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Change in Police Role is Needed Everywhere

Carole Kennerly
Sunday September 06, 2020 - 01:15:00 PM

I imagine most readers have seen the horrific situation of the Black man in Rochester NY who needed mental health assistance and the police literally murdered him instead. The media indicated the police officers claimed they were simply adhering to their training. Reportedly, a video shows officers mocking the man and using police tactics "just short of a public lynching". The family's telephone call to the police for help for their mentally ill brother ended up in his death at the hands of the police. 

Whatever else happens, local city councils/governments across the country must at minimal separate mental health services along with other social services from the jurisdiction of the police. I understand some cities have already made the change and other city governments are at some point in the process of change. That's good news.  

The police with a gun(s) see all-too-often the answer to all problems as a gun, club, choke holds, knee in the back or throat--especially if it involves persons of color/African Americans and Hispanics specifically.... 

Please let your local government know how you feel about ensuring mental health services are not part of the policing jurisdiction. Of course, that means such an adjustment/change has budgetary implications. Whatever budget monies in the police department are dedicated to social, mental health services must be transferred to the new department assuming those duties. 

I also think all police departments should be relieved of so-called routine automobile (traffic) stops which so often leads to police harassment and shooting deaths of the driver and/or passengers--including children. Usually, the subject of the traffic stop is about a "tail light out", license plate problem or suspicion the auto is stolen ("Driving While Black especially if a luxury auto)...Instead, cities should incorporate those traffic duties into another department or create a new department. Budget costs should be subtracted from the police department no longer handling traffic duties. 

This policing madness must stop... 

P.S. The media indicates that a 800 plus member police union endorsed Trump and a smaller police union endorsed Biden. Making change will not be easy given the powerful political role police unions across the nation play--but we must keep pushing for justice and equity--even within policing in our country.