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De-escalation

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There’s a word that’s emerged prominently in the coverage surrounding the traffic stop, arrest and subsequent jailhouse death of Sandra Bland that’s worth study.

Escalation.

Yep. Any read of the transcript shows that.

* Natasha talks to Sen. Kwame Raoul about his “body cam” bill, which does so much more…

In Illinois, Raoul has co-sponsored sweeping law enforcement reform legislation that awaits Gov. Bruce Rauner’s signature. Raoul said elements of the legislation go directly toward addressing the kinds of things that went wrong after Bland’s police encounter.

It’s a traffic stop, recall, that is happening in a post-Ferguson and post-Baltimore era, where racially-charged, police incidents in those cities have heightened tensions across the nation. […]

Those incidents helped drive the legislation in Illinois, SB1304, which sets out clear procedures for the use of body cameras and dashcam cameras. The bill bans Illinois police officers to use chokeholds, unless the use of deadly force is warranted. It requires police to fill out “receipts” for those individuals — including pedestrians — who are “frisked” or patted down but not arrested. Police would have to detail the reason for stopping the person, detailing that person’s race and logging any contraband or other personal items taken from the person.

The provisions work to place additional checks on police authority while also providing police officers evidence if they later face misconduct allegations.

While the words “escalation” or “de-escalation” do not appear in the text of the 174-page bill, the legislation includes clauses requiring additional police training every three years on “constitutional and proper use of law enforcement authority, procedural justice, civil rights, human rights and cultural competency.”

A key component to that training, Raoul says, is practicing scenarios like the one that confronted Encinia that day.

* Meanwhile…

In a video posted to YouTube, dozens of community members could be seen visibly upset that Chicago Police had removed the car from the crime scene with the bodies of Thomas and Wallace still inside. The video is titled: “So damn disrespectful, this is just not right . . .”

The crowd can be seen shouting, swearing and aggressively approaching police, prompting one officer to ready his baton and hold it in the air.

The video, by user “Jay Hustle,” has garnered more than 700,000 views on various social media sites, including Facebook.

“They tow the car with a body hanging out of the window,” Hustle can be heard saying. “When did it become procedure to tow a car with a deceased body hanging out of a window with a repo truck? Only in Chicago.” […]

“From time to time, depending on the unique circumstances of the death, bodies may be left in vehicles and removed in private area at the ME’S office [CPD responded]. This would be done to protect the integrity of the crime scene (the car) while at the same time preserving the dignity of the deceased by handling their bodies in a private area rather than on the street in full view of onlookers.

But if you watch the video, which contains quite a bit of profanity, you’ll notice how calm the CPD officers are and how they patiently de-escalate the situation, despite being vastly outnumbered.

I dunno about the car towing thing, but those coppers are top notch.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:37 am

Comments

It’s gotten to the point where no matter what the police are wrong. Almost makes me so see why anyone would do that job.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:40 am
That Texas cop was looking to light somebody up that day. The video is a nightmare to behold.

Cops deal with upset, irritated and agitated people all day, every day. That’s the job.It’s a very tough job.

The good ones are all about de-escalation.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:42 am
Police brutality should never be tolerated, but some activists have relied upon “false narratives” to push an anti-police agenda. All lives matter, but we need to be guided by the facts. Michael Brown committed several crimes during the final minutes of his life and the police officer was investigated and no charges were filed by local prosecutors.

I do not know what the final reports will be in Maryland or in Texas, but it is troubling to constantly see references to Ferguson, Missouri that omit relevant facts.

Comment by Under Further Review Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:44 am
I would speculate that the car was towed with the bodies still inside because of the possibility that the fevered mob might cause some problems with evidence preservation. I guess I can understand how the onlookers got all overheated, but as Rich and others have already said, you have to admire their cool demeanor that didn’t allow things to get out of hand. This is sort of the opposite of the Texas video, where the cop seemed to snap and helped trigger the bad reaction of Ms. Bland.

Comment by chiatty Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:45 am
==The crowd can be seen shouting, swearing and aggressively approaching police==

That might have had something to do with the desire to get everything and everyone out of the vicinity as soon as possible.

It is unlikely they would have towed that car as is if they were not so outnumbered and surrounded by such a hostile crowd. As Mr ==Hustle== points out, this was not routine but it may have been necessary.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:47 am
Body cams seem like a good idea for all involved, but the idea that every second of footage may be public record is concerning.

My child’s face or comments during a traffic stop? The inside of my house? The potentially embarrassing actions of someone suffering from an illness or medical emergency? Footage of someone’s death?

This footage should not be released to just anyone and everyone, but perhaps only to those who have a direct interest in the case and the media in cases of public interest.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:53 am
How about passing a bill requiring people to act like civilized human beings particularly when dealing with the police

Comment by Wow Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 11:20 am
That is an example of very good and very deliberate police work with overwhelming restraint. This would be an excellent training video. Folks are very upset. Their natural alliance is not with the police. Whoever commanded that scene was very conscientious. That is top notch police work.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 11:23 am
==Formerly Known As… - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:53 am:

Body cams seem like a good idea for all involved, but the idea that every second of footage may be public record is concerning.

My child’s face or comments during a traffic stop? The inside of my house? The potentially embarrassing actions of someone suffering from an illness or medical emergency? Footage of someone’s death?

This footage should not be released to just anyone and everyone, but perhaps only to those who have a direct interest in the case and the media in cases of public interest.==

All of the things you mentioned are covered by the bill, and for the most part would not be released. Footage cannot be released to everyone.

Comment by doh Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 11:32 am
How about passing a bill requiring the police to act like civilized human beings particularly when dealing with the public.

There, fixed it for ya

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 11:42 am
Things are rough these days. Racial tension gets worse fueled by the opportunistic media.Why report on peoples from different racial backgrounds cooperating when one can purposely broadcast divisive stories and video that incite the ever present visceral ,inherent emotional reactions that are ubiquitous in everyone ..as it pertains to belonging to a certain group racially or otherwise.The media is the tail that wags the dog of the masses.

Comment by cez Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 11:45 am
In general I think body cams would be a very positive thing for the officers, although I doubt that is their feeling now. I can envision a lengthy “reel” showing just what they have to contend with on a daily basis. The many deplorable actions are caught and go viral, as they should, but there is another side to the stories that would make us feel very proud of most of those representing The Thin Blue Line.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 11:50 am
–”Their natural alliance is not with the police.”–

Did you really want to say that, that way?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 11:50 am
=== Wordslinger - Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 11:50 am:

–”Their natural alliance is not with the police.”–

Did you really want to say that, that way?====

Hope it was understandable. The folks in the video who were onlookers (and protesters) were very critical of the police. The people don’t get the benefit of the doubt in a number of neighborhoods. This would be one of them. They showed extraordinary restraint in a neighborhood where the crowd was decidedly not on their side.
Better?

Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Meant to say “the police don’t get the benefit of the doubt”.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:02 pm
Guy, you might want to avoid stereotypical generalizations and reflect on the meaning of the phrase “natural alliance.”

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:17 pm
That’s a pretty specific neighborhood Sling. The police are not a natural alliance there. Maybe you need to watch the video again, or the news “any” Sunday evening, or just read the post up top again. This was hardly stereotyping.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:20 pm
What ever happened to the peace officer?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:24 pm
Guy, you don’t understand your own words.

There is a CAPS program in Englewood and police liason with community groups and schools. Black police officers, too.

You’re making a sweeping generalization based on a crowd upset about a specific incident that you saw on the TV. Enough with the “natural alliance” stuff — you don’t get it, trust me.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:33 pm
@doh - Gracias. The language looks more thorough than expected.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:37 pm
Sling, you’re off here. The police are viewed very skeptically in this area. CAPS helps. It hasn’t cured. The gangs have tremendous influence there. I stated there was “no natural alliance” with the police. A natural alliance with the police is something you can take for granted in most places. In places like Engelwood, you can’t. I was complimenting these cops and their commander for operating exceptionally under difficult circumstances.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 12:45 pm
As an active police officer, I want a body cam. No doubt about it.

What I don’t want is the time it will take to download the video and store it in a way that the video can be found later when it is needed. The amount of time that will take is easy to underestimate. The red tape of my daily work existence has grown over the years and despite computers and automation I spend huge amounts of time performing administrative tasks that prevent me from doing the things that make people safer.

I also want point out a frisk is not performed to find contraband, it is performed to locate a weapon. It is performed with reasonable suspicion that the person possesses a weapon and has committed or is about to commit a crime. It is not performed randomly and without reason. Under certain circumstances during a frisk contraband other than weapons could be legally seized and the contraband could be admissible evidence but those circumstances are pretty rare.

Comment by Freezeup Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 1:23 pm
==How about passing a bill requiring the police to act like civilized human beings particularly when dealing with the public.==

Here’s what I’ve never understood about some people. If a police officer tells you to do something, you do it. Whether you think it’s right or wrong. You do it and grieve it later. A cop tells you to get on the ground. You get on the ground. A copy tells you to get out of your car. You get out of your car. 99% of the time (there will always be that one dunderheaded cop out there who is the outlier) the entire interaction with the police will end just fine if you simply do what you are told. You take it up a notch and the cop is going to respond in kind. It’s human nature. Your actions dictate the kind of response that will be generated.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:18 pm
Demo, I disagree.

The great majority of cops are professionals. They deal with aggravated, nervous, irritated, scared people all day, every day. That’s their job.

Think about it. Most people don’t get pulled over every day; they’re susceptible to get nervous and emotional when they do. Cops pull people over every day; it’s their duty to be a pro and deescalate the situation.

The cop in Texas escalated the situation, time and again. He was not in the right state of mind to do his job. He was looking for trouble.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Demoralized,

“actions dictate the kind of response that will be generated”

That is a truism. But what is the required response to being subjected to “stop and frisk”, or whatever catchy jingle one attaches to it, at a disproportional level?

Riding around in a backseat of a Ford Police Interceptor all day- “just because” wears on a community’s understanding. It is a commonly accepted fact that justice is meted out differently based on one’s melanin content.

One may safely surmise that Ms. Bland, was tired of the game.

Comment by Ipso Facto Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:08 pm
Ipso Facto

I guess my point is that, regardless of whether we believe we are being targeted, the redress for that grievance isn’t by confronting a police officer. We’ve got to figure this out at a higher level or we will continue to see tragic events like this. I don’t have an answer that’s better than that. I wish I did.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:31 pm
Demoralized, I think you’re giving cops a bad rap. Also, as citizens, we shouldn’t be expected to treat police officers as if they’re powder kegs about to explode in our own faces.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:33 pm
I’m not sure where I suggested that. If you think I did I didn’t mean to. All I’m saying is that it’s best to abide by an order an officer gives you. I’m not sure how that gives them a bad rap.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:40 pm
I’m coming at this as somebody who has a misdemeanor criminal record because I didn’t do the very thing I think we should all do. I challenged an officer. I ended up in a cell with 5 others for the evening. How did that help me out?

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:43 pm
Thank you Freezeup. Way to many folks on this blog confuse a frisk with a search. Two different things. Two different standards before undertaking.

Comment by Leave a Light on George Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 3:47 pm
Demoralized,

Thanks for the reply.

As one who hasn’t had a history of strained contact with officers of the peace, I understand how to play the game… “Yes, sir. No, sir. Indeed, Officer.” But, I also haven’t been stopped for driving and asked for for my driver’s license and registration on a regular basis. (cf. DWB) Nor have I had to “accompany” police officers on their rounds as an unwilling guest in the backseat of their patrol car.

It must be noted, I have colleagues who work in Chicago’s 10th Policing District. No axe to grind on this issue.

But, I recognize the disproportional amount of “lawful” contact certain ethnic groups receive. Sandra Bland was “asked” then ordered to put out a cigarette in her “own” car.

I would be hard-pressed to image a law officer ordering me out of my car, and on the ground, for such an offense.

Comment by Ipso Facto Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 4:11 pm
“One may safely surmise that Ms. Bland, was tired of the game.”

@Ipso:

Have you read anything about the toxicology report results of the late Ms. Bland yet? While she may have been tired, she may also have been impaired.

I have visited Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio) several times over the years. While I would not go so far as to call Texas a police state, it is definitely much more of a “law and order” culture. The billboards at the borders do not read “Welcome.” The signs advise visitors “Don’t Mess With Texas.”

Just saying.

Comment by Under Further Review Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 4:38 pm
===I have visited Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, and San Antonio) several times over the years. While I would not go so far as to call Texas a police state, it is definitely much more of a “law and order” culture===

Is it in America?//????

Comment by TROOPER Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 5:07 pm
UFR, for crying out loud,THC can be detected in a blood test six months after the fact.

That’s hardly evidence she may have been “impaired.” You’d think if the cop thought she was he would have administered a sobriety test, because he definitely wanted to tune her up.

What do you suppose the cop was on that made him flip like that?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 5:09 pm
Rich, that is a spot on comment and when I encounter people who act fearful that I am that powder keg that is about to blow up it is uncomfortable to say the least. It also makes me a little sad.

I wonder how we all got to this point. I took this job many years ago because I wanted to be one of the good guys. Still do. Hate it with all my soul that we are viewed by some as thugs with badges.

Wordslinger: I also liked your comment that cops make traffic stops every day and that it is their duty to to be pro’s and de-escalate whenever possible. Absolutely true. I was told early on that most of the people you contact on the side of the road will only have one or two contacts max in their lifetime with an officer from your agency and they will form an opinion on every officer in that agency by the way you conduct yourself. It is critical that we leave people, (even criminals),with the correct impression.

Comment by Freezeup Monday, Jul 27, 15 @ 10:31 pm