With Great Power comes Great Responsibility Part II

In early May I wrote a LinkedIn article referring to the potential abuse of powers by a few members of a federal agency and indicated how I hoped and prayed these were not intentional errors and some subsequent comments were needed to reassure readers I was condemning the individuals, not the agency and the honorable men and women that serve in that agency. 

 Well, I would be remiss if I did not react as well, to an action taken by a local police officer in Minneapolis and condemn the behavior of the individuals. An action, that has resulted in the death of another human being. Let me start by saying I am saddened at the death of George Floyd. I am disgusted by the officers’ actions as depicted on the video. Either through intent or depraved indifference to human life, the actions by not only this officer, but the failure of the other officers to intervene will too, set back relations between ethnic groups and police for years to come. And that, in addition to Mr. Floyd’s loss of life, is a very sad thing. Sad because communities need the police and the dedicated members that serve them; any strain on that relationship will hurt. A lot.

 I would be a liar if I said that I have never used force against a subject who I intended to take an official police action and ultimately place under arrest. I cannot remember all the circumstances in which I used necessary force, but I believe the tenant we are all taught: “the fight is over when the cuffs go on” prevailed. In fact myself and two other detectives apprehended a rape suspect in Maryland and during the ride back to New York after extradition, the defendant shared with us how he found it amusing how aggressive and foul mouthed we were in the apprehension scuffle and how he thought the “clicks of the cuffs” on his wrists triggered a “cordiality hormone”. He was and still may be a stand-up/improvisational comic on the NY scene. 

 This officer, as what appears on the video, committed an atrocious act. In this case I once again pray it was an “error” and lacked intent. Its hard to argue against a minimum of depraved indifference to human life (or the Minnesota statute equivalent). 

 I have heard various reactions and admittedly in the very early hours of other deadly encounters I have been conditioned to ignore and even scoff at premature statements by politicians and police executives until all or most of the facts are in. As you know a lie is half way around the world by the time the truth puts its pants on. But this one feels and is playing out differently. 

So, there are a few things I am hoping for; some personal and some for the country. For our great nation, and we are the greatest human experiment in the history of the world, we bring an immediate semblance of order to our cities that are percolating. Also, that justice is served and that everyone accepts what the process delivers. And if guilty, the punishment needs to be as severe as the damage it has caused. Additionally, I hope that leadership ensures a dialogue of fact-based common sense that “black people (or for some, people of color) are being hunted down in our streets” is not true. Far from it. I am sure it feels like that due to sensationalism of cherry picked stories, but it is simply not a statistical fact by any measure. Despite being in or around law enforcement for 35 years, “hunting down people” is something I have never experienced or witnessed.

 On a personal note I have a son who is a rookie police officer in the DC MPD. Every night I go to bed not only worrying that he returns from every shift unharmed, but that he doesn't hurt anyone either. We have discussed at length, not only the legal use of force but the respect and compassion for everyone, regardless of what the circumstances are presenting. He has been given great powers; he must use it responsibly. He has been conditioned well, but as Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. Policing is the hardest job in the world. The last thing law enforcement needs is further complication of a brutal racist. This officer will be condemned by his peers and prosecuted to the fullest.