F.B.I. Director Says 'Viral Video Effect' Blunts Police Work

[SummerMadness]

F.B.I. Director Says 'Viral Video Effect' Blunts Police Work

The director of the F.B.I. reignited the factious debate over a so-called "Ferguson effect" on Wednesday, saying that he believed less aggressive policing was driving an alarming spike in murders in many cities.

James Comey, the director, said that while he could offer no statistical proof, he believed after speaking with a number of police officials that a "viral video effect" — with officers wary of confronting suspects for fear of ending up on a video — "could well be at the heart" of a spike in violent crime in some cities.

I can't do "police work" unless I'm violating someone's civil rights.

 

[whatbogsends]

Whoever called it the "Ferguson effect" is an idiot. There was no video of the incident in Ferguson. Now, if he'd at least called it the "Walker effect" or the "Garner effect", he'd be speaking of video capturing police not only using excessive force, and receiving public outcry (of course, deservedly so).

The big problem in the Ferguson case (as in the Trayvon Martin case) was that the lack of video, which led the public to question the result of the trial.

Video evidence of incidents is a good thing, and should be welcomed by not only the public, but police officers who are doing their jobs, as it would help absolve them of any false accusations.

 

[Rick Otto]

When was the last time our city or county prosecutor pursued charges against a police officer?

 

[trunks2k]

Video evidence of incidents is a good thing, and should be welcomed by not only the public, but police officers who are doing their jobs, as it would help absolve them of any false accusations.

While I don't disagree (and as far as I can tell, the whole idea of a "“Ferguson effect" seems to be codswallop), I can understand even police who are doing their jobs properly being wary of videos. Proper police work could be easily misunderstood by the general public that isn't involved in that sort of work and doesn't get how things need to be done or why they are done that way. So I understand their concern, but I think that on average it's not going to actually be a problem.

Regardless, the police should be recording themselves - for their own safety and the safety of others.

 

[Armoured]

Ever notice the people who are the strongest apologists for police avoiding being filmed are invariably the sort of people who justify ever greater search and seizure powers with the old "nothing to fear if you've nothing to hide" saw?

 

[HannahT]

(Shrugs) I suppose the police could say the same thing we hear from individuals that get video taped when they don't like it too.

"You don't know what happened before they video started"

Hopefully, they find a middle ground in all of this. I can see where video would be very helpful in most cases.

More importantly, I do hope they find the correlation between higher murder rates this year compared to the past. I can't see how that has anything to do with videos personally. I mean I'm going to murder more because we have MORE cameras? That makes no sense. I'm going to murder more because the camera's are making the police less aggressive? That doesn't either.

 

[aieyiamfu]

F.B.I. Director Says 'Viral Video Effect' Blunts Police Work
I can't do "police work" unless I'm violating someone's civil rights.

"Police are pulling back from aggressive confrontations with the public" I mean not for nothing, but that would seem like a good thing. Police are not harassing people doing nothing wrong at 2 A.M., sounds like another good thing. I say get this moron out of the FBI and hire someone with a brain.

 

[aieyiamfu]

When was the last time our city or county prosecutor pursued charges against a police officer?

In many cities that would be never.

 

[aieyiamfu]

While I don't disagree (and as far as I can tell, the whole idea of a "“Ferguson effect" seems to be codswallop), I can understand even police who are doing their jobs properly being wary of videos. Proper police work could be easily misunderstood by the general public that isn't involved in that sort of work and doesn't get how things need to be done or why they are done that way. So I understand their concern, but I think that on average it's not going to actually be a problem.

Regardless, the police should be recording themselves - for their own safety and the safety of others.

Police work rarely needs to be done the way it is done. Do you realize that prospective officers are taught court tested ways of abusing a suspects rights to make their jobs easier. They should have to work for their money like other folks. The rules are bad but they are there so follow them.

 

[Belk]

F.B.I. Director Says 'Viral Video Effect' Blunts Police Work

That freedom of the people is inconvenient to those who are in charge is axiomatic. That does not mean we should limit said freedom.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Apparently some of New Hampshire's finest didn't get the memo that they were supposed to now be wary of confronting suspects while on camera.

http://www.wbur.org/2016/05/12/investigation-police-pursuit

 

[Sistrin]

Ever notice the people who are the strongest apologists for police avoiding being filmed are invariably the sort of people who justify ever greater search and seizure powers with the old "nothing to fear if you've nothing to hide" saw?

Post number five and the broad brush has been deployed.

I can't do "police work" unless I'm violating someone's civil rights.

A gross perversion of what Comey said.

 

[whatbogsends]

Apparently some of New Hampshire's finest didn't get the memo that they were supposed to now be wary of confronting suspects while on camera.

http://www.wbur.org/2016/05/12/investigation-police-pursuit

I'm pretty sure it's standard procedure to beat a suspect who has surrendered. And it was only like 4 of the cops present that were administering the blows. You know, most of the cops are good, the ones that abuse their authority and use excessive force are one bad apple in a bunch of thousands.

It's not like they shot him or anything...

Nothing to see here, move along.

 

[Vylo]

"you're hurting our ability to brutalize people and steal their stuff"

Cry me a river.

 

[rambot]

It's ridiculous that taped evidence of police work is what he is claiming is hurting police practices. At no point does he consider that the content of the film (inept/unjust/abusive police work) is the CRUX of the problem.

Unless he's just arguing that inept/unjust/abusive police work is ACTUAL police policy and he doesn't want it exposed.
But that would be ridiculous right?

 

[Arcangl86]

I actually looked him up after reading this comment. Can somebody please explain to me, how in the world can somebody with no actual on the ground law enforcement experience be appointed to lead the FBI?

 

[The Cadet]

I honestly think police departments should go around polling their members about whether they believe in the "Ferguson effect"... And then fire the morons who said "yes". Those people who believe that having to be responsible for their actions would hinder their ability to hold a position of responsibility should not hold positions of responsibility.

 

[Rick Otto]

"Police are pulling back from aggressive confrontations with the public" I mean not for nothing, but that would seem like a good thing. Police are not harassing people doing nothing wrong at 2 A.M., sounds like another good thing. I say get this moron out of the FBI and hire someone with a brain.

Not sure about FBI, but cops have an IQ ceiling on hiring.
It got challenged and court affirmed.

 

[Rick Otto]

I actually looked him up after reading this comment. Can somebody please explain to me, how in the world can somebody with no actual on the ground law enforcement experience be appointed to lead the FBI?

Campaign contributions.

 

[Rick Otto]

Post number five and the broad brush has been deployed.



A gross perversion of what Comey said.

Watch the video. THAT is gross perversion.