R.I.P Officer Friendly

 

         Police Brutality and The   Militarization of Law Enforcement              

             By Ian Blake, 2015

 

     The recent militarization of domestic police forces/law enforcement agencies over the past 50 years provides a serious threat to US internal security. Every citizen’s well-being (Rights, safety and protection) are compromised under this current societal construct. Police related murders, injuries, and violations of Civil Rights have increased dramatically throughout the aforementioned duration invoking fear, distrust, and hostility amongst the US population directed toward various police departments across the country.

 

     The relevance and intensity of this discussion must never be underestimated. The very presence of such a terrifying reality violates core ideals of American society. It challenges every citizen’s right to equal protection under the law, rewards rogue segments of law enforcement nationally, and threatens the lives of everyday people who are often rendered powerless in situations where armed police officers utilize excessive/deadly force unnecessarily. African American communities are specifically susceptible to violent confrontations with law enforcement.

 

The poverty, economic/educational inequity, and political isolation of this particular section of the US populace renders it a feasible/frequent target of police aggression.

 

“Nearly two times a week in the United States, a white police officer killed a black person during a seven-year period ending in 2012, according to the most recent accounts of justifiable homicide reported to the FBI.”(Heath, 2014 USA Today)

    

     The recent tragedies of African American men killed by law enforcement over the last decade reinforce this fact. More damaging, insulting and horrifying are the multiple accounts of police acquittals in these said circumstances. The Trayvon Martin(2012) incident in Florida, Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri(2013), and the recent death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, Maryland(2015) have invoked a national fervor among many Americans in general and Black Americans in particular. In each instance, the officers who pulled the trigger have evaded prison sentences or have been suspended with pay.  

 

     This indicates a serious divide between law enforcement and the communities it has pledged to serve and protect. It is thus a critical social problem that cries out to be resolved. The militarization of police forces is a gradual phenomenon which began to evolve from the turbulent demonstrations and riots of the late '1960s. At the time, America was in domestic turmoil. Anti-war protestors clashed with police officers at the 1968 democratic convention. The year of 1967 would prove to be very explosive. Riots erupted in several cities across the nation over the economic, political, and educational isolation that Black America had experienced for centuries.

 

     In Oakland, California, The Black Panther Party for Self Defense was formed by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966 as a response to predominantly white police forces brutalizing/mistreating Black residents. The Panthers, as they were called, would form armed community police patrols to defend the physical well being of Black communities from the vicious attacks of racist police squads. It was an innovation that spread like wildfire throughout the urban ghettoes of America. There was open talk of Marxist/Socialist revolution on college campuses. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in April of 1968 would place additional fuel to the fire as the country erupted in flames in the aftermath.

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      Amid this social turmoil, were the Watts riots of 1965. This is a critical turning point and the origin of what we know now as the S.W.A.T(Special Weapons and Tactics) team. Devised by LAPD officer Daryl Gates in an attempt to regulate urban guerilla warfare( Molotov cocktails, rooftop snipers, separate pockets of resistance etc.) Gates would look to the US military for strategic resolutions to the chaos that local police departments had no immediate answer for. Vietnam was in full swing and many platoons were facing similar instances of guerilla fighting in Southeast Asia

 

     The result of this consultation and training would be the first organized SWAT team in 1969. Though authoritative brutality had existed on US soil for centuries, most notably by white militia/mobs against former slaves/Black Americans; the creation of modernized SWAT teams would add military tactics, equipment and ammunition to domestic police forces.

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     This would lead to countless home invasions, drug busts and authorized assassinations; most notably that of Chicago Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton Sr., who was shot to death in a SWAT raid on December 4th, 1969.

 

“The images on the news of police wearing helmets and masks, toting assault rifles, and riding in mine-resistant armored vehicles are not isolated incidents—they represent a nationwide trend of police militarization. Federal programs providing surplus military equipment, along with departments’ own purchases, have outfitted officers with firepower that is often far beyond what is necessary for their jobs as protectors of their communities. Sending a heavily armed team of officers to perform “normal” police work can dangerously escalate situations that need never have involved violence.”(ACLU, 2015)

 

     Since the Reagan Administration launched the infamous " War On Drugs" in the early '1980s, the SWAT has become the standard concept for law enforcement across the nation. Where officers in prior times wore but a service revolver, badge and uniform; Today’s officers brandish bulletproof vests, assault rifles, combat boots, night sticks, walkie talkies, and taser-guns while driving armored vehicles. Military style helicopters have been adopted as well as illegal detainment centers to interrogate and torture suspects with the intention of forcing confessions and providing incriminating information.

 

     I can personally attest to this reality. In 2010, my home was invaded by 7 SWAT tactical officers in search of an escaped convict whom I didn’t even know solely because we shared the same last name.

They didn’t issue a warrant. When I opened the door to inquire of what business they were conducting, they rushed in without my permission. To resist them may have proven deadly, so I relented knowing there was no criminal inside whom I had given refuge to. It is frightening to say the least when you have heavily armed men whom you’ve never seen in your life bombarding your house in the presence of your children and family. It is also alarming, insulting, and disrespectful.

     If anyone of us had taken offense or acted with hostility due to our rights being violated we could’ve been killed in an instant in front of the others. This is the reality African Americans encounter daily in their interactions with police. It is literally life or death circumstances

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     The law means nothing if you cannot pay representation to translate and uphold it in a court of law. Even in instances where this is possible, there is a travesty of justice in many situations where the officers are acquitted, suspended with pay, or demoted to a lower paying job. This denotes an acceptance of rogue and bestial behavior in the court systems and criminal justice legislation.

The police patrol Black and Latino communities as marines/standing armies occupy territory. Thus, the war on drugs translates to an assault on poor Blacks, Latinos, and Whites who cannot afford the rigors of legally challenging unjust practices of rogue cops who are legally, politically, financially, and morally supported by an elitist power structure. Quinney addresses this dilemma in his Conflict Theory

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“Conflict theorists maintain that those in power define crime in a way that protects their self-interest and maintains their privilege. One of the perspective's most influential theorists, Richard Quinney (1970), called attention to the process of defining criminal behavior from a conflict perspective. Rather than examining the people who commit crime, he investigated the nature of society's laws. Quinney challenged the

conventional wisdom that criminals are somehow flawed or ill. He pointed out that politicians establish laws and define crimes. He also noted that a society's laws change over time based on the political climate and the interests of the most powerful groups in society.”( Korgen, Furst, 2012)

 

 

     It stands reason that many Conflict and Race-Centered theorists view these modernized police forces as but military wings of a much larger political, legal, and financial web. They are the super wealthy whose best interest is to place a perpetual foot on the necks of the disenfranchised. This is enacted through the militarization of law enforcement. Massive incarceration, murder, and political isolation are instruments utilized for population control, political dominance, and economic usurpation. This creates separation, hostility, violence, and the eventual ruin of society. It contains an historical proven method of failure in every tyrannical empire that has ever existed.

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“In America, Black people are treated very much like the Vietnamese people or any other colonized people because we’re used and brutalized. The police in our area occupy our community as foreign troops occupy territory. They are there not to promote our welfare or for our security or safety. They are there to contain us, brutalize us and murder us because they have their orders to do so.”(Newton, 1969)

 

     I find it very alarming the number of Black men murdered by police over the past 25 years. This has to ring true for myself as I am an African American male subject to apprehension, detainment, and brutality by police at any given second. On May 18, 2006 at approximately 10:30 P.M., I had just left work. I was leaving a convenient store walking toward my car. Immediately two police cars carrying eight undercover narcotics detectives jumped out and detained me. I wasn’t read my rights, I had no drugs or controlled substance in my possession and I wasn’t intoxicated. I was shaken and angered that they would violate my rights by such action.  

 

     I questioned them and they responded with expletives that I should shut up because this is routine. I didn’t shut up. I reminded them that if they perform their jobs correctly, this conversation would be rendered non-existent. Apparently that statement triggered their boiling point. One officer took a wire found from somewhere and attacked me from the back choking me while I was handcuffed. The others started punching and kicking me then rushed me to the ground where they continued the assault beating me with night sticks. I actually thought I was going to die that night. I had started to feel so faint from not being able to breathe that I could barely feel the blows and kicks. My face was swollen and bruised. My throat swelled considerably and I could hardly talk for 2 weeks. I had aches all over and had to be admitted to the hospital.

 

     Upon my release and reporting the incident to Internal Affairs, I experienced post-traumatic symptoms. I was fearful of walking the streets or driving. I contacted a lawyer but was hesitant to move on with the lawsuit because I feared retaliation from the officers involved. To add insult to injury, Internal Affairs sent me a letter a month later saying that my case was inconclusive and they wouldn’t discipline the officers. There were many witnesses that night who agreed to testify on my behalf. After contacting them to confirm if Internal Affairs had interviewed them, not one of them said they had been called or interviewed. I decided that I would press full charges and pursue the lawsuit which I eventually won. I was infuriated to say the least yet still weary from the experience and fearful of retaliation.

 

     Mine is just one story of multiple across the country. In both personal experiences I noted, the possibility of death was real and imminent. Even now I am noticeably tensed and watchful of any feint movements I might make when interacting with police whether it’s a traffic stop or an officer simply asking me a question. Many others were not as fortunate as I. Many have lost their lives at a relatively young age due to the sick, vicious, and barbaric attacks by lunatics in uniform. I grieve for the families of those shot down in the street who must powerlessly watch as some murderer walks free. It is the ultimate denial of humanity.

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     I am certain that there are more of us who are decent human beings in this country than not. This is the faith and hope that I carry in thinking toward possible resolutions concerning this complex problem. Firstly, I think that humanity must be respected by law enforcement. This must become a pre-requisite to becoming a policeman or detective. Assessments should be engineered to discover what type of person to whom we are actually giving a gun and a badge. Progressive dialogue between communities and the police who patrol them must be initiated. We must begin to become familiar with each other on a personal level.

 

     Demographics are also important elements in determining who polices who. There should never be an 85% White police force in a predominant Black, Latino, or Asian neighborhood. This also rings true for the reverse. Law abiding officers who are good people must report rogue/racist cops.

 

“When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”(Burke, 1770)

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     The Prison Industrial Complex must be disbanded. It is toxic for the nation, race-relations, and healthy communities therefore it is unnecessary. Lastly, there must be a Federal investigation of local and state police departments to make sure they are not infested with people associated with hate groups or bigotry. We must collectively protect each others’ humanity and expose/eliminate the poisons that disrupt harmony and accord amongst the American People. This is the only method that will allow us to actualize our Constitutional self image. Otherwise we must prepare for severe violence and social disruption in addition to other existing societal dysfunctions we already experience.

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                BLACK LIST

 

     Here is a list of Black people murdered in the United States by police over the last two years.

 

Freddie Gray 25      

Walter Scott 50
Bernard Moore 62
Lavall Hall 25
Jonathan Ryan Paul 42
Jamie Croom 31
Terry Garnett Jr. 37
Monique Jenee Deckard 43
Tony Terrell Robinson Jr. 19
Tyrone Ryerson Lawrence 45
Naeschylus Vinzant 37
Andrew Anthony Williams 48
Dewayne Deshawn Ward Jr. 29
Ledarius Williams 23
Yvette Henderson 38
Edward Donnell Bright, Sr. 56
Thomas Allen Jr. 34
Charley Leundeu Keunang, “Africa” 43
Fednel Rhinvil 25
Shaquille C. Barrow 20
Kendre Omari Alston 16
Brandon Jones 18
Darrell “Hubbard” Gatewood 47
Cornelius J. Parker 28
Ian Sherrod 40
Jermonte Fletcher 33
Darin Hutchins 26
Glenn C. Lewis 37
Calvon A. Reid 39
Tiano Meton 25
Demaris Turner 29
Isaac Holmes 19
A’Donte Washington 16
Terry Price 41
Stanley Lamar Grant 38
Askari Roberts 35
Dewayne Carr 42
Terrance Moxley 29
Theodore Johnson 64
Cedrick Lamont Bishop 30
Anthony Hill 27
Terence D. Walke 21
Janisha Fonville 20
Phillip Watkins 23
Anthony Bess 49
Desmond Luster, Sr. 45
James Howard Allen 74
Natasha McKenna 37
Herbert Hill 26
Markell Atkins 36
Kavonda Earl Payton 39
Rodney Walker 23
Donte Sowell 27
Mario A. Jordan 34
Artago Damon Howard 36
Andre Larone Murphy Sr. 42
Marcus Ryan Golden 24
Brian Pickett 26
Hashim Hanif Ibn Abdul-Rasheed 41
Ronald Sneed 31
Leslie Sapp III 47
Matthew Ajibade 22

Here are the names of Black people killed by police in 2014 (R.I.P)

Kevin Davis, 44
Eric Tyrone Forbes, 28
Jerame C. Reid, 36
David Andre Scott, 28
Quentin Smith, 23
Terrence Gilbert, 25
Carlton Wayne Smith, 20
Gregory Marcus Gray, 33
Antonio Martin, 18
Tyrone Davis, 43
Xavier McDonald, 16
Brandon Tate-Brown, 26
Dennis Grisgby, 35
Michael D. Sulton, 23
Thurrell Jowers, 22
Travis Faison, 24
Calvin Peters, 49
Christopher Bernard Doss, 41
Jerry Nowlin, 39
William Mark Jones, 50
Rumain Brisbon, 34
Lincoln Price, 24
Eric Ricks, 30
Leonardo Marquette Little, 33
Tamir E. Rice, 12
Akai Gurley, 28
Myron De’Shawn May, 39
Keara Crowder, 29
Tanisha N. Anderson, 37
Darnell Dayron Stafford, 31
David Yearby, 27
Aura Rosser, 40
Carlos Davenport, 51
Cinque DJahspora, 20
Rauphael Thomas, 29
Christopher M. Anderson, 27
Charles Emmett Logan, 68
John T. Wilson, III, 22
Christopher Mason McCray, 17
Kaldrick Donald, 24
Zale Thompson, 32
Terrell Lucas, 22
Ronnie D. McNary, 44
Adam Ardett Madison, 28
Balantine Mbegbu, 65
Elisha Glass, 20
Qusean Whitten, 18
Vonderrit Myers Jr., 18
O’Shaine Evans, 26
Latandra Ellington, 36
Aljarreau Cross, 29
Iretha Lilly, 37
Lashano J. Gilbert, 31
Miguel Benton, 19
Eugene Williams, 38
Tracy A. Wade, 39
Javonta Darden, 20
Marlon S. Woodstock, 38
Oliver Jarrod Gregoire, 26
Nolan Anderson, 50
Cameron Tillman, 14
John Jolly Jr., 28
Charles Smith, 29
Michael Willis Jr., 42
Briant Paula, 26
Kashad Ashford, 23
Carrey Brown, 26
Ceasar Adams, 36
Ricky Deangelo Hinkle, 47
Elijah Jackson, 33
Darrien Nathaniel Hunt, 22
Shawn Brown, 20
Alphonse Edward Perkins, 50
Naim Owens, 22
Kendrick Brown, 35
Eugene N. Turner III, 28
Ronald Singleton, 45
Jeremy Lewis, 33
Vernicia Woodward, 26
Cortez Washington, 32
Steven Lashone Douglas, 29
Desean Pittman, 20
Roshad McIntosh, 18
Anthony Lamar Brown, 39
Arvel Douglas Williams, 30
Darius Cole-Garrit, 21
Kajieme Powell, 25
David Ellis, 29
Luther Lathron Walker, 38
Andre Maurice Jones, 37
Frederick R. Miller, 38
Michelle Cusseaux, 50
Dante Parker, 36
Corey Levert Tanner, 24
Ezell Ford, 25
Robert Baltimore, 34
Dustin Keith Glover, 27
Eddie Davis, 67
Michael Brown, Jr., 18
Michael Laray Dozer, 26
John Crawford III, 22
Daniel Row, 37
Jacorey Calhoun, 23
Anthony Callaway, 27
Patrick Small, 27
Harrison Carter, 29
Vamond Arqui Elmore, 37
Donovan Bayton, 54
Charles Leon Johnson, II, 29
Briatay McDuffie, 19
Jonathan L. Williams, 25
Eric Garner, 43
Dominique Charon Lewis, 23
Michael Reams, 47
Lawrence Campbell, 27
Kenny Clinton Walker, 23
Tyshawn Hancock, 37
Charles Goodridge, 53
Cedric Stanley, 35
Ennis Labaux, 37
Warren Robinson, 16
Christopher Jones, 30
Icarus Randolph, 26
Jacqueline Nichols, 64
Jerry Dwight Brown, 41
Nyocomus Garnett, 35
Rodney Hodge, 33
Paul Ray Kemp Jr., 40
Dennis Hicks, 29
Samuel Johnson, 45
Lavon King, 20
Antoine Dominique Hunter, 24
Samuel Shields, 49
Juan May, 45
Denzell Curnell, 19
Ismael Sadiq, 30
Devaron Ricardo Wilburn, 21
John Schneider, 24
Jason Harrison, 38
Frank Rhodes, 61
Roylee Vell Dixon, 48
Broderick Johnson, 21
David Latham, 35
Lonnie Flemming, 31
Steven Thompson, 26
Thomas Dewitt Johnson, 28
Frank McQueen, 34
Sandy Jamel McCall, 33
Quintico Goolsby, 36
Dominique Franklin, Jr., 23
George V. King, 19
James Renee White Jr., 21
Devante Kyshon Hinds, 21
Pearlie Golden, 93
Jerome Dexter Christmas, 44
Armand Martin, 50
Dontre H. Hamilton, 31
Joe Huff, 86
Emmanuel Wooten
Matthew Walker, 55
Daniel Christoph Yealu, 29
Adrian Williams, 29
Gregory Towns, 24
Jameel Kareem Ofurum Harrison, 34
Zikarious Jaquan Flint, 20
Raason Shaw, 20
DeAndre Lloyd Starks, 27
Douglas Cooper, 18
Winfield Carlton Fisher III, 32
Deosaran Maharaj, 51
Daniel Martin, 47
Emerson Clayton Jr., 21
Rebecca Lynn Oliver, 24
Treon “Tree” Johnson, 27
Gabriella Monique Nevarez, 22
Marquise Jones, 23
Kenneth Christopher Lucas, 38
Keith Atkinson, 31
Yvette Smith, 45
D’Andre Berghardt Jr., 20
Stephon Averyhart, 27
Anthony Bartley, 21
Earnest Satterwhite, Sr., 68
Anneson Joseph, 28
Alton Reaves, 31
McKenzie Cochran, 25
Cornelius Turner, 19
Eldrin Loren Smart, 31
Henry Jackson, 19
Jordan Baker, 26
Gregory Vaughn Hill Jr., 30
Paul Smith, 58
Jeffrey Ragland, 50
Kendall Alexander, 34

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-Ian Blake is a behavioral science major, artist/activist, Chicago Hip Hop pioneer and freelancer who writes web content, ad copy, poetry/prose, songs, and much more.

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     -Dedicated to the loving memories of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

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                   References

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• Social Problems: Cause and Responses( Korgen, Furst, 2012)

• The Rise of the Warrior Cop: The militarization of America’s Police Forces(Balko, Rodney 2013)

• Police Militarization: (American Civil Liberties Union website 2015)

https://www.aclu.org/issues/criminal-law-reform/reforming-police-practices/police-militarization

• Local Police Involved in 400 killings per year(Heath, Robert usatoday.com)

 

• In-Jail Interview with Huey P. Newton(Newton 1969)

 

• Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents 82-83 (1770) in: Select Works of Edmund Burke, vol. 1, p. 146 (Liberty Fund ed. 1999).

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