TOP COP APOLOGIZES:
Points to officers’ role in ‘historical mistreatment’
The president of America’s largest police organization issued a formal apology Monday to the nation’s minority population “for the actions of the past and the role that our profession has played in society’s historical mistreatment of communities of color.”
The president of America’s largest police organization issued a formal apology Monday to the nation’s minority population “for the actions of the past and the role that our profession has played in society’s historical mistreatment of communities of color.”
Terrence Cunningham, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, delivered his remarks at the group’s convention in San Diego. The IACP membership includes 23,000 police officials in the United States.
The statement was issued on behalf of the IACP and comes as police executives grapple with tense relationships between officers and minority groups in the wake of high-profile civilian deaths in Missouri, South Carolina, Minnesota, Maryland and elsewhere; the sometimes violent citizen protests that have ensued; and the ambush killings of officers in Dallas, Baton Rouge, La., and other cities across the U.S. Police chiefs have long recognized the need to maintain good relations with their communities, of all races, and not allow an us-vs.them mentality to take root. Cunningham’s comments are seen as an acknowledgment of police departments’ past role in exacerbating tensions and a way to move forward and improve community relations nationwide.
“Events over the past several years,” Cunningham said, “have caused many to question the actions of our officers and (have) tragically undermined the trust that the public must and should have in their police departments. ... The history of the law enforcement profession is replete with examples of bravery, self-sacrifice and service to the community. At its core, policing is a noble profession.”
Cunningham, the chief of police in Wellesley, Mass., added: “At the same time, it is also clear that the history of policing has also had darker periods.” He cited laws that “have required police officers to perform many unpalatable tasks. ... While this is no longer the case, this dark side of our shared history has created a multigenerational — almost inherited — mistrust be- tween many communities of color and their law enforcement agencies.”
Cunningham continued: “While we obviously cannot change the past, it is clear that we must change the future. ... For our part, the first step is for law enforcement and the IACP to acknowledge and apologize for the actions of the past and the role that our profession has played in society’s historical mistreatment of communities of color.”
He concluded: “It is my hope that, by working together, we can break this historic cycle of mistrust and build a better and safer future for us all.”
The IACP members present for Cunningham’s speech gave him a standing ovation, IACP spokeswoman Sarah Guy said.
After his comments, Cunningham told The Washington Post in an email that “we have 16,000 police chiefs and law enforcement officials gathered here in San Diego and it is an important message to spread. Communities and law enforcement need to begin a healing process and this is a bridge to begin that dialogue. If we are brave enough to collectively deliver this message, we will build a better and safer future for our communities and our law enforcement officers. Too many lives have been lost already, and this must end.”
The reaction outside the convention was mixed.
Campaign Zero cofounder DeRay Mckesson of Baltimore said he looked forward to Cunningham’s comments being backed up by structural changes to policing and the criminal justice system.
Charlene Carruthers, national director for Chicagobased BYP100, said an apology didn’t go far enough.
Lt. Bob Kroll, head of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, thought Cunningham’s statement went too far. In his city, two white officers fatally shot a black man last November.
“Our profession is under attack right now and what we don’t need is chiefs like him perpetuating that we are all bad guys in law enforcement,” Kroll said. “I think it’s an asinine statement.”
Garland Pruitt, president of the NAACP’s Oklahoma City branch, said the apology was “way overdue.” An unarmed black man was fatally shot by a Tulsa officer last month.
“It lets folks know there is a thing called compassion,” Pruitt said.