Is Racism A Factor? Questions about Unequal treatment by the Rochester Police Department

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 value (String, 9658 characters ) In addition to several other degrees and certif...
 
 In addition to several other degrees and certifications --- I hold an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science. My reason for mentioning this is to emphasize the point that I understand the fundamentals of good (as opposed to knee-jerk, wild-wild-west, reckless) police work, particularly as it relates to initial assessment of potential, dangerous situations. On the other hand, no degree is necessary in order to understand (based on scores of clear, historical evidence) that many cops, especially rookie, racist, white ones, have a tendency to demonstrate a lot more caution, respect, compassion, and constraint regarding the sanctity and sacredness of human life --- when dealing with potentially dangerous white folk ---as opposed to those of African descent. The thoughts below regarding this critical issue were inspired by two Letters to the editor (D&C, March 23, 2006).  <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/police-car2_small.jpg"> The two above referenced Letters to the editor (below) are concerned with the latest in a long string of situations that span four decades, in which members of the Rochester Police Department have responded to domestic dispute calls, and ended up killing members of the families that called them. In considering this reality, one letter - writer wants us to "put aside all racial aspects of the situation." That is indeed an amazing request. I have but one question for the writer. It is not a rhetorical question. Instead, it is a very serious and hopefully provocative one: When was the last time that a white family in Rochester called the police, and one of their family members ended up dead as a result of bullets from a so-called police "service weapon?"As for the second writer (whom reportedly happens to be a 20-year veteran police officer) --- I also have but one question: Officer Sir, can you please explain why it is that --- with regard to police making "split-second decisions regarding life or death situations" --- the results always seem to end up so drastically different when your comrades are dealing with black folk as opposed to white folk?Lastly, Mr. officer sir, just as you "in law enforcement are quite fed up with so-called Monday-morning quarterbacks" --- many of us are extremely fed up with police killing black people, but preserving the lives of whites in similar or the same, and sometimes worst types of situations. Letters to the editor(March 23, 2006) Police were in a tough situation All racial aspects of the situation put aside, I have to wonder how NAACP leader Joseph Brown would have reacted if he had a gun and Patricia Thompson, who was recently shot to death after threatening the life of a Rochester police officer, came charging at him with a knife. Just wondering. DON POSTBROCKPORT A police officer answers criticismAs a police officer with over 20 years' experience, I was appalled at the comments in a March 12 letter regarding the force used against a knife-wielding woman. I am sure the writer is an expert in this area and knows all the ins and outs of how dangerous police work is as he sits comfortably in his armchair watching TV cop shows. The truth is, police work is extremely dangerous and split-second decisions are made regarding life or death situations. We in law enforcement are quite fed up with these so-called Monday-morning quarterbacks who have no clue as to what policing is all about. So, instead of criticizing the people who risk their lives to protect yours, put down your remotes, join one of the citizens' police academies and see just how dangerous it really is. GREG KELLY GREECE Kelly is a sergeant with the Rochester Police Department. 
 
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 safe_value (String, 9775 characters ) In addition to several other degrees and cer...
 
 In addition to several other degrees and certifications --- I hold an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science. My reason for mentioning this is to emphasize the point that I understand the fundamentals of good (as opposed to knee-jerk, wild-wild-west, reckless) police work, particularly as it relates to initial assessment of potential, dangerous situations. On the other hand, no degree is necessary in order to understand (based on scores of clear, historical evidence) that many cops, especially rookie, racist, white ones, have a tendency to demonstrate a lot more caution, respect, compassion, and constraint regarding the sanctity and sacredness of human life --- when dealing with potentially dangerous white folk ---as opposed to those of African descent. The thoughts below regarding this critical issue were inspired by two Letters to the editor (D&C, March 23, 2006). <img class="dada-image-center" src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/police-car2_small.jpg" /> The two above referenced Letters to the editor (below) are concerned with the latest in a long string of situations that span four decades, in which members of the Rochester Police Department have responded to domestic dispute calls, and ended up killing members of the families that called them. In considering this reality, one letter - writer wants us to "put aside all racial aspects of the situation." That is indeed an amazing request. I have but one question for the writer. It is not a rhetorical question. Instead, it is a very serious and hopefully provocative one: When was the last time that a white family in Rochester called the police, and one of their family members ended up dead as a result of bullets from a so-called police "service weapon?" As for the second writer (whom reportedly happens to be a 20-year veteran police officer) --- I also have but one question: Officer Sir, can you please explain why it is that --- with regard to police making "split-second decisions regarding life or death situations" --- the results always seem to end up so drastically different when your comrades are dealing with black folk as opposed to white folk? Lastly, Mr. officer sir, just as you "in law enforcement are quite fed up with so-called Monday-morning quarterbacks" --- many of us are extremely fed up with police killing black people, but preserving the lives of whites in similar or the same, and sometimes worst types of situations. Letters to the editor (March 23, 2006) Police were in a tough situation All racial aspects of the situation put aside, I have to wonder how NAACP leader Joseph Brown would have reacted if he had a gun and Patricia Thompson, who was recently shot to death after threatening the life of a Rochester police officer, came charging at him with a knife. Just wondering. DON POST BROCKPORT A police officer answers criticism As a police officer with over 20 years' experience, I was appalled at the comments in a March 12 letter regarding the force used against a knife-wielding woman. I am sure the writer is an expert in this area and knows all the ins and outs of how dangerous police work is as he sits comfortably in his armchair watching TV cop shows. The truth is, police work is extremely dangerous and split-second decisions are made regarding life or death situations. We in law enforcement are quite fed up with these so-called Monday-morning quarterbacks who have no clue as to what policing is all about. So, instead of criticizing the people who risk their lives to protect yours, put down your remotes, join one of the citizens' police academies and see just how dangerous it really is. GREG KELLY GREECE Kelly is a sergeant with the Rochester Police Department. 
 
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