Our nation witnessed many tragedies this week. Of them, the killing of a black man, Alton Sterling, 37, who was restrained and shot multiple times. Sterling reported having been armed, although it did not pose a threat. A witness stated, "The gun was never anywhere in his hand, nor his hand wasn't near, inside his pocket.” The witness continued, "They told him not to move, he was asking them what he did wrong,” (via CNN). The unfortunate encounter was caught on video.
Also recorded, was the shooting of another black man, Philando Castile, 32, who was shot at a traffic stop for reaching for his license. The killing was live-streamed by the woman in the passenger seat before the officer took her phone. Her daughter, four, was in the back seat. The woman stated, “He let the officer know that he had a firearm, and he was reaching for his wallet, and the officer just shot him in his arm” (via Washington Post). According to the Washington Post, Castile was the “506th person shot and killed by police so far in 2016.”
Sadly and outrageously, these are not the first two innocent black men killed by white officers in the United States. Just in 2016 alone, 123 black people have been shot by a member of the police force, according to The Washington Post. According to another poll, only “25 percent of Americans [said] they have a great deal of confidence in the police” in 2015 (Gallup).
It is evident that America is in dire need of stricter hiring regulations for police officers. This would include mandatory psychological testing along with their academy training. While it may not resolve every issue, a more selective hiring process would help weed out the bad cops, including those who are racist, power hungry, less skilled individuals who are not capable of lawfully fulfilling their duties. No one should defend officers in the wrong. High ranking officers need to take responsibility for those under them who have been hired to protect their communities.The sooner morally wrong behavior is rightfully handled, the safer everyone will be nationwide.
Some police departments have hired outside licensed psychologists to do psychological testing; however, “budget constraints” prevents this from being an ongoing process. This indicates the mental health of law enforcement isn’t a priority. It just doesn’t make sense.
In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes, ”Candidates for appointment usually attend a training academy before becoming an officer.” This clearly indicates that an armed person with great authority, one we expect to protect us, may not even be thoroughly trained enough to do so.
America is long overdue for a serious law enforcement revision; however, there are good cops, dedicated officers who have chosen this often thankless and potentially fatal profession because they want to make a difference. This week’s killings sparked off a deadly witch hunt of white police officers, innocent and merely doing their jobs to protect and keep order during protests. We should all be outraged and saddened with the circle of violence.
Thank you to all who justly serve and protect our country. Peace to all.
