PAX Centurion - November / December 2014

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • November/December 2014 • Page 17 T he term “de-policing” was first introduced after the Cincin- nati riots many years ago. TIME magazine, as well as other publications, carried lengthy articles about this “phenom- enon,” as they simply could not understand how the police were not acting “properly” for the video footage they wanted to capture. In other words, the police simply pulled back and stopped performing aggressive police work and fighting the looters. (That, in addition to the fact that the rioters and looters had turned their wrath upon the liberal media, who thought they were the rioters allies.) Actually, “de-policing” is simply a natural reaction to criminal behavior which is tolerated and accepted by the biggest mouths in the community; activists, so-called “community organizers” and other rabble-rousers. (Think of Al Sharpton, et al…) The police, sensing that efforts to restore law and order in a community that does not want or appreciate them, simply react by pulling back and allowing the situations at hand to work themselves out until the residents decide they’ve had enough. After a while, there’s nothing left to loot or burn, and all the local jobs are gone. Business owners do not want to return to communities where there is a zero-sum gain to earn a profit. When police officers are constantly scrutinized and second- guessed by the media and the community, the result is “de-policing.” Who wants to appear before Internal Affairs, grossly-biased and “De-policing” What is it, and who suffers? By James W. Carnell, Pax Editor politically appointed “community review boards,” or federal or state courts simply for doing their jobs?You’re criticized for doing your job, and you’re criticized for not doing your job. But not perform- ing aggressive police work is less likely to get you into serious legal difficulties than performing aggressive police work. Of course, the commanders at the top of the police political food-chain don’t like “de-policing,” because it means less statistics for them to beat their chests over (and take credit for) at the next management seminar or “com-stat” meeting. They would prefer that patrol officers offer themselves as fodder for the cannon, and then willingly fall under the sword when criticism comes from the loudmouthed community activist-types. Make a thousand good arrests, and the boss will be sure to take credit for your work and give you a back-slap every now and then. Make one arrest that engenders criticism or scrutiny, and the same boss doesn’t remember your name. So “de-policing,” in the aftermath of Ferguson, should not sur- prise anyone. Cops are human too (what a shocking statement!) and react the way most people would when faced with withering media and public criticism. There is a famous saying that I will paraphrase, printed on the back of our BPPA t-shirts: “A society that makes war on its police, had better be prepared to make peace with its criminals.” Society will, ultimately, get the type of policing it truly deserves. The Law Firm of Scott D. Goldberg, P.C. is proud to continue supporting the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association. Attorney Goldberg is honored to be the personal lawyer for many of its members and families for almost 25 years. The majority of our police clients are referred to us by other officers we have represented and with whom we have established close relationships. We fight for the rights of police men and women who are injured both on-duty and off, some of whom do not know that they have a right to a claim until they call us. The financial compensation we obtain for them includes lost pay – base, detail, and overtime – even when they receive Pay with Leave or used sick days. It also includes payment for medical expenses, disability, and pain and suffering. We are also excited to announce that we have a new website, at the same web address www.goldberglawfirm.net, which has more information about claims for police officers and insurance. If you, your family, or friends have been injured, or if would like advice about how to protect yourself and your family before an incident, then please contact Attorney Goldberg for a free consultation. T HE L AW F IRM OF S COTT D. G OLDBERG , P.C. Proudly Supports the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association 2014 Police Letterhead banner Ad (7.5x.5).2_Layout 1 10/3/14 5:45 PM Page 1 T HE L AW F IRM OF S COTT D. G OLDBERG , P.C. Scott D. Goldberg, Esq. 52 Temple Place 4th Fl. Boston, MA 02111 tel: 617.227.1888 e-mail: scott@goldberglawfirm.net website: www.goldberglawfirm.net Representing Injured Police Officers Since 1990 2014 Police Bus Card Ad (2.5x1.5).2_Layout 1 10/3/14 5