Cameras capture bad cops, good cops: #tellusatoday

Letters to the editor:

Some big-city mayors and even FBI head James Comey theorize that there is a “Ferguson effect” — that videos taken by passers-by of cops behaving badly inhibit arrests and are spiking crime rates. The data are mixed; some big-city crime rates are up and some down, with no definitive connection between videos and crime rates. But if there is a Ferguson effect, it didn’t inhibit former deputy Ben Fields from being violent with a teen girl in a Columbia, S.C., high school. He flipped her upside-down before tossing her across the room.

The lesson here is that when bad cops go berserk, their rage makes them oblivious to the ubiquitous cell cameras recording their violent outbursts. The vast majority of cops who control their non-professional emotions or character flaws likely view the taping of their citizen interactions positively.

But seeing the frequent videos of brutal cops traumatizing, injuring and sometimes killing unarmed citizens makes one wonder how many others have been victimized without any means of redress before the video revolution.

Walt Zlotow; Glen Ellyn, Ill.

POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media

Paste BN’s editorial on FBI Director James Comey’s comments couldn’t be more off-base (“FBI chief jumps gun on ‘Ferguson effect’: Our view”). It’s hard to compile data from conversations with police officers all over the USA who feel a sense of abandonment by their political leaders. That feeling is real to the men and women who stand on guard for all of us. It’s trite to say it, but perception is reality. Way to go, Director Comey!

John W. Adams; Indianapolis

We asked what followers thought about the FBI chief’s comment that police are pulling back out of fear of being videotaped. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

If cameras were placed on all of us doing our jobs, they would hinder us.

— @39Patterson

This is utter nonsense. Cameras often save officers from false accusations. Good cops have nothing to fear.

— @gwinfidel

Police statements can’t always be trusted. Video and audio don’t lie.

— @JermellDante

No cop wants to be the subject of the next viral video. Consequently, proactive policing is likely to decline.

— @RickMoore

Police wrongdoing has shined the scrutiny light on them, no one else.

— @fshirley48

If the FBI chief feels smartphone cameras deter policing the USA effectively, maybe protect and serve needs to be clarified.

— @silkysoul

Cameras don’t hinder police. Politicians and activists who know little about police work hinder the police.

— @LeoCombatUSA

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday.