Last week, I wrote about my disturbing encounter with a discourteous IMPD officer who mocked my concerns after my dog Casey was struck and hurt by a hit and run driver.
Since sharing my story, I have received many calls and emails from concerned members of the public. Many people have asked how little Casey is doing, and even more individuals wanted to share their thoughts and personal experiences with law enforcement.
First an update on my dog, Casey. She is doing well and is currently on a couple different medications for pain and swelling. She suffered some bruising and a bad cut to her neck as a result of being hit by the truck, but her veterinarian is optimistic that she will make a full recovery.
I am so thankful for the many pet lovers who expressed concern over Casey’s well-being. It showed me that even in the midst of darkness, there is light from the kind, considerate actions of other human beings.
As far as the conversations I’ve had with numerous individuals about their law enforcement interactions, those chats reinforced for me the divide between police and civilians — especially African-Americans and Hispanics.
What I knew before, and am now even more convinced of, is that many minorities have a deep-seated fear of the police. Even when they are obeying the laws and following specific vehicular guidelines, minorities fear the police.
That fear stems from their individual encounters with law enforcement or interactions they’ve witnessed here in Indianapolis, or through media outlets across the nation.
After reading my editorial last week, one man asked me if I was really going to file a complaint on the officer who disrespected me. After I responded that I did indeed plan to file a complaint, the man was visibly shaken.
“Police have power. If you make them mad, they may retaliate. They cover certain neighborhoods or have fellow officers who do — they can make your life very uncomfortable,” he said.
That gentleman wasn’t the only person to express these sentiments.
“So am I supposed to ignore the bad behavior,” I asked every time someone said I shouldn’t file a complaint.
Most responded with a resounding, “yes.” My answer: “How are things supposed to get better if we never complain? Or voice our concerns?”
Repeatedly, I was told my efforts would be pointless because law enforcement look out for their own and nothing is ever done to punish the bad apples.
I refuse to believe that. And even if it’s true, I refuse to sit idly by while rogue cops abuse their power and mistreat the public. At the very least, I will do my small part to help make this city, state, country more fair and accountable.
So this week, I formally filed my complaint. While downtown, I also shared some of the feedback I’d received from the public with Lori White, executive director of the Citizen’s Police Complaint Office (CPCO).
White and IMPD officials were very receptive to my feedback and readily answered all of my questions. As I explained to her the divide between law enforcement and the general public—specifically minorities and the low-income– White asked me for suggestions on things that may improve police/civilian relations.
You can bet, I gave her some ideas! Rather than detail them all in this column, let me focus on one. I told White that it is up to the city and IMPD to demonstrate that they recognize the existing divide between the police and the public and are committed to addressing civilian concerns.
My suggestion is to report monthly or quarterly on the number of officers who have been disciplined within the department and the officers’ offences.
Yes, from a personnel standpoint, you can’t mention specific names, but simply listing the number of officers, their districts, the nature of the complaint or complaints, and the disciplinary action implemented would go a long way toward boosting IMPD’s credibility with the general public.
Therefore, I am publically asking IMPD and city officials to consider and ultimately implement this suggestion, which I believe could potentially foster a new spirit of respect and cooperation in Indianapolis.
Surely, if IMPD can rapidly disseminate information about homicides, burglaries, and other serious crimes, then it is capable of issuing reports that anonymously detail when officers do wrong.
I believe in quantifiable accountability. This is a way to hold officers and other public servants accountable for their own actions. It’s also a great way to begin restoring the public’s trust and faith in law enforcement.
However, a key factor in getting such action enforced means that you—the general public— must report wrongdoing or bad behaviors of officers.
No, I would never suggest arguing with a law enforcement officer or even informing them that you will file a complaint.
Instead, remain calm, do as the officers instruct you, and make note of their name and badge number. Then file a formal complaint.
The only way we will ever correct wrongdoing is by first acknowledging the misdeed. Don’t be afraid, do not be lazy – just be active by exercising your rights as free Americans.
For our part, the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper will continue to report the good and bad of IMPD in a fair and consistent manner.
