This is exactly the source of the problem.
If all leftist cops quit, the police will obviously have a right bias. You should encourage people who agree with your ideology to join institutions that have power.
Same with the military. Why is there a disproportionate number of nut jobs in the military? Well, part of the reason is certainly because leftist social circles straight up bully anyone in their own ranks who would consider joining. edit: this applies e.g. In Germany much more than in the US. I crossed it out to avoid getting criticized by the us defaultism crowd.
Well, part of the reason is certainly because leftist social circles straight up bully anyone in their own ranks who would consider joining.
I mean it’s very understandable that people don’t wanna get involved in supporting America’s settler colonialism project, among other things.
I meant that more general than the US military. It certainly applies in Germany for example, which is much less involved in wars around the world.
But even if you want to restrict your view: Yes, even the US military complex could do with some left leaning people in positions of power. Who is advising the White House on where to send its military? Some random communist literature student or the military (with heavy commentary from oil and gas industry leaders?
Even Germany is selling weapons to Israel and I can’t blame anyone for wanting nothing to do with that, but getting back to the US: In order to get into a position where they can influence national decisions, the random communist literature student will have to be a major part of the US war machine. Now remember that the US has been involved in two genocides in the past 10 years. I see your point but the kind of person who will actually steer the country towards peace will never be allowed to reach such a position in the first place unless they become another cog in the war machine.
Yes, of course. Do you think right wing cops will treat leftist protesters fairly? Who is supposed to prosecute 6th Jan actors? People who are sympathetic towards their actions? Surely not.
If you want leftist protests to be treated fairly you need cops who agree with the protesters.
Any cop that would quit for moral reasons is the type of cop who probably shouldn’t. This message only makes things worse.
One of the best officers I knew quit after being called to a protest over the killing of a black man. He had to stand in front of people who he may have agreed with and take physical and verbal abuse. The last thing he told me was “In insurance they don’t throw bottles at your head for doing your job.”
I still know a lot of good people in law enforcement, but things like that sure do make it difficult to encourage good people to stick around.
Here in Melbourne Australia, honestly, VicPol are fairly good and give us all a lot of leeway (they genuinely seem to want to keep us safe).
I know its not the same elsewhere though, but in general, the people here mainly complain about the police because
- The complainer is an asshole, or genuinely do a lot of dodgy stuff and deserve it. Generally Meth heads, or shitty disrespectful drivers
- The only other complaint I’ve seen is that they don’t solve someone’s problem (like recovering stolen bikes). But, that sometimes isn’t easy and can’t really blame VicPol
US police in the south were an outgrowth of slave catchers, US police in the north were an outgrowth of strike breakers – now we give them free military surplus equipment …
EDIT: Behind the Police to understand US “policing”
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