Civics 101 Police
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Jun 5, 2018 Norm Stamper, a former Chief of Seattle's Police Department and author of 'To Protect and Serve,' sheds light on the complex evolution of modern policing. He discusses the dual role of police as both enforcers and community supporters, stressing the importance of effective training and de-escalation. Stamper delves into the tragic Ferguson incident, highlighting systemic issues that lead to violence. He also addresses the pressing need for accountability standards in law enforcement, using a poignant case study to reinforce his message.
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Fragmented Policing Structure
- The U.S. has no constitutional mandate for policing and instead relies on ~18,000 largely independent agencies.
- That fragmentation creates no national standards despite one shared constitution.
Early U.S. Police Adopted Poor Safeguards
- Early American police were modeled on Britain but omitted safeguards that limited tyranny and military demeanors.
- Norm Stamper notes rapid politicized hiring and nepotism led to corruption in many cities.
Training's Informal Power
- Police training mixes classroom drills with powerful informal lessons learned in patrol cars and locker rooms.
- Stamper contrasts this with military training that emphasizes following orders and tactical operations.
