Goals Towards a Better Police Accountability System

[WaTcHeR]

Balancing Power

We need to restore police accountability, build public trust in law enforcement and promote public safety in communities throughout the U.S. When a police officer breaks the law, the majority of the time they will get off easy with just getting a slap on the wrist or maybe only getting probation for such crimes as DWI, child porn, stalking, sexual harassment and spousal abuse, etc. Since Law Enforcement has so much more power over citizens such as yourself, it's only fair to "balance the tables" and deal harshly with police misconduct.

No one should be above the law!

* A Federal law is needed making it a crime for police officers who commit acts of brutality and murder.

* Civilian control and oversight of the police. Creating and strengthening civilian review agencies; putting early warning systems into place to identify officers who are the subject of repeated complaints.

* Congressional Public hearings.

* Open police records in all states. This would give the public access to police records of misconduct.

* A system that keeps track of bad cops so that they don't become "gypsy cops." Gypsy cop is law enforcement slang for a peace officer who floats from department to department regardless of, or because of, misconduct or poor job performance.

* Cash rewards for the exposure, arrest and conviction of corrupt cops.

* Mandatory random drug testing for all police officers. Not just prior to employment, but also random drug testing during employment as a police officer. Police officers who are in an accident or kills someone, would be required to be given a drug test and Breathalyzer exam.

* "Zero tolerance" for substance abuse by police officers.

* All traffic stops must be recorded.

* Police officers must have documentation by either written consent or on video before searching a motor vehicle at a traffic stop. This would require police to inform drivers of their fourth amendment rights.

* Set tougher standards for who can and can't be a police officer.

* Annual psychological evaluations.

* Corroboration of testimony by jailhouse informants. One of the leading causes of wrongful convictions in death penalty cases is false testimony by informants.

* Police would be required to use electronic recording of an entire police interrogation in cases involving homicides and other serious felonies. This measure would help end coerced confessions and protect both defendants and police. "Coerced confessions, false jailhouse informant testimony, and mistaken eyewitness identifications are the leading causes of wrongful convictions."

* An independent prosecutor is needed for police corruption and police brutality cases. Usually District Attorneys work directly with the police on a daily basis. They rely heavily on one another to indict, prosecute, and try cases. They function as one institution and to have a local DA prosecute a police officer is certainly a conflict of interest.

* End the 48 hour rule and the option to a trial by judge - Police officers accused of brutality and murder are given 2 days to "get their stories straight" and are not required to give any information about the incident.

* Efforts should be made to combat the "code of silence."

* Police should have more training and assistance in coping with the demands that they face.



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[WaTcHeR]

Anyone have any suggestions or comments?

[Matthew]

I have been watching a DA here in San Diego let over 200 police involved shootings go free this DA has one now that was involved in shooting a woman and her eight year old son they are still alive but the mother will get time and the cop want get any time that the way this DA works

[ParsonsE39]

For one, most of these are already in use, and two many of these have extreme flaws. for example:

* Civilian control and oversight of the police. Creating and strengthening civilian review agencies; putting early warning systems into place to identify officers who are the subject of repeated complaints.

This idea is extremely unwise for multiple reasons. The major reason is that they are called "civilians" for a reason because they are not a Law Enforcement Officer and are not familiar about: Officer Safety,Use of Force ladder, Emergency Responses,P.O.S.T (Peace Officers Standards and Training),or Law Emforcement tools or equipment. The only way to successfully review an officer's decision or an outcome of an officers decision is to be made by other Law Enforcement officers.

[fed up in SA]

Total BS, Parsons. That's why we have so much police corruption. Police officers "policing" other officers doesn't work, there is a conflict of interest, not to mention the code of silence. Police officers have enough power already. Give the power back to the people!

[Kyushin]

Total BS, Parsons. That's why we have so much police corruption. Police officers "policing" other officers doesn't work, there is a conflict of interest, not to mention the code of silence. Police officers have enough power already. Give the power back to the people!

Exactly! People need to stand up to the police and exercise their rights. Police have too much power and no accountability whatsoever... where else can you shoot a mother and her 8 yr old son and get a paid vacation for it?

[pyo1]

For one, most of these are already in use, and two many of these have extreme flaws. for example:

* Civilian control and oversight of the police. Creating and strengthening civilian review agencies; putting early warning systems into place to identify officers who are the subject of repeated complaints.

This idea is extremely unwise for multiple reasons. The major reason is that they are called "civilians" for a reason because they are not a Law Enforcement Officer and are not familiar about: Officer Safety,Use of Force ladder, Emergency Responses,P.O.S.T (Peace Officers Standards and Training),or Law Emforcement tools or equipment. The only way to successfully review an officer's decision or an outcome of an officers decision is to be made by other Law Enforcement officers.

Civilians, as cops call us, get a jury of their peers. I've never seen a jury that amounted ones peers. Why should cops get one made up entirely of their own peers? Transparency and accountability are needed to stem the flow. You would never admit it, but we all know the problem with the current system!