A couple of months ago when I started PhatPhat Memoirs the Group on Facebook I posted a question about youth and their respect for police officers. From my various interactions and observations at different schools, I noticed that the students generally lacked any respect or fear of the police. Their actions indicated that the badge or uniform had no real meaning.
It appeared in most instances as if the children felt that the police were either on the same level as them or perhaps, below them. Interesting, I thought. I know that for the most part in my area the youth behavior and criminal activity is out of control and these teens have absolutely NO FEAR of consequences... my own teen included. I asked for several other individual's opinions or observations that they may have in regards to this issue and found that most shared the same opinion as me. Over the past couple of weeks, I have read or watched news stories about negative interactions with police and police officers engaging in criminal activity. A week or two ago, there was coverage in the local newspaper about a local female officer who was arrested in another state for transporting 48 pounds of marijuana. It was indicated that the officer and her companion were being charged with drug trafficking. The officer posted bail and then failed to appear in court for her formal appearance. Is this the example that should be set by an officer of the law? Not only have you broken the law, now you refuse to be held accountable! Check out the article below.
http://truenewsusa.blogspot.com/2012/10/police-officer-marla-guye-was-going-to.html
This morning as I watched the news, it was reported that yet another local officer has engaged in inappopriate behavior. In this instance, an on duty officer is shown in a video posted to YouTube. In the video, the officer has the police department issued vehicle as a prop in the video (didn't even have sense enough to block out the city or car #), he is in full uniform, and the rapper and other individuals are shown. These individuals are displaying guns, throwing up gang signs, and even make mention of smoking weed in the presence of the police. My question is, how can the youth have any respect for law enforcement if they are engaging in or associating themselves with negative behavior? If the officer is condoning the use of weapons and gang affiliation, how can they in turn reprimand/arrest others for doing the same? What's even more puzzling to me is why would the officer even allow this to be recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Do not trained officers use various forms of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to incriminate individuals in crimes? It is almost as if they feel that they are untouchable or rather, it is okay to enforce the law, but there is no need for them to abide by the law. With such actions, it's no wonder why the morale or respect for law enforcement officers is low. There are several other instances of local officers engaging in criminal and unlawful behavior, not just in my community, but communities everywhere. To add insult to injury, the laws are protecting these officers in a way that makes it appalling that they are not readily held accountable for their actions. No firing, no suspension w/o pay, etcetera. Instead they are moved to other duties that involve less contact or communication with people until a review is completed.Talk about job security! Read the article regarding this particular case and share your thoughts or comments.
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/16172900-537/gary-officer-transferred-to-police-garage-after-rap-video-surfaces.html
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