We liberals are partially to blame for this. We were tricked by application of the term word "union" to police (as well as "correctional officers" here in California.)
We let the so-called "public-safety" unions shake us down our citizens and civilian government. They have ineffective checks and balances -- and have rigged the system for little accountability for bad acts. They cover up for the liars, sadists and criminals on their team. For all the street-justice cases we hear about there are dozens that are covered up. And its a not merely a white police officer thing - its a police thing. It can be people of color, women, immigrants - it just seems to attract abusive people. Many are traditionally vets, with untreated PTSD.
Police tell me privately that their is traditionally major alcoholism and domestic abuse with officers that is not made public as it would be if you or I were busted. And.. corruption - theft, falsifying evidence, even shit like illegal searches and trading private sexy photos from citizen's cellphones and computers.
Especially in places like Oakland--- thee good, talented, honest cops (there are many) go through our expensive Academy, and leave OPD as soon as they can after experiencing the keep-your-mouth-shut make-the-rookies-do-the-work reality. The police left behind rule. While paychecks are still high, morale is low. They are also mad because the city-bankrupting pension system they gamed in the 1970's-2000's, is changing. Our investigation and conviction rates remain terrible (cops blame the lawyers, judges and hated ACLU, not their work products.).
Only a few of the police live in Oakland.
In conclusion, the most powerful men/women here are the public safety union heads. Not the Mayor, not the Chief, not the few private CEO's sill here. Well, maybe Waste Management and PG&E have corrupting power, but that's a different discussion.
Remember - at one time it was the left that was afraid of government and its police guards that tear gassed and beat people in our mostly peaceful war and economy protests. Then the cops (and California prison guards) built a corporate-worthy PR movement with unions that told elected politicians of both parties what to do (if they want to be elected.) And we enabled them. |
