You likely haven't heard about this because police brutality / shootings hasn't been a trending topic since the BLM movement started in 2016. Don't let that fool you - this shit is still happening.
Jefferson County Attorney uncovered a series of Facebook messages between the former Assistant Police Chief Todd Shaw and a recruit. Shaw instructed the recruit that if he catches black teens smoking marijuana, shoot them. Quoting the facebook messages:
"F--- the right thing [to do]," Shaw allegedly wrote. "If black shoot them."
Shaw also added:
"...if mom is hot then f--- her," Shaw allegedly wrote. "...if dad is hot then handcuff him and make him s--- my d---...Unless daddy is black...Then shoot him..."
This should not at all be a polarizing issue for America, or so you would think.
How did we get to a point where we're arguing politics over this? This is vile, disgusting, and most of all disturbing. Yet, the Mayor (who knew Shaw personally) merely SUSPENDED him, citing the "Police Officer Bill of Rights." What kind of fucked up system is in place where one of the heads of the police department can instruct recruits to murder black people for non-violent crimes, and merely get a slap on the risk. This is EXACTLY why minorities largely distrust and fear the police. It further reinforces the notion that if I'm told to put my hands above my head and not move, and I comply, that this is not a guarantee for my safety.
While this news likely won't change the general public's opinions on past shootings and the relationship between systemic racism and police brutality against minorities, it at least reveals that racists individuals have sneakily embedded themselves into the system.
Accountability would solve a lot of these issues with police. There should be some balance between it being a difficult job (which it is) and taking things too far. Everyone wants police to be able to do their job effectively. In order to do that, there needs to be a level of mutual trust and respect and that can only be achieved if bad actors are swiftly condemned. This situation, if not handled properly, can only erode the trust between police and minorities.
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