I was talking to a veteran criminal defense attorney who mentioned she thinks police should include Emily Post manners in their training. She was only half-joking. Her point was that if police treated people courteously as a matter of course, they may get a whole lot more cooperation from communities.
The context of our conversation was our story this week about what happened in a West Baltimore bar. Police were after a drug suspect but they spent nearly an hour inside the bar—detaining, questioning, and searching the other patrons, manager, and owner. It’s all on tape—security cameras were rolling.
The owner and manager say the police searched the whole business, then took their keys and went out and searched their cars—all without a warrant.
Can you imagine being subject to that kind of treatment sitting at a bar in Little Italy? Or the Inner Harbor?
We all know that police officers have a very tough job and the vast majority of them carry out their duty with professionalism and integrity.
It’s also clear their job might be made easier if there was a greater level of trust and respect between police and the public.
After their experience, the folks in that bar are probably not at all anxious to have any dealing with a police officer anytime soon.
jayne i could not agree with you more. somtimes i wonder if police have our best interest at stake. i understand it is a tough job , but jayne i do not thinkl the police made it any easier on themselves. some common manners wouldn’t hurt, and i wonder where they get some of these cadets, what type of making does it take to become a police officer. i had moved to new mexcio and during my move , the detective put in his police report that i was suspouis and was involved in fraud. well to find out the mover , had 4 companys in and out of business like a revolving door, from theft, domestic violence, and the list go’s on. we are now in progress of suing the parkville police dept for tarnishing me and my wifes name. jayne i look forward to the day i have in court with this detective, and his last remarks were everone has to make a living,,,,,, i could not believe what i heard , thank u for leting me get this experience out,,,, greg
This type of conduct is outrageous and people who are victims of it have no choice but to comply while it’s occurring. There’s no way to get out of an unconstitutional situation once a police officer who is wearing a gun tells you to shut up, sit down and hand over your car keys. And without video evidence, the police department and courts presume that the officers were in the right and telling the truth.
People who shrug off more mild constitutional violations saying things like “if you don’t have anything to hide, why should you care if police officers randomly stop and search your car, or require you to stop on the street to answer some questions” don’t realize that this is exactly the type of behavior that they’re condoning.
Jane,
Every time I heard one of you reporters sounding surprised at what is happening daily in Baltimore City, especially in West Baltimore area, I scratch my head in amazement. You all just don’t want to believe the truth – racism exist – plain and simple. African Americans have NEVER been treated the same as others in this city. I guess its just easier to believe these are isolated incidents rather than address the real issue of racism. We all know that nothing will change as long as its happening to “them” and not to “us”!