Police Don’t Give a Shit Anymore, I Don’t Blame em

Bangov Actual

April 25, 2024

Police are those individuals whom you either love, hate, or are not really sure what to think about them. Funny thing is, when someone does something you don’t like, offends you (which is not illegal), calls you mean names (which is not illegal) or just the classic breaking into your home in the middle of the night. The moment that inner bitch comes out you are picking up your phone or you’re screaming for someone else to call 911. It is ok, that is what they are there for especially if you have not been trained to deal with armed assailants in the dead of night. Not all of us can be navy seals. We can all get a gun, but that is up to you and your definition of need.

So, why is it according to NPR that cops are leaving due to low morale and scrutiny. Scrutiny is defined as: searching study, inquiry, or inspection, a searching look, a close watch. Article states:

“In many places, police morale has plunged, and retirements and resignations have soared. A June survey of nearly 200 departments by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), a nonprofit think tank, shows a startling 45% increase in the retirement rate and a nearly 20% increase in resignations in 2020-21 compared to the previous year.

Now this is only a problem when you go to call the police and wait times are 20 minutes. According to saferwatchapp.com 4 things come into play when it comes time to call the police:

• The priority of your emergency (high, low, or somewhere in the middle)
• The number of other high priority calls coming in simultaneously
• The number of officers on duty
• The number of officers needed per call.

While you may need an officer for someone playing their music too loud, 10 officers could be getting shot at 15 min away. I am happy to report that an average wait time for police response in the 10 most major cities are under 15 minutes according to the same article:

• Chicago: 3.46 minutes
• Los Angeles: 5.7 minutes
• Seattle: 7 minutes
• Dallas: 8 minutes
• Miami: 8 minutes
• New York City: 9.1 minutes
• Atlanta: 9.5 minutes
• Houston: 10 minutes
• Detroit: 12 minutes
• Denver: 13 minutesNow cops come in all shapes, sizes, attitudes and abilities so don’t think all cops are going to act the same when responding to a situation either verbally or physically. When it comes to police interacting with those they are hired to protect, communication seems to be the one that police departments are willing to pay more for. When it comes to speaking foreign languages, departments are willing to pay up to 5% more for other languages like Spanish, Russian, Asian dialects and even sign language. (sandiego.edu.)

Communication simply put can be the difference between a situation becoming a cordial conversation or a violent interaction. De Escalation being a priority when not wanting to turn simple police interactions into blows or bullets being thrown due to shows of force and from an authority perspective: (sandiego.edu)

“De-escalation in policing is a technique that attempts to reverse the long taught and encouraged method of using force to control a situation. Instead, de-escalation attempts to diffuse a situation through peaceful means such as speaking calmly, showing empathy, and asking open-ended questions to engage people in a real dialogue rather than demanding answers and displaying power and authority. “

All this being said, safer communities are the goal for the general population. Of course, for law enforcement as well, but maybe a little effort from both sides would change the dynamic of how police officers are viewed today. I encourage everyone, if you really want to see more of a police presence in your city, or even in just your neighborhood. Simple gestures of kindness when police do come around goes a long way. For those who are wanting to go the extra mile, maybe even visit your local law enforcement agency and tell them they are welcome around your part of town and are welcomed by the community. Bumper stickers are great, but seeing your face, a wave, maybe even being invited to community potlucks speaks volumes without even a single word. Remember Bangov is about a stronger community. Don’t be afraid to reach out. Bangov Actual, out.

Community Policing: Much More Than Walking a Beat (usdoj.gov)

What Is Community Policing? – Discover Policing