Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, too « Thread Started on Mar 7, 2013, 3:42am »
Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, too
Judging from headlines, trusting police and law enforcement authorities seems to be getting harder and harder.
Two Chattanooga officers brutally beat a man as video rolls and more than a dozen officers walk past never attempting to contain the violence.
In Catoosa County, Ga., a FBI agent suspected of drinking and driving and who likes to showcase himself surrounded by civilian women who "help him" with his work on a sex crime task force, has compromised the work of that task force.
In Trion, Ga., Hays State Prison officials for months on end turned a blind eye to malfunctioning cell locks. Last week, the public learned that in January alone, searches turned up 192 weapons -- some nearly the size of machetes, along with 137 cell phones and 56 drug items.
48892 people booked at just the Hamilton County Jail in the last 18 months, not including those booked in facilities in the Northwest Georgia. Not including the 1,000+ people incarcerated in prisons in the readership area of the TFP.
2,000+ LEOs, 80+ FBI Agents, 2,500+ Correctional Officers in the readership area of the TFP.
The editors at the Times Free Press create, to sell papers and bandwidth, an atmosphere of overwhelming distrust of 'the police' based on two rogue CPD Officers (Who were terminated by 'the police' after being investigated by 'the police' and who were brought before a Grand Jury by 'the police'.) (And who'll, I predict, be Federally indicted within the next few months for 1983 violations, by 'the police.')
The editors at the Times Free Press create an atmosphere of overwhelming distrust of 'the police' based on one rogue FBI Agent (Who is suspended by 'the police' while being investigated by 'the police'.)
I'll give the TFP credit for exposing overwhelming incompetence, resulting in murders of people entrusted to the Georgia DOC at the Hays State Prison.
So lets talk about 'trust'. Curiously, the editors at the TFP failed to mention the public's documented general distrust of another American institution....
Poll finds high level of distrust in the media. Anybody surprised? A new Gallup survey finds most Americans have little or no trust in the media, especially Republicans and independents. Is this a dangerous trend in a democracy reliant on public information? By Brad Knickerbocker, Staff writer / September 23, 2012
“Americans' distrust in the media hit a new high this year, with 60 percent saying they have little or no trust in the mass media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly,” Gallup reported Friday. “Distrust is up from the past few years, when Americans were already more negative about the media than they had been in years prior to 2004.”
That’s a far cry from the 1970s, when Gallup asked the question three times and found trust in the media as high as 72 percent.
So, the High Sheriff comments on fear expressed to him by the public via his role as the High Sheriff, the TFP publishes it, with a misleading headline, front page, above the fold, and the TFP editors have the audacity to accuse the Sheriff of 'fanning' the flames?
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"But the public cannot and should not understand when the authorities act the same way."
The TFP takes a few (Excepting the Hays State Prison debacle) isolated incidents (Based on the actual numbers) and generalizes, to it's ever decreasing readership, that all 'the authorities act the same way" as these scurrilous exceptions to the rule?
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So while everyone is investigating everyone, let's look, too, at police culture.
The thin blue line is not without stain.
And I'd proffer that the local press room, at the TFP, is not without their very own stains (From the barrels of ink they go through every day.)
Should we condemn an entire newspaper staff just because one idiotic reporter (Just following orders?) called the house of Sgt. Chapin's wife, within hours of his murder, to get her 'reaction?'
Should we condemn an entire newspaper staff just because one idiotic editor used a staining barrel of ink to condemn those who had the audacity to question that vile act? The TFP ran off the editor, but the reporter in question in this 'isolated incident' is still employed?
Should we condemn an entire newspaper staff just because they have an almost daily 'corrections' section?
Should we condemn an entire newspaper staff just because 50% of their local 'Breaking News Stories' are unverified, unchecked (and obviously un-spellchecked) verbatim cut and pastes of law enforcement press releases? The 'police culture' seems to be good enough for the TFP when it saves them time and money by doing their 'reporting' for them?
Should we condemn an entire newspaper staff just because a very few editors published a bald faced, demonstrable falsehood, in an editorial, that, 'more than a dozen officers walk past never attempting to contain the violence.' Is there a new Flores-edited video that I missed?
If 60% of the public distrusts the media, where is the demand for Civilian Review Boards for the media? Wait, nevermind, the Civilian Review Board for the TFP is their readership and their circulation. A readership which has been declining at an admittedly drastic rate, for several years, to the point that advertising rates and subscription costs are increasing at a similarly drastic rate?
Coincidence?
I'd ask the TFP to examine it's own stained glass house before throwing stones, 'stains' and ink at local law enforcement, the vast majority of which perform without a daily 'correction' section.
Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #1 on Mar 7, 2013, 6:24am »
Hey, Poole? Can I call for another official, CMF (Most folks think it stands for Chattanooga Message Forum, when, in reality, the 'M' stands for 'Mother' {Figure out the rest}) Police Blotter inspired boycott of the TFP, and their advertisers, on here?
(Since you aren't working in the 'local media' anymore and therefore; probably won't being getting any more 4:00 am calls from some media big-wig type demanding you control that 'Police Moderator as***le or we're shutting you down' stuff?)
Further, since you may, or may not, be a part of the local media anymore, and you finally got a 'real' job that requires you only have to get up by 10:00 am, I am challenging you that if I have not heard from you by 9:30 am, today (Thursday, I think), regarding this latest tcrashfx inspired boycott thing, I will consider that I have your permission to go all cubicle-spider-ivory-tower-monkey-dude-judy-chop on the ESTABLISHMENT'S ass! (Remember when we discussed the whole, 'better to ask for forgiveness, than ask for permission' dialogue?)
Time's a'wastin, dude!
(Damn, I am glad I posted this on the super-squirrel-secret-CMF-Staff-Lounge category instead of going straight to the Crime and Punishment thing)
“This is a matter of vital importance to the public safety ... While we recognize that assault-weapon legislation will not stop all assault-weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals.”
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Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #4 on Mar 7, 2013, 1:17pm »
The perception of the police has gone from the friendly cop who is there to serve and protect, to a militant, obnoxious bully whose daily goal is to bust as many people as possible because of roadblocks, overuse of SWAT, steroids, targeting of the poor, and sitting along the highway profiling just to name a few.
They are perceived as predators instead of protectors.
“This is a matter of vital importance to the public safety ... While we recognize that assault-weapon legislation will not stop all assault-weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals.”
Joined: Mar 2007 Gender: Male Posts: 2,275 Location: Red Bank
Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #5 on Mar 7, 2013, 5:54pm »
Dunno, I was pulled over a week or so ago due to a very minor infraction and the CPD officer was very nice. We discussed the situation for a few minutes with smiles on both sides and I was on my way. A quite pleasant encounter with LE.
“This is a matter of vital importance to the public safety ... While we recognize that assault-weapon legislation will not stop all assault-weapon crime, statistics prove that we can dry up the supply of these guns, making them less accessible to criminals.”
Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #9 on Mar 8, 2013, 5:42am »
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Baby, you might need a nap first.
That's the sweetest thing anyone has said to me in MONTHS!
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The police don't trust the citizens and treat us all with suspicion(roadblocks for example), so why should we trust them?
And you wonder why the 'Us against Them' dynamic (Interchange the 'Us' and 'Them' as you see fit) continues to be alive and well?
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I certainly don't trust the media.
Neither do either of the 'Uses' or the 'Thems' yet we've seemingly become dependent on the 'expert' view.
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The perception of the police has gone from the friendly cop who is there to serve and protect, to a militant, obnoxious bully whose daily goal is to bust as many people as possible because of roadblocks, overuse of SWAT, steroids, targeting of the poor, and sitting along the highway profiling just to name a few.
Perception is reality. If we, as a society, are depending on a biased and skewed view, proffered by a self-proclaimed stakeholder to form, and inform, our perceptions..... All without recognizing the bias ('If it bleeds, it leads') of the so-called informers?
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They are perceived as predators instead of protectors.
Is that perception, come reality, based on personal knowledge? Or solely based on some in the local media's demonstrably biased take on what they think, selfishly originated, and slanted, towards their world view, and checkbook?
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Maybe it's just me.
It ain't just you. Both sides are being used to sell papers, air time and subscriptions. Which benefits only one 'column' in the great scheme of things.
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I do find it refreshing to deal with LE with a clear conscience.
I think most folks would find this is this norm, as long as folks weren't using some of the local media (Specifically the TFP) to filter their reality for them.
My greatest fear is not letting a guilty man go free, but sending an innocent man to prison
"He who does not punish evil commands it to be done." Leonardo Da Vinci
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Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #10 on Mar 10, 2013, 10:24am »
If parents would stop their illegal activities, stop being involved with and condoning gang activities and start really caring about their children more than their 60" flat screens and 4 smart phones, then children would not grow up in an atmosphere of distrust/dislike/hatred of police officers. Children learn what they see their families/relatives/community leaders and friends do. When kids see mom, dad, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents all either connected to, working for, joining and slinging dope for or condoning/looking the other way for gangs and gang members, that is what the kids will believe is "right" and the kids will strive toward being successful in the world of values that their parents/community have taught them. The culture of gang-joining, dope-slinging and education-hating has produced several generations of offspring.
Until communities get serious about doing what is best for their future and their future generations, the cycle will continue.
"If you think you have a foolproof plan, you have failed to take into account the ingenuity of fools." Beir bua agus Beannacht
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Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #11 on Mar 10, 2013, 7:48pm »
If parents were educated, had legitimate jobs and could afford to keep food on the table and a roof over their children's heads they might find it easier to stay together as a family, spend time with their kids and be more involved in their kid's activities.
JiT "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means that you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." ~Rick Warren
Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #12 on Mar 10, 2013, 8:35pm »
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If parents were educated, had legitimate jobs and could afford to keep food on the table and a roof over their children's heads they might find it easier to stay together as a family, spend time with their kids and be more involved in their kid's activities.
And if a frog had wings, it wouldn't bump it's ass all the time, JiT.
If parents were educated, had legitimate jobs and could afford to keep food on the table and a roof over their children's heads they might find it easier to stay together as a family, spend time with their kids and be more involved in their kid's activities.
And if a frog had wings, it wouldn't bump it's ass all the time, JiT.
I'm not saying the elimination of poverty, full employment and 0 dropout rate is possible but the numbers can be improved and when they are improved you see crime and gun violence drop. The city fathers can work on improving those numbers and when they do other numbers will improve also. Forget about the studies on why Chattanooga has a gang problem and start funding studies on how to create jobs at all wage levels and how to keep kids in school.
JiT "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means that you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." ~Rick Warren
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Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #14 on Mar 11, 2013, 6:58am »
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Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #16 on Mar 11, 2013, 11:34am »
Thugs do not want an education or to work. How much money has Chattanooga spent on Howard to make it "one of the best schools in the state"? Just days ago, JiT, a student was chased out of the halls of Howard and into a surrounding house where he was shot and killed.
How many private entities have opened up businesses in these areas, only to have them vandalized, stolen from and turned into drug hot-spots? Thug Hill.... er, I mean, the beautiful Westside community, is currently hungry and bitching about the lack of food, after the community has ran the grocery store and dollar store out of business. Course, community "leaders" blame this on greedy corporations and the city instead of holding their thuggish children responsible.
In East Lake, the only profitable non-warehouse businesses are those that sell cheap beer or cash checks. They even ran the McDonalds out of business. McDonalds can survive and make a profit in any type of neighborhood, fer' crying out loud.
Justin Thyme Administrator Forum Sage (parsley and rosemary optional) member is offline
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Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #17 on Mar 11, 2013, 12:30pm »
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Why do you think that is JIT?
Poverty, unemployment and a high drop out rate.
This problem has grown in those areas over years Children born in the seventies saw their parents lose the jobs they have, their families break up and they were raised to expect a life of poverty with crime being the only method for generating income. Those kids raised kids who knew nothing but what they saw from what family might have stuck around for them and now they have kids that are learning from them. The thugs are created by this lifestyle and it will take a change in their environment to turn around their kids.
I'm not suggesting a solution this mayor will ever be able to see the successes from as mayor. I'm suggesting a solution that will eventually turn things around and give a long term solution to the problems of crime, gun violence and an uneducated work force.
JiT "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means that you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." ~Rick Warren
Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #18 on Mar 11, 2013, 1:04pm »
"Poverty, unemployment and a high drop out rate."
Their unemployment and high drop out rate is their decision. We pay for their laziness as an unsuccessful human being. They are kids having kid after kid with zero income other than us paying for them, their housing, food ect. I for one am sick and tired of excuses for ANYONE too lazy to find a job expecting those of us that do work hard for what we have to pay for their upkeep. In my opinion...... If a person, not a child, doesn't find a job within a reasonable amount of time they should be cut from receiving Gov. assistance. What would be reasonable???? Certainly not year after year..
Justin Thyme Administrator Forum Sage (parsley and rosemary optional) member is offline
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Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #19 on Mar 11, 2013, 1:47pm »
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If a person, not a child, doesn't find a job within a reasonable amount of time they should be cut from receiving Gov. assistance. What would be reasonable???? Certainly not year after year..
Squeeze 'em tighter and they just become more desperate and violent. You and I are going to have to find a way to break the cycle because they don't seem to know how to do it themselves. If you and I do nothing it just gets worse.
JiT "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means that you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." ~Rick Warren
Joined: Apr 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 1,907 Location: somewhere in the boonies
Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #20 on Mar 11, 2013, 2:03pm »
"You and I" have tried to help them. You can not help those that do not want help. It's that simple. It's just an updated "you can lead a horse to water" adage.
I think the best thing "we" can do at this point is to hand out bullets and shooting lessons in schools instead of rubbers. Let the problem fix itself.
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Re: Trusting police: Culture needs investigation, « Reply #21 on Mar 11, 2013, 2:22pm »
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"You and I" have tried to help them. You can not help those that do not want help. It's that simple.
I'll agree. If you wait much after third grade you've lost them. They are already thugs at that point.
However, we still need to create jobs that are available to the people in that neighborhood. We are going to have to create educational programs that offer the people in those neighborhoods a chance at becoming employable. As poverty is reduced and as education levels rise and as unemployment levels fall you will see a huge reduction in crime and violence in those neighborhoods. You will also see the gangs shrink.
There is no other way to fix the problem. We either ignore the problem, which will make it grow larger, or we find ways to fix the problem. We can't afford to allow it to grow larger.
JiT "Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone's lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love someone means that you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don't have to compromise convictions to be compassionate." ~Rick Warren
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