Observations
Firearm-related deaths of police officers are up thirteen percent. Over 60,000 police officers are assaulted.
“We are sick and tired of dirt bags trying to take our lives when all we’re trying to do is protect this community and our families,” he said. “Enough is enough.”
There are a number of national studies that show overwhelming approval of law enforcement. Cops need to know that, by and large, Americans have their backs.
Author
Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.
Retired federal senior spokesperson. Thirty-five years of award-winning public relations for national and state criminal justice agencies. Interviewed multiple times by every national news outlet. Former Senior Specialist for Crime Prevention for the Department of Justice’s clearinghouse. Former Director of Information Services, National Crime Prevention Council. Former Adjunct Associate Professor of criminology and public affairs-University of Maryland, University College. Former advisor to presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. Former advisor to the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign. Certificate of Advanced Study-Johns Hopkins University. Aspiring drummer.
Article
There’s little I can say about the shootings of four Houston police officers (a fifth was injured) beyond the sadness and anger it brings to the national police and criminal justice community. I have been to too many police funerals. The condition of law enforcement in America and the intense negative publicity regarding police actions (some of it justified) troubles me.
I thought I would create some relevant facts and statistics to put things into context. They are below.
We have to keep in mind that the vast majority of Americans deeply respect policing. Officers are often conflicted as to their reputations and standing. Per the public opinion data data below, that’s unfortunate.
Houston Chronicle
“Veteran narcotics officers broke down the door of a suspected drug den in southeast Houston Monday afternoon, armed with a warrant and hoping to arrest heroin dealers operating out of the Pecan Park home.”
“They were met by a hail of gunfire, instead, as one of the suspects inside unleashed a barrage of bullets that wounded four officers, two critically.”
An irate Houston Police Officers’ Union President Joe Gamaldi said Monday’s shooting left his officers feeling vulnerable, and like they were “being targeted.”
“We are sick and tired of dirt bags trying to take our lives when all we’re trying to do is protect this community and our families,” he said. “Enough is enough,” Houston Chronicle.
What We Call Criminals
I spent most of my career in Washington D.C. where there were endless debates as to what we call criminals. The Department of Justice under the former administration wanted us to address them as, “justice-involved persons.” Even the use of the word “offenders” was discouraged.
After the Houston shootings, morning television news people in Orlando, FL, were not so contrite. Thugs, dirtbags, idiots were some of the milder terms used.
There are times when public shaming is in the nation’s best interest.
National Data-Officers Killed or Assaulted
“More law enforcement officers – 144 – died in the line of duty in the United States in 2018 than in 2017, reversing a one-year decline, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.”
“The nonprofit group that has long tracked officer fatalities said the 144 federal state, local, tribal and territorial deaths are up from 129 in 2017.”
“The 52 firearms related deaths were a 13 percent increase over 2017. Fourteen of those occurred while the officer was trying to place an individual under arrest, the report said. Nearly two-thirds were shot and killed by a handgun; four officers were fatally shot by their own weapons after being disarmed, USA Today.”
Law enforcement agencies reported that 60,211 officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2017, FBI.
Offenders and Firearms
The vast majority of offenders are armed with firearms, other weapons, have mental health or emotional problems and are under the influence at the time of the arrest, Crime in America.
Per Frontline, “In fact, more than half the arrestees say it is easy to obtain guns illegally.” Responding to a question of how they obtained their most recent handgun, the arrestees answered as follows: 56% said they paid cash; 15% said it was a gift; 10% said they borrowed it; 8% said they traded for it; while 5% only said that they stole it,” Frontline.
“National discussion has focused on the killings by police of unarmed civilians, but fewer than one percent of the killings we found were of people who were unarmed. Some 65 percent possessed a firearm during an encounter with police. The rest were armed with other weapons, such as knives and bats,” The Washington Post.
Officer Use of Firearms
Only about a quarter (27%) of all officers say they have ever fired their service weapon while on the job, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted by the National Police Research Platform, Pew.
Officer Stress
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) documents problems with emotional health and organizational wellness for police officers, concentrating on the continuing problem of officer suicides and the growing problem of ambushes and other felonious assaults, line-of-duty deaths, and mental health, COPS.
More officers are dying by suicide than by gunfire and traffic accidents combined.
Police Officers Leaving-Recruitment Difficult
There are dozens of newspaper articles about cops leaving and recruitment problems. This is the first definitive proof of the impact comparing rates and ratios to the general population. The number of full-time sworn officers per 1,000 residents decreased, from 2.42 in 1997 to 2.17 in 2016 (down 11%), Crime in America
Fewer Stops being Made By Police
The number of residents who had experienced contact with police dropped by more than 9 million people, from 62.9 million to 53.5 million during the period, Crime in America.
Public Confidence in Law Enforcement
Eighty-five percent of Americans either have a great deal or some confidence in law enforcement. The media and Congress are at the bottom of the ratings, Crime in America.
Violent Crime Increasing
The number of persons who had been victims of violent crime is up 17 percent from 2015, Crime in America
Conclusion
All America’s are appalled by the injuries sustained by the Houston Police. Per a variety of surveys, Americans are deeply concerned about crime.
There are times when cops doubt their safety, sanity and public support.
For those who put themselves in harm’s way to allow the rest of us to live safely, we are grateful.
Yes, some of the data is distressing. But there are a number of national studies that show overwhelming approval of the profession. Cops need to know that, by and large, American’s have their backs.
Contact
Contact us at leonardsipes@gmail.com.
My book: A “Best Business Book,” Success With The Media: Everything You Need To Survive Reporters and Your Organization available at Amazon
This is an ad-free website.
Reviews are appreciated.