Yesterday I told you that I was not a big proponent of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. And yet there is an even larger cry to defund police departments and go in other directions. My question is, “What are you going to do?”
Who is going to stop people from breaking into stores? Perhaps that would require hiring protection? Maybe we will need to appoint block captains to do safety and wellness checks. If we hire enough state troopers to stop speeding and road rage, will the problems go away or just change jurisdiction? Are we all going to need to hire private security firms to protect our homes and families?
Some people in Police Departments have made some vast and horrendous failures to protect the people they serve; there is no doubt about that. And yet, many terrific people in police departments try hard and are the cause of good things happening daily. I know it’s hard to see the quiet goodness when we have the atrocities shoved in our faces.
Yet, we may want to put trained review boards in place run by the local citizenry. Review all personnel records and interview each officer to ensure they have earned their place in the department and are the people we want there. And Replace those who are not genuinely qualified candidates. We need a reliable and responsible policing agency to protect our businesses, ourselves, and our families. What we do not need are those who think they can wield life and death at their discretion or those who need to make the right call.
We must understand that many policemen and women are there to do the right thing and help. We need to encourage those first responders to take a stand for what is right. And we need to understand that, as the citizenry, we must oversee the protectors.
processimprovement.me 
Mike you know as well as I do, Money talks and Bulls… walks. I’m not for defunding the police department but the taxes we pay for them to protect and serve is not working for people of color. When you mess with the money you get their attention and we want their undivided attention! the good ones and the bad ones, their budgets need to be scrutinize to the penny. Some department are equipped with more arsenals then the Military, train like the military…they are not the Military and those funds need to be redirected to better serve communities. If the police department cannot police themselves, then we have a bigger problem and change is needed.
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Terence,
It is great to hear from you.
I agree with you. That is why I believe that those departments need to be overseen by the citizens they serve. Not just the politicians, the people who are being served must have a real voice. Until that happens, I am afraid we are all in trouble.
I would very much like to take you out for a cup of coffee and get your viewpoints on this and many things. I am available anytime you would like to do so.
Hope you are doing well,
Mike
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To be the receiver at the end of the gun barrel can be quite frightening. I know so well after a police officer was murdered in our area. The suspect was caught shortly after and charged. Later that same week, the police on high alert, pulled me over late at night for a simple plate light out. The rookie state police officer seemed nerved as I rolled my window down. I reached for my hankie between my legs to wipe my face, the next thing I knew a gun was pulled on me. The order for hands in the air!- do not move! still creeps me out.
I did not move and slowly stepped out of the car with hands up, with a gun still drawn on me. The officers checked me for weapons and ID then realized I was not a criminal. I had no guns or weapons or prior convictions because I am a good guy. It seems They profiled me for my appearance, the older vehicle, time of night. They put me at risk of being shot and seemed to be hunting not protecting.
I do not use illegal drugs, or have even a traffic ticket, or have committed a crime in my life. I understand the rookie was scared due to the recent murder, but still, something must be done about this type of thing. If it went a different way, or if I was a black man this comment would not be written. My wife and children and grandchildren would not have a grandfather today.
So we believe something must be done with police reform, for the safety of the public. Most of us do not have guns, drugs, or are criminals in any way like me. I still see the shaky handed gun pointing at my head, and it makes me afraid of the police now. The police have guns and we do not. What is the answer we are not sure, but we agree chaos will not help anyone.
Bless you, For your service, and pass this on as you wish.🙏
David O’Brien
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Thank you for sharing this. The times are truly scary out there. Everyone, please stay safe.
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