• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Monday, October 2, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
      • Photo of the Week
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Accountability impacts how communities perceive law enforcement

by Wayne Nealis
August 24, 2016
4
SHARES
76
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn
Photo by Tony Webster published under Creative Commons License
Photo by Tony Webster published under Creative Commons License

This must be said: The burden and responsibility falls on law enforcement and political leaders to stop the systemic police brutality and killing that created the context in which a former U.S. soldier snapped and killed police officers in Dallas. The protests of African American communities and Black Lives Matter are not responsible for his actions as some conservative pundits, law enforcement and political figures suggest.

Micah X. Johnson’s moral center tragically collapsed as a reaction to decades-long failure of law enforcement to police its own ranks and reform its practices and attitudes toward communities of color. To think a Dallas situation would not happen sooner or later is to be in denial of the potential consequences of systemic police brutality that goes on with impunity. Especially, in a nation haunted by mass shootings. These are strong words, but they must be said.

Of course, we grieve for the families and loved ones of the Dallas officers who died. In his pathological state Johnson considered all White officers guilty by association. He endangered thousands of people of all colors and backgrounds. His actions cannot be excused. But as a society, if we do not understand Dallas within the historical record of racism that still permeates our society and law enforcement, we will fail to take the necessary steps the long struggle for justice demands.

Law enforcement officials responding to Dallas say they feel besieged and unappreciated, instead of taking responsibility for their own conduct and policies. Bill Johnson, executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations, told The Washington Post that officers “feel unfairly painted with a broad brush.”

Locally, John Ohl, the recently retired police chief of the St. Anthony Police Department, that patrols Falcon Heights where Philando Castile was killed, told St. Paul blogger William “Bill” Lindeke that “nothing’s significantly broken,” referring to law enforcement in the U.S. These arguments can only be described as denial in the face of decades of evidence.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

In July, four off-duty Minneapolis officers working a Lynx game exhibited this attitude of denial. Lynx players wore black t-shirts to protest the recent killings. Their shirts listed the names of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile as well as the emblem of the Dallas police department and the slogan “Black Lives Matter.” The officers walked off the job in protest. Police union president, Lt. Bob Kroll, commended the officers’ action.

Is this a way to show respect for the family of Sterling and Castile? Doesn’t it indicate these officers consider these killings were justified, that Black people’s grievances are not legitimate? What are Black people to think of such officers as they patrol their community?

Police Chief Harteau, while not condoning the walk off, issued a statement the following week that in the face of the tense circumstances was disappointing. “I am proud of our profession and the service our officers provide on a daily basis. Accountability is a must but police officers also deserve and need public support.”

Accountability? Jamar Clark, no charges. Terrance Franklin, no charges. A Star Tribune survey of 148 deaths at the hands of law enforcement in Minnesota since 2000 found not one officer has been held accountable for the death of unarmed people, Black, White or any other.

Taxpayers on the other hand in Minneapolis and St. Paul have been held accountable for officers’ brutality, killing and misconduct: to the tune of $17 million since 2006, with more lawsuits pending.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The last significant democratic reform of law enforcement came in the 1960s when police departments across the nation were forced to hire people of color. This has contributed to strengthening the connections between law enforcement and peoples of our diverse nation.

Yet, in the past couple decades after hundreds of studies and federal investigations into police misconduct and after implementing reforms and training regimes the killing and profiling continues unabated.

Our existing system of law enforcement cannot be reformed. It must be reinvented on new moral, institutional and legal framework and with a new purpose. This transformation must begin with a dialogue with communities and by taking steps to empower citizens to evaluate and hire officers and set policing standards, conduct and roles. It means moving toward community control of police.

 

Wayne Nealis welcomes reader response to wynnls@hotmail.com.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

 

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

$10,000 reward offered in fatal shooting of grandmother in North Mpls

Next Post

Author and political pundit Marc Lamont Hill laments war on America’s vulnerable

Wayne Nealis

You Might Also Like

Gavin Newsom appoints Laphonza Butler to replace Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate
National

Gavin Newsom appoints Laphonza Butler to replace Dianne Feinstein in the U.S. Senate

Photo of the Week: Barbie back-to-school party
Photo Galleries

Photo of the Week: Barbie back-to-school party

Why exploring a corn maze should top your family activity list
Health & Wellness

Why exploring a corn maze should top your family activity list

Eat the rainbow: why vegetables of every color belong on your plate
Health & Wellness

Eat the rainbow: why vegetables of every color belong on your plate

The top-rated apps for couples to budget together
Business

The top-rated apps for couples to budget together

Prosecutors charge Nevada man for the murder of Tupac Shakur
Arts & Culture

Prosecutors charge Nevada man for the murder of Tupac Shakur

Next Post
Author and political pundit Marc Lamont Hill laments war on America’s vulnerable

Author and political pundit Marc Lamont Hill laments war on America’s vulnerable

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Sep 12
September 12 @ 6:30 pm-December 18 @ 9:30 pm Recurring

Vic Volare Presents MUSIC FOR MARTINIS ft: Vic’s Fabulous Nightclub Academy

Oct 3
October 3 @ 8:30 am-October 4 @ 5:30 pm

Insects: Little Body, Big Impact | Nobel Conference 59 | Virtual or In-Person

Oct 4
6:00 pm-8:00 pm

An Evening with Liz Cheney

Oct 5
8:00 pm-10:00 pm Recurring

Dianne McIntrye Group In the Same Tongue

View Calendar
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Read our latest e-Edition!

PHOTO: Barbie back-to-school party

A Barbie back to school party.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Women’s Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: