If the Ferguson, Mo., police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown had been equipped as well as Iola and Allen County law enforcement officers, the public would have a much better idea if the action was justified.
As is, a Missouri grand jury considered the testimony of Officer Darren Wilson and multiple eyewitness who all gave contradicting accounts.
Here, area officers are outfitted with miniature video cameras that record what they say and do during every encounter. The recordings are invaluable during court proceedings for both sides of the argument. The truth, after all, is the best offense as well as defense.
In response to Ferguson, President Barack Obama has called for widespread funding for the purchase of body cameras as well as expanding training for police officers. An estimated $75 million would go toward the purchase of 50,000 cameras for U.S. police forces.
Riots erupted in Ferguson after both the Aug. 9 shooting of Brown, an unarmed African-American youth, and again after the grand jury decided last week not to indict Officer Wilson.
Racial tension between the predominately white police force in a community of color is palpable, not only in Ferguson, but in communities across the nation.
Obama didn’t address that issue specifically, reasoning there’s not much he can say that would make a difference.
That’s likely true. Talk is especially cheap in such circumstances.
To bridge the divide between law enforcement officials and those they are sworn to protect will take trust built on a history of positive experiences.
The public can play a role by holding both sides accountable for their actions.
Then maybe one day, we’ll all be on the same side, and able to focus on what we can do as partners.
Put that at the top of your Christmas wish list.
— Susan Lynn
Local law enforcement ahead of the curve with new technology
