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Can We Allow All Cops To Be Heroes?
When we hear horrendous stories about cops who shoot unarmed people, we rightfully are upset at the core corruption of our (in?) justice system.
That there is a very real disparity between the number of blacks and other people of color who are disproportionately injured by our societal sins makes the concern all the more relevant.
For me, it always prompts the same question: Why can’t we allow all our cops to be heroes?
If we began with the premise — hey, it’s already there on the side of some of their cars — that police officers are here to “protect and serve”, there is every reason to demand that if you enter that profession, you are training to become a hero.
A hero is happier than a grouchy pig
If we considered police work to be about heroic action rather than threat to certain communities, and general distrust in general, the problem of lethal injustice would eventually go away.
Racism does society no favors, and no one wants an authoritarian to be, or feel, like a “pig.” I do not think cops want to be considered pigs, and I don’t think our communities want to see them that way.
Having disproportionate “policing” and downright corruption when it comes to certain criminals (some would say people of…