William J. Bratton, who has served as the top cop for America’s largest cities, including New York City (twice), Los Angeles, and Boston, speaking in a Podcast recorded with me earlier this week for broadcast next week, warned that law enforcement in America is in the greatest crisis it has faced in a half-century. Bratton, who achieved impressive results in our largest cities by reducing crime while improving the relationship between law enforcement officers and the communities they police, is clearly worried. Bratton is retired from active police work and is now an international consultant on risk and security issues. He doesn’t mince words when addressing the problems law enforcement faces today. When there is a schism between agencies that society expects to enforce the law and those that are there to prosecute lawbreakers, we have a crisis. And that seems to be where we are today, Bratton says.
With the exception of entering a political contest, I cannot imagine the courage of those men and women who enter the public safety (police, fire, EMT) profession. While I believe they are fairly paid in most jurisdictions, they put their own safety on the line every day to protect citizens - most of which appreciate their work and, unfortunately, some who detest them.
I believe Bratton's initial NYC tenure was under the Giuliani administration. This was when Giuliani seemed to be sane (pre 9/11). The signature items that brought down crime in general were the 'broken window' and the 'windshield washers'. Both extremely minor but were very visible to the population.
Today, I too, worry about the safety in our cities due to prosecutors who decide not to prosecute, understaffed professionals, and media hype on any wrongdoing by a few 'bad' officers.
With the exception of entering a political contest, I cannot imagine the courage of those men and women who enter the public safety (police, fire, EMT) profession. While I believe they are fairly paid in most jurisdictions, they put their own safety on the line every day to protect citizens - most of which appreciate their work and, unfortunately, some who detest them.
I believe Bratton's initial NYC tenure was under the Giuliani administration. This was when Giuliani seemed to be sane (pre 9/11). The signature items that brought down crime in general were the 'broken window' and the 'windshield washers'. Both extremely minor but were very visible to the population.
Today, I too, worry about the safety in our cities due to prosecutors who decide not to prosecute, understaffed professionals, and media hype on any wrongdoing by a few 'bad' officers.