Will Never See Cops the Same Way Again

For the record, I do not believe this had anything to do with race. My race is on record with Texas as one of the descriptors required for licensing. However. It was not a factor here.

I just wanted to make that clear before the people who get offended by it weigh in.

 

I don't believe anyone should be treated that way by a LEO....unless the subject acts aggressively toward the officer. Most "criminals" will not go out of their way to injure poeple. I know that sounds weird, but hear me out. For the most part, we're talking about property crimes, con jobs, prostitutes and dopeheads. They will generally go peacefully as long as the officer does not ramp up the tension. First approach and appearance go long strides in setting the timbre of any contact.

When you dress your officers up like stormtroopers, give them nothing but tools to hurt people and then train them that every contact they make will turn bad...they are no longer in the mindset of "protect and serve." They develop an attitude of "subdue and dominate" instead. There are ways to control a contact without creating a problem. Initial approach is most important.

Had this officer, rather than BOOM-BOOM-BOOM on my truck and begin the encounter by shouting demands....instead knocked on my door like someone requesting entry (tap-tap-tap) and then spoken with me calmly, I would not have been alarmed from the get-go. Anyone would have been instantly thrown on the defensive with this guy's approach.

This guy, with his first impression, instantly pushed the adrenaline button. I was dead asleep when he pounded on my truck. I was brought from a state of deep REM sleep to instantaneous overload of the parasympathetic nervous system. Fight or flight. Needlessly. With this encounter, it's no wonder so many officers get hurt in the line of duty.

You can try this with any animal. Let's say your dog is lying on the porch, stretched out in the sun, eyes closed and paws twitching. You sneak up on him and gently place your hand on his head and say his name. He will lazily roll over, look at you and lick your hand. Same dog, same state of sleep. You sneak up on him, kick him in the ribs and shout angrily. What do you think his reaction will be then? People are mammals. Animals. With all the same body systems as other animals. When you access the parasympathetic nervous system of any animal, the encounter is likely to become negative in fairly short order.

Humans are different in the higher cognitive function. Actions can access that fight-or-flight system the same as any animal. But with us, so can words. Someone can be speaking as calmly as can be, yet, with what they say, cause another person to sweat, breathe more rapidly, start looking for an escape route.

I didn't try to fight this deputy. I was trying to get away from him. If, in fact, someone had called in a false report on me, which I am doubtful of, it could have been resolved within five minutes. With a less aggressive approach.

This is one of the problems with only hiring college kids as LEO. They, for the most part, do not have the type of exposures to this type of human behavior. All they have to go on is book learning. And what they hear in the ready room. They lead sheltered lives until they are turned loose on the hard streets with guns, tazers, clubs and restraint devices. Often, they are just as alarmed with what they find "out there" and begin to think everybody is "like that."

Then they start treating everyone "like that." It is inexcusable.

 

I forgot to add. A simple "I'm sorry." would have gone miles toward smoothing this over.