Pondering a primary challenge of State Rep. Andre Baker, East End City Councilwoman Eneida Martinez urges, in this commentary, more training and community policing to reduce confrontations between officers and citizens.
As the liaison to the Board of Police Commission and a member of The Public Safety Committee I have addressed a lot of issues while a lot of mouths have stayed zippered regarding public safety, quality of life, policing, community policing, internal and external violations, etc.
We all have seen throughout the nation whether it was broadcast on TV, social media, word of mouth, etc. the recent deaths at the hands of police officers. I am going to focus on Bridgeport. Bridgeport has a local ordinance that prohibits police from chasing stolen vehicles, dirt bikes, quads, etc. The state has a bill that was passed that prevents police from chasing stolen vehicles, etc.
This year has not kicked off to a great start for three local families. Do I believe that departments need intensive training on reacting to crime? ABSOLUTELY! The cause of killings are all due to suspects having weapons according to the officers involved. Have those involved used great judgement? Ansonia: A young man with mental health issues is killed. That was an escalated situation by the police department. When they didn’t get a response at that door they should have left, instead they remained knocking until they received a response. The young man from West Haven, first he attempted to rob AT&T, then it switch to carjacking? During the chase did the police see another person in the car with this young man? So how was this carjacking? How do you empty almost a whole clip on a young man that sat behind the wheel harmless to anyone after being closed in by police?
This young man was not a threat to anyone. Seven rounds??? Then we have the latest victim from Waterbury. What is this world turning into? I have supported and will continue to support many officers here in Bridgeport, not all in blue are bad cops, or have bad intentions. Where is the line drawn though? TRAINING IS A MUST! How to deal with Mental Health and other traumatic causes. I have addressed this for years with at least three different Chiefs. Violations by men and women in blue of ones civil rights has also became a high level issue here in Bridgeport.
The NAACP has stepped in to conduct investigations and support these families, but what other levels of accountability are in place? The nation needs to familiarize themselves with bill changes, bills passed on a state legislative level as well as local ordinances, etc. Start standing for something or keep accepting what is happening to our young men and women. This will only get worse, not better. The more passes these individuals get, the increase in police violence throughout the nation will see an increase in deaths of loved ones to gun violence at the hands of the police.
Bridgeport has called off a few stolen car chases, but they have also played a role in a few causes of death as well. A STOLEN CAR IS REPLACEABLE NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO IT, A HUMAN LIFE IS NOT AFTER BEING RIDDLED WITH BULLETS. I will applaud a few high-ranking officers who have been on call during stolen car incidents that have taken place in Bridgeport, where these high-ranking officers have made the right judgement and called off the car chases.
Civil Rights Violation: I am going to elaborate on the Aaron Kearney case as well. This young man may have had a traffic violation, but the escalation of what happened with the responding officer was a high level of taking your power overboard. Aaron was embarrassed, humiliated and his civil rights violated by the responding officer. This incident went viral all over social media throughout the nation. Let’s not forget the unprofessionalism used towards Aaron’s mother. “This officer used the safety tactic.” Where was her safety endangered? Aaron NEVER displayed a weapon. Did these officers pause to think “CAN THERE BE ANY TYPE OF MENTAL HEALTH?” “Does this young man have special needs.” “What if Aaron suffered from Seizure Disorders?” The blows he took to the side of his face and head could have killed him. All this because of a minor traffic violation??? Let’s not talk about the follow-up after his arrest, this officer still stalked this young man to the point of even contacting the courts to protest suspended sentence. WHERE IS THE LINE DRAWN? This officer received a ninety-day suspension. She used excessive force, her authority to the fullest. She should have been FIRED!
Bridgeport, we need MORE TRAINING, HEAVIER DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS, and more COMMUNITY POLICING.
“MAYBE THESE OFFICERS NEED A CLASS ON CIVIL RIGHTS.”
“The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.”
Let’s stay mindful that this young man (Aaron Kearney) is the grandson of a retired Bridgeport Captain (Nelson P. Kearney Sr., deceased) who served our City with dignity and respect for all. The founding member of Bridgeport Guardians. A man who showed love to all us until his last days on the force and on earth. How does this family accept this physical abuse by this officer who attacked Aaron. What a disrespect to the years Captain Kearney served and put into this City.
Councilwoman Martinez, if you are looking for answers and training for the Bridgeport Police Department, well you haven’t mentioned anything about the police study that former D.C. and Philly Police Chief, Charles Ramsey, where is that report, what did the report say and has the City paid Chief Ramsey for his service?
I’m all for training, on both sides…. Let’s also train our youth on how to conduct themselves during Police encounters to ensure a favorable and safe outcome.
Or, let’s just have the Police stop arresting everyone and let “street justice “ come back.
Street justice!!!! Yeah that would be great!!!! I know that “civilians” have no idea what it’s like to be on the “uniform” side of things whether actual or plainclothes and I’m going to give Eneida the benefit of the doubt that she’s is sincere about maybe finding other ways for police to do their job without having incidents that end up like those described. (Which, thankfully are far and few between).
However: my advice to anyone placing blame, criticizing, admonishing or any other form of blah blah blah- is to get into a police car and go on calls with cops. And I don’t mean a fucking “ride along!” I mean enough time in a car to witness ALL types of calls, incidents, and self initiated events that get the adrenaline pumping and the heart rate up. Then after witnessing the shit that cops have to deal with on a routine basis they can let us know how we can do a better job of it other than just not showing up until the street justice thing occurs and we could just show up at the same time as the ambulance, medical examiner, and funeral director and just write a report of witness accounts.
Frank hits the nail on the head about teaching the youth how to conduct themselves.
My saying about these incidents is always: if you follow the rules nothing bad happens.
Now please excuse me I have to go into dunkin for a coffee and a donut.
Cheers!!!
P.S.: Good luck Eneida and sincere thanks for your past assistance with the zoning board thing. In the end we knew what might happen but you, and Ernie and others witnessed how the public AND you guys as well were abused by Liskov and the rest.
Hey Frank- glad were gone right?
Stolen cars racing at 100 mph are fine until they kill you or a loved one. The ending was not good on that one….. for the violator. Unfortunate outcome but sometimes it happens. People acting crazy and threatening citizens or police sometimes unfortunately face similar endings. We could talk about it forever but… if you follow the rules…..nothing bad happens.
I Thank God every day!!!! Any one with 25 years or more, retire immediately!!!! Things are only going to get worse…..
Rich, when do cops see like it is to be black male of any age? You will never know the fear that black parents especially black mother’s have when their child mind be going just to the store like 17 teen year old Trayvon Martin did and he was shot and killed by a want a be cop. Cops have no idea what it is to be a black male and black cops know that they better no their place and don’t rock the boat.
Martin was not killed by a cop and everyone knows that the situation was more than just some guy killing another guy. Continuing fanning flames of high interest cases does absolutely nothing to prevent future tragedies from occurring. Teaching people especially youths to act properly in any part of life would go along way to prevent incidents like the ones we read about from happening. If you truly believe that many of these incidents- and I said many not all, are racially motivated by police then I feel sorry for you and others who may feel that way. And THAT will further prevent progress on these topics.
If you follow the rules, nothing bad happens.
And I know and have worked with many “black cops” who would not at all agree or like what you stated above! Let’s start with Rod Porter who I know and have supported in his situation on this blog. I think he would take offense with anyone stating that he should “know his place!” I worked with “black cops” that came from ghettos and from “good neighborhoods” and the ones I know would strongly disagree with you. Ron, I was born and lived in the Bronx for 1/2 my life and went to the largest high school in the world. De Witt Clinton H.S. At one time had tens of thousands of kids on 4 shifts. When I attended there were ONLY about 9,000 kids on 2 shifts. The breakdown was about 6,000 black, 2,000 Hispanic, a smattering of Asian and new import European and the rest white. I have a fairly good grasp on the cultures of many people so I think I can objectively opine on matters such as this one. If my father cried about why and how he ended up in a Siberian prison camp during WWII he wouldn’t have escaped to back and fight. I’m not saying you’re crying but please try a different avenue.
Rich, do you know why Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, do you know why the head of FBI, J. Edgar Hoover was investigating Dr. King? Rich, who is teaching the police to act properly when dealing with blacks? What black police officer has spoken out about misconduct by Bridgeport police officers? “The Blue Wall of Silence” is real, blue code, blue shield are also real, aren’t they Rich? I’m not painting all police officer as not how to properly act with blacks but let’s not forget the Bridgeport Police Department has a long and old history concerning how to act properly with your own brother and sister police officers as did the Bridgeport Fire Department.
We All need to be educated my man….. It’s not ALWAYS a race thing.
Frank, it’s always about race.
Oh I see Frank, the way you talk dictates whether a cop can violates one’s 1st Amendment Rights to Freedom of Speech? Oh I see, if I’m nice to you you’ll give me my Constitutional Rights and if I say something you don’t like then all bets are off?
The First Amendment protects a great deal of offensive, obnoxious and repugnant speech. The Supreme Court’s established that profanity is a protected speech, unless you curse at a cop, Right? Except for Black’s? C’mon man I don’t have to be nice to a cop to get treated with all the respect that I deserve as a human being in this country and besides that’s his job as a PUBLIC SERVANT. While it would be nice if one talks to a cop with respect it’s not a prerequisite.
Don, that’s why I keep asking about former Police Chief Charles Ramsey’s study on the Bridgeport Police Department to see he addresses the concerns that you mentioned and those of City Councilwoman Martinez’s.
Don,
You are right, you don’t have to be nice to the cops. However, If you are nice, and the cop is nice, then the outcome will be nice. That’s all I’m saying. I always treated people the way I would want my family treated if they encountered a cop. Treat the Cops the way you want to be treated and you will be surprised how positive the encounter will go. Just sayin’.
Frank we were at it for a long time. Even after my 20 the 22 at the store had a few similar events!!
He’s a lost cause. Nothing personal fellas!!!!!!!
Frank, is that what you are trained to , if you are nice, and the cop is nice, then the outcome will be nice? What training did you get if the person wasn’t nice?
Actually,
I was trained to treat people in the community the way I would want to be treated! And even doing that, I met my share of militant a-holes!!!! But yes, that’s what I was taught. That worked 15 years ago. But NOWADAYS, that doesn’t always work. Just look at the way you and ur partner in crime be talkin’…… be part of the solution, not part of the problem. #justsayin’bruh
You didn’t answer the second question.
Ron,
I always had thick skin. I’ve been called every name in the book and smiled….. My rule was : As long as you didn’t touch me or spit on me, you could say whatever you want to me. That’s how we were taught back in the early 90’s. And yes, I grew up in BPT and I still live here, 3 blocks from PT! Yes that’s right! What do you think about that Sir?
Frank, that’s a different than what you has been alluding to, I have no problem with this post from you. Let me say this about the Bridgeport Police Department, any personal encounter or observation of the BPD they were professional I know a number of BPD members and as a teenager former BPD member Tommy Flynn were friends when Tommy was living on Trowel St. off of Newfield Ave and down the street from New
field Ballpark, we played baseball together and I would go over his house and talk and I would watch him lift weights. We lost contact as he was attending UB and I enlisted into the Air Force, here’s something most people don’t know about Tommy, the basketball court at Newfield Park was all dirt and in the middle of the court was a huge rock and Tommy broke his leg because of that rock and his sued the City and one of the results was Newfield basketball court got paved. A problem that I have and others is when there is misconduct from those few police officers nothing is done especially when there are videos of their action. Remember this incident, “Cops Repeatedly Kick Man After Subduing Him With Stun Gun,”
https://gothamist.com/news/video-connecticut-cops-repeatedly-kick-man-after-subduing-him-with-stun-gun
Ron,
I remember that video, and I had a problem with it at the time! Those EX-Officers were fired and both went to jail! So how can you sit there and say nothing is done? I don’t understand your argument on that one?
Frank, something was done because they were caught on video butig that video didn’t exist nitho would have happened, instead the cops would say that got was resisting arrest. Even the last officer driving up got of the police car and started kicking the victim and he was black but he won his case in court.
Don,
I read your post again and if you would read it again, then you would understand why this country is so f’d up. You stated “ I don’t need to be nice to a cop to get treated the way I deserve as a human being “………. What you and a lot of people forget is: Cops are human beings too. They get mad, sad, hurt, happy, laugh, cry and put their pants on one leg at a time like everyone else. The only difference is when something bad happens , while you all are running away, you ALL want us to run towards the danger and save your ass…….. SO I ASK YOU, WHY CANT YOU SEE THAT IF YOU TREAT A COP THE WAY YOU WANT HIM/HER TO TREAT YOU, THEN THE OUTCOME WILL BE A FAVORABLE OUTCOME FOR THE BOTH OF YOU!!! So I say again, we (the people who sit and bitch about it) need to educate both sides of the spectrum……. Good day to you Sir!
Ok so if they are human and have feelings why degrade, humiliate, and abuse just because they have the power to do so? Like I said there is good and bad in everyone but people can’t see that the cops are depressed, angry , and violent and maybe needs a career choice!! Let’s not forget alcohol and domestic violence is at an all time high for officers as well
I totally agree with City Council Eneida. Where is the training? How come no one can ever see that there are officers in place that shouldn’t be there. Maybe the daily struggles of the job have taken a toll on some and they are no longer fit to be in position.
Many of these police officers are from the suburbs and they had no real contact with blacks and they don’t reside in Bridgeport. They took the test and they passed and they get hired by answering questions my marking A,B,C,D or all of the above, nothing about their interaction with people of color, just A,BC,D or all of the above.
So what the Chief needs to have is a training on diversity right? All these police chiefs on a nationwide search and this is what we end up with?
The comments by Day and Mackey are examples of how some in the black community perpetuate their victim status. Young black males hear this nonsense and have excuses for their bad behavior.
Tom White being white as usual, plus we know what an expert white is concerning blacks.
Bad behavior? So these officers have the right to abuse and violate civil rights for there bad behavior? What are the courts for? The is a line to everything
It is the responsibility of parents to instill good behavior. Suggesting that bad behavior is a civil right is typical of the problem in the black community.
There can be many different forms of bad behavior! Not agreeing with an officer is considered bad behavior? Have you really ever seen the way these officers approach and talk to our kids? It takes respect to get respected.
Frank, you say, “while you all are running away, you ALL want us to run towards the danger and save your ass. Hell yes because that’s you’re damn job and all that we ask is that you do your job in a Professional Manner, that’s what we pay you for! C’mon man every cop should be just like you, if you don’t touch me or spit on me we’re good rather than if you talk to me disrespectfully I will find BS things to charge a person with! It would be nice if everyone talked to cops in a manner that they find acceptable, but that’s not the real world nor is it part of your job description, PEOPLE WILL BE NICE TO YOU!
I ran into burning buildings for over 20 years, had rocks thrown at the apparatus and called names when the people thought we didn’t get there fast enough or work hard enough, but as a company officer we never displayed acrimony at those individuals. We just did our damn jobs in a respectful and courteous manner, like the public expected from us. That’s merely a Common Courtesy and the reason that they call it a Common Courtesy is because it’s No Big Deal.
Don, as you know there are times when at a fire scene doing our job to save life and property things happen like we have 5 inch of hose fully charged with water and a resident needs to drive to work or to the doctor but we have hose blocking them from driving and they start yelling at the Pumper Engineer to move the hose and the citizen really mad and upset, well we are trained as company officer to remove the Engineer from the dialogue with the upset resident and for us as officers to calmly listen to the resident and then let them know that we understand their concern but we are trying to save somebody’s life or property and as soon as we are able to our vehicle we will and to let them know if they had a complain that they could call him afterwards or to call the fire chief and that again we are sorry for the inconveniences and to feel free to contact me. It doesn’t matter how bad they talked to us because we have a job to perform, in other words, we need to just do our job.