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I suspect more than a few law enforcement chief officers are having these personal thoughts. Do they advise their officers to back off on self generated proactive policing. The upside in the short term is a projected reduction of risk to officers; a probable reduction in citizen complaints, and a quicker response time to calls for service due to officers being free to respond. The downside is, of course, more bad guys on the street, more guns on the street, and overall, less protection for the community. And, the perception that the "bad guys" are winning.
In many, many areas of the country, a cover unit is not just seconds away. Indeed, in many areas cover is either not available or 20-30 minutes away. Officers have got to be considering this when they are deciding if that car stop at 3:00 AM with four occupants is worth it. If it turns to excrement, will the community support them, or will the community throw them to the wolves?. It is just human to have these thoughts and has nothing to do with bravery.
Is it time to let the communities decide again what level of law enforcement they want? Is it time to allow the violent crime rate to set the tone? Should officers curtail their proactive policing.....If you are not thinking about this, I bet more than a few Chiefs are.
In many, many areas of the country, a cover unit is not just seconds away. Indeed, in many areas cover is either not available or 20-30 minutes away. Officers have got to be considering this when they are deciding if that car stop at 3:00 AM with four occupants is worth it. If it turns to excrement, will the community support them, or will the community throw them to the wolves?. It is just human to have these thoughts and has nothing to do with bravery.
Is it time to let the communities decide again what level of law enforcement they want? Is it time to allow the violent crime rate to set the tone? Should officers curtail their proactive policing.....If you are not thinking about this, I bet more than a few Chiefs are.
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