Thread by @bzdug

Thread:

Let's address the fearmongering talking point that real community oversight of police, such as what is proposed in #Issue24, would result in sizeable resignations of police.

This is an unambiguously good thing.

1/5

The most obvious benefit is ridding our city of police officers who feels more citizen oversight is a bad thing.

This antagonistic attitude towards civilian "meddling" is a part of the police culture that must be eradicated.

What the "cop exodus" fearmongers fail to mention is that the inverse will likely be true as well.

Cleveland will be able to ATTRACT and PROMOTE better police officers by tangibly demonstrating that the city has taken a stand against corrupt, abusive, and racist police.

While I personally want to see policing radically re-imagined, I know that there are decent men and women trapped in the system right now.

They risk the end of their career, even their lives, if they speak up. Even if they don't, their "attitude" can keep them from making rank.

I highly recommend everyone watch the @IFCFilms documentary about @SerpicoDet

It will crystalize the point I'm making in this thread.

At the very end, Serpico talks about the time he was presenting a national award to ten police officers.

As he handed them the award and shook their hands, each leaned in and whispered into his ear, "I gotta talk to ya."