Atlanta Police’s shooting last night gives me thoughts. No PD in America worked harder at community relations over the past decade. All the programs, community meetings, strict policies that are enforced, severe body cam rules with teeth, programs with kids, youth sports, ...
APD didn’t just talk the talk, they walked it. When other cities had violent protests, Atlanta didn’t. Their strategy handling protests, crowds, demonstrations was masterful. Bend, don’t break. Other cities came to them for advice all the time. What they did worked.
A civil right legacy town, black leadership for decades, home of several great HBC, the relationship between community and police was solid. Ferguson stretched it tight, but the bond held. The chief is a gay female, very liberal, but a great leader. She made systemic changes.
Just because an officer could do something, didn’t mean they should have. Several officers a few years ago were arresting a man fighting them and one and punched the suspect. All by the book. She suspended him, saying there were 4 of them, he didn’t need to do that.
The officer were furious, how dare you handcuff us that way! But she said we’re not gonna use force when we didn’t need to. Get down there and pin the guy down and cuff him. She was changing culture. She got them raises and they lived her again. Fast forward.
George Floyd. Riots. Officers tased a couple of college kids and they were fired. 7 of 8 were black officers. D.A. Files charged against 6 of them. It is said the morale could not possibly get any lower. People spitting on them, screaming in their faces. All that work...gone.
What’s the point? Don’t be surprised to see some PD’s make serious policy changes that will greatly impact crime rates and public safety. Shoplifting and car chases. Security at major retailers don’t physically engage with shoplifters. You run, you get away. They won’t fight you.
For liability, it isn’t worth it. Most PD’s have severely restricted pursuit policies. Chasing for minor traffic violations is disappearing. A forcible felon is usually the only way you can now. Everyone else, car thieves, burglars, they run from police...they gone.
I can see police use of force going that way. If they start resisting arrest, if you can’t articulate how that person poses an immediate threat to the public, you don’t use force to arrest. Let them run away and try to get a warrant. Liability.
So criminals will know that they can virtually get away any time they want to. Crime will go up, police will begin throwing their hands up. Chief’s will stand with their mayor and explain how it will work. The mob is gonna win this one. Maybe for the better, but probably not.
As for Atlanta and all their community work, it seems clear that the younger generation aren’t in those meetings. They don’t listen to the old guard, they don’t want to listen to reason or nuance. There is no gray area, no meeting in the middle. Enjoy the cake you baked.
Also, I don't think Atlanta's police chief survives this shooting. The horse is out of the barn now
Called it.
Since this took off, full disclaimer: this was free-flow tweeting. No proofreading or fixing autocorrects, just type and send. So forgive the typos and let's hope today's a better day.
Statement put out by the Atlanta Police Foundation. 
