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2015 is on pace to be the second safest year for US police officers on record 2015 is on pace to be the second safest year for US police officers on record
(about 11 hours later)
Newsflash: The “War on Cops” narrative is false.Newsflash: The “War on Cops” narrative is false.
The rhetoric being pushed by 2016 Republican hopefuls, Fox News pundits and police commissioners actually has no factual basis. Data from the American Enterprise Institute shows that in 2015, there have been 35 felonious police officer deaths. This year will be the second lowest number of murdered cops in decades.The rhetoric being pushed by 2016 Republican hopefuls, Fox News pundits and police commissioners actually has no factual basis. Data from the American Enterprise Institute shows that in 2015, there have been 35 felonious police officer deaths. This year will be the second lowest number of murdered cops in decades.
(American Enterprise Institute)(American Enterprise Institute)
The Washington Post’s Radley Balko argues that this type of fear-mongering dehumanizes police officers, placing them into a state of mind that’s trigger happy, jump and constantly fearing for their lives. The Washington Post’s Radley Balko argues that this type of fear-mongering dehumanizes police officers, placing them into a state of mind that’s trigger happy and constantly fearing for their lives.
"When cops are constantly told that they’re under constant fire, or that every interaction with a citizen could be their last, or that they’re fortunate each time they come home from the job in one piece, it’s absolute poison for police-community relations.""When cops are constantly told that they’re under constant fire, or that every interaction with a citizen could be their last, or that they’re fortunate each time they come home from the job in one piece, it’s absolute poison for police-community relations."
"That kind of reminder on a regular basis would put anyone on edge. We’re putting police officers in a perpetually combative mindset that psychologically isolates them from the communities they serve,” he writes."That kind of reminder on a regular basis would put anyone on edge. We’re putting police officers in a perpetually combative mindset that psychologically isolates them from the communities they serve,” he writes.
"Incessantly telling cops that they’re under fire can condition them to see the people with whom they interact not as citizens with rights, but as potential threats. That not only means more animosity, anger and confrontation, it can also be a barrier to building relationships with people in the community — the sorts of relationships that help police officers solve crimes and keep communities safe.”
According to research conducted by Seth Stoughton at the University of South Carolina's School of Law, assaults against police officers are also on the decline.According to research conducted by Seth Stoughton at the University of South Carolina's School of Law, assaults against police officers are also on the decline.
(Seth Stoughton/Twitter)(Seth Stoughton/Twitter)
Daniel Bier, an editor at the Foundation for Economic Education, writes that there are more police and less crime and violence. Daniel Bier, an editor at the Foundation for Economic Education, writes that there are more police out on the streets and less crime and and that they're facing less violent threats while on duty.
"The reality is that there are more police than ever, and they are safer than ever, in almost every way we can measure. There is less crime and violence for them to combat, and commensurately fewer assaults and injuries suffered by police.""The reality is that there are more police than ever, and they are safer than ever, in almost every way we can measure. There is less crime and violence for them to combat, and commensurately fewer assaults and injuries suffered by police."
"The unprecedented force and weaponry being displayed by cops today are not justified by the facts about officer safety. It’s time to demilitarize the police and return them to their proper role as members of the community, charged to keep the peace.""The unprecedented force and weaponry being displayed by cops today are not justified by the facts about officer safety. It’s time to demilitarize the police and return them to their proper role as members of the community, charged to keep the peace."
As of Friday 11 September, 808 deaths were caused by police officers, the Guardian reports. As of 11 September, 808 deaths were caused by police officers, the Guardian reports.
Commissioner Bratton and New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association did not return requests for comment.Commissioner Bratton and New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association did not return requests for comment.