The Perspectives of U.S. Police on Recent Police-Shootings of Black Citizens
The Perspectives of U.S. Police on Recent Police-Shootings of Black Citizens
As a United States citizen and not an active police officer, it is not within my capacity to speak on behalf of the entire police force. What I can share, however, is my personal perspective and observations based on the media reports and my experiences.
Popular Media and Misconceptions
Every day, I watch countless videos of individuals intentionally antagonizing police, provoking confrontation, usually for the sake of gaining 'likes' and comments amongst their peers on social media. This behavior is not reflective of the majority of the population, and it's important to acknowledge this.
Among the black community, there is a significant portion of the population that comments on these incidents, and their level of condoning and making excuses for these actions is deeply troubling. For instance, it is a fact that white people are shot and killed by police twice as often as black individuals. The numbers may not seem alarming, but every life lost is a tragedy that should be addressed seriously.
Police Officers' Intentions and Training
During my time, I have witnessed many officers who, upon waking up in the morning, do not have the intention to shoot someone. The reality is, an officer taking a life is a decision that should not be taken lightly and is usually the result of either poor training or a critical moment that requires split-second decisions. Some cases of poor incidents are outcomes of a lack of proper training, which is an area where significant improvement can be made.
It is also important to note that not all police officers are free from racial bias. Both black and white officers can struggle with racism, but it is an additional burden to make someone pull the trigger of a firearm. Any officer with such phobias should be considered unsuitable for the role of a police officer. For example, the officer who shot a black motorist because she was "afraid" should never have been a cop in the first place. Similarly, another white trooper who shot an older white man reaching for his walking cane demonstrates a dangerous lack of judgment and composure that could have been avoided with better training.
Research and Studies on Racial Bias
Furthermore, there has been substantial research conducted in this field. Studies by scholars such as John Lott and Carlisle Moody of the Crime Prevention Research Center, and Raymond Fryer, an economist and distinguished researcher, have shown no racial bias in the use of lethal force by white police officers. These studies analyzed over 1000 incidents spanning several years, providing a comprehensive view of the issue. More studies like these highlight the need for a detailed examination of the issue rather than jumping to conclusions based on racial bias.
Reform and Solutions
While there is no need to entirely dismiss the need for reform in the use of force, whether lethal or otherwise, racial bias is not the primary focus that we should start exploring. Addressing the structural issues in the training and oversight of law enforcement can lead to significant improvements in the way officers handle critical situations.
Ultimately, it is essential to promote a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in policing. By focusing on areas such as proper training, reevaluation of policies, and community engagement, we can work towards creating a more equitable and responsible law enforcement system.