Multiple officers kneel and walk with Protesters

[geusst1235 5,398]

This is genuinely wholesome, and awesome to see guys. As evidenced by just a couple of photos and videos, not all cops are intrinsically abhorrent people. I am NOT saying this to downplay the grotesque actions that many cops have committed and will sadly continue to commit in the coming days, however I personally think it's important to not make the mistake of generalizing people overall in life. We CAN make progress and have positive interactions through kindness/communication with those who genuinely wish to reciprocate, even if only during fleeting moments such as these.  ❤💕❤💕❤💕❤

[Karl 3,575]

We love to see it! I hope it changes certain people's opinions who say all police officers are bad, most just want to help the community and protect people.

[T3ARS 4,132]

Of course my city is doing it RIGHT!!!!

[derpmonster 22,412]

6 minutes ago, Karl said:

I hope it changes certain people's opinions who say all police officers are bad, most just want to help the community and protect people.

I think you misunderstand the common anti-police position. It's not that most officers are bad at an individual level. It's that there's a systemic and structural issue of racism, brutality, and bad judgment with the police force as a whole. "Good cops" can't stop the bad cops and have not done so, not until protests and riots happened. Countless cops get away with bad things because cops in the US have a cult-like mentality that's part of their training where they won't say anything bad about other cops and will protect one another. That cycle needs to break. It's not enough to be a "good cop" - it's important to actively take part in change and hold the bad ones accountable rather than refusing to testify or "testilying" to protect them as police offers are known to do.

Spoiler

Further (and this is more of a philosophical discussion), the job of a policeman is to enforce the law, not protect and serve people. The two can be incompatible. This means that if we have a racist law (one that impacts certain communities more than others and is meant to discriminate -- many such laws exist), then it's the literal job of the cops to enforce those laws. They willingly sign up for a job where they have to enforce racist laws knowingly or unknowingly.

OT: I am glad these police officers are among those who are trying to active break the cycle.

[Karl 3,575]

Just now, derpmonster said:

I think you misunderstand the common anti-police position. It's not that most officers are bad at an individual level. It's that there's a systemic and structural issue of racism, brutality, and bad judgment with the police force as a whole. "Good cops" can't stop the bad cops and have not done so, not until protests and riots happened. Countless cops get away with bad things because cops in the US have a cult-like mentality that's part of their training where they won't say anything bad about other cops and will protect one another. That cycle needs to break. It's not enough to be a "good cop" - it's important to actively take part in change and hold the bad ones accountable rather than refusing to testify or "testilying" to protect them as police offers are known to do.

  Hide contents

Further (and this is more of a philosophical discussion), the job of a policeman is to enforce the law, not protect and serve people. The two can be incompatible. This means that if we have a racist law (one that impacts certain communities more than others and is meant to discriminate -- many such laws exist), then it's the literal job of the cops to enforce those laws. They willingly sign up for a job where they have to enforce racist laws knowingly or unknowingly.

OT: I am glad these police officers are among those who are trying to active break the cycle.

Fair enough, I'm not from the US so not used to the police being against the public, makes sense what you said though if that's how it is

[geusst1235 5,398]

38 minutes ago, derpmonster said:

I think you misunderstand the common anti-police position. It's not that most officers are bad at an individual level. It's that there's a systemic and structural issue of racism, brutality, and bad judgment with the police force as a whole. "Good cops" can't stop the bad cops and have not done so, not until protests and riots happened. Countless cops get away with bad things because cops in the US have a cult-like mentality that's part of their training where they won't say anything bad about other cops and will protect one another. That cycle needs to break. It's not enough to be a "good cop" - it's important to actively take part in change and hold the bad ones accountable rather than refusing to testify or "testilying" to protect them as police offers are known to do.

  Reveal hidden contents

Further (and this is more of a philosophical discussion), the job of a policeman is to enforce the law, not protect and serve people. The two can be incompatible. This means that if we have a racist law (one that impacts certain communities more than others and is meant to discriminate -- many such laws exist), then it's the literal job of the cops to enforce those laws. They willingly sign up for a job where they have to enforce racist laws knowingly or unknowingly.

OT: I am glad these police officers are among those who are trying to active break the cycle.

I agree, the structure of the entire police system absolutely needs to be heavily altered. I truly hope that these protests continue to sprout positive and welcoming reactions from other cops as it did in these instances

[geusst1235 5,398]

@derpmonster Just put this in the OP, but I think you may also find this to be tad hopeful as well. Multiple cops took off their gear, and held hands with protesters. 

 

[JillTyrell2004 490]

At times like this we do have to try to remember that the world is full of decent and kind people. 
As hard as that is sometimes.

[jsn 1,669]

For a good portion of those policemen, this is just performative.  There was a moment like this in Portland earlier, and then just a few minutes afterward they went back to tear gas and rubber bullets.  They just paused long enough for their photoshoot so they'd look good.

[geusst1235 5,398]

32 minutes ago, jsn said:

For a good portion of those policemen, this is just performative.  There was a moment like this in Portland earlier, and then just a few minutes afterward they went back to tear gas and rubber bullets.  They just paused long enough for their photoshoot so they'd look good.

According to the people at the Germantown protest in particular, what you described did not occur at all thankfully. Not every act of kindness or proper communication is necessarily performative or followed by excessive force, at least in regards to this instance specifically. I have heard of instances where this has happened though, which is incredibly disconcerting.

[Mars 2,656]

This is powerful stuff, if genuine