
How to End the Era of Police Brutality
“We’re trained not to run away from a threat, to deal with a threat and that is what I was doing… ”. — Officer Darren Wilson
What is the definition of a threat to a well weaponed police officer? Police officers have demonstrated violence towards men, woman, children, elders, and animals; not discriminating by color or mental illness. So, logically, every member of society is a potential threat to police officers; some more than others, but nevertheless, EVERYONE is a target.
Now I ask you: How do we become less of a threat? Maybe police officers should wear cameras that can record incidents. Maybe civilians should record encounters. Maybe you should be honest with officers, warning them that you have a weapon. Maybe you should make clear eye contact with police officers. Maybe call 911, and wait patiently for officers to assist you. Maybe try your best to avoid police officers. Don’t ask questions, just comply.
None of these solutions helped Justine Ruszczyk, Freddie Gray, Philando Castile, Mike Brown, or James Hall; the list could continue back to the 1991 video documenting the beating of Rodney King by police.
Instances like these often result in a lack of justice, continuing the cycle of police brutality. But fear not, I have researched and complied some key ways to Combat Police Brutality with 5 Steps. I have summarized this plan in bullet points below, but in the next few weeks I will be detailing them greatly.
- Change in Mindset
- Understand that the isolated events of police brutality do not reflect the attitudes of ALL Police Officers. - No Encounter is the Best Encounter
- Focus on being the best honest and productive citizen you can be - Knowledge is Power
- Know the rights you have when being stopped by police
- Know the penalties of your offenses - Compliance is Not Weakness
- Honesty shortens your encounter with police - How to Deal with the Jerk Cop
- Record key information
- Report key information to the appropriate person in power
- Battle in the courtroom
Police brutality is an issue in the United States that cannot be ignored. Please note: addressing one officers flaws does not automatically label every officer as a horrible human being. I do not undermine the risk they take putting on that badge every morning. Being a police officer requires a level of courage and bravery that not all possess, and that is something I will always admire. However, it would be naive to think that there are no bad officers and that they could do no wrong.
Please stay tuned these next few weeks as I detail my plan: Combat Police Brutality with 5 Steps. Please comment below, FaceBook message me, or email getbothered.staywoke@gmail.com with your feedback!
As always,
#GetBothered_StayWoke
Tabitha T.
