The “solution” could be one thing, for both sides.

I’m white. I have black family members and friends. I have white police officer family members. I love all of them. I am also a 13 year veteran of the national guard. Thankfully, I’m no longer a part of the military because when given the choice to protect good officers or everyone else, I couldn’t choose. And shouldn’t have to. I believe one step in the right direction (yes, I put “solution” in the title but really it’s just a small step in the right direction) is to hold bad officers accountable. Civilians and military should hold bad officers accountable. The justice system, judge and jury, should hold police officers accountable for bad actions. And MOST importantly, good officers should hold bad officers accountable. The effects of prosecuting police officers for punishable offenses against civilians is obvious. No police officer should be above the law. Certainly officers are not judge, jury or executioner and should never act as such. BUT, regularly prosecuting officers for these offenses (not just when civilians protest) will most certainly also protect good, well meaning police officers, like my family. If the General public can reasonably believe that officers will not use excessive force against them for routine stops, then there will be a lot less tension between the two, making officers safer in the long run. Officers will no longer need to be “fearful” all the time and neither will the general public. This is certainly possible as evidence by other countries’ policing tactics.

Yes, systemic racism goes much deeper than this. No, this isn’t the end all be all. But it’s a step in the right direction in terms of police brutality.

Please, respectfully, share your thoughts on the matter here.