Police: Guilty before innocent?

Dusk had turned to darkness, but the headlights were off on the car humming down the road. An alert police officer pulled the driver over, because, in addition to the obvious dangers, driving without lights is a common indication of DUI.

The fact that the driver was Black, and the officer white, was completely irrelevant, as the officer flags everyone in that situation exactly the same way.

Turns out that the gentleman was driving a new car, and had inadvertently thought his lights were automatic — an easy mistake given the brightness of the busy street. The traffic stop was the way it should be: An officer doing his job in a colorblind, non-prejudicial way, and the driver exhibiting courtesy and understanding.

But as the two were exchanging parting pleasantries, a white driver zooming by injected his bias without the benefit of facts, screaming: “Leave him alone, racist!”

And there you have it: Policing in America 2021, where cops are guilty until proven otherwise. And that “guilt” encompasses everything from corruption to double standards to, of course, racism.

In light of the Derek Chauvin trial, as well as the never-ending array of sensationalized (and often misleading) media stories highlighting police shootings, here’s a look at the truth surrounding police, and the people whom they protect.

Do police need reforms? Absolutely.

But let’s be crystal clear. Pushing for reforms in no way implies that the majority of police tactics are wrong. In fact, it’s the opposite; most policies are fair and just. Obviously, however, since things change and nothing is perfect, the goal should always be “striving to improve” — the same objective, by the way, that applies to every line of work on the planet. From pilots to painters to pastry chefs, every profession, and every professional, has room for improvement.

But lately it seems that only law enforcement is getting singled out for “reform,” often being chastised by those with an elitist sneer who imply, or outright claim, that most police are deeply flawed.

It’s not true. It’s wrong. And it absolutely has to stop.

The 26-year police veteran of Brooklyn Center, Minn., who fired her gun instead of a taser made a terrible mistake, and the chips must fall where they may for her (though jail time would be a colossal waste of time and resources). But anyone saying that her action was not a mistake, and that the killing was intentional, is either clueless or has an agenda. The video clearly shows her calling for the taser, as well as her reaction of horror after realizing her mistake.

There have been calls from the left to disarm police during traffic stops. In reality, that policy would cost a fortune.

What will the cost to the community be when police make a grand total of zero vehicle stops? And make no mistake: There won’t be any. The two most dangerous situations for any officer are traffic stops (since cops have no idea of the intent of the occupants) and domestic disputes, which may well fall under the mayor’s idea of other “situations that don’t necessarily call for weapons.”

What is the cost to the family whose mother is killed by the drunk driver who might have been stopped if not for the insane policy? Or a baby killed by the driver gleefully blowing through red lights with no fear of repercussion — and T-bones the car? Or the drug dealers who continue peddling their death because they aren’t stopped, and their stash never discovered, even though they were swerving or had a broken taillight?

Congresswoman Maxine Waters was asked what protesters should do if there aren’t guilty verdicts on all counts. Her response: “We’ve got to stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business … I hope we’re going to get a verdict that will say guilty, guilty, guilty. And if we don’t, we cannot go away.”

This author gives the benefit of the doubt to the Congresswoman that her words are not intended to incite violence, but time will tell, though it must be noted that the Judge in the Chauvin trial stated: “… Congresswoman Waters may have given you something on appeal that may result in this whole trial being overturned.”

One thing is certain: When widespread violence erupts, no one is safe. So how ironic that the very people protecting dignitaries like Maxine Waters will be police officers.

Just hope they have guns. And that’s no cop-out.