Having been raised in the 1950’s, the foundation for my moral training was respect. I was taught to respect my elders, the authorities, and my friends and classmates. To this day that seven-letter word remains the most important concept in my life. I once told my wife that besides loving her more than anything else in the world, the reason I married her is because I respect her more than anyone else I have ever known.

Sadly there is one group, one member of those who have authority over our people, which has lost my respect. Law enforcement is guilty of heinous crimes against the black community; but it doesn’t stop there. The old adage, ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’ is completely accurate. Maybe it begins with our leaders in Washington who have created an oligarchy, and trickles down to local government, but whatever the reason, it is destroying our freedoms and eliminating human rights.

Deven Guilford was a 17 year old white teenager driving on a Michigan highway. He encountered a vehicle whose headlights were in need of adjustment. Flashing his own to inform the driver resulted in a police officer pulling him over. The vehicle with the improper headlights was a police SUV.

Sgt. Jonathan Frost became upset when Guilford refused to put down his phone; he was recording the incident. Frost ordered him out of his car. When the 17 year old refused to place his hands behind his back so Frost could handcuff him, he was tasered, but ineffectively. Guilford then began to pummel Frost. During the struggle, Frost pulled out his gun and shot the young man seven times, killing him.

Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney Douglas Lloyd refused to charge Frost for using excessive force. Guilford’s family has filed a federal lawsuit against Eaton County and Sergeant Frost.

Law enforcement protects its own. It is extremely rare when a sheriff, policeman or constable is prosecuted for unnecessarily taking the life of an unarmed citizen.

Those who are intended to protect and serve our people are poorly trained and use their lethal weapons without concern for the lives of those they encounter. Anyone who possesses a firearm, including law enforcement, has a responsibility to use any other alternative before considering the discharge of a lethal weapon.

When forced to face our police fear has replaced respect. In our black communities there is an awareness that the police are the enemy. This is not new, the only change in 50 years is because of the electronic age; everyone has a camera and the truth can no longer be hidden. What has not changed is placing responsibility where it belongs; with the authorities.

Taking a human life is a dreadful event. When a young man or woman is killed, the incident affects family, friends and the community. This young person may have contributed great things for our nation and the world, but we’ll never know. They never had the chance to experience their hopes and dreams. But the authorities are more concerned with protecting the badge than human life.

Our entire law enforcement community must be reviewed and changed. More time must be spent training prospective candidates in community relations than on the firing range. All those in training must experience extensive psychological testing before they are issued a lethal weapon. We cannot allow those who are supposed to protect us to follow the tradition of our government; shoot first and ask questions later.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Elliott Plack