Cops Around the Country Are Posting Racist and Violent Comments on Facebook

[Ana the Ist]

FWIW, the more I think about this, the more I doubt the methodology of this study and suspect that their sample isn't representative of the whole. If I understood the article correctly, they were limited in their analysis to accounts with posts that were visible to the public. That's opens up the door to some pretty serious selection bias since, IME, folks who leave their posts public are WAY more likely to be posting stuff that's inflammatory (and, also, IMO just outright stupid) than people who lock down their privacy settings. That goes for both ends of the political spectrum. So, I have a hunch that they may have wound up analyzing the dumbest of the dumb and the worst of the worst.

So, while I wouldn't be surprised if there were some merit to their conclusions, I wouldn't jump on this as confirmation of high rates of problematic behavior.

I have a bit of a problem with the ideas of "applauding violence" and "disregarding due process". Take the first example there...

"When an armed, would-be robber backed out of a liquor store after the clerk pulled a gun on him, the surveillance video was posted on Facebook with a comment: “Should have shot him.”

Another commenter responded, “I would of pulled the trigger.”

Is that applauding violence or disregard for due process? We seem to be talking about a situation where shooting is legal....and two cops offered their opinions. I honestly don't see any problem there at all. How many posts are like that?

Then there's "displaying bias"....which basically means "offering an opinion". It doesn't specify racial bias....it doesn't even say socioeconomic bias. We could potentially be talking about a cop calling a protest "stupid"....we simply don't know.

I'm willing to bet this started off with the intent of highlighting genuinely racist posts....but they couldn't find a significant number....and so expanded to less and less troubling content.

Why? Well it says it all right there in the mission statement...they want people to think cops are bad.

 

[iluvatar5150]

I have a bit of a problem with the ideas of "applauding violence" and "disregarding due process". Take the first example there...

"When an armed, would-be robber backed out of a liquor store after the clerk pulled a gun on him, the surveillance video was posted on Facebook with a comment: “Should have shot him.”

Another commenter responded, “I would of pulled the trigger.”

Is that applauding violence or disregard for due process? We seem to be talking about a situation where shooting is legal....and two cops offered their opinions. I honestly don't see any problem there at all. How many posts are like that?

In this case, I think the due process angle is debatable, but yes, it's applauding or encouraging violence and displays a level of vindictiveness and dehumanization that IMO is inappropriate for both a government agent and for someone entrusted with carrying a gun every day. I would hope that a cop, of all people, would appreciate the psychological impact of taking another life and would not be so glib about encouraging others (especially civilians) to join that club, no matter how justified they may have been in pulling the trigger.

I doubt it's the worst example one could find, but it's not great.

 

[Ana the Ist]

In this case, I think the due process angle is debatable, but yes, it's applauding or encouraging violence and displays a level of vindictiveness and dehumanization

I can't say I agree with that....obviously I can't know without seeing the video, but if we're talking about an armed robbery, it could be vindictiveness as much as it could be concern for the life of the victim during the next armed robbery.

As for dehumanization....I'm not sure it is, but let's assume so for the moment....

So what? There's any number of professions that practically require the dehumanization of people to do correctly. Take a surgeon for example....also trusted with people's lives, also making life and death decisions, and actively employs techniques to avoid looking at people as humans. Why? Because it avoids an emotional reaction which can impact one's effectiveness at performing their job correctly.

that IMO is inappropriate for both a government agent and for someone entrusted with carrying a gun every day. I would hope that a cop, of all people, would appreciate the psychological impact of taking another life and would not be so glib about encouraging others (especially civilians) to join that club, no matter how justified they may have been in pulling the trigger.

I doubt it's the worst example one could find, but it's not great.

Really? That seems easy to say in that particular situation because it worked out for the victim....but what if that same victim found themselves in a similar situation a year later and gets shot and killed? Would you tell the victim's family "at least he didn't have to feel bad about taking someone's life"?

Because if it were me....I'd much rather have to deliver the bad news to the criminal's family than the victim's.

 

[iluvatar5150]

I can't say I agree with that....obviously I can't know without seeing the video, but if we're talking about an armed robbery, it could be vindictiveness as much as it could be concern for the life of the victim during the next armed robbery.

As for dehumanization....I'm not sure it is, but let's assume so for the moment....

So what? There's any number of professions that practically require the dehumanization of people to do correctly. Take a surgeon for example....also trusted with people's lives, also making life and death decisions, and actively employs techniques to avoid looking at people as humans. Why? Because it avoids an emotional reaction which can impact one's effectiveness at performing their job correctly.




Really? That seems easy to say in that particular situation because it worked out for the victim....but what if that same victim found themselves in a similar situation a year later and gets shot and killed? Would you tell the victim's family "at least he didn't have to feel bad about taking someone's life"?

Because if it were me....I'd much rather have to deliver the bad news to the criminal's family than the victim's.

I would hope that someone entrusted with that much responsibility would appreciate that it’d be a hard situation for the shopkeeper (as well as the perp’s family) all the way around and treat the gravity of it with some measure of respect. I think the shopkeeper would have been perfectly justified in firing, but the cop’s attitude strikes me as immature at best.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I would hope that someone entrusted with that much responsibility would appreciate that it’d be a hard situation for the shopkeeper (as well as the perp’s family) all the way around and treat the gravity of it with some measure of respect. I think the shopkeeper would have been perfectly justified in firing, but the cop’s attitude strikes me as immature at best.

What part of "should have shot him" or "I would have pulled the trigger" is disrespectful or immature?

If you wouldn't see these comments the same way from a non-cop....then what is it about the job that suddenly makes these comments inappropriate?

 

[iluvatar5150]

What part of "should have shot him" or "I would have pulled the trigger" is disrespectful or immature?

I just explained that twice.

If you wouldn't see these comments the same way from a non-cop....then what is it about the job that suddenly makes these comments inappropriate?

I think they’re immature coming from non-cops, too. I think they’re worse from cops.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I just explained that twice.

No....you called the comments disrespectful and immature. You didn't explain why though.

I think they’re immature coming from non-cops, too. I think they’re worse from cops.

Ok....why is it worse coming from a cop?

I'm only asking because I'm starting to think that perhap the real problem with a lot of this lies in the expectations and misinformed perceptions of people regarding cops.

 

[iluvatar5150]

No....you called the comments disrespectful and immature. You didn't explain why though.



Ok....why is it worse coming from a cop?

I'm only asking because I'm starting to think that perhap the real problem with a lot of this lies in the expectations and misinformed perceptions of people regarding cops.

I refer you back to post 24.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I refer you back to post 24.

Yeah I read that post...and I replied to it asking those questions because I don't see why you hold the opinion you expressed.

Then when you claimed that you already explained it, I reread the post and the previous one, and I still don't see it.

So could you just explain why you think it's immature or disrespectful?

If they had made light of the situation...or made a joke, I could see why someone would call it immature. If they had shamed the victim in some way, questioning his manhood, or something similar....I could see calling their responses disrespectful.

They didn't do those things though...they simply offered their opinions. So when you say these opinions are inappropriate....it comes off as if you think all opinions are inappropriate coming from a cop.

Given consideration....I honestly think that sharing those opinions is positive for everyone involved. If the clerk were to read it...he's got a good idea where he stands legally in that situation in the future. The criminal likewise understands just how much danger he was in and hopefully avoids such stupidity in the future. Anyone not involved in the incident gains insight into the mentality of cops and hopefully understands that they aren't likely to survive pointing a gun at a cop or innocent civilians in the presence of a cop.

There's really nothing gained by the police keeping these opinions to themselves.

Do you really think these comments were immature and disrespectful? Or are you trying to lend some level of validity to a project that is self admittedly trying to perpetuate a negative view of police?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Why can’t these murderous cops be more civilized like ANTIFA and post about love and acceptance? Kathy Griffin, Johnny Depp, Madonna, and other precious examples of Liberal Values have also posted hope filled positive messages about what they would like to accomplish with President Trump.

It is a confusing day when the police are the bad guys but people that want to kill and behead the President and blow up the White House are your role models.

 

[iluvatar5150]

Yeah I read that post...and I replied to it asking those questions because I don't see why you hold the opinion you expressed.

Then when you claimed that you already explained it, I reread the post and the previous one, and I still don't see it.

So could you just explain why you think it's immature or disrespectful?

If they had made light of the situation...or made a joke, I could see why someone would call it immature. If they had shamed the victim in some way, questioning his manhood, or something similar....I could see calling their responses disrespectful.

They didn't do those things though...they simply offered their opinions. So when you say these opinions are inappropriate....it comes off as if you think all opinions are inappropriate coming from a cop.

Given consideration....I honestly think that sharing those opinions is positive for everyone involved. If the clerk were to read it...he's got a good idea where he stands legally in that situation in the future. The criminal likewise understands just how much danger he was in and hopefully avoids such stupidity in the future. Anyone not involved in the incident gains insight into the mentality of cops and hopefully understands that they aren't likely to survive pointing a gun at a cop or innocent civilians in the presence of a cop.

There's really nothing gained by the police keeping these opinions to themselves.

Do you really think these comments were immature and disrespectful? Or are you trying to lend some level of validity to a project that is self admittedly trying to perpetuate a negative view of police?

I really don't know how else to explain it. Killing someone, under any circumstances, is a serious thing that, I think, should be treated with some measure of respect and thoughtfulness. Glibly saying "should have shot him" ignores the gravity of that situation and is, at best, a very immature and simple-minded take on things. For an officer to be that glib about something that's a core function of his job strikes me as exceptionally immature and inappropriate. I don't think the power of life and death over citizens should be given to someone who takes such a callous attitude towards the killing of others.

 

[SummerMadness]

I really don't know how else to explain it. Killing someone, under any circumstances, is a serious thing that, I think, should be treated with some measure of respect and thoughtfulness. Glibly saying "should have shot him" ignores the gravity of that situation and is, at best, a very immature and simple-minded take on things. For an officer to be that glib about something that's a core function of his job strikes me as exceptionally immature and inappropriate. I don't think the power of life and death over citizens should be given to someone who takes such a callous attitude towards the killing of others.

I guess the government should be held to no standard. We should have a lackadaisical attitude toward anyone who is paid by the state and how they conduct themselves, especially when we give them power. A teacher is given a classroom full of students, but we should not have an issue with teachers sexually abusing or harassing students because it's no worse than a random person on the street doing it (let's ignore the power and authority we bestowed on that teacher by certifying them and putting students in a classroom with them). Likewise, we should show no concern for police that express violent attitudes or racist beliefs because it can't be worse than a regular citizen, we should not hold them to a higher standard despite giving them a gun and badge. And just for kicks, let's protect them via law so that anything they do or say can't be held against them in a court of law because that's what we want; we must hold their testimony sacrosanct, but we must not demand that of their conduct on or off duty. Somehow that all makes perfect sense and it's a great way to conduct society, especially when you will are not the usual target of misconduct or inappropriate behavior by police. Yeah, it makes perfect sense.