I don't get it! Police brutality was recorded on video, not only in Minneapolis but elsewhere. Although police brutality has been reported many times before, this time in conjunction with the effects of the virus pandemic and the general divisive air in America, it has resulted in massive demonstrations. While looting and willful destruction of property are to be condemned, peaceful protests against racism and police brutality should not be countered with draconian measures. The first reaction by a police department, accused of brutality by some of its officers, is to ameliorate the circumstances, that is, to downplay the incident and defend the perpetrators. Only after visual evidence of police transgressions is presented, are some halfhearted actions taken. One would think the police in general would be concerned about their image and be especially cautious after charges of police brutality – not so. The actions in New York City, Buffalo and Washington, where peaceful demonstrators were ruffed up, seriously injured, and frightened by low flying helicopters, is the norm even if individual police officials hold hands or kneel with demonstrators.
Do we need to rethink our guidelines for recruiting and training our police forces or is the problem a bigger one? Is the aim of the federal government under the leadership of the current president akin to that of Pope Innocence III who in 1209 tried to eliminated heretics in the town of Berziers in southern France. When asked how to tell Catholics from heretics, the Papal legate supposedly replied, "Kill them all, for the Lord knoweth them that are His."
