a liar. As the Washington Post printed an article this weekend demonstrating that the vast majority of people killed by police were armed and attacking (link attached), the NYT has preferred to ignore the facts. Instead, you concealed the arrest record in your reporting about NYC's latest cop killer. Thanks to the head of the FBI for saying the truth about the increase in crime, contradicting the false claims of the administration and the NYT.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2015/10/24/on-duty-under-...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/investigative/2015/10/24/on-duty-under-...
29
That report says almost 10% of those killed by police officers were NOT shooting first or even brandishing a gun. And why should the police be exempt from scrutiny? They carry guns. Good cops--and that's the vast majority, I think--aren't afraid of scrutiny, any more than I am when I'm driving on the highway at a reasonable rate of speed.
17
The most important change to come out of these recent deadly police interactions is the recognition of the need to collect accurate and consistent statistics on police shootings. Today, the reporting is spotty. Some police departments prohibit the publication of that data.
Until that data is available, people will continue to latch onto single events and extrapolate to the entire nation. Many will impose their own notions of race and justice while remaining ignorant of the facts. Because they are not known.
Until that data is available, people will continue to latch onto single events and extrapolate to the entire nation. Many will impose their own notions of race and justice while remaining ignorant of the facts. Because they are not known.
2
I think you're missing the point somewhat. No one takes issue with the police shooting armed criminals who have opened fire. What concerns us is the needless shooting of children, citizens fleeing for their life, harmless woodcarvers, unwitting drivers etc.
What should not be lost in all of this is that bringing the level of violence and murder against blacks committed by police brought down to the level of violence and murder committed against whites by police, is not going far enough. While blacks are disproportionately singled out for such treatment, police abuse and murder whites also. While these cases regularly appear on cop watching web sites (such as 'cop block,' 'filming police,' 'countercurrent news' and others) they are rarely picked up by mainstream media. One case that comes to mind is a white man who ran into a police station in distress (fearing that his ex wife was trying to harm him) and who was killed within one minute of entering. It's on video He was unarmed. Another was a white teenaged girl who entered a police station and asked for help and who was promptly shot by police. It's on video. She was unarmed. The most horrifying is of a homeless white man in a state park who was hunted and murdered like wild game by three cops, all on video.
Focus on blacks (and Native Americans who are killed in similar numbers) is needed due to the disproportionate level of abuse, but this is part of a much larger problem that includes all of us.
It's important to recognize this not just for the sake of justice, but also to let those who selfishly don't care about blacks, know that they aren't safe either. We are all at risk of arbitrary violence by cops. Addressing this problem accrues directly to the benefit of everyone.
Focus on blacks (and Native Americans who are killed in similar numbers) is needed due to the disproportionate level of abuse, but this is part of a much larger problem that includes all of us.
It's important to recognize this not just for the sake of justice, but also to let those who selfishly don't care about blacks, know that they aren't safe either. We are all at risk of arbitrary violence by cops. Addressing this problem accrues directly to the benefit of everyone.
383
Well stated, Nikolai. I appreciate your letter. It's right on point.
You're right Nikolai, police kill Whites too - Just in nowhere near the numbers of Blacks and Latinos. We need a fundamental reworking of the very nature of policing in this country. The paramilitary model of community occupation was a bad idea to begin with. It has only being revealed for the travesty it is now because of the prevalence of cellphone video.
Kudos. An essential observation.
"Political Lies About Police Brutality"
Finally, I thought, the NYT fesses up about aiding and abetting the politically-motivated protests against police. Starting with the always suspect- now thoroughly discredited- 'hands up, don't shoot' meme, these protests were aimed at motivating democratic voters to turn out in the off-year elections of 2014. As one example after another fell apart under judicial examination, one might have thought a more nuanced view would emerge; one based on the fact that African-Americans are much more likely to have interactions with police than other Americans due to the fact that African-Americans are much more likely to be the perpetrator of crimes than other Americans. And a certain percentage (never zero but in proportion to that of other races) of these interactions will have fatal outcomes. About time the NYT comes clean, I thought.
Then I read the editorial. Sigh.
Finally, I thought, the NYT fesses up about aiding and abetting the politically-motivated protests against police. Starting with the always suspect- now thoroughly discredited- 'hands up, don't shoot' meme, these protests were aimed at motivating democratic voters to turn out in the off-year elections of 2014. As one example after another fell apart under judicial examination, one might have thought a more nuanced view would emerge; one based on the fact that African-Americans are much more likely to have interactions with police than other Americans due to the fact that African-Americans are much more likely to be the perpetrator of crimes than other Americans. And a certain percentage (never zero but in proportion to that of other races) of these interactions will have fatal outcomes. About time the NYT comes clean, I thought.
Then I read the editorial. Sigh.
23
In the dozens and dozens of videos that show black people being harassed, brutalized, and murdered by police, the police are the only criminals.
The NYT narrative and not yours above seems to be the more accurate one. I was born in the 1950s and have never felt threatened by an African American and I've lived in a few municipalities, including the Oakland CA area. Nor do I believe that the police in any community I've lived in are there to protect me from black "thugs". The whole narrative of dangerous black people in American society is a legacy of white American racism and supremacy and it remains a shameful and embarrassing American phenomena to this day. Whenever I hear a white American demonizing larger black American society alarm bells start ringing about the motives of those who mouth these unhelpful racial stereotypes. It's high time to integrate African Americans into larger USA society and get rid of the oppressive ghettos.
“Public scrutiny is being challenged by politicians who want to soft-pedal or even ignore police misconduct.” So proving that police forces are there to protect elites from lower-class, “uncivilized” people.
9
Comey was appointed by the president and should represent the values of the administration. Clearly he does not and he should be FIRED for setting a tone that is so OUT OF STEP with that of the president. The comments from Comey only add to the perception that the FBI and law enforcement in general operate above the scrutiny of the general public that they are charged to serve. EVERYONE can agree to support law enforcement in the FAIR application of the law but when they run roughshod over the rights of citizens, the contract between them and the public is broken. Comey has tarnished his reputation and ability to be seen as a fair broker of law enforcement.
As to the odious Christie, I can't even....
As to the odious Christie, I can't even....
316
We're on a very slippery slope if we start demanding that anyone who says something we disagree with should be fired.
Not unlike student organizations who demand that speakers they disagree with be "disinvited." Or demand that funding for a student newspaper be cut if it prints an article they disagree with.
Not unlike student organizations who demand that speakers they disagree with be "disinvited." Or demand that funding for a student newspaper be cut if it prints an article they disagree with.
10
Speakers at colleges are NOT the same as an APPOINTED OFFICIAL who's charged with carrying out the policies set forth by the man who appointed him, namely the PRESIDENT! Your comparison is entirely misguided, this is not someone who should be fired because we "disagree with what he say". He's not entitled to diverge from the agenda of the administration he serves in a personal and self-aggrandizing way, he's a public official who was appointed to perform a job within the government and follow the lead of those he serves. He does not have the right to operate in a vacuum.
2
Where did you get your insight that Comey's "values" were inconsistent with the administration? He made a statement that on it's face makes a lot of sense - police may be avoiding confrontations with suspects for fear of viral videos - and is probably true. But even if he is wrong, how does that represent a values difference from the administration?
1
Since 9/11 the police have been lionized more than ever before. Police forces across the country have also become more militarized. The worst thing that one can do is to question a police officer's authority or to hesitate. For Comey and others like him to say that shining a light on what police do causes the police to cut back on their policing is just ridiculous. People are moving to ban the use of cell phone cameras around police and around crime scenes and this is just as wrong as wrong can be. It is by shining a light in the darkness that our society becomes better, and yet Comey, Christie and a lot of other people want to pull the shades and let the police operate with less accountability than they already have, and they are almost never held accountable. "I thought he/she was reaching for a gun" is one of their standard excuses. Those who want to keep us in the dark and to blame the victims are not helping to make a better society.
343
"The worst thing that one can do is to question a police officer's authority or to hesitate."
Even if one cooperates, we have observed videos of takedowns theatrically justified by an officer(s) simply yelling:"Stop resisting" as they continue the assault on the cooperative "perp" on the ground.
Even if one cooperates, we have observed videos of takedowns theatrically justified by an officer(s) simply yelling:"Stop resisting" as they continue the assault on the cooperative "perp" on the ground.
I agree. I am not a cop-hater. To the contrary, our family has always had respect for the law and the police. By the way we are white. But my husband had a very scary encounter with a policeman about 30 years ago. I think the only reason he was not injured is because our son went to the parking lot where the encounter was occurring (the policeman was not following the law) he walked up to my husband and said "whats up pops?". The policeman realized he had a witness and left. My husband then told a friend of ours who is a country sheriff about the encounter. He said the above policeman was a jerk and my husband should have asked for his badge number. Unfortunately, he didn't. We've both been a bit leery of the police since then. Too bad.
You can't disentangle complaints about police brutality against blacks without also looking at black crime rates. This isn't just an issue of racism considering that a number of complaints against police officers include black officers and departments led by blacks. Unlawful behavior needs to be dealt with, whether the offender is a police officer or not, but a lot of it would go away if the crime also decreased. Police officers need better training on identifying suspects for other attributes besides race, training that will need the assistance of black communities.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_crime_in_the_United_States
Overall, Black Americans are arrested at 2.6 times the per-capita rate of all other Americans, and this ratio is even higher for murder (6.3 times) and robbery (8.1 times).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_crime_in_the_United_States
Overall, Black Americans are arrested at 2.6 times the per-capita rate of all other Americans, and this ratio is even higher for murder (6.3 times) and robbery (8.1 times).
16
Are they arrested at a rate that is proportional to their rate of criminal activity?
1
From the figures you cite about higher arrest records among blacks, you appear to making a direct inference to higher incidence of crime. This argument is partial and circular.
John, Given what I have been seeing on citizens' videos, I have to wonder about the validity of these statistics. It certainly appears that some police are not truthful at least some of the time (at a minimum). I wonder how that translates into what is reported and what is extrapolated from those reports. I keep remembering one of my statistics professors who insisted that statistics can be reliable (the pattern is there) without being valid, i. e the numbers reflect patterns of inaccuracies/lies/distortions. Every time I see the statistics you cite, I wonder about their truthfulness/reality and what they may be actually demonstrating. Susan
The Tea Party controlled Republican legislature in the benighted state of North Carolina just passed legislation signed by Pat "I'm not a scientist" McCrory which forbids police departments from turning over their own videos of police action absent a court issued subpoena.
It is unknown why the good Tea Party folks want opacity when it comes to how the police treat citizens in NC but a fella named Jim Crow comes to mind.
It is unknown why the good Tea Party folks want opacity when it comes to how the police treat citizens in NC but a fella named Jim Crow comes to mind.
21
updated to James Crow.
Your editorial is spot on. Early in our nation's history, indentured whites and blacks joined together to make common cause against oppressive white landowners. The panic stricken gentry responded by paying poor whites just a little more than blacks and they passed a thicket of laws to hobble the hope of any socioeconomic advancement for black folks. The enforcers of these "broken window" like laws" were the same as today's cops, but with different titles. Police have been used as the spearhead of class based racism by wealthy whites and their political handmaidens for hundreds of years. Its no wonder that many police officers and African American citizens view each other as racial enemies.
168
And your source for that information is?
Well said, Mr. Connor.
Yes, police brutality exists in the US. Yes, African-Americans receive higher levels of scrutiny. Are people opportunistic? Yes. Will people break the law for personal gain? Yes. Are people currently purposefully creating anarchy and revolting against authority? Yes.
Let's see this for what it is. All people should live their lives as if every moment is being captured on video. Then maybe, again maybe, we would not be having this debate.
Let's see this for what it is. All people should live their lives as if every moment is being captured on video. Then maybe, again maybe, we would not be having this debate.
9
You can catch me at any point in my day. You can catch me at any point of my week. You can catch me at any point of my month or for that matter, in my life. You will not see me abusing anyone. So unless you are an abuser, this is a specious argument. We must not only have but we must continue this conversation and debate.
Political lies are the norm across the spectrum.
4
How about "All Laws Matter"? Disobey them and you will suffer the consequences. Pretty simple stuff
Next topic please
Next topic please
16
You clearly didn't read the article since it is largely about situations where blacks have not committed a crime.
15
You don't understand this. The topic is police brutalizing civilians. This has been going on forever. Now cellphones capture instances of brutality that the police used to claim was justified in their own self-defense. Brutality and then go out on disability-it is what the State promotes.
4
If only that were true...
2
In our polarized, disrespectful current political environment, so often those with other views seem to get attacked and their integrity challenged. Is it possible to listen to other points of views without disparaging their character or calling them liars? Is it possible to know that we also are not infallible? Can we no longer have a civil dialogue on facts without anger?
84
We can stop it if people first acknowledged that the problem existed. All civility means in your formulation is pretending the problem doesn't exist. People should be angry.
3
James S:
Not every challenge or alternative viewpoint is a denial of the existence of the problem. Being angry doesn't entitle someone to censor other views. No one has that right, no matter how angry they are.
Not every challenge or alternative viewpoint is a denial of the existence of the problem. Being angry doesn't entitle someone to censor other views. No one has that right, no matter how angry they are.
4
people should be angry about stifling freedom of speech by attacking those with other views. The head of the FBI didn't deny, he just has different data, experience and view than us. "Liar" is an ugly personal attack on those with other views.
1
As a teenager , I had a retired prison guard tell me their rule was "Hit first and lie to the warden later!"
Why should we condone such illegal behavior from our law enforcement officers? While phone videos can be confusing, even misleading, it has both indicted and exonerated police officers. If this has caused them to be more careful of everyone's Constitutionally guaranteed rights, all power to it! If we cannot trust our police, if citizens are afraid to call on them even in the most dire of situations, our way of life is doomed.
President Obama should demand Director Comey's immediate letter of resignation.
Why should we condone such illegal behavior from our law enforcement officers? While phone videos can be confusing, even misleading, it has both indicted and exonerated police officers. If this has caused them to be more careful of everyone's Constitutionally guaranteed rights, all power to it! If we cannot trust our police, if citizens are afraid to call on them even in the most dire of situations, our way of life is doomed.
President Obama should demand Director Comey's immediate letter of resignation.
25
We're just waiting to see how this sub-human's actions are justified and he is found NOT GUILTY by a misnamed GRAND JURY picked by the county prosecutor. When is kind of brutality just dealt with as the crime that it is???
Good for those students who took those videos. NOTHING justified treating a fellow human being in that manner. It's obvious by this officer's other occupations that he thrives in an atmosphere of brutality. One can only imagine how he treats those football players.
Good for those students who took those videos. NOTHING justified treating a fellow human being in that manner. It's obvious by this officer's other occupations that he thrives in an atmosphere of brutality. One can only imagine how he treats those football players.
10
Pension systems that allow overtime to be counted, lead to "shift change" arrests. People are arrested by cops, who want to boost their pensions in the last years of their service. Too, they are allowed to coop or take naps on the job to help them get through long days!
3
For those of us who are not native to the Deep South, we may tend to consider "racism" as part of its culture. For instance, there was a native of a southern state in our classes in a Washington State university. She lied and indicated that she had no reason to be ethical. Also, her racism was blatant.
If she is a typical example of some natives of the South, then we may reasonably expect that what is reported in this fine article --i.e., racism--will be with us--unfortunately-- for a few more generations.
If she is a typical example of some natives of the South, then we may reasonably expect that what is reported in this fine article --i.e., racism--will be with us--unfortunately-- for a few more generations.
2
When I was in the Navy I was assigned to a ship homeported in Philadelphia. Some of the most bigoted, biased, racist, despicable people I ever ran into lived in he alleged City of Brotherly Love. Because of my Texan/Southern accent, I was called an ignorant, uneducated, unenlightened hillbilly redneck, by people with much less education than I had. I had the same experience in Bath, Maine, Newport Rhode Island, Chicago, and in NYC when I was visiting with my late wife.
Or longer. One of the things we've been learning about ourselves --many of us -- is that being well-off and relatively secure isn't enough We have to be ahead of someone else. Winning isn't everything unless someone loses. Having a whole group of people who have a different skin color or a different accent doesn't just make us an allegedly "inclusive" nation: it provides our superior tribe with victims for our fears and our insecurities.
You'd think that at some point we'd get over it... grow up a little. But no. We hold onto what we need. And apparently having people of other cultures provides our tribe with someone handy-by to blame for any shortcomings.
Any serious problem with violence in our culture? In films and TV? In the books we choose, the videos that draw us to a particular news report?
Hey, it's "their" fault.
You'd think that at some point we'd get over it... grow up a little. But no. We hold onto what we need. And apparently having people of other cultures provides our tribe with someone handy-by to blame for any shortcomings.
Any serious problem with violence in our culture? In films and TV? In the books we choose, the videos that draw us to a particular news report?
Hey, it's "their" fault.
It is interesting that as far back as 2001, Heather McDonald (journalist and political commentator not the comedian) warned of the dangers of the anti-"racial profiling" movement and its propensity to turn the clock back on any and all crime-fighting gains (in general, crime has been on the decrease for about 20 years). That there are bad actors in law enforcement is undeniable; however, groups like Black Lives Matter, Inc. thrive on a willful blindness to the demographics of crime.
http://www.city-journal.org/html/11_2_the_myth.html
http://www.city-journal.org/html/11_2_the_myth.html
7
No, they thrive on actually caring about their constitutional rights and their rights as human beings. Whereas your argument is based on the principle that law and order trumps civil rights.
1
"Serve to Protect", must had changed to "Serve to Abuse" by law enforcement.
4
In the 1960's, in the Old Paleolithic Age, or so it seems from today's perspective, there was an expression common among p.o.'s called "cooping." It referred to p.o.'s who, instead of going out and getting involved, would find someplace quiet where they could sit in their squad cars and snooze. A favorite spot where I lived was Cherokee Place, near the FDR Drive ,UES. That is what is happening today, figuratively speaking.P.o's, handcuffed by political demagogues, demoralized by the abandonment of "stop and frisk" and "broken windows" policies, denigrated by those same politicians who get and demand superb p.o.protection of their own, have resurrected their own version of cooping by not getting involved in enforcing the law unless absolutely necessary. Comey is right. Denigration of p,o.'s has led to less aggressive policing and a spike in the crime rate.P.o.'s who abuse the citizenry r in the minority. What the FBI director seeks is the "juste milieu," and who can find fault with that? Wrote recently in pub. comment how p.o'.s saved BIG JIM, a one eyed dog whom I had adopted, and who just collapsed on the sidewalk one day.No taxi would stop. Seemingly out of nowhere, a police van screeched to a halt in front of us, 2 officers emerged, put Jim on a stretcher and we sped down to AMC, which saved the poor creature's life.P.o's r humanitarian. Unfortunately,in many instances, the public lacks their altruism.
7
Police are public servants first and foremost. They are not soldiers at war against crime. If a police officer can't carry out their duties they should leave the force or be fired.
2
Just because a sociologist doesn't have data doesn't mean the finding isn't true. Murders and shootings are up, and the victims are mainly black men. The Editorial Board (who work in a building with private security) are promoting a story that lacks facts. They take one biased community and claim everyone is racist. They ignore that the officers killed in New York are not white.
In the end, the Editors are complicit with more deaths and more violence. Shame on them all.
In the end, the Editors are complicit with more deaths and more violence. Shame on them all.
16
Half a year of data doesn't mean squat. Anecdotal feelings-based arguments like yours doesn't mean anything. It's pure rhetoric.
2
Surges of NY: unfortunately we do need data to support contentious remarks and we cannot just take the word of an official who has an ax to grind with a policy he doesn't like. By the way, do you have data to support your contention that the victims of shootings and murders are "mainly black men" or do we have to take your word for it?
I saw nothing in the article to support your assertion that "they [the Editorial Board] take one biased community and claim everyone is racist" nor does it hold up that because some officers who are killed are black, "the Editorial Board ... are promoting a story that lacks facts". The black officers who were killed were viewed as police officers first and black men second and were probably viewed as "Uncle Toms" by the killers. Lastly, saying "In the end, the Editors are complicit with more deaths and more violence" makes no sense and is just cheap hyperbole.
I saw nothing in the article to support your assertion that "they [the Editorial Board] take one biased community and claim everyone is racist" nor does it hold up that because some officers who are killed are black, "the Editorial Board ... are promoting a story that lacks facts". The black officers who were killed were viewed as police officers first and black men second and were probably viewed as "Uncle Toms" by the killers. Lastly, saying "In the end, the Editors are complicit with more deaths and more violence" makes no sense and is just cheap hyperbole.
1
Of course politicians want to protect the police, even the bad ones. The Pols rarely are arrested for their crimes, and almost never abused when arrested. And face it, the police are the goon squad of the elite, as we have seen at Occupy Wall St demonstrations in NYC, Oakland and other cities across the country. The use of Homeland Security to coordinate the suppression of Occupy! across the country was enabled by the so-called "fusion centers" that are a key component of the militarization of the police state. Many will think that saying we live in a police state is a paranoid statement, but in Massachusetts, I recently saw a state environmental police pick up truck pull over a motorist and ticket them for a traffic infraction, and there was a newpaper report around the same time of a local Guard helicopter being used to examine an area near Northampton, MA for marijuana plants from the air. The all pervasive spying on we citizen taxpayers, and these examples of monitoring our every action by all pervasive police and military forces is just to give the politicians more control. And they will defend the police; they are not interested in democracy or the Constitution, but power.
6
Are you missing the story on how this happens to white folks too?
An adolescent in Rye, NY check his case last year. Walking home late at night. Cop put him in a coma.
How frequent is this sort of thing. Let's not paper over what the cops are doing to white folks too.
An adolescent in Rye, NY check his case last year. Walking home late at night. Cop put him in a coma.
How frequent is this sort of thing. Let's not paper over what the cops are doing to white folks too.
12
We are not overlooking what cops do to white people. What we are doing is looking at what cops do to them and then comparing that to what cops do to black people. The comparison is staggering: by all measures police brutality toward black people is grossly disproportionate. This means there are two problems. One is police brutality, the other is racism.
1
Stourley, I am not challenging what you say at all--yes, much more common against black people, yes racism is responsible. Just saying that there is ALSO a general problem with the police in addition. I remember at the march against the Republican Party National Convention in New York City, marching with my father, and an agent provocateur hired by the police drives into the march so that the march will be tarred as a violent protest, in order to delegitimate it. There is more than just one problem with the police. And when that gets out, it will help to restrain/ retrain them and all will benefit. Not to take away from what you said at all.
"...even though whites where significantly more likely to be caught with drugs and weapons." That just about says it all.
4
If a police officer says "Do this." and you say "No or Why or Explain Yourself or ***", expect immediate repercussions. That's the way it needs to be. You don't negotiate with police officers. That's why they are named Police and Officers. Sass back and you deserve what you get. Period. And that is the way it should be. Period.
4
A police officer who transfers from a department that is then closed down for gross racist conduct might have brought the attitudes of that department to his new job. If there he prefers not to carry his taser he will not have it available when a situation gets out of hand. In a confrontation he may understand from his validated attitude that the person he is dealing with is necessarily dangerous. Without his taser he must reflexively rely on the threat of deadly force. When we say that there must be immediate repercussions we must look at what those repercussions will be. If we are amenable to the threat of deadly force when it need not have been employed the problem is not with the police.
1
Dave, there is no exemption to free speech for speaking against the police. Some countries make it a crime to express disrespect for the police. Our constitution protects speech. Your comment, pardon the expression, is anti-American.
2
Yeah, do not ever resist. Authority is always right. And those who resisted the Nazi's or Soviets were idiots, just give them what they want.
1
There should be a "broken glass" approach to police behavior. We as citizens should not tolerate even the most minor unprofessional behaviors or attitudes.
For example, the lights on a police car are very aggressive and should be used only in situations that merit their use (highways, etc.) But they absolutely do not need to be blasting at full intensity for a routine traffic stop. I recently saw a young man pulled over in the town center of Concord MA. The lights were blinding. It was an intimidating site.
My point is that the police need to tone it down and the citizens should be diligently pushing them to change their style as well as the substance of their behavior.
Turn down the lights. Let a young black man drive through town at night. Serve and protect and remember the police power is delegated by the citizen.
I recommend a zero tolerance policy on police misconduct. If the police (Bratton) still believe that a broken glass approach changes community behavior then start using it on their own police community.
For example, the lights on a police car are very aggressive and should be used only in situations that merit their use (highways, etc.) But they absolutely do not need to be blasting at full intensity for a routine traffic stop. I recently saw a young man pulled over in the town center of Concord MA. The lights were blinding. It was an intimidating site.
My point is that the police need to tone it down and the citizens should be diligently pushing them to change their style as well as the substance of their behavior.
Turn down the lights. Let a young black man drive through town at night. Serve and protect and remember the police power is delegated by the citizen.
I recommend a zero tolerance policy on police misconduct. If the police (Bratton) still believe that a broken glass approach changes community behavior then start using it on their own police community.
6
There is zero tolerance on police misconduct depending on how you define it. Perhaps the lights are bright so the camera works properly. Yes the police want and deserve every advantage considering the type of people they deal with.
My understanding is that most of this years uptick in violent crimes and murders that the FBI director was referring to were in minority communities. We need the Black Lives Matter hashtag to take up the plight of these deaths as well.
6
Less extreme rhetoric from both sides is what is needed. The NYT Editorial Board needs to stop with its own "incendiary" and "racially poisonous" rhetoric and if telling only one side of the story is "lying" then the NYT needs to stop "lying" too.
15
Remember that in NYC, the police engaged in a slow down to punish DeBlasio (and the rest of us) for acknowledging that police brutality exists. I don't know why crime is up, but I can speculate with the best of them.
Keep taking those videos!
Keep taking those videos!
7
indie of NY: the police slowdown only reminded us of how childish the police force can be when it doesn't get its way and, ultimately, how shallow is the motto "to protect and serve" and how quickly it can be forgotten.
When I was young and dumb I had an encounter with a police officer that ended up in court. Before a judge the officer lied openly, even when presented with information provided by the State contradicting the officers testimony. There were no repercussions for the officer for having presented false testimony in court.
I will never trust anyone for whom the law does not apply. I make use of the police, and understand that most are honest, but I no longer trust them.
Until such time as the law applies to law enforcement, as it does to the average citizen, it is ill advised to trust law enforcement, the judiciary or lawyers.
I will never trust anyone for whom the law does not apply. I make use of the police, and understand that most are honest, but I no longer trust them.
Until such time as the law applies to law enforcement, as it does to the average citizen, it is ill advised to trust law enforcement, the judiciary or lawyers.
469
Well Gee you distrust an entire class based on your single incident?l How foolish!! Now I trust nobody totally, but I do verify.
1
Could I have lied to a judge in open court with impunity? The incident applies for the class, so yes - I distrust on my single incident.
3
SecularSocialistDem, I fear you will regret making use of the police. They are to be feared and avoided, especially by people with the gall to think for themselves. That's a crime today. Question a cop, respectfully and for good reason, prepare to be tased and charged with resisting arrest or interfering with an officer - if you're lucky enough not to be shot.
1
In America our laws are supposed to apply equally to everyone, regardless of race, income, or profession. Yet folks in middle class, mostly white neighborhoods are far less likely to be arrested for drugs than those in depressed minority neighborhoods, even though drugs are equally prevalent in both areas. Lawbreakers in board rooms simply throw money at their representatives in Washington to change laws that they don't like. Law enforcement officers who kill folks in the line of duty aren't subject to questioning immediately, but are given time to lawyer up first. Police who maintain the wall of silence to protect bad cops are hardly ever called to task for their culpability. And politicians and "news" media lie with impunity, spreading propaganda that poisons the well and foments divisiveness.
6
While this is an editorial, I am wondering why the NY Times is editorializing Mr. Comey's words. What he said is that heightened scrutiny may be having an effect but that more data is necessary.
I am fairly disappointed in the Times for not being "fair and balanced" in their approach to crime. The hard fact is that NY City was an extremely dangerous place to live until the NY City Police began to crack down on crime and take public safety, including nuisance crime, more seriously. Do we really want to go back to those days?
While the issue of police misconduct is one that needs policing, let us not forget that criminals should not be coddled and that the tone of our skin should not give anyone a free pass or give them the impetus to tell the Police to get lost because they believe that our Officers are afraid of doing their jobs.
The only communities that will be affected by this are the minority ones where less Police presence and policing means more crime. Upper class communities, where Police support and presence is strong, will continue to be economically vibrant because safety is not an issue and low income communities will slide into further despair and blame of the policing practices will increase because on one hand they are needed and wanted there, but on the other hand, they are constrained when fighting the petty crime that degrades communities.
I am fairly disappointed in the Times for not being "fair and balanced" in their approach to crime. The hard fact is that NY City was an extremely dangerous place to live until the NY City Police began to crack down on crime and take public safety, including nuisance crime, more seriously. Do we really want to go back to those days?
While the issue of police misconduct is one that needs policing, let us not forget that criminals should not be coddled and that the tone of our skin should not give anyone a free pass or give them the impetus to tell the Police to get lost because they believe that our Officers are afraid of doing their jobs.
The only communities that will be affected by this are the minority ones where less Police presence and policing means more crime. Upper class communities, where Police support and presence is strong, will continue to be economically vibrant because safety is not an issue and low income communities will slide into further despair and blame of the policing practices will increase because on one hand they are needed and wanted there, but on the other hand, they are constrained when fighting the petty crime that degrades communities.
15
They are never fair or balanced on anything so why would you think that they would be on this issue?
We need to clarify the rules of engagement between citizens and police regarding non-violent non-cooperation.
Looking at that guy flinging that teenager across the room reminded me of the kind of thing you see in black and white film about the 1960s civil rights era - like we haven't progressed one bit.
People with a badge have an important job to do, and most do it very well and can handle a difficult situation with skill - these folks are true heros. Some folks with a badge have no business being in charge of anything, if they can't handle a mouthy or pouty teen without resorting to assault and battery.
Hopefully we will get some kind of clarity for both sides on how citizens can question a cop without getting shot or beaten.
Looking at that guy flinging that teenager across the room reminded me of the kind of thing you see in black and white film about the 1960s civil rights era - like we haven't progressed one bit.
People with a badge have an important job to do, and most do it very well and can handle a difficult situation with skill - these folks are true heros. Some folks with a badge have no business being in charge of anything, if they can't handle a mouthy or pouty teen without resorting to assault and battery.
Hopefully we will get some kind of clarity for both sides on how citizens can question a cop without getting shot or beaten.
5
Gee I bet there are policies, but humans being variable and not perfect somethings go outside the policy. Just idiotic to say most police do bad things based on the few you actually see on the news. Citizens can question police actions after complying and when in the presence of senior officers or other portions of the legal system. Not interactively. Comply first, ask questions later.
"...Times reporters found that the police pulled over African-American drivers at a rate far out of proportion to their share of the local driving population. "
Which tells us absolutely nothing unless you know the rate at which AA drivers commit infractions. As an example, does the NYT complain that AA are arrested for murder at a 'rate far out of proportion to their share of the population'? Probably so, but given that AA commit murder at a rate far out of proportion to their share of the population it is just common-sense policing.
As long as the editorial board of the NYT assumes that all races and demographic groups behave exactly the same they will always find a grievance. The entire 'Black Lives Matter" movement was founded on a lie; the thoroughly discredited ' hands up, don't shoot' meme. No surprise that it takes faulty analysis of statistics to keep it going. In the meantime how many more blacks will be killed? Not at the the hands of police, but by other blacks emboldened by the factors Mr. Comey mentions.
Which tells us absolutely nothing unless you know the rate at which AA drivers commit infractions. As an example, does the NYT complain that AA are arrested for murder at a 'rate far out of proportion to their share of the population'? Probably so, but given that AA commit murder at a rate far out of proportion to their share of the population it is just common-sense policing.
As long as the editorial board of the NYT assumes that all races and demographic groups behave exactly the same they will always find a grievance. The entire 'Black Lives Matter" movement was founded on a lie; the thoroughly discredited ' hands up, don't shoot' meme. No surprise that it takes faulty analysis of statistics to keep it going. In the meantime how many more blacks will be killed? Not at the the hands of police, but by other blacks emboldened by the factors Mr. Comey mentions.
16
We didn't decide that students with special needs weren't supposed to receive an education just because most mainstream teachers were unable to work effectively and successfully with such students, we developed special education expertise and trained people to work effectively and successfully with our students with special needs. So I don't see why people like James Comey assume that if there is a problem with figuring out how to police effectively and successfully without trampling on community members' civil and human rights that the problem should be borne on the backs of the community members rather than be taken to indicate a weakness in policing theory and practices and a need for reform and new practices.
15
We did??? I really doubt that the special teachers are that effective. What civil and human rights are being trampled? Some right not to be stopped and frisked?
You can't blame the police for being violent in the course of duty if people will not hand over there hard earned money so as to shore up the revenue of our great cities and state's across the country. This is what freedom looks like in 2015. God Bless America. PS I'm not being sarcastic.
4
Is it possible that lax gun laws and overreaction by police might be connected? I cannot imagine being a police officer, child protection worker, teacher or even a DMV employee in a community where guns are so prevalent.
21
And you think criminals obey any laws? The criminals are the ones that guns should be removed from but no law will do that.
"Is it possible that lax gun laws and overreaction by police might be connected?"
Is it lax gun laws or lax enforcement of strict gun laws that is resulting in high crime and potentially police fear? Consider this USA today article: "Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Prosecuted Fewest Federal Gun Crimes"
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/03/28/chicago-...
Should we fully enforce our gun laws, refusing to plea bargain and minimizing parole? Apparently, in many places, enforcement is lax.
Is it lax gun laws or lax enforcement of strict gun laws that is resulting in high crime and potentially police fear? Consider this USA today article: "Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Prosecuted Fewest Federal Gun Crimes"
http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2013/03/28/chicago-...
Should we fully enforce our gun laws, refusing to plea bargain and minimizing parole? Apparently, in many places, enforcement is lax.
Video evidence of police brutality confirms that a percentage of cops are bullies who resort to intimidation up to the point of shooting fleeing suspects in the back. Our nation cannot and must not tolerate such behavior. It is akin to priests who practice pedophilia. The crime against Americans has as much to do with the betrayal of our trust as it has to do with the act itself.
That said, the reality of living in a war zone hardens basic human sympathies. Been there, done that, 1969 I Corps. Good people lose aspects of their humanity and bad people become further emboldened. Saying that people are paid to be there, that people should be trained to handle the stress of momentary decisions of great consequence is disingenuous at best. This is not an excuse, this is reality.
Far too many urban areas are ghetto guerrilla war zones. Baltimore, Hartford, New Haven, Rochester, DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, the list goes on. Spend time there in public spaces, confronted by the people who live and prey on others in those streets, and you will become hardened. It's not a matter of fear, it's an awareness that such people intend to do you harm.
Fixing police brutality is a must.
Fixing a dysfunctional and violent subculture is a must.
That said, the reality of living in a war zone hardens basic human sympathies. Been there, done that, 1969 I Corps. Good people lose aspects of their humanity and bad people become further emboldened. Saying that people are paid to be there, that people should be trained to handle the stress of momentary decisions of great consequence is disingenuous at best. This is not an excuse, this is reality.
Far too many urban areas are ghetto guerrilla war zones. Baltimore, Hartford, New Haven, Rochester, DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, the list goes on. Spend time there in public spaces, confronted by the people who live and prey on others in those streets, and you will become hardened. It's not a matter of fear, it's an awareness that such people intend to do you harm.
Fixing police brutality is a must.
Fixing a dysfunctional and violent subculture is a must.
29
I disagree with your characterization of American cities as urban war zones. Thid provides an excuse for police brutality. Most of the incidents of brutality that came to light last year did not occur in large cities
2
"Fixing a dysfunctional and violent subculture is a must." Starting with the police and the NRA.
2
"Far too many urban areas are ghetto guerrilla war zones."
******
Focusing on the violence of police officers is a lot more comfortable and natural for many people than focusing on the violent criminals in high crime cities. Even Black Lives Matter cannot go there.
Easier to talk about the violence of everyone else -- and even guns -- than to talk about the violence conducted by the residents of those cities.
******
Focusing on the violence of police officers is a lot more comfortable and natural for many people than focusing on the violent criminals in high crime cities. Even Black Lives Matter cannot go there.
Easier to talk about the violence of everyone else -- and even guns -- than to talk about the violence conducted by the residents of those cities.
1
"His formulation implies that for the police to do their jobs, they need to have free rein to be abusive. "
Thank God for cell phones.
Thank God for cell phones.
26
I agree with the statements including that blacks are pulled over more simply for "driving while black" and that the treatment they receive is often out of line and/or abusive. That said, the statement that the police "have been put on notice that the truth could be revealed by a cellphone video posted on the Internet" also carries in it an inherent problem. Cellphone video carries only one perspective depending upon where the holder is standing and when he/she chooses to begin taping. The video is valuable and repeatedly has been shown to offer witness to unacceptable police behavior, but we should not assume that such videos always convey THE truth and the whole truth of what transpired.
14
Thus the need for body cameras for police--see it from their POV, beginning to end.
1
Eric Garner didn't choke himself to death. There's no getting around that.
2
While a video shows the scene from one perspective, that viewpoint is exactly ldentical to what you eyes would see from the same position. A video may show the whole story, or a percentage of the whole, but I don't buy the argument that a video should be discounted - only that more info may be needed to get the whole story. Police apologists are saying "are you going to believe me or your lying eyes?". I'll go with my eyes.
3
For over a decade, we pretty much had a "Black While Walking" thing going on in NYC.
Under Bloomberg's "stop and frisk" program, hundreds of thousands of black people, mostly young men were stopped and questioned for no reason other than their color.
And crime plummeted. So rich people flocked to New York. They, and the poor people who mostly hold service jobs, are the fastest growing populations here.
Now, we're on the other side of the fence. Police brutality is coming to light, horrific and real.
There's a better way to do this.
Under Bloomberg's "stop and frisk" program, hundreds of thousands of black people, mostly young men were stopped and questioned for no reason other than their color.
And crime plummeted. So rich people flocked to New York. They, and the poor people who mostly hold service jobs, are the fastest growing populations here.
Now, we're on the other side of the fence. Police brutality is coming to light, horrific and real.
There's a better way to do this.
19
I think the police are quasi criminals in a criminal enterprise. The NYPD is as brutal and racist as redneck North Carolina or deeper south. Having said that consider your comments, when the NYPD Stopped and Frisked young black men, crime went down. The other truth is black men commit more ...and more violent crimes against everyone, black or white, than any other demographic. They rae and have always been a root problem. We armso PC here in NYC that all the major news networks scrub the description of criminals on the evening news and never, never use the word "Black".
As long as black leaders, parents and culture do nothing in raising their children....the cycle will continue. There is blame enough for everyone.
As long as black leaders, parents and culture do nothing in raising their children....the cycle will continue. There is blame enough for everyone.
That the Supreme Court ruled this doesn't violate the 4th Amendment is shocking. We now know that the Bill of Rights affords no protection. It can be interpreted down to nothing by the Court.
And what was the cost benefit of the system? Little cost as those with nothing to hide were just inconvenienced, and good benefit at least by the results.
1
There have been a constant stream of reports by public officials,police commanders,and leaders of the black community who have deplored the reluctance of the cop on the beat to be disengaged when observing criminal behavior.Police brutality and racism does indeed exist,but so does the Ferguson effect
4
psyCOPothy
Video Shows Officer Flipping Student in South Carolina, Prompting Inquiry
See it and reel.
Video Shows Officer Flipping Student in South Carolina, Prompting Inquiry
See it and reel.
18
@Iced Teaparty
The student in that video was disruptive and was asked to leave. When someone acts like an animal, they deserve to be treated like an animal.
#stop turning thugs into heroes
The student in that video was disruptive and was asked to leave. When someone acts like an animal, they deserve to be treated like an animal.
#stop turning thugs into heroes
1
So what the system is working. No reeling here, if she did as requested nothing would have happened. Would it be better to say mace or taser her?
At the minimum, Officer Fields should never be permitted to work in law enforcement or in a school system ever again.
I've been and will always be on the side of the disadvantaged in society. I can't imagine anyone is a fan of police brutality because it can turn on any of us if we don't eradicate it. However we are dealing with human beings, not robots. Decisions are made based on human emotion and fear. The police sometimes are reacting, and smartly so in a life and death situation. There is a problem with crime in the black community and until that is addressed we will see more people dying, both by the hands of a fellow citizen and by the hands of the police. A life lost isn't tragic only when it's taken by the police. Not a word or protest when a police officer is killed or a young man is killed by a gang member. Or, then it is the police don't do enough. This is what happens when society encourages a group to invest ins self victimization. I don't find this editorial helpful. It's actually damaging, and not the full picture.
24
There is always a public display of grief and honor when a police officer is killed in the line of duty
Don't try to make your point by ignoring the truth
Don't try to make your point by ignoring the truth
1
Wow, that's all I can say, Right before reading this editorial, I watched the school officer video of a deputy assigned to the school yanking a black girl from her seat and hurling her to the ground. I'm sure disruptive kids really aggravate these deputies, but the level of violence--and these videos, such as the one of the Texas swimming pool--are hard to watch.
You can argue that these are isolated incidents or that the kids deserve it. A lot of folks actually believe this. But if police brutality is warranted, and not racial, why is every viral video of white cops mauling black kids? I've never seen similar treatment of white kids--and don't tell me they aren't as disruptive as blacks.
To ignore the fact that cops feel they can use the cover of authority to vent their frustrations is just plain wrong. I know its a hard job, but if you can't take it, don't be a cop. And certainly don't let your own emotional views of race run away with your proper enforcement skills.
Politicians are making the problem worse. The President, of all people, has the right to speak out on it. And the FBI chief is cherry picking data to show his preference for the cops' point of view.
And that is just plain wrong.
You can argue that these are isolated incidents or that the kids deserve it. A lot of folks actually believe this. But if police brutality is warranted, and not racial, why is every viral video of white cops mauling black kids? I've never seen similar treatment of white kids--and don't tell me they aren't as disruptive as blacks.
To ignore the fact that cops feel they can use the cover of authority to vent their frustrations is just plain wrong. I know its a hard job, but if you can't take it, don't be a cop. And certainly don't let your own emotional views of race run away with your proper enforcement skills.
Politicians are making the problem worse. The President, of all people, has the right to speak out on it. And the FBI chief is cherry picking data to show his preference for the cops' point of view.
And that is just plain wrong.
327
The answer as to why we don't see white kids being yanked is two fold. 1. White communities are less likely to video the Police doing their jobs and 2. White kids being yanked by the Police is not "sexy" and does not bring in viewers and readers. The old news motto "if it bleeds, it leads" is not color blind.
3
So we should just let thugs run rampant over society?
Until we see a real proposal to this problem, everything else is exploitation.
Until we see a real proposal to this problem, everything else is exploitation.
2
He's not even cherry picking data, he's making it up. In the same speech Comey admitted his statement of the Ferguson Effect was based on his personal feeling not backed by evidence, and even called for more research. Classic double talk.
3
America's biggest conundrum,is the perplexing and complex query of 'do 'lawbreakers deserve to be treated 'according,to the 'Law...
5
That's not a conundrum, Jeff. That was decided by the Founding Fathers centuries ago when they wrote a Constitution that guarantees that we cannot be deprived of life or liberty without due process of law.
2
Black Lives Matter and similar movements seem to be all about ginning up cases of police brutality cases in hopes of major settlements at the expense of local communities. See Baltimore's handling of the Freddie Gray case for one example. Extortion takes many forms; it's sad to see the Times endorse this one.
There is a problem with incarceration in the United States, but the police don't convict or incarcerate. Judges do, but judges are not worth suing.. Cities are. Hence the movement, the cases, the settlements; etc.
There is a problem with incarceration in the United States, but the police don't convict or incarcerate. Judges do, but judges are not worth suing.. Cities are. Hence the movement, the cases, the settlements; etc.
12
Paul the problem starts with abusive police, which, if there is evidence (like a cell phone video) sometimes leads to lawsuits. You skipped a step there.
55
You can watch a video of a small black boy being shot moments after being seen by a (white) policeman in a park with a toy gun, and the boy is not behaving menacingly in any way.
You can watch a video of a black man being shot in the back in another park as he flees unarmed.
You can watch a video of an unarmed black male driver being shot in the face as he pulls away from a cop doing an unprofessional job.
Ginned up?
You can watch a video of a black man being shot in the back in another park as he flees unarmed.
You can watch a video of an unarmed black male driver being shot in the face as he pulls away from a cop doing an unprofessional job.
Ginned up?
258
Incidents captured on video aren't 'ginned up". What is different now is that video exists to document police misconduct that has routinely been covered up before. The police need to grow up and learn to do their jobs with a level of public scrutiny that is appropriate to the power they exercise. I am astounded at the lack of concern that a person can have their spine severed as a result of police actions associated with arrest for a nonviolent offense. If you think Baltimore's settlement with Gray's family was the result of extortion, you need to look at the history of Baltimore's PD. The city had already had to pay out millions of dollars in damages for very similar injuries caused by very similar police behavior. That pattern almost certainly caused Baltimore to settle quickly. The city had been put on notice by earlier incidents and clearly failed to effectively address the problem on the PD.
48
So do as they say and don't say a word or make a movement, or you can be shot with impunity. Otherwise we'll sit back and let criminals ransack neighborhoods.
This is the RW message Comey's parroting.
It surely wasn't always so in this country, but we'd better pay attention. Increasing inequality plus increasing militarization of police in our already violent society (that has never provided equal opportunity but pretends it does) requires finding better ways.Esp as there's no mental health or addiction services.
There are criminals and we are grateful for the police. But FBI still encouraging police to shoot first and establish facts later, esp if minorities are involved, has his head in the sand.
Luckily most big city police forces are realizing being filmed will make them better cops, or bust them. He should want only good cops.
Videos level the field a bit.
This is the RW message Comey's parroting.
It surely wasn't always so in this country, but we'd better pay attention. Increasing inequality plus increasing militarization of police in our already violent society (that has never provided equal opportunity but pretends it does) requires finding better ways.Esp as there's no mental health or addiction services.
There are criminals and we are grateful for the police. But FBI still encouraging police to shoot first and establish facts later, esp if minorities are involved, has his head in the sand.
Luckily most big city police forces are realizing being filmed will make them better cops, or bust them. He should want only good cops.
Videos level the field a bit.
47
Not really. How about simply being polite and following instructions?
Criminals are already ransacking our neighborhoods. They are wearing badges.
1
While police reform is absolutely necessary, the number of police encounters in which force is necessary could be cut in 1/2 with an adherence to a very very simple principle; COOPERATE WITH THE POLICE WHEN YOU ARE STOPPED.
The one sided narrative promulgated by the liberal media has produced a viscous cycle of sorts. Thugs and wise guys have become emboldened and encouraged to offer more rsesistendce. Police have become coy. Why risk life and limb when you are going to be second guessed and demonized by people who have no idea what policing entails. You don't need a study to confirm this. It's simply a cases of human nature having its way.
Enact reform where it is necessary. Bring police and communities closer together. Stand unified against crime and demand that citizens cooperate with police. These are not mutually exclusive goals.
The one sided narrative promulgated by the liberal media has produced a viscous cycle of sorts. Thugs and wise guys have become emboldened and encouraged to offer more rsesistendce. Police have become coy. Why risk life and limb when you are going to be second guessed and demonized by people who have no idea what policing entails. You don't need a study to confirm this. It's simply a cases of human nature having its way.
Enact reform where it is necessary. Bring police and communities closer together. Stand unified against crime and demand that citizens cooperate with police. These are not mutually exclusive goals.
24
while we are probably on our way to living in a fascist state, we're not there yet. as the moment, police still do not have the right to stop and question you without probable cause.
2
So stories by the liberal media have emboldened bad guys and made police coy? I'm sure your analysis is correct, after all a police force couldn't possibly become coy after being free from accountability for decades, and communities wouldn't naturally fear and resist police who have been beating them with impunity.
Your statement makes me wonder if 12 year old Tamir Rice would have dropped his toy gun, put his hands up and cooperated with the police officer who never gave him the chance, as he shot and killed Tamir less than 2 seconds after his car pulled up.
6
Comey’s remarks imply that police officers can break the law to uphold the law?
Also, I heartily doubt that violent crime is on the rise because police officers have become timid since there's a possibility someone with a cell phone will record their actions.
Also, I heartily doubt that violent crime is on the rise because police officers have become timid since there's a possibility someone with a cell phone will record their actions.
38
You can doubt, but can you also listen to others, including police and FBI experts with an open mind and open heart?
1
"The Cambridge Police acted stupidly". It's been downhill from there. The man who murdered a NYC cop should have been incarcerated, not free on the streets. That is what this editorial should be about. Of course black people are killed at the hands of police, so are white people. As long as there is violence and crime, that will be the case. Especially when the courts refuse to incarcerate violent people. Get a grip people.
22
I have heard the same thing here from black friends and cops--one told me he advised his son, if he encountered trouble, to seek help from the UPS guy or the mailman but not ever from a cop.
After reading this nonsense from Comey, and after viewing yet another violent, disproportionate encounter--in this case between a cop and a teen age girl in a classroom in South Carolina--I completely understand why. But as the daughter of a retired police officer, who was a good and decent cop with a distinguished career, it makes me very sad. There are lots of decent cops out there. But many black people have come to think of them all as the brutalizers we see over and over in these videos. And you can't really blame them for that.
After reading this nonsense from Comey, and after viewing yet another violent, disproportionate encounter--in this case between a cop and a teen age girl in a classroom in South Carolina--I completely understand why. But as the daughter of a retired police officer, who was a good and decent cop with a distinguished career, it makes me very sad. There are lots of decent cops out there. But many black people have come to think of them all as the brutalizers we see over and over in these videos. And you can't really blame them for that.
74
I know there are and I'm law-abiding (as is my son and my two brothers), but I've had two encounters that make me afraid of them - one when they stopped my 16 year old son for *jaywalking* (literally) and instead of calling me to inform me my minor son was being held on the street corner of our home, they immediately assumed he was a gang member (absolutely never) and when I was stopped at night because two cops thought I was a black male (had on a ball cap and sweat-clothes coming from the gym) and approached my car with hands on the butt of their guns.
Both incidents made me realize that first, my black son’s life was always going to be in danger from the cops and, second, black males’ lives are always in danger from the cops. I, too, would never, ever call the cops to come to my home if it happened there was a domestic incident – ever – at least not unless I wanted that family member to die.
Both incidents made me realize that first, my black son’s life was always going to be in danger from the cops and, second, black males’ lives are always in danger from the cops. I, too, would never, ever call the cops to come to my home if it happened there was a domestic incident – ever – at least not unless I wanted that family member to die.
The NYT stood up fiercely for Planned Parenthood, by saying that OK so a few people do wrong things; but that doesn't characterize the entire organization. Why? Because the NYT favors Planned Parenthood as a supreme Liberal cause.
But we all know that as a supreme Liberal cause NYT despises the military and the police and so takes a few cops who do wrong things. focuses on them, and characterize all policemen and police organizations in that negative light.
Cops deal daily with the worst situations (and people) of our society who don't respond to reason, morality, and decency. They deal with predators, out of control anger, career criminals, those who hate authority, people on drugs who have lost all sense of their own humanity, and dangers way beyond what a NYT journalist does who hides behind a computer and declares their 1st amendment rights to say whatever they want to say, no matter whether it it true or not or how much it harms and slanders those they speak against.
But we all know that as a supreme Liberal cause NYT despises the military and the police and so takes a few cops who do wrong things. focuses on them, and characterize all policemen and police organizations in that negative light.
Cops deal daily with the worst situations (and people) of our society who don't respond to reason, morality, and decency. They deal with predators, out of control anger, career criminals, those who hate authority, people on drugs who have lost all sense of their own humanity, and dangers way beyond what a NYT journalist does who hides behind a computer and declares their 1st amendment rights to say whatever they want to say, no matter whether it it true or not or how much it harms and slanders those they speak against.
35
NYT doesn't despise the police (or military) unless they begin to act in a way that reflects unlawful infringement or violence. Our culture is steeped in violence. The cycle of crime, poverty and violence can draw in the "good guys", both police and military (when misguided policies direct our forces to invade and destroy). Conservatives indulge in logical fallacy when they deny that racism exists in the U.S. and that cops can succumb to the brutality inherent in the daily fight against crime.
1
Planned Parenthood did nothing illegal. Several southern states have tried to find wrongdoing and all failed.
People aren't complaining that police are too tough on actual criminals--we just don't think police have a right to harass people, to physically assault them because of their race or because they ask, "Why?.". People do not think failing to comply rapidly with police demands is a capital offence, punishable b by summary execution.
People aren't complaining that police are too tough on actual criminals--we just don't think police have a right to harass people, to physically assault them because of their race or because they ask, "Why?.". People do not think failing to comply rapidly with police demands is a capital offence, punishable b by summary execution.
No one forces cops to become cops. There are other jobs out there. However, unfortunately for the victims, police don't focus on obvious criminals. Teenage black girls sitting in classrooms refusing to leave are not criminals. Little black boys playing with toy guns are not criminals. People driving their cars lawfully are not criminals. A black man with an unloaded gun in a store that is selling that gun (while angry white males scream about their right to open carry) is not a criminal.
1
Of course there are instances of police racism, brutality and misconduct; the facts are indisputable. However, the Obama administration and so called progressives have painted all police with the same racist brush and encouraged taunting, provocations, and even violence against police officers. Obama was quick to condemn Darren Wilson in Ferguson even though the facts proved that the "hands up, don't shoot" was a big lie. Similarly, Obama's initial reaction to the arrest of Harvard professor Louis Gates Jr. was that the police acted stupidly. Again, the facts leading to his arrest proved that police actions were justified and in fact the police were quite restrained. Obama's invitation to Gates and Sgt. Crowley to share a couple of beers did little to repair the damage his earlier rhetoric created. Obama's reaction to the Trayvon Martin killing was, "Trayvon could have been my son....", again before all the facts were in. It would have been worthwhile for Obama to consider that murdered NYPD officer Randolph Holder could have been his son.
18
The First Words....of your post,neutralizes and 'reduces,the remainder of the Lie...
And the vapid and argumentative response from jeff jones is a great example of how liberal comments are treated differently than non-liberal comments. Non liberal commenters are not allowed to respond to any liberal comments at all, let alone the kind of useless junk spewed by jeff jones.
1
This is also a good opportunity for our leaders to remind citizens as to how to respond to police. Don’t run or resist; cooperate. Follow the officer’s instructions and work out any differences in a controlled situation such as the police station or a courtroom—not on the street.
11
That sounds nice except that from the moment you have contact with the police you are in a controlled situation all the way through a court system that is set up to raise revenue from working class and poor people. How about the next time we get pulled over we just hand over our wallets and do away with the lie of keeping the social order.
17
Ok Ben, fair enough. I suggest next time you get pulled over start screaming at the cop and then take off at a high speed. That will show them!
There's a lot of rationalization of non-compliance. NYC Commissioner Bratton wants to make resisting arrest a felony. It's clearly a problem.
I am so fed up with the left wing's constant rhetoric about police brutality and how policing must change in America. In the last several years, what has happened in America is a reversal in the progress we have made with racial relations. Our President has reversed that trend from the moment he stepped into office with his own agenda of vilifying the police. And now what do we have? We have the constant obsessive day to day scrutiny of police officers who are simply trying to do their jobs.
Are there bad cops? Of course there are. Just like there are bad lawyers, bad doctors, bad real estate agents, bad everyone. In every industry, you have good people and you have bad people. But just like Tristan (in the previous comment below mine) mentions, imagine trying to do your job when day to day people are literally tape recording your every action with a cell phone. Give me a break. And let's not kid each other hear. The left wing media, of which this op ed article epitomizes, only enflames the situation. In the end , what do you have? You have what is referred to the Ferguson effect, which in turn leads to "de-policing".
Case in point, is Baltimore city Maryland. Don't get me wrong. What happened there was tragic, and if at the end of the day a jury finds any cop that intentionally murdered that young man, then they should receive the appropriate punishment. But folks, with what is going throughout the nation today.....please, WAKE UP ! Let the police do their jobs.
Are there bad cops? Of course there are. Just like there are bad lawyers, bad doctors, bad real estate agents, bad everyone. In every industry, you have good people and you have bad people. But just like Tristan (in the previous comment below mine) mentions, imagine trying to do your job when day to day people are literally tape recording your every action with a cell phone. Give me a break. And let's not kid each other hear. The left wing media, of which this op ed article epitomizes, only enflames the situation. In the end , what do you have? You have what is referred to the Ferguson effect, which in turn leads to "de-policing".
Case in point, is Baltimore city Maryland. Don't get me wrong. What happened there was tragic, and if at the end of the day a jury finds any cop that intentionally murdered that young man, then they should receive the appropriate punishment. But folks, with what is going throughout the nation today.....please, WAKE UP ! Let the police do their jobs.
24
Suppose the police we let do their jobs are racist thugs, though. Do we pretend it didn't happen? No, we recognize it, which is different from "vilifying all police".
These logical fallacies from conservatives have created way too much hot air.
These logical fallacies from conservatives have created way too much hot air.
Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Comey is a dull tool and the image of what is wrong with our country as the white male privileged in his fine suit and make up, continues to whine that they should not be called out when abusing those they consider of lesser status. Fire Comey, Obama if you have half a spine.
8
When did it become UNACCEPTABLE for a young black man who, whole obeying a police officer's instructions, to ask why they were being asked to step out of his car?
116
Oh never never never stand up for your rights as a citizen. The officer might think you are challenging his authority and taze you. There are fine police officers and then there are crazy ones, who enjoy (as Joseph Wambaugh, a longtime cop and now a best selling author put it) being "badge heavy".
1
The truth is, in the United States of America, Black men are both hated and feared.
The current tragedy is: Many young Whites (I'm not speaking of the police now) do not hate Blacks but are being forced to choose sides in this struggle as their genuine Black friends retreat to the racial corner to deal with the current episodes of racism.
The word to young Whites is: Your Black friends are still your friends. Let them deal with this unGodly racism and they will be able to be as close to you as they always were.
The police have many problems. Training is a problem. Supervision is a problem. Politicians that allow police brutality and murder to occur are problems. (The main problem is: The problem "solvers" are part of the problem [the politicians are the problem "solvers" but many of them won't solve the problems]).
How to solve the problems:
Fire Police chiefs, trainers and supervisors until policing again rises to the wonderful public service status it so richly deserves. Don't fire by color; instead, fire by action. If a Black policeman/woman abuses people fire him/her just as you should a White policeman/woman (or any other race for that matter).
America knows how to fix the race problem (it just does not really want to fix it [until people start rioting]). That's a shame (people have to "riot for justice"). That is an absolute shame!
The current tragedy is: Many young Whites (I'm not speaking of the police now) do not hate Blacks but are being forced to choose sides in this struggle as their genuine Black friends retreat to the racial corner to deal with the current episodes of racism.
The word to young Whites is: Your Black friends are still your friends. Let them deal with this unGodly racism and they will be able to be as close to you as they always were.
The police have many problems. Training is a problem. Supervision is a problem. Politicians that allow police brutality and murder to occur are problems. (The main problem is: The problem "solvers" are part of the problem [the politicians are the problem "solvers" but many of them won't solve the problems]).
How to solve the problems:
Fire Police chiefs, trainers and supervisors until policing again rises to the wonderful public service status it so richly deserves. Don't fire by color; instead, fire by action. If a Black policeman/woman abuses people fire him/her just as you should a White policeman/woman (or any other race for that matter).
America knows how to fix the race problem (it just does not really want to fix it [until people start rioting]). That's a shame (people have to "riot for justice"). That is an absolute shame!
12
You wrote, "His formulation (Comey's) implies that for the police to do their jobs, they need to have free rein to be abusive." You are wrong.
The acknowledgement of many of our social problems and abuses often start by visual responses to violations of human rights. Some we can attack very meaningfully. Drunk driving is a good example. Smoking cessation is another. What has gone unchanged and currently is well protected is gun misuse.
Individual cases of police brutality must be addressed and punishment handed out. That goes without saying. Cell phone cameras are serving a valuable purpose here and this will help curtail the issues of brutality.
The police system has been given notice that changes have to occur and that will happen. It's happening now. What the citizens must contribute to this necessary change is their support of law enforcement and not use it as a punching bag.
The problem has been highlighted and the cure is beginning. We need to get behind the police.
The acknowledgement of many of our social problems and abuses often start by visual responses to violations of human rights. Some we can attack very meaningfully. Drunk driving is a good example. Smoking cessation is another. What has gone unchanged and currently is well protected is gun misuse.
Individual cases of police brutality must be addressed and punishment handed out. That goes without saying. Cell phone cameras are serving a valuable purpose here and this will help curtail the issues of brutality.
The police system has been given notice that changes have to occur and that will happen. It's happening now. What the citizens must contribute to this necessary change is their support of law enforcement and not use it as a punching bag.
The problem has been highlighted and the cure is beginning. We need to get behind the police.
5
When the head of the FBI makes a public statement as he did which feeds into the misconceptions and lies told to justify and condone police brutality he shows that the system is fatally flawed and needs change. Essentially he said the police and law enforcement should be beyond reproach and allowed to do their job as " they " see fit. This means that when it comes to police interaction with the citizens they are bound and paid to protect constitutional protections go out the window. No one is beyond reproach ,supervision and accountability when it comes to threatening the rights bestowed upon us by the constitution. The statistics in Greensboro do not lie nor should they be viewed in a vacuum as the investigation into the Ferguson PD yielded similar disturbing data. Police brutality, misconduct and double standards towards people of color are systemic and endemic and cannot and should not be tolerated.
15
New York Times used to be the newspaper I turned to for well-researched news. Now they specialize in misleading rhetoric. I'm a stay at home mother. I wouldn't and couldn't do my job with cameras watching me and people heckling me all day. But you know what, that would probably prevent some tragic cases of abuse, so we should do it. Constant monitoring of all adults interacting with their children at all times by cameras and heckling strangers. Of course that won't prevent parents from disciplining their kids, and the kids won't be running amok while parents are too timid to do anything that might later be construed badly.
15
The relationship between police scrutiny and crime is probably tangential. But don't say that the officers, to a man, are afraid of the "truth" that could be exposed by a cellphone video. Some may be, but as the editorial board knows perfectly well, truth is not always contained in what are often fragmentary videos. Public scrutiny, when fair, is a plus; it's true that police brutality against blacks has created a climate of fear and suspicion and done lasting damage. But cops and their supporters worrying about ANY use of force being misconstrued as excessive, with incomplete cellphone videos employed as evidence, is not Orwellian.
My rather conventional opinion is that police look upon certain areas and neighborhoods as containing potential or actual criminals, or just people who simply don't have much, if any, significance in the eyes of society. In Jackson, the old-money neighborhoods are in the northeast part of the city, and since the areas with the lushest homes abut some not-so-nice areas, police patrolling the locale are on the lookout for -- you guessed it -- blacks.
The police view reflects the broader society's view: Poor blacks are potentially dangerous, and their lives are not important. That has to change. Black lives do matter. But I won't be enlisting in the "Hands up, don't shoot" army. Truth matters too.
Here's James Comey, in Feb.:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/13/us/politics/fbi-director-comey-speaks-...
My rather conventional opinion is that police look upon certain areas and neighborhoods as containing potential or actual criminals, or just people who simply don't have much, if any, significance in the eyes of society. In Jackson, the old-money neighborhoods are in the northeast part of the city, and since the areas with the lushest homes abut some not-so-nice areas, police patrolling the locale are on the lookout for -- you guessed it -- blacks.
The police view reflects the broader society's view: Poor blacks are potentially dangerous, and their lives are not important. That has to change. Black lives do matter. But I won't be enlisting in the "Hands up, don't shoot" army. Truth matters too.
Here's James Comey, in Feb.:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/13/us/politics/fbi-director-comey-speaks-...
5
Thank you for that link. Mr. Comey's speech there is intelligent, acknowledges reality, and points a way forward. One wonders just why his latest comments went in the opposite direction and lacked all nuance. He made cops look like either extortionists or wimps. Or both.
When did it become acceptable to ignore or disregard an order from a uniformed officer of the law?
If you choose to ignore directions given to you by a police officer, you have no right to expect anything but physical treatment.
If you disagree with the "cops" actions, your time to bring it up is in court. Until then answer the questions asked and comply with the instructions given.
fwa
If you choose to ignore directions given to you by a police officer, you have no right to expect anything but physical treatment.
If you disagree with the "cops" actions, your time to bring it up is in court. Until then answer the questions asked and comply with the instructions given.
fwa
34
If the majority of police officers,nationally were African or Hispanic Americans,as opposed to White,you would be Forced to admit white citizens should also submit to the given 'instructions,of these 'Officers.The question is,would you mean it and how many white citizens wouldactually comply,'without objection,to a lawful order from a 'African or Hispanic American officer,if the situations were reversed and given the historical and contemporary bias of these 'personnel?
5
Oh, I comply all right. I comply not because I think the cop has the right to give certain orders (they do not) but because you never know when you've drawn a nut.
Better safe than sorry.
Better safe than sorry.
5
Given the necessary probable cause, warrants, and reasonable search and seizure procedure.
2
Criminals love liberal policy. It gives them free reign to commit crime in the poor communities.
Police go where the crime is, and the innocents in those communities want the police there. You must fight fire with fire, not hugs and kisses. Crime is winning because liberal policy allows it to; it supports the 2% of the population that are criminals, at the expense of the majority of the community that are law-abiding, and shamefully paints the entire policing community with a broad brush for the actions of a few. Truly the bizarro-world perpetuated by the out of touch, ivory tower, limousine liberals.
Mass incarceration and hands up don't shoot are myths. Black on black crime is the reality and the reason we are where we are today.
Police go where the crime is, and the innocents in those communities want the police there. You must fight fire with fire, not hugs and kisses. Crime is winning because liberal policy allows it to; it supports the 2% of the population that are criminals, at the expense of the majority of the community that are law-abiding, and shamefully paints the entire policing community with a broad brush for the actions of a few. Truly the bizarro-world perpetuated by the out of touch, ivory tower, limousine liberals.
Mass incarceration and hands up don't shoot are myths. Black on black crime is the reality and the reason we are where we are today.
24
Mass incarceration and police brutality is a myth now? Crime is down over the last twenty years by the amount of people incarcerated has increased to ridiculous levels.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3941346
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3941346
11
Then mansplain this: http://www.vox.com/2015/10/26/9618246/spring-valley-high-school-police-v...
2
South Carolina has always handled itself with poise and grace. Why would this be any different?
There are 765,000 police officers in the united states.
If 1% of them are corrupt, that is 7,650 corrupt officers, or 153 corrupt officers in every state.
If 10% of them are corrupt, that's equivalent to the entire population of Camden New Jersey.
If 1% of them are corrupt, that is 7,650 corrupt officers, or 153 corrupt officers in every state.
If 10% of them are corrupt, that's equivalent to the entire population of Camden New Jersey.
14
Comey is making a protection racket out of the police. "If we can't kill Black Men with no accountability we won't do our jobs" is the message. Yes there was and is mass incarceration and Mr Comey is the cause and effect of much of our societies problems. The deep fiction, which is seen in the debates over concealed carry, is that there are "Good people' and there are "Bad People" and it is not difficult to tell them appart. They exist in two different planes and the "Good People" can only be protected by brutality against the "Bad". Putin could not have said it better.
104
What is unconscionable are the comments made by Mr. Comey, the FBI Director. He heads the government agency that people that is supposed to investigate wrongdoing by police. These folks are advocating for no accountability for police, and unless there is accountability, nothing will change.
137
Plainly you'll cling to your official story, no matter what the facts say, and even if those facts are printed in the New York Times.
Here is what Professor Sendhil Mullainathan wrote a few weeks ago: "I’m not saying that the police in these specific cases are free of racial bias. I can’t answer that question. But what the data does suggest is that eliminating the biases of all police officers would do little to materially reduce the total number of African-American killings. Police bias may well be a significant problem, but in accounting for why some of these encounters turn into killings, it is swamped by other, bigger problems that plague our society, our economy and our criminal justice system."
That can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/18/upshot/police-killings-of-blacks-what-...
Here is what Professor Sendhil Mullainathan wrote a few weeks ago: "I’m not saying that the police in these specific cases are free of racial bias. I can’t answer that question. But what the data does suggest is that eliminating the biases of all police officers would do little to materially reduce the total number of African-American killings. Police bias may well be a significant problem, but in accounting for why some of these encounters turn into killings, it is swamped by other, bigger problems that plague our society, our economy and our criminal justice system."
That can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/18/upshot/police-killings-of-blacks-what-...
8
I'm curious as to what your actual point is. Your selective quoting of Professor Mullainathan seems to imply that disproportionate police brutality aimed at African-Americans is, well, not very important, and that somehow the NYT has an "official story" that attempts to make it so in spite of the "facts". However, Mullainathan goes on to say:
"Individual police officers did not set these economic policies that limited opportunities or create the harsh sentencing policies that turn minor crimes into lifetime sentences.
We should eliminate police prejudice because it is wrong and because it undermines our democracy. It blights — and all too often destroys — lives.
But there are also structural problems underpinning these killings. We are all responsible for those."
So, I would say that I don't think the statement you quoted means what you think it means.
"Individual police officers did not set these economic policies that limited opportunities or create the harsh sentencing policies that turn minor crimes into lifetime sentences.
We should eliminate police prejudice because it is wrong and because it undermines our democracy. It blights — and all too often destroys — lives.
But there are also structural problems underpinning these killings. We are all responsible for those."
So, I would say that I don't think the statement you quoted means what you think it means.
2
Why is it hard for the NY Times to imagine that while the videos prove abuse, that the police may also be inhibited by being exposed. Police are tasked with forcing people to obey, whether in the context of restoring order at a crime scene, or if simply asking a driver to show his license and insurance card after a traffic stop.
So we need to work on reducing abuse, but need to be aware that the very nature of police work invites violence and to some extent physical abuse.
So we need to work on reducing abuse, but need to be aware that the very nature of police work invites violence and to some extent physical abuse.
13
The take down of James Blake is a classic case of video evidence. Had the officer in question simply walked up and asked for identification in a polite manner, the incident would not have happened. In fact, in the overwhelming majority of these situations, the people not displaying any respect are the police. Respect encourages respect. Unfortunately, there are many situations where bully's use their position. This happens commonly at airports. Stand and watch at the security check points. Observe people stranded, crying having missed their connection while staff studiously avoid them. Try to reason with a stewardess about a child with a unique problem and you are off the plane in police custody. It is a wonder more people are not killed in confrontations with police and security officers - they have guns. It seems that these positions of absolute power attract absolute bullys too often. Ask Tamir Rice if he got any respect before, during or after his confrontation. These incidents do a million times more damage than the vast majority of police who actually do show respect to the people that they serve and protect. And they get respect back in spades!! I am sure if police enlisted the people that they serve to video crime while not actually getting involved, the whole dynamic would change. They would earn the respect that we would like to give them.
14
I think Mr. Comey should resign over his remarks and let a minority be the F.B.I. director as per the wind of this country.
It is quite imperative that our politicians in Washington are turning a blind eye to this terrible problem what the majority of the Black people are experiencing,"Just being Black ".
And instead the F.B.I. director is actually linking the crime rise with the the Black people's protests.
Black folks of this country have endured for many years wondering "When or ever will it all end ? "
Really how many times must a black man or a black woman have to be humiliated and harassed by the authorities ,be it the policeman or a judge or people working in the housing departments or the mortgage officers in the banks ,so on ' and for how long' ?
These things that's happening in the name of policing the people has to end from the top in the form of special concessions to uplift the minorities and put them in charge of the administration .
But what the Black people are experiencing on a day to day basis in any town in America, at any given time, is totally outrageous .
If the same humiliating experiences that the Black communities experience in everyday America , was experienced by the White communities , lot of heads would've rolled by this time.
All the Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers in the Congress and the Senate would've passed the most harshest laws against the policemen as well as the people who discriminate against the Whites...tkb
It is quite imperative that our politicians in Washington are turning a blind eye to this terrible problem what the majority of the Black people are experiencing,"Just being Black ".
And instead the F.B.I. director is actually linking the crime rise with the the Black people's protests.
Black folks of this country have endured for many years wondering "When or ever will it all end ? "
Really how many times must a black man or a black woman have to be humiliated and harassed by the authorities ,be it the policeman or a judge or people working in the housing departments or the mortgage officers in the banks ,so on ' and for how long' ?
These things that's happening in the name of policing the people has to end from the top in the form of special concessions to uplift the minorities and put them in charge of the administration .
But what the Black people are experiencing on a day to day basis in any town in America, at any given time, is totally outrageous .
If the same humiliating experiences that the Black communities experience in everyday America , was experienced by the White communities , lot of heads would've rolled by this time.
All the Republican as well as Democratic lawmakers in the Congress and the Senate would've passed the most harshest laws against the policemen as well as the people who discriminate against the Whites...tkb
4
For decades, the grossly disproportionate black population of our prisons has been as plain as day. According to scholarly studies, the explanation includes both racist bias in law enforcement and higher crime rates among blacks. There is racism at all stages of the system, from arrest to incarceration. And there are notable local variations. During segregation, black incarceration was LOWER. And the greatest disparities today are in the NORTHEAST. The relative role of racism, as opposed to higher black crime rates, has been difficult to discern. Countless scholarly studies have produced no definitive answers to explain the racial disparties.
Recently, video recordings, anecdotal accounts, and analyses of statistics by amateurs have purported to improve upon decades of scholarly work. And the consensus conclusion is that racist police are at the heart of the problem. A handful of videos and amateur analysis have won the day over expert review. Complex and ambiguous explanations have been replaced by a view based on emotions. The belief that racist police are at the heart of the matter has become a litmus test. Those who cite the prior scholarly analysts are dismissed as racist. And so what has long been a high-minded scholarly debate has degenerated into finger-pointing.. We march on and on, backwards into the future.
Recently, video recordings, anecdotal accounts, and analyses of statistics by amateurs have purported to improve upon decades of scholarly work. And the consensus conclusion is that racist police are at the heart of the problem. A handful of videos and amateur analysis have won the day over expert review. Complex and ambiguous explanations have been replaced by a view based on emotions. The belief that racist police are at the heart of the matter has become a litmus test. Those who cite the prior scholarly analysts are dismissed as racist. And so what has long been a high-minded scholarly debate has degenerated into finger-pointing.. We march on and on, backwards into the future.
5
THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE . . .
...is that many police officers will be fearful of doing their work as they hear so many negative accounts of police brutality (of course there have been many actions by cops which are criminal and must end. Think Ferguson, Staten Island, and...
But, as a result more blacks and Hispanics will be attacked and killed. The stereotype of minorities and crime is realized as true ... for all one has to do is watch TV and see which groups are being arrested and commit felony acts. So both the residents and police hold realistic fears.
The answer is that a relationship has to be formed between the police and the communities which they serve ... as they relate to each other on common ground.
Respect!
...is that many police officers will be fearful of doing their work as they hear so many negative accounts of police brutality (of course there have been many actions by cops which are criminal and must end. Think Ferguson, Staten Island, and...
But, as a result more blacks and Hispanics will be attacked and killed. The stereotype of minorities and crime is realized as true ... for all one has to do is watch TV and see which groups are being arrested and commit felony acts. So both the residents and police hold realistic fears.
The answer is that a relationship has to be formed between the police and the communities which they serve ... as they relate to each other on common ground.
Respect!
6
How does what is shown on television and that you acknowledge as stereotyping manage to create "realistic" fears? Did you mean unrealistic?
1
"Annie." A highly disproportionate number of blacks are arrested and charged with gun violence. murders and other felonies ... so, this creates an ambiance where all people including the police see blacks as the main purveyors of violent crime. And, this is true ... so when cops are assigned to the "inner cities" (a euphemism) where black on black crime does indeed exist ... they add to the stereotype based on realistic and legitimate fear.
So, the residents who need protection more than whites are left with crime and no trust in the police.
As I said before ... the police departments must develop a relationship with the underserved and high crime areas.
Mutual understanding and respect for both groups.
So, the residents who need protection more than whites are left with crime and no trust in the police.
As I said before ... the police departments must develop a relationship with the underserved and high crime areas.
Mutual understanding and respect for both groups.
1
Power corrupts.
Having a gun, a badge and no accountability, corrupts absolutely.
Having a gun, a badge and no accountability, corrupts absolutely.
302
And think about the kind of person that is most attracted to a job that provides a gun and a badge. Someone who wants to solve problems and protect people? No, those guys become fire fighters. No, the people who are most attracted to the job of police are precisely the people we definitely do not want policing.
25
J, if I thought you actually had it, I'd ask you to provide the research that backed up your claims here.
1
J - That you would use such a generalizations to disparage all members of the police force is, IMO, rather disgusting and just as reprehensible as a police officer believing and then acting on the belief that all black people are criminals.
1
When the police themselves remain silent in the face of overwhelming evidence of racist brutality across the country, all cops are implicated. When they choose Pat Lynch to represent them, they implicate themselves. And while we wait to hear--endlessly, I suspect--for news of the fate of repeat offender Officer James Frascatore, William Bratton is implicated. A good cop could explain to Comey and Christie that there's a problem they're not acknowledging. But where is that good cop? Where is the one good cop ready to come forward and talk honestly about this issue?
79
The Times Board seems incapable of distinguishing between righteous indignation and childish character association. Witness their attack on Director Comey, who almost certainly was correct in pointing out an undesirable consequence of the public furor about police brutality. But there is a far larger undesirable consequence, the lack of attention- at times amounting to denial- to the black-on-black crime that accounts for the great majority of deaths of young black men in this country. The real challenge is to combine steps to eliminate police misbehavior with others that reduce the even greater evil that allowed it to emerge.
26
There is a great evil than a racist police force murdering and imprisoning a minority population? Sure, poor people will invariably turn on their own if for no other reason than they are poor and forced to live in close proximity--humans do that. So yeah, we should try to make poor people not poor, but "evil" is not the word I'd use for *that*, while it's definitely the word I'd use for our current deployment of law enforcement.
5
Who isn't paying attention? Certainly not the conservative media who brings up this same refrain every time people complain about police brutality. The people in these communities have been actively combatting and protesting about violence in their own neighborhoods as well, despite all the stereotypes to the contrary. The phrase "black on black" crime is a political deflection. There is just crime, and most of it happens intra-racially. Police officer should be working in communities and with citizens to combat crime, not harassing, beating and sometimes killing people. They need to remember that they work for us.
11
The implicit and publicly 'sanctioned homicide,of African and Hispanic Americans,disguised and deflected under the name of 'crime prevention and law enforcement,'speaks to two historically,national and erroneous perceptions.Primarily,the idea that the American public 'condones,the enforcement of 'the law,regardless of the potential and probably Lethal effect it has on our 'minority communities,must be investigated and challenged.We need only to observe the recent emphasis of the rehabilitation prospects of drug use/users as opposed to penalty and prison.Is it merely coincidental that drug use has manifested and infested suburban and rural communities,with heroin and pill abuse?We,as a society must be careful in forming our 'conclusive opinions,with inconclusive data.Also,the political strength of African,Hispanic and American Women,has been increasing,with consequential focus on these,'their,issues.Participatory democracy,Demands the 'process,of People Power...
1
I find the timing of an editorial about police brutality in really bad taste considering that New York City is mourning the senseless murder of a young black cop, Randolph Holder. Holder's family lives a couple of blocks away from me and you should have seen the media circus as every media vulture swooped in for a scoop. But what was truly touching was the looks of sorrow and pain on the faces of the young cops guarding the house where Holder's family lives. Cops have feelings too and tomorrow's funeral won't be easy for them to endure. Even Rev. Al Sharpton, anxious to clean up his anti-cop image, is scheduled to speak at Holder's funeral on Wednesday October 28, 2015. The Times owes Randolph Holder's family an apology for this thoughtless editorial.
23
I'm sorry but what does the murder of Officer Holder have to do with police brutality? It seems that you are the one sullying his memory by associating his death with the very real problem of police violence.
17
Being a cop is a dangerous and challenging job. Telling the truth about--and fixing--the rampant racism and lawlessness in the ranks will eventually make being a cop safer.
19
Shame is a human emotion
People like Comey and Christie, who, in effect, blame the victims of police misconduct for protesting against their treatment, do the officers no favor. The claim that scrutiny discourages effective performance of duties implies that police officers lack a professional commitment to honor their oath to protect the public. This canard tarnishes the integrity of thousands of men and women whose responsibilities entail a willingness to risk their lives for the people they serve.
Remarks of this nature also encourage a bunker mentality among officers that pits them against the community they have sworn to protect. Not content with slandering the police, Christie et al seek to promote a self-image that converts them into an occupying force. It would be difficult to imagine an attitude more harmful to the well-being of a democratic society.
Only a small minority of police officers merit investigation and censure, but Christie and Comey imply that their numbers are legion. Both the black community and the police who serve them deserve better of the government spokesmen who represent the people of this country. Publicity and investigation are two tools to ensure that government at all levels meets the needs of the people in the community. Someone needs to remind Christie and Comey of that central principle of our constitutional system.
Remarks of this nature also encourage a bunker mentality among officers that pits them against the community they have sworn to protect. Not content with slandering the police, Christie et al seek to promote a self-image that converts them into an occupying force. It would be difficult to imagine an attitude more harmful to the well-being of a democratic society.
Only a small minority of police officers merit investigation and censure, but Christie and Comey imply that their numbers are legion. Both the black community and the police who serve them deserve better of the government spokesmen who represent the people of this country. Publicity and investigation are two tools to ensure that government at all levels meets the needs of the people in the community. Someone needs to remind Christie and Comey of that central principle of our constitutional system.
109
I don't know why this isn't an NYT Pick. Excellent comment. I just want to repeat: "The claim that scrutiny discourages effective performance of duties implies that police officers lack a professional commitment to honor their oath to protect the public." That's the crux of the situation right there.
1
Unquestionably there are illegal acts of police brutality against the very people they are sworn to protect and serve. Also a disproportionate number of people of color are stopped, brutalized, ticketed and incarcerated.
Yet, there is also the fact that the highest number of shootings, murders and rape and other violent crime occurs in our largest cities and urban centers with residents who are made up of higher numbers of people of color and the poor.
And much of the violence and crime in these urban centers is black on black crime, Latino on Latino crime as well as white on white crime.
This high rate of crime and violence that has permeated our society and our cities makes the job for police extremely difficult and an almost impossible task.
So, while we should demand more accountability from our police and demand an end to institutionalized police brutality, we must also demand more from ourselves and work harder to end our societal violence.
Yet, there is also the fact that the highest number of shootings, murders and rape and other violent crime occurs in our largest cities and urban centers with residents who are made up of higher numbers of people of color and the poor.
And much of the violence and crime in these urban centers is black on black crime, Latino on Latino crime as well as white on white crime.
This high rate of crime and violence that has permeated our society and our cities makes the job for police extremely difficult and an almost impossible task.
So, while we should demand more accountability from our police and demand an end to institutionalized police brutality, we must also demand more from ourselves and work harder to end our societal violence.
25
Yes, it's the fault of the poor people we dragged from Africa, enslaved and oppressed for hundreds of years, and continue to murder and imprison while providing them horrible education and no jobs. It's really their fault, right?
19
No that's not what was said. I clearly stated that high urban crime rates show black on black, Latino on Latino and white on white crimes is prevalent.
One actually needs to read a full viewer comment and respond in an accurate manner, otherwise your just part of the same problem.
And it all goes back to taking personal responsibility. It should not matter what your race, color, enthnicity, religion, sexual orientation or political view or even how one came to be in our country, as we all must take more personal responsibility for our actions and those in our families and communities.
We should demand that police be accountable and fair and so must we as citizens be held to those same high standards.
One actually needs to read a full viewer comment and respond in an accurate manner, otherwise your just part of the same problem.
And it all goes back to taking personal responsibility. It should not matter what your race, color, enthnicity, religion, sexual orientation or political view or even how one came to be in our country, as we all must take more personal responsibility for our actions and those in our families and communities.
We should demand that police be accountable and fair and so must we as citizens be held to those same high standards.
8
@J C,
May I ask who you are referring to when you say "we dragged them from Africa"? Not sure about you, but neither I nor anyone else in my immediate family has ever traveled to Africa, let alone engaged in trading slaves.
Personally, I'm don't feel compelled to stand accountable for atrocities committed by people living 200 years ago, ancestors or not.
How long until Caucasians in America are permitted to cast off guilt from the Atlantic slave trade? 500 years? A Millennium?
May I ask who you are referring to when you say "we dragged them from Africa"? Not sure about you, but neither I nor anyone else in my immediate family has ever traveled to Africa, let alone engaged in trading slaves.
Personally, I'm don't feel compelled to stand accountable for atrocities committed by people living 200 years ago, ancestors or not.
How long until Caucasians in America are permitted to cast off guilt from the Atlantic slave trade? 500 years? A Millennium?
6
Your truth, my truth. THE truth is usually somewhere in between.
7
Today in the Times we can read about and see a video that a Christie or a Comey would be hard put to challenge. Or would they?
Since there is no comment section at that article it is appropriate to use that article and video link here. In exactly 10 seconds we see a police officer with white skin pick up a female student who has black skin and is sitting in her desk chair. He throws her violently on the floor, and then drags her as if she were an animal that had been shot by a hunter.
Video Shows Officer Flipping Student in South Carolina, Prompting Inquiry
By RICHARD FAUSSET and ASHLEY SOUTHALL
http://nyti.ms/1kJe7bA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN966KxyoIU
It is appropriate to also point out that no police officer is capable of identifying a person by mythical "race". The headline has it right "Driving while black". The problem in America is not "race" but racism where skin color alone becomes the basis for the racism displayed in the video.
This in my United States of America? Comey in my USA?
At least I have Barack Obama as my president.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen-USA-SE
Since there is no comment section at that article it is appropriate to use that article and video link here. In exactly 10 seconds we see a police officer with white skin pick up a female student who has black skin and is sitting in her desk chair. He throws her violently on the floor, and then drags her as if she were an animal that had been shot by a hunter.
Video Shows Officer Flipping Student in South Carolina, Prompting Inquiry
By RICHARD FAUSSET and ASHLEY SOUTHALL
http://nyti.ms/1kJe7bA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN966KxyoIU
It is appropriate to also point out that no police officer is capable of identifying a person by mythical "race". The headline has it right "Driving while black". The problem in America is not "race" but racism where skin color alone becomes the basis for the racism displayed in the video.
This in my United States of America? Comey in my USA?
At least I have Barack Obama as my president.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen-USA-SE
168
Maybe the student should have responded to the officer's demand that she exit the classroom. The officer was, per the article you cite, summoned to the classroom because she was disturbing it and she was arrested. Obeying police officer instructions in the course of duty is not optional.
3
@ QED - QED you give the form-letter response used by repliers and politicians as concerns such incidents. Impliied but not said by you or others who send these form letter replies is an apparent belief that it thereby becomes acceptable for an Anerican police officer to pick up a human being who is sitting motionless and cast that human being on the floor.
We do not have a video record of what preceded the action so perhaps it is time for every police officer to have a video camera recording from time zero.
So a simple question to you. Can you imagine no other action than the action taken by this police officer? I would have been interested to read what standard police protocol says when an officer is faced by someone who simply remains motionless. In the absence of any recording we do not have any idea what instructions were given by the officer.
We do not have a video record of what preceded the action so perhaps it is time for every police officer to have a video camera recording from time zero.
So a simple question to you. Can you imagine no other action than the action taken by this police officer? I would have been interested to read what standard police protocol says when an officer is faced by someone who simply remains motionless. In the absence of any recording we do not have any idea what instructions were given by the officer.
2
This "student" is a minor. Please have some compassion.
3
Whereas one can easily chalk up Governor Christie's latest racist remarks to the bitter and ungraceful end of a controversial political career, I am far more disturbed by Comey's remarks. Comey has now given two major speeches. Both speeches presented different aspects of America's troubling history with race, and class. Comey's flawed understanding of the relationship between the law enforcement agency he heads and all of the disparate law enforcement agencies and duty to the communities they serve, is very disturbing. That Comey knows the problems entire communities of people are having to endure, with all that has come to light from Ferguson, Chicago, Baltimore, New York and other cities, is unfathomable. That Comey is unable to see the corrupting influence of Fraternal Orders of Police on communities they are supposed to serve, not victimize, is beyond understanding. In many states FOP's negotiated bills of rights that give officers who may have committed a crime 10 days to submit to investigation. Few officers are prosecuted for shootings. How is that not corruption? The Guardian reports that 932 Americans have been killed by police so far this year.
Worst of all however, the YouTube video comment is unforgivable. For an FBI director to take the stance that police should be protected from being exposed when committing crimes merits a call for his immediate resignation or for President Obama to fire him.
---
Comey's truths on race and policing: http://tinyurl.com/p2mf3dp
Worst of all however, the YouTube video comment is unforgivable. For an FBI director to take the stance that police should be protected from being exposed when committing crimes merits a call for his immediate resignation or for President Obama to fire him.
---
Comey's truths on race and policing: http://tinyurl.com/p2mf3dp
205
Attorney General Lynch was no less disappointing a couple of weeks ago in remarks she gave at an event with Chuck Todd of MSNBC in which she supported police departments who don't want to submit to more rigorous reporting on shootings by police. A few days later, her department issued a reversal after the White House put out a statement. Her remarks were full of problem areas and merit the few minutes of viewing here:
http://tinyurl.com/plorg7h
In my comment above, I made mention of several states having special bills of rights for police officers:
http://tinyurl.com/pz9pgok
Chicago police maintain Homan Square, an off the books facility:
http://tinyurl.com/qy434pa
Finally, DHS is providing software systems for law enforcement to:
"The ERAD allows cops to swipe prepaid cards, check the balance, freeze the account and take all the money."
http://tinyurl.com/qa2swta
Another aspect of law enforcement takes place in the nation's schools, with many school districts having their own law enforcement agencies or making use of local police for discipline. There is a case that just came to light of a young student being brutalized in a South Carolina classroom. Be warned, this video is graphic:
http://tinyurl.com/pa82fdx
This is all outrageous and barely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to policing in our country.
http://tinyurl.com/plorg7h
In my comment above, I made mention of several states having special bills of rights for police officers:
http://tinyurl.com/pz9pgok
Chicago police maintain Homan Square, an off the books facility:
http://tinyurl.com/qy434pa
Finally, DHS is providing software systems for law enforcement to:
"The ERAD allows cops to swipe prepaid cards, check the balance, freeze the account and take all the money."
http://tinyurl.com/qa2swta
Another aspect of law enforcement takes place in the nation's schools, with many school districts having their own law enforcement agencies or making use of local police for discipline. There is a case that just came to light of a young student being brutalized in a South Carolina classroom. Be warned, this video is graphic:
http://tinyurl.com/pa82fdx
This is all outrageous and barely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to policing in our country.
62
It was also upsetting to see Comey in denial about America's mass incarceration rates. He claimed it couldn't be mass incarceration because every drug dealer was tried separately. This is pure sophistry. Why is this man heading the FBI?
6
@ Rima Regas-Thanks for the review because I have no time to study Comey. I make use of your comment to point to something that at best puzzles me and at worst troubles me. You know what that is, the apparent careless use of the term "race" when racism appears to be the more appropriate word.
The title appearing over the video and the transcript is "Director Comey Discusses Race and Law Enforcement". No he does not discuss "race" at all. I put the transcript into word and searched for "race". That word appears 4 times but not at all in a discussion of the concept of "race".
He does quote the song that ends "everyone makes judgments based on race". That line is perhaps correct for the majority of Americans but as Comey himself says, the reaction is simply to skin color.
So everyone, please understand that thinking in terms of "race" is exceptionally American. By contrast racism is universal, displayed dramatically in one form in America, in another form in Sweden, and yet other forms in other places. Recently I have been citing an article in my Swedish newspaper reporting that in Sweden there is only one group of people in which almost 50% believe there are genetically distinct races. That group is the SD party, a party with its roots in Nazism.
I leave now for the Red Cross where I will spend 2 hours with people born in Ethiopia, Congo, Somalia, Syria and more. Not a one of them believes that he or she belongs to a black race or a white race. The see themselves as belonging to the only race, the human.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
The title appearing over the video and the transcript is "Director Comey Discusses Race and Law Enforcement". No he does not discuss "race" at all. I put the transcript into word and searched for "race". That word appears 4 times but not at all in a discussion of the concept of "race".
He does quote the song that ends "everyone makes judgments based on race". That line is perhaps correct for the majority of Americans but as Comey himself says, the reaction is simply to skin color.
So everyone, please understand that thinking in terms of "race" is exceptionally American. By contrast racism is universal, displayed dramatically in one form in America, in another form in Sweden, and yet other forms in other places. Recently I have been citing an article in my Swedish newspaper reporting that in Sweden there is only one group of people in which almost 50% believe there are genetically distinct races. That group is the SD party, a party with its roots in Nazism.
I leave now for the Red Cross where I will spend 2 hours with people born in Ethiopia, Congo, Somalia, Syria and more. Not a one of them believes that he or she belongs to a black race or a white race. The see themselves as belonging to the only race, the human.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
5