While police brutality is excessive, and new regulations should undoubtedly be enacted to prevent unnecessary shootings, anti-police sentiment must cease. I will mostly focus on one unit, the NYPD. Reforms installed to stop gun violence in the Big Apple, most notably “stop and frisk,” have been criticized as a way for police officers to racially profile African Americans or other minorities and legally be able to search them. The Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner incidents are just a sample of the disasters created by errors in law enforcement officials’ judgements. These mishaps, however so crucial, make up a miniscule amount of the police force’s actions. Should steps be made to stop future mistakes? Of course.
But, the arguments that apply when debating the idea that “all muslims are terrorists” are analogous to the arguments made when debating the notion that “all police officers are racist.” Hate crimes committed by police officers are much rarer than the media makes them out to be, and protests against police, which consist often of rock throwing at police officers, are demoralizing and humiliating. Every two and a half days an officer dies in the line of duty, and many police officers go beyond the call of duty in other ways to protect us, the citizens.
Police sentiment after 9/11 had a much different tone than it does now. People praised the sacrifice and bravery of those officers who helped men and women escape the burning towers while putting themselves in grave danger (around 60 officers died, and including the FDNY the tally amounted to roughly 400 emergency personnel). Police officers aided in the aftermath as well. They scoured through rubble, looking for friends and other items that could give a grieving family closure. The police force has not changed since then in its heroism, and it most likely has not become more racist, especially considering the incredible gains in racial equality in America including the election of the first black president. So why can’t Americans, while angry at the rules in place that allow disasters to occur, accept the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us? Why do we never hear stories about police officers’ saving people but seem to always hear about their messing up? I think it's time we showed the overwhelmingly courageous and protective side of our police force some love.
While police brutality is excessive, and new regulations should undoubtedly be enacted to prevent unnecessary shootings, anti-police sentiment must cease. I will mostly focus on one unit, the NYPD. Reforms installed to stop gun violence in the Big Apple, most notably “stop and frisk,” have been criticized as a way for police officers to racially profile African Americans or other minorities and legally be able to search them. The Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner incidents are just a sample of the disasters created by errors in law enforcement officials’ judgements. These mishaps, however so crucial, make up a miniscule amount of the police force’s actions. Should steps be made to stop future mistakes? Of course.
But, the arguments that apply when debating the idea that “all muslims are terrorists” are analogous to the arguments made when debating the notion that “all police officers are racist.” Hate crimes committed by police officers are much rarer than the media makes them out to be, and protests against police, which consist often of rock throwing at police officers, are demoralizing and humiliating. Every two and a half days an officer dies in the line of duty, and many police officers go beyond the call of duty in other ways to protect us, the citizens.
Police sentiment after 9/11 had a much different tone than it does now. People praised the sacrifice and bravery of those officers who helped men and women escape the burning towers while putting themselves in grave danger (around 60 officers died, and including the FDNY the tally amounted to roughly 400 emergency personnel). Police officers aided in the aftermath as well. They scoured through rubble, looking for friends and other items that could give a grieving family closure. The police force has not changed since then in its heroism, and it most likely has not become more racist, especially considering the incredible gains in racial equality in America including the election of the first black president. So why can’t Americans, while angry at the rules in place that allow disasters to occur, accept the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us? Why do we never hear stories about police officers’ saving people but seem to always hear about their messing up? I think it's time we showed the overwhelmingly courageous and protective side of our police force some love.
