2008 Woodie Awards
Police brutality should be reported by citizens
By: Amber Russell
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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St. Louis is making changes regarding procedures and job applicants, according to an article posted on the KSDK Web site.
"City leaders are now reviewing police department policies and procedures, as well as looking at ways to change background checks and hiring procedures." According to a New York Times article in July 2007, reports made by New York citizens about discourtesy and misconduct of police have risen 47 percent in five years. In response, the NYPD epartment implemented new guidelines to make police officers more friendly and polite, including role playing for cadets to respond to interracial and unusual situations.
This may be a step in the right direction to get officers to be more courteous. St. Louis city officials are right in implementing stricter background checks for applicants and reviewing department policies. The city and counties should start at police academies and make sure correct procedures are being taught. Academy supervisors should pay closer attention to how the cadets respond to certain situations during their training.
The American Civil Liberties Union has suggestions for a person stopped by the police. Some of these include: don't resist, don't complain and don't make any statements. Remember an officer's badge number and write it down along with anything you remember regarding the incident. If you feel your rights have been violated, the ACLU suggests filing a written complaint with the police department's internal affairs division or to call the ACLU hotline. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and others when it comes to your rights. Even those who have broken the law are still entitled to certain rights and should not be treated like dogs. If more people reported crooked cops and more police stations took these incidents seriously, these situations would not occur. Know your rights and report any abuse.
"City leaders are now reviewing police department policies and procedures, as well as looking at ways to change background checks and hiring procedures." According to a New York Times article in July 2007, reports made by New York citizens about discourtesy and misconduct of police have risen 47 percent in five years. In response, the NYPD epartment implemented new guidelines to make police officers more friendly and polite, including role playing for cadets to respond to interracial and unusual situations.
This may be a step in the right direction to get officers to be more courteous. St. Louis city officials are right in implementing stricter background checks for applicants and reviewing department policies. The city and counties should start at police academies and make sure correct procedures are being taught. Academy supervisors should pay closer attention to how the cadets respond to certain situations during their training.
The American Civil Liberties Union has suggestions for a person stopped by the police. Some of these include: don't resist, don't complain and don't make any statements. Remember an officer's badge number and write it down along with anything you remember regarding the incident. If you feel your rights have been violated, the ACLU suggests filing a written complaint with the police department's internal affairs division or to call the ACLU hotline. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself and others when it comes to your rights. Even those who have broken the law are still entitled to certain rights and should not be treated like dogs. If more people reported crooked cops and more police stations took these incidents seriously, these situations would not occur. Know your rights and report any abuse.
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