Compliance versus non-compliance. It’s as clear and simple as the difference between black and white. With all the recent media attention on the unrest with police officers and shootings, it’s hard not to suspicious of the potential abuse of power. Currently, Black America is in an uproar over the latest incidents in Ferguson and Baltimore that involved white officers and black “victims”.

 

It’s hard to ignore the headlines spilled across Facebook, news websites and newspapers. 

 

“Black people fear being killed by cops.”

 

“Black Americans killed by police twice as likely to be unarmed as white people.” 

 

“Texas police attacking black teens.”

 

However, CNN recently reported that in 2014, white people were the number one victims of police brutality involving deaths, with a number of 414.  Blacks held the number two slot with 233 deaths.  Hispanic victims came in third place with 138 deaths and Asians at 15.

 

Hmmm. So, it doesn’t appear to be a race thing because if it was, white people would be lower in the order if not at the bottom, right?

 

What could be the issue then?

 

Well my simple theory is compliance. I would guarantee that 99 out of 100 people (black, white or other) would not be in risk of police force, brutality or death if they only did one thing.

 

Comply.

 

In most — if not all— the situations being reported in the media about police shootings, the “victims” are not innocent bystanders — they are people in the process of committing a crime, aiding or abetting a crime or just plain not complying with an officer of the law.

 

One officer —Ray Tensing of Cincinnati (white cop) — was indicted recently on murder charges for shooting Sam DuBose (black man) during a traffic stop. Tensing was wearing a body camera during the incident and it clearly shows DuBose not complying with the officer and then trying to flee.

 

As Tensing was being dragged by the vehicle DuBose was driving after refusal to cooperate, Tensing fired his weapon at DuBose and killed him (justifiably in my mind). If you fail to comply, sorry but you face the consequences. All bets are off.

 

Unbelievably, Tensing is up on murder charges, which is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of.

 

In Ferguson, MO this week, officers had to deal with a state of emergency during what was supposed to be a “peaceful” protest of the first anniversary of Michael Brown’s fatal shooting last year. Looting and the burning of storefronts inevitably occurred and during the unrest — another black man, 18-year-old Tyrone Harris — was fired upon and critically injured by police, sending him to the hospital. The situation further escalated when protestors accused and pointed fingers at cops, citing innocent blood was spilled.

 

Officers claim Harris was shooting at them which resulted in them firing back. Demonstrators discounted this theory and grabbed for their pitchforks and torches.

 

However, a video surfaced recently showing what looks like Harris holding what looks like a pistol in his right hand during the rally. After apprehension, they found a 9mm luger on him.

 

Harris was shot because he fired at cops. Plain and simple. Compliance versus non-compliance.

 

Police officers all around the world go to their jobs every day with the inerrant risk they  may be attacked, injured or even killed in the line of work. How many of us citizens hold jobs like that? Don’t any of us appreciate them and their work?

 

Police are sworn to provide protection to the general public. I have numerous friends and acquaintances who are in law enforcement and they work hard at what they do and in no way are they looking for trouble. It’s just too dangerous. But they will uphold the law and if a person is in the act of breaking the law or being non-compliant, they have every right to protect themselves and the public.

 

I’m not naive and I know there are probably a few — and I mean a few — police officers out there who take their level of authority to an unlawful degree, but those are few and far between. The majority of our law enforcement personnel are performing their job duties dutifully.

 

My wish is that people start forming peaceful parades and rallies in full support of our law enforcement individuals instead of the other way around. Why are we letting so many loud-mouthed citizens belittle and accuse them of doing anything other than their jobs? 

 

I think it’s because those who scream the loudest are the ones most afraid of seeing a man or woman in a badge approach them to ask a few questions. And if one is doing nothing wrong, why not comply? 

 

I guarantee there will be no nightsticks, fists or bullets flying that day.

 

Comply or don’t comply. It’s really quite a simple process. It’s one side or the other. If you fail to comply, consequences will follow.

 

As a matter of fact, one could say it’s as simple as black and white.