Editor's Note: This is Part II of a two-part series. Read Part I in the November issue of LET http://let.epubxp.com/i/745845-nov-2016
A lot of recent attention is being given to the term “Ferguson Effect,” which essentially means officers restricting themselves to reactive policing and avoiding being proactive during their tours of duty. Originating from the police shooting on August 9, 2014 of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri combined with other controversial police actions, our profession has found itself highly criticized to the point where many may simply not want to take any risks that could result in embarrassment to their agency, loss of their employment or incarceration for making a mistake. Hence we have the term “Ferguson Effect” which may be taking a hold of the attitudes of more officers each day.
Measuring police productivity has always been somewhat difficult because so much of what an officer does, i.e. preventing a crime, can’t always be charted like monthly ticket counts. Measuring attitude can be even more difficult. How much traction the “Ferguson Effect” gets over time though should be a serious concern to not only police leadership but all officers. Effective strategies should combine individual officer efforts and personal ethics with strong agency and union leadership which provides a consistent supportive platform can make a difference in a fast paced information based society of which some members seem to have developed an unreasonable suspicion of police officers. The following is a general blueprint that can address the “Ferguson effect” so that it doesn’t compromise our noble mission any further.
Individual officers
Officers need to routinely remind themselves that they are still the good guys and their mission is to protect and serve. As this line of work inherently involves a certain level of bravery, we need to draw on our courage and conviction to recognize that we are all, including our own loved ones, in more danger if we let the criminal element go unchecked. We must go after evil and try to ferret it out because too many good people depend on us. We must remind ourselves on why we got into this job from the beginning.
We also need to make our voices heard more because too many within the media have demonstrated a bias towards this profession. Write letters to the editors of your local papers and provide the other side of the story. Use your social media access and forward positive stories about cops. Call in to radio shows and get the facts out about why cops do what we do.
Union participation
Police fraternities and unions have an important role in battling the “Ferguson Effect.” They need to find innovative ways to show support for their members and encourage them to continue to make a difference. They also need to realize that they play a teaching role with the public. I recently read of a union taking out a tv ad to show all the good that their officers do. This is definitely thinking outside of the box and allows unions to reach broad audiences with positive content. Although expensive, this type of messaging is critical right now and a good use of union dues money.
Leadership support
Police leadership can play a vital role in whether an officer feels his department will have his back if he takes risks to protect people. Police management need to be clear that they will support them and demonstrate it with action, not just words. They must resist the urge to throw an officer under the bus for political expediency or to answer to a mob. They must be especially judicious and fair when examining police use of force and not forget how they would want to be evaluated if forced to make “split-second judgments – in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving.”
A dependable voice(s)
Our profession could use a dependable national spokesperson or two who can provide fact based scientifically supported evidence and reasoning on why cops do what they do under stress as well as providing insight from a police officer’s perspective on various matters. Not sure if they want the job but I would nominate either Dr. Bill Lewinski of the Force Science Institute or Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman, who both can provide sober analysis of police use of force. Anyone else interested?
Ours is a special profession that cannot be poisoned from a “Ferguson Effect” or any other euphemism that corrodes our noble mission to protect and serve. We cannot depend on anyone else to do it for us. If it is a must, it is up to us.
Tom Wetzel is a suburban police lieutenant in Greater Cleveland and an adjunct professor on community policing at Lakeland Community College
