Bradshaw seeks a distraction by emphasizing disrespect

There is no excuse for the despicable behavior a 62-year-old woman recently displayed toward a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy who pulled her over for speeding.

““You know what? No wonder you people get shot,” Joy Feinberg said to the deputy who gave her a $600 ticket for driving 51 mph in a 20 mph school zone. “You’re absolute a-------.”

The dash camera video of Feinberg cursing at the deputy for doing his job has gone viral with more than 2 million views, and social media has ripped the Boynton Beach resident for her caustic tongue.

That’s undoubtedly the response Sheriff Ric Bradshaw was looking for when PBSO posted the video online. And when Bradshaw held a news conference last week, the department streamed live on the social media app Periscope.

“It’s good for people to see that this type of stuff exists,” Bradshaw said. “We endure this all the time.”

Some who watched the live broadcast questioned why the incident was worthy of such attention. Could be that it makes a good distraction for the sheriff of a department under increased scrutiny for questionable use of force.

Let’s not talk about how PBSO can shoot fewer unarmed individuals. Let’s talk about how this one reckless and entitled woman represents a “trend of disrespect” toward law enforcement.

Bradshaw noted that if a deputy had said something similar the public would have demanded his job. Indeed. We have a higher standard for those who carry guns and have our lives in their hands.

He also lamented the lack of sanctions for civilians who make such obscene statements. Of course not. We have a constitutional right to free speech.

I don’t blame Bradshaw for being angry with Feinberg. The vast majority of law enforcement officers are good, hard-working individuals who do a difficult and often thankless job. As a close friend who’s been a cop more than two decades told me, police “deal with people at their worst.”

That appeared to be the case for the deputy who cited Feinberg. Still, he behaved like a trained professional, demonstrating restraint and even thanking Feinberg before walking back to his car.

Unfortunately, too many officers don’t exhibit that level of professionalism. They unnecessarily escalate events and are too quick to draw their weapons or use bodily force. Too many citizens are dead or permanently injured as a result.

If there’s a trend of disrespect toward law enforcement, it didn’t happen in a vacuum. You can’t see video after video of police brutality and not become suspicious or fearful of cops. Unless, of course, you are one of the many who condone excessive force until you or someone you love is the victim.

The notion that cops don’t bother you unless you’re doing something wrong is nonsense. Numerous innocent people have had violent interactions with law enforcement through no fault of their own.

Just last week, a plain-clothed New York City cop body slammed former professional tennis player James Blake to the ground and handcuffed him because he looked like an identity theft suspect.

As Blake, who was waiting for a car to take him to the U.S. Open, pointed out on Good Morning America, the officer could have just asked him for identification. No one’s life was in danger.

“It was really just shocking,” Blake said. “I was standing there doing nothing. Not running. Not resisting. Smiling.” He planned to stay quiet but chose to speak up for the victims of excessive force who don’t have a voice. “This happens too often and most times not to someone like me.”

As an elected official, Bradshaw should be the voice of the citizens he is sworn to protect. When, however, was the last time he held a news conference to denounce the mistreatment of a resident by one of his deputies?

He said citizens and police must work together to improve relations. He’s absolutely right. He can start by inviting the same public attention to PBSO’s wrongs — and taking concrete steps to address them — as he has to Feinberg’s.

Rhonda Swan