What Policing Should Be

WHAT POLICING SHOULD BE

One of the exercises we used to do in training was to define something as what it is versus what it is not – an “Is/Is Not” exercise.

I think we are approaching a time in which we may be losing our police; losing them to militarization, a warrior mentality, and an attitude of “them versus us.” This is dangerous in a free society. It is anathema to democracy.

So, this weekend, I starting thinking about doing an “Is/Is Not” exercise with regard to what policing in a democracy should be and what it should not.

POLICING IN A DEMOCRACY…

IS:                                                  IS NOT

1. One of us.                            1. “Them.”
2. Community collaborating.    2. Publicly disengaged.
3. Lawful/honest.                      3. Corrupt/self-serving.
4. Educated.                             4. Anti-intellectual.
5. Problem-solving                   5. Responding to incidents.
6. Polite/civil.                            6. Discourteous/disrespectful.
7. Value-driven.                        7. Subculture driven.
8. Protective/guardian.             8. Violent/warrior.
9. Helpful/compassionate.       9. Uncaring/unfeeling.
10. A noble calling.                10. Just a job.

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