Preparing Our Teens for Safe Police Interactions
Police officers are highly trained public servants that are paid to serve and protect. They are often over worked, under paid and deal with high levels of stress. At the end of the day, both officers & civilians simply want to make it home to our families. But there seems to be 2 different rule books. Law enforcement officers tend to have less patience & compassion when it comes to people in our communities. A quick Google search will show you exactly what I am referring to. Black motorist are 30% more likely to be pulled over while operating a motor vehicle & over 1/2 of those stopped are often arrested on petty crimes.
Over the years, I’ve seen caucasians pull weapons & get uber aggressive with police & get taken into custody while unarmed Black Americans are not that fortunate. It baffles me how a trained public official in a bullet proof vest can fear for his life while dealing with unarmed citizens. My goal is to offer some lifesaving advice that could be the difference between you making it home or to the metal gates & not the golden gates.
Most Cops Do NOT Know The Laws They Are Suppose To Enforce:
I’ve studied a lot of cop cam video & there is one common denominator. Law enforcers do not know the law. Laws are forever changing & can be hard to retain. How is being arrested for resisting arrest a thing? There has to be an arrest able offense in motion to resist before you can be cuffed for resisting. Just like cops, the average citizen doesn’t know the laws either. Screaming that you know your rights & you want their badge number is not the route to go. Stay calm & take your ticket. I can assure you that the badge number will be listed on the ticket. Trying to hold court in the streets is the biggest threat to your life. If you feel your rights have been violated, simply survive to get your day to tell your story to a judge & jury.
Your Rights Are Temporarily Suspended:
Once the blue & red lights activate, you temporarily lose all of your rights EXCEPT your civil rights. Pull your vehicle over into a safe, well lit place & roll down all windows if weather permits. Please turn off the car, remain in the vehicle & keep your hands on the wheel until further instructed. If you do not have your license or insurance, inform them of that once he officer makes contact with you. You are not in control of the traffic stop. If you are asked to exit the vehicle; exit. If you are being told you are detained or arrested, just allow them to cuff you. You are not free to walk off. As I stated, you lost those rights but you still your civil rights. Once again, if you feel your civil rights have been trampled, make it home safe, hire counsel & have your day in court. It’s easier to get justice in a courtroom than it is in a funeral home.
Cops Are Not Trained To Deescalate:
Deescalation and problem resolution are not what most cops are trained in. Police are trained to make contact, give commands, and enforce compliance, often with the assumption that swift control of a situation ensures safety. This lack of emphasis on deescalation can lead to escalated encounters, especially when tensions are already high. As citizens, it's crucial for us to understand this dynamic and prioritize our own safety by following law enforcement commands, even when they seem unnecessary or harsh. While systemic changes are needed to prioritize deescalation in police training, until those reforms happen, compliance is often the safest choice in interactions with law enforcement.
In Closing:
It’s vital for Black parents to teach our youth that following these tips and understanding the dynamics of police interactions could truly mean the difference between life and death. By preparing our children with the knowledge and strategies to navigate these situations safely, we empower them to protect themselves in a world that doesn’t always value their lives as it should. While the responsibility to change systemic issues lies with society as a whole, the immediate safety of our youth starts with education at home. Instilling these lessons isn’t just about survival—it’s about equipping them with the tools to confidently face challenges and come home safely.
🤎🖤Black Love ✊🏿 Black Power ☮️ Black Peace to my 🌡 Community.
