For the past week, I have been waiting for police leaders in America to collectively stand up and say “STOP” to the President’s plan to sack the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If the FBI is as bad and “deep state” as some may think, this is not the way to do it. An unfair (and most likely illegal) attack on our nation’s system of justice is an attack on all of us.
I am sorry, but this is not who we are, the men and women who guard, protect our Constitution, and serve the people in our great nation! We all should be committed to the rule of law and not the whim of a leader.
As a senior police chief for many years, I call upon my brother and sister leaders, those who direct our unions and professional organizations, and those who serve as our elected officials in Washington (see links below), to stand up and speak out against the proposed “sacking” of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
What is happening is a full-scale attack on Constitution and system of criminal justice.
Are we going to do anything to speak out about this attack on the CJ system and FBI? I am warning you, it’s Washington today and your local police tomorrow! Why do I say this? I say it because of the number and extent federal dollars and grants to our cities, counties. and states will drive this assault. You will first see if with immigation enforcement. Some major cities are saying they will not cooperate with ICE. When federal dollars are withheld, many mayors will change their tune.
Consider this: You are the chief of police in one of our nation’s cities. You and your officers recently investigated the corruptive practices of a powerful local businessperson. The district attorney reviewed your case and issued an arrest warrant. The businessperson was arrested, brought before a judge, and convicted by a jury of peers.
Now it turns out the person contributed a large amount of money to the mayor’s last run for office. In addition, the mayor and the person were quite close friends. You learn the mayor was upset at your pursuit and conviction of this person which involved undercover officers.
Now you come to work one morning and find that the mayor has publicly stated you have acted improperly, the investigation was wrong and now orders you to release the names of all the officers who were involved in this investigation so the mayor could fire them and, perhaps, you too.
I imagine you would speak up and resist this. I know I would.
So how is this different from what is being done to the FBI? If the FBI has done wrong, and therefore in this case (which appears to be the events of January 6, 2021), the U.S. Department of Justice, our judiciary, and jury system, have also done wrong.
But if they have, the way to correct illegality is not by more illegality!
The silence today is unnerving. I never ever imagined or anticipated what is happening today. How could anyone? It is shocking and demands a strong response.
So let’s get together — police leaders and community supporters – and respond!
This is not the way to improve policing in America, or the FBI. Don’t let our politics get in the way of our ethics. We know how to do the right thing, and do what is consistent with our Code of Ethics in which we once pledged.
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RESOURCE and CONTACT LIST
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Police Executive Research Forum
National Sheriff’s Association
Improving Police: A Necessary Conversation 
It has been said that John F. Kennedy stated, “There is a reason Profiles in Courage is only one volume.” There is no reason to believe that a second volume is currently being drafted.
IACP, PERF, and others fear the federal grant spigot will be shut off should they take a firm stand, something they may be postponing but not preventing in the long run. As for the FOP (who supported Trump) and NSA (sheriffs), they have been part of the problem and unlikely part of any solution.
I think it would take a current or former respected chief to step forward and try to organize chiefs and command staff members to take a stand, to find a meaningful means of protesting. I am not holding my breath.
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Karl, sadly I agree. At the same time, I believe this is moral test for those today who lead our nation’s police. Yes, we are a money-driven capitalist economy — but with democratic and Constitutional restraints!
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What we are seeing is regime change prompted by a political realignment David. All police work under the direction of elected officials, even the FBI as evidenced by the agency devoting 40% of it’s manpower resources to the January 6th protesters and rioters, raiding Mar a lago, and seeking to prosecute Trump while dismissing the case against Biden. The political motivations have been clear at the federal, state, and local levels under the Biden Regime. The agencies now suffering did this to themselves and are now getting what they deserve for abandoning their poor judgement and abandoning their commitment to neutral objectivity. It’s sad to see because some very good people are being caught up in the injustice, but that has been happening to Trump affiliated people for years now. It’s the old saying “what comes around, goes around.” The ship needs to be righted and lessons need to be learned. That’s actually how democracy works.
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There is a way to correct systems. The way it is now going is not the way to do it. If you are right, there is a way to correct what’s wrong. I will quote Voltaire — “while I disagree with what you say, I will defend to my death, your right to say it.” Peace. And, of course, thanks for commenting.
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The FBI and the police had a chance to launch a pre-emptive raid to arrest the coup plotters and the various Republican Party officials to stop it but they didn’t. They were also hamstrung by their own higher ranking police officials on 1/6 and the National Guard was given instructions not to prepare for it even to the point of not being issue bayonets.
Trump was wrong in taking those documents and you know it. How you would like if the ex-police officers were selling police files to the criminal underworld or were using their contacts in the police force to tip off the criminals about police raids?
You can blame FBI Director Comey for this mess by releasing the Hillary emails weeks before the presidential elections which got Trump into office. Now those FBI agents are so worry about losing their jobs. They should have learn about what happens when you vote Republican for the last 45 years.
What police neutral objectivity? The police have never been neutral in America. They actively suppose the political, social, and economic status quo since the day they were formed. They even have fought against any kind of genuine police reform. They also went after labor unions, communists, socialists, civil rights workers, etc.
Trump people suffering? What about all those people who used their time, resources, and money to track down all those “tourists” on 1/6 and turned them over to the FBI. They are in fear of their lives and the lives of their family members for helping the police. Are they going to be targets of political prosecution by the Trump’s DOJ as being enemies of the state or are they going to get murdered by right wing extremists and the cops and the DAs will do nothing about it?
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