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Poll Shows Overwhelming US Support for Police Reform, Increased Accountability
The increasingly visible presence of heavily armed police units in American communities has stoked widespread concern over the militarization of local law enforcement.
National debates over these heavy-handed police tactics, including so-called “militarized” policing, are often framed as a trade-off between civil liberties and public safety. However, due to limited data the costs and benefits of these controversial police practices have motivated independent research.
Studies of wide ranging administrative data sources and original experiments have shown that militarized “special weapons and tactics” (SWAT) teams are more often deployed in communities of color. Advocates claim SWAT teams increase public and officer safety, reduce crime, and are of benefit over all. Not surprisingly, analyses of law enforcement’s own records contradict the advocates’ claims.
Researchers’ findings suggest that seeing militarized police in news reports erodes public opinion toward law enforcement. Taken together, these findings strongly indicate that curtailing militarized policing may be in the interest of both police and citizens. The final determination in the case of militarized policing offers a powerful conclusion that the often-cited trade-off between public safety and civil liberties is a false choice.
Unfortunately, congress rarely, if ever, relies on research for the good of the people, including the good of the police. Politicians are, first and foremost, obliged to serve the financial interests of those individuals and corporate entities that pay for their political campaigns.
Since reducing or eliminating the sale of military hardware that ends up in police stations nationwide would hurt those financial interests, any legislation regarding police reform will never see the light of day in the federal or state legislatures. Perhaps a few token efforts by states might be made, but nothing of significance.
As with any policy change that could hurt the corporate bottom line, politicians know they can wait out the public’s anger, because the American people (especially white people) quickly lose interest in any issue that does not impact them personally.
“Black Lives Matter” and the current movement for police reform will be no different. Before summer’s end, there will be more crises to draw the public’s eye away from issues the politicians intend to ignore. In the end, actions taken by congress on other issues will, again, screw average Americans, and further enrich the billionaire class.
This recurring cycle is always easy to see, just don’t get emotionally involved and follow the money. Sadly, the politicians know, very few Americans can remain unemotional during these crises. Americans are either inspired to hatred, or empathy, and this division is the tool politicians use against average Americans to get reelected, to pass legislation hurtful to their constituents, etc. It’s been going on for decades and most people are suckers and cannot escape the scams.
Just look at the two crooks running for president in 2020. If you defend either one...sorry, you are one of those suckers.
'This Is Why We March': Poll Shows Overwhelming US Support for Police Reform, Increased Accountability
.
Poll Shows Overwhelming US Support for Police Reform, Increased Accountability
The increasingly visible presence of heavily armed police units in American communities has stoked widespread concern over the militarization of local law enforcement.
National debates over these heavy-handed police tactics, including so-called “militarized” policing, are often framed as a trade-off between civil liberties and public safety. However, due to limited data the costs and benefits of these controversial police practices have motivated independent research.
Studies of wide ranging administrative data sources and original experiments have shown that militarized “special weapons and tactics” (SWAT) teams are more often deployed in communities of color. Advocates claim SWAT teams increase public and officer safety, reduce crime, and are of benefit over all. Not surprisingly, analyses of law enforcement’s own records contradict the advocates’ claims.
Researchers’ findings suggest that seeing militarized police in news reports erodes public opinion toward law enforcement. Taken together, these findings strongly indicate that curtailing militarized policing may be in the interest of both police and citizens. The final determination in the case of militarized policing offers a powerful conclusion that the often-cited trade-off between public safety and civil liberties is a false choice.
Unfortunately, congress rarely, if ever, relies on research for the good of the people, including the good of the police. Politicians are, first and foremost, obliged to serve the financial interests of those individuals and corporate entities that pay for their political campaigns.
Since reducing or eliminating the sale of military hardware that ends up in police stations nationwide would hurt those financial interests, any legislation regarding police reform will never see the light of day in the federal or state legislatures. Perhaps a few token efforts by states might be made, but nothing of significance.
As with any policy change that could hurt the corporate bottom line, politicians know they can wait out the public’s anger, because the American people (especially white people) quickly lose interest in any issue that does not impact them personally.
“Black Lives Matter” and the current movement for police reform will be no different. Before summer’s end, there will be more crises to draw the public’s eye away from issues the politicians intend to ignore. In the end, actions taken by congress on other issues will, again, screw average Americans, and further enrich the billionaire class.
This recurring cycle is always easy to see, just don’t get emotionally involved and follow the money. Sadly, the politicians know, very few Americans can remain unemotional during these crises. Americans are either inspired to hatred, or empathy, and this division is the tool politicians use against average Americans to get reelected, to pass legislation hurtful to their constituents, etc. It’s been going on for decades and most people are suckers and cannot escape the scams.
Just look at the two crooks running for president in 2020. If you defend either one...sorry, you are one of those suckers.
'This Is Why We March': Poll Shows Overwhelming US Support for Police Reform, Increased Accountability
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