Not
that my opinion matters to anyone else, nor that it will change anything, but I
have this urge to clarify for myself my convictions when so much confusion is
swirling around. Furthermore, I have no interest in getting embroiled in
pointless debate that only damages relationships. Therefore, I am posting this
in my Writing Workshop blog and will only link to social media if something
significant prompts it.
I
want to be clear that I respect and support law enforcement and the essential
role they play in society. I also want to be equally clear that I believe
police can and should be held accountable for civil and criminal misconduct.
I
believe all people need accountability. In my own experience with clergy
colleagues, I have witnessed, and I must say been wounded myself, the tragedies and
damage when leaders of churches and religious organizations do not have
authentic accountability. Police are no exception to this universal human
reality.
I
was not on the jury for the Derek Chauvin trial and did not receive all of the evidence and instruction they did. Thus,
though I have a sense of justice here, I will refrain from either affirming or
second guessing their verdict. However, almost instantly what was, and should
have only been, a legal matter became politicized. A number of pundits and
politicians have vociferously objected to the verdict as an attack on all
police that weakens all law enforcement. Though I haven’t seen it directly and
overtly stated, I get the strong impression that they do not believe police
should ever be held accountable for civil or criminal misconduct. I am left
pondering what boundary would have to be crossed for police to face consequences
for misconduct.
