FACING A CRISIS

 Random thoughts running through my head this morn.

Several years back, I received a license plate designating me as a United States military veteran. Since then, police officers have stopped me four times for speeding. Yeah, about once every two years. Each time, guess what? Yep, they let me go. What’s scary as hell to think about is that, had those stops occurred in some cities in our country, and I had not been white—even with the license plate—I may have been murdered, tased, or beaten.

Yeah, I didn’t run. I didn’t resist. I didn’t become belligerent. In fact, the last time I said “Officer, you got me fair and square. No excuse.” He laughed and told me to go and behave in the future.

I know. I know. I’m white and this ain’t Minnesota.

Every police officer I have known personally is a decent, honest, admirable person. I did meet a few as a young serviceman in Charleston, S.C. back in the 60s who weren’t so, but they followed the “Charleston Model” of hating people of color and military personnel in equal proportions. The usually didn’t kill sailors. They simply beat them until their own mothers wouldn’t recognize them and then “frog marched” them up the gangway of their ship next morning in full view of the crew. Message delivered.

But I digress. I, unlike all other Americans, have no clue this morning as how to solve the crisis among this minority of law enforcement personnel. A simple, “Don’t execute anyone for a traffic violation,” standing order might help. A thorough look into the long-standing rumor that white supremacy cults are actively infiltrating police departments wouldn’t hurt. Suggesting to personnel that if they are going to execute someone for a minor offense, best not to do it on camera might help.

No, I don’t think that is the answer. I’m not sure further training is the answer. As my old running buddy, Argumento de Minimus the Harvard-bred lawyer, would say, “Hell, I thought it was a taser,” doesn’t pass the smell test. I do know that supremely idiotic rantings such as “Defund the Police,” are counter-productive. That one almost got Donald Trump re-elected.

I do know that I want good police officers out there when I go to bed tonight. I do suspect, from actual data I have read, that a small percentage of officers garner most of the complaints from the public, so punishing every officer isn’t the most economical way to solve the crisis.

Maybe if we just quit hating one another long enough to think straight, it wouldn’t to any harm.