“Defund/Eliminate the Police!” This is what happens when we fail to make needed changes in how we police our towns and cities.
Can this improvement occur without having to eliminate the agency?
Minneapolis citizens will soon vote on whether or not to eliminate their police department and replace it with a new public safety agency. Recent polls indicate the community is nearly evenly split. (Read a recent news article HERE.)
I define the problem existing today is that of a pervasive “bad attitude” towards poor and vulnerable citizens and communities of color by many police officers. This has resulted in a lack of trust and support on the part of many citizens.
Remember that a police agency in a democracy can no longer be effective if they do not have the trust and support of those whom they police.
This problem can no longer be solved by new legislation, policies, or even training. It’s about changing this bad attitude!
That’s the problem facing America today that must be addressed. The system as it is today can no longer be sustained if we are to be who we say we are.
In order to eliminate this “bad attitude” on the part of many police officers — which is they narrowly understand their job is to use coercive force rather than “winning hearts and minds” in order to maintain a fair and safe community — the culture which spawned this attitude must be eliminated. When police see their job as a battle between who they see as “them,” versus those whom they determine as “us!” they can no longer be effective in a free society,
How to change this “bad attitude?” The answers are contained in this blog and in my book “Arrested Development: A Veteran Police Chief Sounds Off About Protest, Racism, Corruption, and the Seven Steps Necessary to Improve Our Nation’s Police. Check them out!
Improving Police: A Necessary Conversation 
Again, you’re going to use this one-off situation to paint a wide brush over policing? Just like the left-wing media.
Moreso than an informed commentator, you come across like a resentful old man who was somehow wronged in your profession.
Watch some Heather MacDonald and get back to us.
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James, I am saddened that you think my concern for improving police is resentful. On the contrary, my 33 years in policing was a great experience in personal and professional growth. I learned that police matter in how our great democracy works — instead of being resentful, I am filled with great passion as to the potential that the policing I experienced can be made even better — it’s the value of “continuous, never-ceasing, improvement. “ Your comments make me wonder what your experience with police has been? And why do you call me names in order to make your argument that I am not an “informed commentator”?
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