What to do with the police forces?

Question

I figured I’d get some thoughts on the matter of debate I’m currently in.
Her view: Cops who are against brutality should quit their jobs so we as citizens can clearly see who the bad cops are to rid of them. Then once all the bad cops are out we purge the rest of the system and clean it up to start anew. All while this is going on citizens will be responsible for themselves in defense and to keep order.
My view: I think the good cops need to stay in to work on taking a stand from the inside and prosecuting the bad cops. I also have no faith in American citizens to properly police themselves or want to help if someone is in need, i feel like disbanding every police force would turn into some knock off purge. 
I’m wondering everyone else’s thoughts on this; I know fixing this fucked up system wont be easy but when is changing for the better ever easy.

Answer

We’re using cops as scapegoats of what we have allowed.  What we have allowed our systems to allow.  The entire system needs to be torn down and changed.  How can we blame someone personally for being a product of the fucked up environment we say is ok?  We arm minds with violence and put guns in their hands and grant authority to kill.  Compassion training and education.  Over and over and over and over compassion training and education - from people who do not think it’s ok. There are professionals who study this, professionals that do this for a living, resources available that are not used.

Answer

If only it was so simple that we could divide them into good cops and bad cops and be done with it.

Answer

Eh I don’t think it’s as easy as good or bad cops. There are racist and cops who brutalize citizens, cops who stand by and watch, cops who are easily frightened and trigger happy, cops who are quick to use non lethal forms of aggressive punishment like pepper spray and batons, cops who follow orders without question and cops who speak out about the bad cops and who are whistleblowers and get fired and cops who are “good”. How do you choose who needs more training and who is to be kicked off the force? It’s hard to pick and choose.

Answer

And you have to take into account the amount of sherif stations and police forces that are funded based on how many arrests they make and send to private prisons. You have to take into account how many police are told to overly be present in areas populated by poor people and people of color because there is money in bodies in cells. You have to look at the leaders who are using black and brown bodies as paychecks and new police uniforms. You have to dismantle the entire judicial system. Cops are a symptom and a horrid one but they aren’t the disease.

Answer

We cant count on america to social distance and now you want to give them the responsibility of keeping order? HAHAHAHAHAHA good one. Almost got me.

Answer

I don’t think her view would be effective or even doable. It doesn’t really make sense. There’s so much to do with the police force. For all the good cops out there, stop saying it and start showing it. Instead of telling us you aren’t all like that, tell us what you’re going to do to make changes in your department. Tell us what you’re going to do to make changes in your city, your state, and on the federal level. Speak out about the corruption.

Answer

Theres only 3 kinds of cops:
1. The bad cop who commits crimes and injustices against the civilians. These are the Chauvins of the force.
2. The "good" cops who isnt actively participating in commiting crimes and injustices, but does not speak up against their fellow officers who do. These are the cops who stood around and did nothing but watch and allow Floyd to die. 
3. The actually good cop who was fired from the force for speaking up against their "brothers." These are not cops.

Answer

Any cops that recognise the wrongs in the system need to SPEAK UP!! 
Staying silent makes them just as bad as the police officers who are actively hurting people! 
They need to actively show their support for protesters and make an effort to fight against officers who abuse their power. Most of them just stand by and watch. This is not okay.

Answer

Eliminating the police force is NOT the answer.  People cannot and will not self police any more than they do with active police 
For a different perspective, as a paramedic, there are many situations I refuse to enter without police. Shootings, stabbings, domestic violence, suicides and attempted suicides, reports of previous violence at the location, the caller reporting a combative person, over doses etc. With no police, those people are left to fend for themselves. EMS isn’t coming if we don’t have a secure scene. Unless those people get lucky or someone happens to get them to a hospital in time for the life saving care, they’ll die.

Answer

I dont think it's safe or doable to purge the police force. A small piece of my thought is: I think a big problem with the police force is the psych testing. The tests they do specifically are looking for followers, the ideal candidate is someone who does not question authority and can be easily told what to do. With those traits can come the possibility that they also turn their head to injustice.  Another issue is they dont hire anyone who has ever used any drugs, to me this removes A LOT of amazing people, I would much rather see a cop in recovery than a cop that has no idea what addiction is and has zero empathy for addicts. I think people with criminal backgrounds should be allowed to work on the force as well(obviously someone who hasnt had a run in with the law in at least 8 years or something) , again having an understanding and empathy for what they are fighting against is extremely beneficial. I would also cut down on an "us vs them" mentality. These are a few points that I would like to see change but this subject is extremely complex and its going to take a lot effort on everyone's part to change this. I hope we can all be patient towards one another at this time and support our fellow Americans who deserve equality and safety.

What to do with the police forces?

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