By Victor Barrett, Contributor 
I BELIEVE it is reasonable to say that there is no shortage of news articles or television commentaries on what's wrong with our nation's police service and more importantly what needs to be implemented to achieve positive change.
Unfortunately, such police criticism has gone unabated despite that the country has changed and to a considerable extent the manner in which we police and serve the nation's citizenry. This relentless review has not only been the focus of non-police professionals but the result of numerous observations by those within the police experience.
Yet, if one left the planet 50 years ago only to return today, his or her observations based on the communications media would be that nothing has changed. Lack of trust in our nation's police service is the operative belief by those who articulate that they understand the police function. But do they? And what do they base their set of beliefs on? If many of these perceptions are erroneous is it because of a relentless drumbeat of what's wrong with the police and why they misbehave?
Given the fact that there has been significant crime reduction, accompanied by what I believed is a reduction in police shootings, police officers have a right to question the accuracy and fair reporting of the police mission in a democratic society. Moreover, given such a positive track record of performance, it is difficult, I suspect, for police to understand why so many of our people continue to see the police in a negative light.
Focusing on the police perspective, it is time to examine or debate whether it is the police's sole responsibility to read and understand the diverse nature of our community in a more effective and flexible manner. However, some segments of our community need to recognise that their perception of policing is not only unhealthy but too often the result of false messengers and political people too quick to jump on a politically correct trend. I don't think it's unfair for police officers to inquire of the media to examine whether their private prejudice or political perspectives provide little opportunity for a reconciliation of police and community perspectives. Have today's people of influence allowed their experiences of the 1980s to continually shape their opinion of police practices:?
RECOMMENDATIONS
The media's review of a police action too often appears to result in recommendations that can only be seen as "old wine wrapped in new bottles." Subsequent recommendations whether it be community policing, assertive or zero tolerance, will have little consequence if the solution is simply that the police must change but no similar obligation to re-examine their view of policing is encouraged. By treating the police fairly, it is meant that certain segments of our society examine its biases and prejudices towards their protectors.
I think it is time for members of the "doubting Thomases society" to consider the unintended consequences of inflammatory anti-police rhetoric not even supported by statistics. Such rhetoric appears to have one purpose: to inflame police and community relationships rather than reduce the natural tension often present within a community.
In my judgement the police perspective has been absent from any debate on their ability to effectively serve a diverse community. If we continue to urge a unilateral attitudinal or behaviour change on the police without a corresponding examination on the part of a critical segment of the community, little or no positive change will occur; rather the opposite is more likely. It is time that our nation's high regard for tolerance extends to its sworn protectors.
Before any defence of Jamaica's policing is to be made, let me state the obvious: Police omissions will occur and mistakes will be made despite any and all training and procedures implemented. Unfortunately some police officers will violate their code of conduct, some in a horrific and egregious manner. Police management and oversight, however vigilant, will not initially detect these transgressors.
The saving grace in my view is that increasingly the nation's chief police executives have assumed greater accountability for both their officers' behaviour as well as their own. It is important to recognise that each of our citizenry is different as they pursue life's interest. Just as important is that police officers' must be viewed in a similar context. It is important that the police are given the opportunity to be similarly viewed as uniquely different. It is time to stop making mountains out of molehills when viewing police activity and recognise that public support is necessary if we are to appreciate and increase the capacity for the public to be well served.
It appears to many even some within the police service that there is a lack of trust. It is obvious from media reports, comments from the political infrastructure and members of the activist community that such is a real or perceived concern. My response to the police community is that such a lack of trust may not actually exist or is somewhat exaggerated because of the increasing politicisation of police practices.
JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY
Within the industry itself, we hear complaints that the journalistic integrity is being blurred by a mixture of "news and entertainment." Ratings are what many in the media live and die by not the pursuit of meritorious journalistic awards. Good news is no news, and "if it bleeds, it leads" the more gory the more glorified.
It is important from the police perspective that the press evaluate where there is a collective bias within their profession based on personal opinion and belief, and if so, its impact on this nation's public safety.
Unfortunately, the police don't have the capacity or the ability to operate the way many wish or want society to behave. We deal as best as we can whether a citizen's cry for help, 119 calls, or acting on experience or instinct moves us to engage suspects. As a result, people and increasingly groups whose perceptions differ greatly on how police are to function not only have a preferred state of behaviour but are greatly disturbed when the perception goes awry. Increasingly, we are witnessing group thinking that is at variance with other groups. Sadly, these perceptual differences increasingly appear to be more combative than collegial.
Police engagement in controlling individuals or groups can be described as physically demanding and dangerous. Whether we like it or not, police activity can be dangerous to either the officer or to whom he/she comes in contact. Whether members of the public appreciate that fact of life doesn't change the equation. You can avoid a violent scene on television by changing the channel. On the street or in real life, it isn't that simple. Police officers and other individuals can get hurt and lives jeopardised during ordinary citizen interviews, custodial situations, apprehensions and calming disorderly conditions. Individuals acting along or in contact with others don't wish to be inhibited or restrained by police. No matter the chaos, or criminal intent displayed, such groups appear to have sympathetic audiences.
NO BLAME
When police are required to document the police contact, a minor infraction can escalate to a major event. When such occurs, particularly involving low-income groups, the reflexive action is to blame the police. This rush to judgement by police critics and those desirous of creating chaos for personal benefit attribute no blame to participants whose lack of civility and judgement aided and abetted any possible police misconduct. Worse, there appears little or no attempt to right-size the incident, reduce exaggeration and community tension. Little if any interest is paid to the unintended consequence of future police decision-making that agonises over any possibility of injuries to individuals rather than maintaining a sage and law-abiding community.
The continual rush to judgement on the part of well-meaning and not so well-meaning police critics forces a belief among the troops that their commanders are primarily concerned that their decisions are not met with any negative press or community criticism by activists. That perception is aided by their observation that too many corridors seemingly operate with a similar mindset. Possibly, too many are intimidated by the politically correct cult of activists.
In my opinion, should we have an appropriate national dialogue there is little doubt that the vast majority would recognise that policing in general is not a class-motivated conspiracy or intent to deprive any citizen or group of its lawful rights. Again, it may be necessary to restate the police function is not without its flaws, negligence and omissions nor will it ever be in the future. This is not a prediction it is reality.
It is time for us to be our brothers' keeper, respect the laws of the land and move forward in unity and peace.
Victor Barrett may be reached at vteck_3hotmail.com
