What can replace police?

[brush]

8. Better screening to weed out the bullies and the shoot-first cowards, also . . .

Last edited Tue Oct 7, 2014, 10:30 AM - Edit history (1)

better training in de-escalating field situations.

Many of the recent incidents involving cops using force/deadly force, especially the ones recorded on videos, have shown cops doing just the opposite of de-escalation — either there is escalation with lethal force because the cop seems to be just scared of his shadow (the incident in Florida at the gas station), or the one in Ferguson where the cop seemed to be just a bully who wanted to shoot someone.

This is where better training would help officers to understand that defusing incidents can eliminate the need to use force while also fostering better community relations with the force.

One other thing needed is a new type of non-lethal control device that can be deployed instead of a firearm.

Many departments have tasers but too often we've seen cops in the field fall back on the use of firearms because they themselves don't have a taser — and tasers themselves sometimes result in serious injury or death when a tasered victim is struck in the heart or falls and hits their head on concrete.

Maybe cops should be outfitted with rubber or plastic bullet guns or beanbag guns for use before resorting to live rounds. if the cop in Ferguson had had rubber bullets, and the proper training, Michael Brown would still be alive.

Even some type of netting system deployable by a single officer could be effective in control.