Endless interactions and confrontations occur throughout America between officers of the law and motorists, pedestrians, people out and about the community, and even those living away from civilization. This includes people acting within the law as well as those conducting themselves contrarily. Those of us who have been taught how best to interact with the police rather than confront them are much better off for it.
When we see incidents of cops shooting blacks (which are the only shootings the media cover), one thing becomes clear: resisting arrest often ends up with a loss of life.
Something else is obvious too: when a cop is the one losing his life, it’s practically overlooked by the media.
The above comments come from Bob Weir, a retired detective sergeant in the New York Police Department, on americanthinker.com.
When a police officer performs an arrest and a person believes the arrest is unlawful, he can make that argument at the station house or in a courtroom. However, understand clearly, the cop has the legal authority to make the arrest, simply based on penal law.
Racism is often the blame whenever an alleged perpetrator is of color. If death results, cities burn, organizations established to stoke the fires and fan the flames hit the streets, race hustlers go to work to earn their keep, and politicians of old make unscrupulous statements dripping with imprudence. Like: ‘If I had a son,’ and ‘We have to reimagine policing.’
The problem at hand, I believe, is not being accurately identified, therefore it is not being accurately solved. Perhaps politicians, following a resisting-arrest injury or death, rather than going into attack mode, pointing fingers, throwing epithets, and demanding a world of change, why not take a simpler approach, a proactive approach?
Get the word out via mass publicity that the police can be trusted. Community leaders must then set positive examples and become involved in partnership efforts with their local police.
And long-term, how about encouraging parents to begin teaching their children at a young age some golden rules of police-interaction such as the ones listed below.
Ten Rules of Survival if Stopped by the Police, as reported on pbs.org,
1. Be polite and respectful when stopped by the police. Keep your mouth closed.
2. Remember that your goal is to get home safely. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you and your parents have the right to file a formal complaint with your local police jurisdiction. (Note: For your own safety, with your cell phone, dial home or a friend and leave your phone open to obtain a recording of the interaction.)
3. Don’t, under any circumstance, get into an argument with the police.
4. Always remember that anything you say or do can be used against you in court.
5. Keep your hands in plain sight and make sure the police can see your hands at all times.
6. Avoid physical contact with the police. No sudden movements, and keep hands out of your pockets.
7. Do not run, even if you are afraid of the police.
8. Even if you believe that you are innocent, do not resist arrest.
9. Don’t make any statements about the incident until you are able to meet with a lawyer or public defender.
10. Stay calm and remain in control. Watch your words, body language, and emotions.
As a bonus, the following additional suggestions come from Retired Detective Sergeant Bob Weir:
a. Don’t resist arrest.
Despite what you think about an arrest, a person being arrested has no legal right to resist. Once the officer has uttered the words “you’re under arrest,” the only right you have, under the law, is to submit to the arrest.
b. Any violence on your part endangers the officer’s life and your own life.
Don’t lose your head and act irrationally. What many people don’t understand is that cops get scared, too! They just want to do their job and go home to their families. The lesson every cop learns, if he lives long enough, is that anyone willing to fight a cop is very likely willing to kill him to escape. They see this as a kill-or-be-killed scenario.
c. Almost all violent situations begin innocuously. Keep it that way.
Putting a cop in fear for his safety is a definite escalation of your problem.
d. Cops are well prepared for danger–better than you are. And they’ll quickly call for back up.
Most cops with experience know that every call for service could end up in a battle for their lives. You may think you have backup, but you have nothing to match an entire police force.
e. Problems arise only when people refuse to obey the officer’s directions.
In 99.99 percent of police stops, the person goes on his way, with or without a ticket or other legal document.
What say you Def-Con News readers? The above material or some portion of it, I believe, should be taught repeatedly throughout children’s K-12 years. A Latin proverb perhaps is most appropriate here: ‘Repetition is the mother of all learning.’
