Originally published at: Racist, violent Colorado gang that engages in a "consistent pattern of illegal behavior" turns out to be the police department | Boing Boing
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The largest well armed most violent gang in the USA, the fucking Police. What’ya know about that…
ACAB
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Well that answers the conundrum of claims of cops quitting in droves but the overall numbers remaining relatively flat.
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Obviously. It’s clearly the black men who are shooting up the movie theaters or high schools in that area. Oh wait…
In case somebody would like to know about a specific incident involving the Aurora police:
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“misplaced understanding” of de-escalation
GIMME A FUCKIN’ BREAK!!
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Elijah McClain’s last words are heartbreaking. I used to live 15 minutes away from where he was murdered. The officers and paramedics have finally been charged.
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I am shocked. I’m shocked the numbers weren’t worse. I’m guessing there was some under-reporting involved.
Yeah, that is the absolutely weirdest fucking way to describe the cops simply not giving a shit about de-escalation, and in fact frequently wanting to escalate things.
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Blah, blah, blah.
So, just WTF are they going to do about it?
Pretty sure this is SOP everywhere, so, again:
WTF is going to be done about it?
This shit cannot continue.
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The first time I heard his last words was during a recitation by a young woman at one of last year’s rallies. It was astonishingly impactful. Sometimes it is just so far over any reasonable line that you lose a little faith in humanity. I’m running on empty at the moment.
Also spotted at the same rally:
Blue Lines = Gang Signs
Couldn’t have said it better, myself.
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Good question. Who controls the police force? Local government? Do they hire/fire the person in charge of the department? Leadership change would be the first step.
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The usual response is investigate the problem, make a few changes to the rules/policy, and throw money at training programs (guess who owns/runs those programs). Bonus points if they fire or transfer a few scapegoats.
This continues until we succeed with efforts to defund, restructure/reallocate resources, and enable oversight committees/boards with teeth.
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The solution to the problem of the police is obvious and simple.
It’s just the white majority is happy with their modified runaway slave posse.
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From what I have seen with HPD over the decades [I live near Houston], the problem is less with Who Is In Charge, than it has to do with the internal culture of the department.
Sure, the Chief [or Mayor, etc] can make noises & maybe change policies, but the police unions are fearsome things & you also have to get the DA on board.
In any case, you can’t trust cops to investigate themselves.
My statement also spoke towards this shit happening everywhere, & that would [it seems to me] need to involve the DOJ; Congressional action is effectively on hold until the filibuster is killed.
Doubt that will happen before the FDC takes power again… it will be their first order of business.
ETA:
The ‘teeth’ part seems to be the hold-up in a lot of cases. They seem to want the appearence of Doing Things, rather than the substance.
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I agree, but if anyone can institute a cultural change and fire the most egregious offenders, it is someone at the top. But it would be a monumental task if the rot is deep. 
Absolutely.
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‘If’ the rot is deep?
The whole friggin hull is infested with shipworms!
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They did get charged? I thought they just quit and/or got fired.
Edit: They were charged.
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Aurora has a new police chief as of August last year. She did this recently:
It gives me a little hope. (I am not an aurora resident)
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You would think that cops in Colorado would have gotten more chill after weed was legalized.
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More of ‘em should smoke ganja. AFAIK cops’ drugs of choice are primarily alcohol, speed, and steroids. Not at all mellow.
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