THIS UNIFORM, AND MANY LIKE IT AROUND THE COUNTRY, MUST BEGIN TO MEAN SOMETHING!
THE USE OF FORCE: CHAPTER 720, ARTICLE 5, SECTION 7-5, OF THE ILLINOIS COMPLIED STATUTES.
With its pride, a badge should be worn with honor and symbolizes faith and trust once it’s received. Becoming a police officer meant that you were the very best and worthy of servicing your communities and representing your city. Now it’s moved from that recognition to another form of identity conveying the sheets worn by Klansman. This kind of treatment is sorely dated. There is NO honor, and there is NO pride when a few that virtually amounts to many go unpunished. Let’s attack the real issues and remind those what civil, unbiased, and fair means are. In law enforcement, there is NO room for prejudice. NO room for bigotry and NO room for one-sided views that benefit only a few of those who feel entitled. Where does the shame end where pride and integrity takes a seat that has long been vacant? How long will blacks continue to suffer the indignity of discrimination? How long will blacks be considered 3rd rate citizens? How long will it be before we have a voice, a voice that will be heard and advised upon, and not a sound that is tolerated and then overlooked? How long in America? What will it take for African Americans to be heard? To what will it take for blacks to be recognized as intelligent, educated contributors. To what will it take before decimation occurs? If you’re a believer in the bible, it won’t be long! Now, let’s move on!
To what do I owe this definition of IMMINENT DANGER? Only an explanation that sets my readers on the right track to understanding a life-threatening circumstance that warrants retaliation by an immediate response by a policeman to justifiably ‘kill’ another person. Is the term imminent being confused with racial intent? Yes! The days of ‘Amos & Andy, Stepin Fetchit, and Buckwheat have been long past. These stereotypical characters remain in white folks’ minds, where blacks have risen to unprecedented prominence, including the Presidency of these United States, all held within an America that fosters Peace, Justice, and Liberty for all.
So, let’s broaden the scope of ‘imminent danger’ as applied to any workplace hazard that places a police officer or any citizen at immediate risk of death or severe harm to move aggressively to protect himself. If this occurs, that police officer could justifiably, without repercussion, kill another human being. But killing is the final ‘curtain call,’ not the cure-all for any uncomfortable situation.
This phrase bears witness to the TRUE meaning of the ‘Use of Force, ‘ which categorically identifies the steps and procedures for administering fatal force to render a suspect helpless and under control. This example does not mean that an officer can ‘gun down’ a suspect without first carrying out all other alternatives to calm a situation before exercising an on the spot execution. Taking the time to diffuse a hostile environment verbally can save lives and speaks volumes to credible, professional policing. Every department around the country should administer policy and guidelines and carry out the punishment when necessary by supporting its department protocols. Every department has its own reference of GENERAL ORDERS that sets the tone for professional conduct within all police work scope. A gun in the hand of an untrained, uncaring bigot is a menu for disaster where points leading up to a fatal shooting are documented by other complaints that travel the path of NO reprimands whatsoever that would bring pause officer to avoid a suspension pending termination. None of the most recent incidents around the country, including Chicago, was there ever any mention of the Use of Force, which lends credible evidence that supports NO instance of ‘Imminent Danger.’ For an officer to move directly to pulling his weapon and taking aim constitutes time to ease a situation before something damaging happens. If a fight ensues, police officers are taught self-defense tactics to thwart most attacks. Police officers are trained to negotiate! They are taught how to utilize handcuffing techniques to bring down anyone. So the question becomes, why do so many of these officers elect to kill? The answer, because they can, and they can get away with it.
A recent post on Facebook where a little white girl held up a sign that read, “Would you shoot me if I held a knife, or a gun, even if you thought it was real?’ The response from many was NO; the little white girl’s life would have been spared. Every attempt to render precious time would take place on the spot. No questions, no regrets. When a department member engages a civilian, that officer will do so to afford that person the respect and dignity to wit all persons are entitled. The use of ‘excessive force’ or unnecessary physical force or any other unprofessional conduct by a department member w NOT be tolerated under any circumstances. All members will strictly adhere to the provisions of that department’s directive. That’s what I was taught, and now it’s NOT being enforced.
Black officers, which leads us to an entirely different set of rules, aren’t given the same consideration as their white counterparts. Black officers engaged in a physical altercation are compelled to toe the line or reap serious consequences. The pressure of black officers to conform and comply is staggering, and it’s no wonder why so many look for other means to cope. So what is considered ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ is no more than a sham meant only to benefit the other end of the ‘color spectrum.’
Justice for all, but not if you’re black!
This Article was Last Updated On: January 29, 2021