Ronald Hampton, executive director of the National Black Police Association, opposes a proposal by two Chicago black lawmakers who believe violence has become so rampant in the city that the Illinois National Guard must be called in to help: "A police department's officers are trained to enable Constitutional due process safeguards. Armies are not designed with this purpose - armies are trained to kill. The suggestion of the National Guard to be deployed in black and Mexican neighborhoods in Chicago is an outgrowth of the scary trend toward militaristic policing by many police agencies in the U.S. (Chicago in particular). The problem is compounded by many men with militaristic aspirations, but lacking courage for military service; rather using police work and low-income residential communities as way to achieve military aspirations. The National Black Police Association is an organization of black police officers. If anyone has the credibility to speak on a nonsensical suggestion that a military entity be deployed in Chicago, it is us. Most of our members have policed the country's biggest cities and most dangerous neighborhoods. The NBPA and its members know through personal experience that the National Guard does not belong on Chicago streets. No surprise to us that most of the people supporting the deployment of the Guard in Chicago have never been police officers. Add to that, that most of these misguided people have never served our country in the U.S. Military. Many NBPA have served in the U.S. Military (e.g., the writer, a United States Marine); therefore, our members know that there is stark difference between military duties and police duties. The NBPA asserts that calls for the National Guard to patrol the city's black neighborhoods are extraordinarily off-base, misguided and a complete misunderstanding of police work, Posse Comitatus, and the U.S. Constitution."
He continues his letter: "Militarization of the police and or deployment of the National Guard in communities will only hamper police community relations and cause citizens to feel under siege by police. The violence in issue demands - not the Guard - but that Chicago Police officers are placed on foot patrol and that more officers interact with black and Mexican people with respectful tones and professionalism. It is incredible that Chicago, unlike other big cities throughout the world, does not deploy many officers on foot patrol. Chicago would do well to take lessons from New York City and Washington D.C., where officers walk foot beats around the clock. Officers on foot stop crimes! If there are more officers who do not fear the neighborhoods or the people they are supposed to serve, there would be no need for calls for the National Guard, because there would not be as much crime. So, in the list of solutions to address crime in Chicago, let us consider changes within Chicago Police leadership; how Chicago police officers are deployed; and let us seriously pay attention to the types of men and women hired as police officers. Additionally, crime can be reduced with the creation of jobs, after-school programs, and other initiatives that enable young people to engage in positive activities."
To comment on "National Black Police Association..." post, click here.
National Black Police Association Objects To National Guard Handling Chicago's Out-Of-Control Crime In Black Areas
