DA Rachael Rollins’ blasts serve only to undermine police
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins has high praise for the police. Unfortunately, her accolades come only after she has publicly blasted law enforcement officers.
In a post that remained on her Twitter page Wednesday afternoon, Rollins tweeted: “Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Tony McDade. Christian Cooper. While we are being murdered at will by the police & their proxy, privileged racists like Amy Cooper play the victim. No more apologies. No more words. Demand action. Radical change now. Nothing less.”
The Boston patrolmen’s union fired back at Rollins’ characterization of cops as murderers, and condemned her rhetoric as “reckless,” and the tweet “dangerous, divisive, and wholly unwarranted.”
“While you quickly and cavalierly label all police officers murderers, the fact is that BPD officers responded to violent attacks against them with courage and restraint,” the union wrote. “Instead of slandering our officers as murderers, you should be highlighting their professionalism and dedication to our City.”
It was not the DA’s only comment slamming police.
Rollins spoke at a press conference Monday with Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Police Commissioner William Gross, and addressed Sunday’s peaceful demonstrations that ended with looting and clashes with police.
While she did refer to “the hardworking men and women of the Boston Police Department, ” Rollins also spoke to those who protest: “It is completely ironic to have to say to you, ‘Please don’t be violent. Please keep your voice down. Please be silent and comply with all of the police’s requirements,’ when in fact it’s those very people that murder us with impunity,” Rollins said.
Her Tuesday night press release took a different tack:
“I state unequivocally, my discontent is not with the overwhelming majority of police officers who serve our communities with dignity and pride, who are culturally competent and bring honor to the badge they wear,” she said. “No, my outrage is laser focused on the rogue few who believe that they can kill with impunity.”
Rollins’ previous comments on the police were more buckshot than laser.
It isn’t the first time Rollins has walked back incendiary statements. Last month, the DA publicly referred to court-appointed attorneys as “overwhelmingly privileged,” not always responsive to their mostly poor clients of color.
She then insisted she wasn’t talking about all public defenders, but was speaking out for a man who said he could not reach his public defender.
“I should have made clearer in the moment that my response to James was never directed at, or intended for, the overwhelming majority of court-appointed lawyers who work tirelessly for their clients: accepting every collect call, working around the clock, speaking to families and loved ones, and currently putting themselves in harm’s way every time they visit a correctional facility to serve their clients,” Rollins said.
We are a nation roiled by protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. He has been arrested, and warrants were issued Wednesday for the three other officers at the scene. There is no question that this has once again spotlighted the lethal effects of racism, especially when it infiltrates the ranks of law enforcement.
But painting all officers with the same brush doesn’t create change, it only undermines the work of the majority of police who risk their lives to keep our communities safe.