1st Edition
Virtuous Policing Bridging America's Gulf Between Police and Populace
"It pulls no punches, shuns no controversial topic, and glosses over no issues or problems that beset America’s law enforcement community in our day. For those who may be prone to suspect the motives of these self-confessed lovers of cops and warriors, the title of this book…should be sufficient to allay such concerns."
—John C. Hall, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI (Retd.), from the Foreword
Virtuous Policing: Bridging America’s Gulf Between Police and Populace is a vigorous assessment and commentary on governmental uses of force, whether by civilian law enforcement officers in the United States or by military service members overseas. In the wake of recent controversies such as events in Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, Maryland, this book presents strategies to ease rising tensions in citizen–law enforcement relations.
The book particularly addresses the growing division between members of the police and citizenry due to a number of factors, including the effects of some press members who are more interested in cultivating sensational stories of "rogue" cops than in discovering and disseminating facts. Also, with the abundance of information—true and false—available on the Internet and the increasing utilization of social media, technology contributes to the rising friction between citizens and police. Rather than make unrealistic arguments for curtailing media and technology, it suggests solutions that are reasonable, practical, and, most importantly, peaceful.
The authors examine law enforcement policies, procedures, and leadership methods in relation to four cardinal virtues: self-control, justice, competency, and moral courage. Case studies illustrate ethical, legal, psychological, and tactical issues that law enforcement and the military have to address in establishing and maintaining good and peaceable governance.
With an eye toward minimizing or avoiding future violent confrontations between citizens and those who have sworn to protect them, Virtuous Policing makes recommendations on how law enforcement and military leaders can better train and lead their subordinates. It provides legitimate leadership guidance and peaceful solutions to the growing gap between America’s citizenry and its police.
Introduction
Human Operating System 1.0
How America Treats Her Warriors and the Cults of Tribalism and Victimology
Virtuous Leadership for Law Enforcement
Courage
Justice
Self-control
Competency
Virtuous Policing and Maryland’s Own NSA
In Defense of Self and Others in the Ghetto: Loss of Right
Facts
Discussion
Murder in Southern California (or Cops Emulating the TV Show Cops)
Facts
Officer Ray Bunn and Atlanta’s Injustice System
The Overutilization of SWAT and the Militarization of Our Police Departments
Fairfax County, Virginia: Use of SWAT to Kill an Optometrist for Gambling
Albuquerque Police SWAT Arrest a Homeless Man in a Suburban Park
Being Poor Is Not a Crime
Peace Officers Versus Professional Law Enforcement Officers
When Society Embraces the Bad Guys: The Sad Song of Sergeant Johnnie Riley
Discussion
Misunderstanding the Tactical Dynamics of an Encounter
How Bullets Work Psychologically
How Bullets Work Physically
In Defense of Self or Others
Mistaken Belief
Due Process Violations
Redefining the Role of State: Back to a True Liberalism
Police in Our School Systems
Police Athletic League
Police Explorers
On Notice and the Presumption of Innocence
Second Amendment
Crime and Weapons
How the Lack of Virtue Undermines Society Itself
The Death of Private Property Rights and America’s Future
The Power of Link Analysis
The Ugly and the Good in Police Reformation
The Ugly
The Good
Some Solutions
Developing Magnanimity Within Police Officers and Departments
Words of Caution
Getting Out of the Office and Vehicles and Back Into the Streets
Information Operations
Keeping Up With the State-of-the-Art Knowledge: Competency in Practice
Fitness for Duty
Some Important Courses and Texts
Biography
L. Morgan Banks III, David G. Bolgiano, James M. Patterson