MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Policing in a host of American cities, including Memphis, is under the microscope these days because of recent fatal encounters African Americans have had with law enforcement. And the public is demanding change. Even as many officers feel they are the ones unfairly under attack. More on that later.
In Memphis, some progress is being made. City and police brass say officers will discontinue the use of no-knock search warrants. And the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department says it is considering adopting the same policy. This came to light Thursday in a Facebook post by protest leader DeVante Hill. And while Hill may have jumped the gun a bit in announcing the change, it is a welcome development in local policing.
The issue became part of the conversation about heavy-handed policing after Louisville officers executed a late night no-Knock warrant and fatally shot 26-year-old Breonna Taylor. Now, Taylor is one several African American victims of what many see as excessive police force – and an example of systemic racism.
But as I said, rank and file police in various cities – especially Atlanta, and probably Memphis – feel they are being unfairly targeted. Here’s my message to them. Police work is honorable. And officers should be respected. But that respect goes both ways. And no one should be offended by reasonable demands for reform. The good thing is, local law enforcement officials are starting to get it. And that’s my point of view.
