Corrective Measures to FIX the Broken Police Force

The first thing that crossed my mind when I began to ponder what really needs to be done to fix the Police in the United State (and some other places) was that they needed to be disbanded.

After all, if they are corrupted now, harming and terrorizing the innocent, committing and getting away with crimes, including murder, shouldn't we take the whole thing down?

:)

But that would take out what good police are there as well and I don't think we should punish the (relatively) innocent.

So here then are my first draft ideas about fixing the police, without hamstringing the good ones.

1. All Police officers must follow the laws and are put to the same standard of punishment for breaking any laws.

Not extra punishment, just the same. If they kill an innocent person on purpose, then they are tried for that crime and if found guilty will be punished the same way anyone else would.

If they steal, the same is true.

This will prevent a further increase in police on innocent violence, as real consequences will take place.

This is NOT some kind of hamstringing however.

They can use the same force they are legally allowed now. It is only when they continue to use unneeded force past a reasonable point that they would have to worry.

(So, if they catch a person an punch them a couple of times, they will get a pass. If they keep it up for three minutes, after the person is subdued, they are in trouble.)

2. All police officers MUST where both a camera and an audio capture device on there person at all times. All images and audio must be kept for at least 1 year after being taken. All data must be made available to any claimant on demand.

So, you can't get the video of the cop in the john, but if you have a specific claim against an officer, there will be a recording to either prove you right or show you are wrong.

If this video "disappears" for some reason all claims made against an officer for the missing time will be assumed by law to be accurate.

*To prevent the police from "losing" damning evidence.

3. All claims of discipline or law breaking must be handled by a civilian level and must be taken to the highest level that the civilian or claimant is comfortable with.

Look, the police have a hard job and don't need to be thrown off the force every time they act like an asshole. For that matter, they can continue to be an ass and still stay on the force under these rules! They just don't get away with breaking the law.

The intent here is to make certain real claims are handled and if need be taken to court, by a power outside of the normal chain.

The police are famous for protecting the corrupt amongst them...

Of course under these rules (see rule #1) all involved police would be guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime if they participate in a cover up...

But second party power structure will make certain the wrong party (or the party that incorrectly believes themselves to be wronged) will be heard.

***

I think that will fix most of the real problem.

It won't make the police all nice and lovey-dovey, but it will cut out the grossest criminal activity PDQ.

Anyone have any other thoughts to add to this?

I like the K.I.S.S. principle myself...