The balance in our criminal justice system is constantly changing. The peaks and valleys surrounding our imperfect justice system are indicative of its strengths and weaknesses, yet it remains the model for democracies around the globe. Its fundamentals were framed by visionaries devoted to public service.
The headline of this article is a classic quote delivered by the frustrated fictional character SFPD Inspector Harry Callahan in the 1971 movie Dirty Harry. In the movie, Inspector Callahan was having a conversation with the District Attorney and a Judge about key evidence in a case. Both the DA and the Judge told Callahan that the evidence would not hold up in court, which led the Inspector to blurt out this classic line.
The Fox Wants to Guard the Henhouse
All sworn law enforcement personnel are committed to protecting the community they serve. San Francisco police officers are among the most committed of all to fulfilling that solemn pledge. We value the sanctity of life above all else. Accordingly, we are bestowed with a sobering degree of power granted to us by the U.S. and state constitutions, laws, and judicial rulings. The vast majority of officers strive to use that power justly and sparingly. Few relish its abuse.
Now that the election is over it is time to roll up our sleeves and get back to the business at hand. 2017 will present some difficult challenges for the POA, and we will not back down when it comes to our rights, our safety, and the safety of the community that we serve.
As in past years, the POA will likely face many obstacles -- both those looming and foreseeable, and those yet unknown. We will deal with them as they develop, with deliberation and strategy. Issues that we do see on the horizon in 2017 are:
Flawed Use of Force Policy.
Every December since I became President of the POA, I have recapped the progress that we have made during the year. I have also reported some of the short-comings. This year will be no different.
406 Officer Down!....406 Officer Down!
In the September 16, 2016 edition of SF Gate there was a headline article of “Adachi says defendant in BART arrest had the right to fight police.” Apparently Public Defender Jeff Adachi will be arguing in court that his client’s “actions were necessary in order for him to save his life.” Part of those actions condoned by Mr. Adachi were the biting, kicking, and finger gouging of the police officers along with spitting on them by the defendant. This combative resister was even able to kick the body worn camera off of one of the officers.
On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began when soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army poured across the 38th parallel, which was the boundary between the Soviet-backed People’s Republic of Korea to the north, and the pro-western Republic of Korea to the south. By July, American troops had entered the war on South Korea’s behalf after the United Nations Security Council decided to dispatch UN forces. Twenty-one countries eventually entered the conflict with the United States providing 88% of the UN Forces.
Many men and women in law enforcement who serve and protect our communities 24/7 365 days a year are asking this question “Am I next? Are we now targets for factions of our community who need us the most?”
The actions taken by our elected officials following the tragic events of May 19, 2016 were a panderer’s delight; sacrificing a dedicated Chief of Police to appease a knot of noisy troublemakers.
July 1, 2024
