Dallas Shootings, Philando Castile Killing, and Alton Sterling Murder: Is the Job Too Much?
Civilian deaths at the hands of police, soldiers, and other security forces are so common in war-torn countries that it is called collateral damage. One objective of war is to limit collateral damage enough to ensure the civilian population supports the security forces instead of the combatants. As neighborhoods and highways become warzones, or at least are perceived as warzones, the police are being “militarized.” Accordingly, the mission of the police is no longer to “protect and serve.” Their mission is to eliminate the combatants in the war on terrorism and the war on crime while minimizing civilian deaths.
The Mexican Drug War, which serves as an example that happens to border the US, has resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 people. Where the Mexican military has been asked to help “police” the drug cartels, the Mexican police have been asked to fight a war with well-armed, well-funded terrorist organizations that often enjoys strong community support. The result has included a mounting number of civilian abuses and murders at the hands of security forces. In the US, the killings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling help illustrate the hazards of a militant police force.
