3 Black Chicago cops discuss policing in the city

[mucifer]

[Layzeebeaver]

1. I'm curious why all three are black?

Why were these three chosen for the interview?

Were there white or latino or other officers offered the chance to be interviewed as well?

Here's my rough summary transcription of the key points: and my commentary

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1) Black People mistrust the police - with proper cause due to the history of how they have been treated by the police: Fair point

2) But you can't lump every police officer in the same bunch - there are so many great police officers out there from all nationalities: This the classic "one bad apple" excuse - and does not address the systemic issues in play

3) Police have been undercut by politics - and feel that are not being supported by city hall- the mayor. They don't like politicians getting involved in police procedures: You can't have it both ways.

4) It will take years to reverse all the police training - you can't stop your trained behaviour just because the mayor says so: This is being presented as an excuse for police officers to favour their historical training instead of contemporary policy changes

5) If police don't react with force, suspects can feel like they can do anything: There are so many red flags with this thread of illogic, I can't even begin to peel that onion...

6) New funding for additional support services is OK - but you will still need the police in every situation. Imagine a city without the police: This is a logical fallacy - no one is suggesting that the police are to be eliminated.

7) Black officers are turned away from white neighbourhoods: Yes, I'm sure that happens.

8) One Black officer indicated he stopped white racist cops from doing certain things: I wonder if he reported it?

9) They do not approve of the police union: I'm with them on this point!

10) They want people to see them as human beings: This final point is the worst thing to say, especially in light of how the police do not appear to be viewing Black Americans as human as reflected in how they are treated in policing situations. Just getting Black Police Officers to say this is really sneaky. This is the main point of this 5 minute interview. The police want people to be more sympathetic to the plight of the police and they send 3 Black officers to give the message. I'm not sure if I should be confused or mad.

If I missed anything just correct me.

[mucifer]

2. The Chicago police union is absolutely horrific. they support commander jon burge

convicted of running a team of police who tortured forced confessions from Black men. they fought hard for burge to keep his pension.

BTW burge spent very little time in prison because believe it or not there is a statute of limitation on the police torturing people. So he went to prison only for lying under oath. From the trib:

In 2015, the Chicago City Council approved a $5.5 million reparations package for people who were tortured during Burge’s time with the Chicago police. The package include settlements up to $100,000 for 57 victims, said Flint Taylor, an attorney with the People’s Law Office. Victims who had already gotten settlements from the city for more than $100,000 were not eligible. Victims and their families were also eligible to receive tuition for classes at City College and could receive job training services.

The reparations package also led to the opening of the Chicago Torture Justice Center in Englewood to provide a variety of services to Burge’s victims and the community impacted by police brutality. The package also called for public school students in eighth grade and 10th grade to learn about the Burge torture era, according to a news release from the city at the time.

Burge’s police pension: $4,000 monthly
Burge continued to collect a his taxpayer-funded monthly pension of more than $4,000, according to the People’s Law Office. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan had previously tried to challenge the pension payments, but it was tossed out by the Illinois Supreme Court. The state’s high court ruled that the Retirement Board of the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago has the jurisdiction to decide if the monthly pension should be terminated.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-four-things-jon-burge-torture-chicago-police-20180921-story.html

[mopinko]

3. i said several times last year that they were scared to get out of their cars.

i had an unusual number of encounters w the cops last year.
most around assholes shooting off m-100's at the end of my block.

other stuff too, tho. i called them over a couple walking down my block having a screaming fight. i asked the woman if she wanted me to call, and she said yes.
i wasnt the only one to call. they rolled up slow and silent, and WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP.
i flagged the car down and got a 5 minute grilling while a woman was in danger.
had another witness even, who was trying to follow them, and was just in the next block.
far as i know, guy got away.

yup, yup. they're scared. that is not good.