Radley Balko AMA on Reddit - Monday at 2pm ET

[jct74]

I'll be doing a Reddit AMA on Monday at 2pm ET. (Reddit: This is also my proof of identity.)

https://twitter.com/radleybalko/status/370582019094245376

[jct74]

here's the thread, you can post your questions and he will begin answering at 2 ET.

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1l4icw/i_am_radley_balko_writer_and_investigative/

[kcchiefs6465]

Not my question but I liked the response.



How do you feel about body cameras of the type which the NYPD is now going to be required to wear in some precincts?


[–]radleybalko[S] 4 points 2 minutes ago

I think they're a wonderful idea. And I think the criticism from Bloomberg, king of the New York surveillance state, that body cams somehow violate the civil rights of police officers is absolutely absurd. Even for him. It's also pretty revealing of how Bloomberg views the relationship between the citizen and the state. I've talked to plenty of cops who welcome body cameras, dash cameras, and citizens recording them. They say that sort of monitoring is more likely to clear them of false charges than catch them doing something wrong. Mostly because they don't consider themselves officers who intentionally violate the law.

That said, I think we need to make sure that these cameras are functioning properly, and can't be tampered with. I think I'd also support a law stating that if dash or body camera footage goes missing, the courts should presume that the defendant's account of events is correct. (Absent other evidence, of course.) I've seen far too many incidents in which one, or even several, such cameras have conveniently "malfunctioned" at critical times.

[Lucille]

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1l4icw/i_am_radley_balko_writer_and_investigative/cbvpkcf


lregla 1 point 2 hours ago

Do you think that psychiatric evaluations done during the hiring phase of police recruitment are effective in screening out candidates prone towards violent behavior? If not effective, what would you change about the process?


[–]radleybalko[S] 1 point 8 minutes ago

I don't think it's done enough, or as thoroughly as it should be. But I think police agencies in general need to pay more attention to this sort of thing. In the book, I talk about how many police recruiting videos today appeal to all the wrong aspects of the job. (See here, for example: http://www.theagitator.com/2012/07/05/two-videos-two-cities-two-attitudes/)

But I think cops need to be taught about the Milgram experiments and the Stanford Prison Experiments (flawed though the latter may have been). They should know about the corrupting effects power can have on their psychology, and be taught how to guard against it. They should get more training on de-escalation and conflict resolution.

A few months ago, I had lunch with a guy who teaches use of force classes at police agencies. He said he's noticed over the years that the focus of these courses has shifted from emphasizing how to avoid using force, to how to justify a questionable use of force after the fact. That's telling, and really troubling. I've talked to two other police officers who work on academy curriculum since, and they've said the same thing.

Great.

[Lucille]

Is this a parody?:


fukkinmike -2 points 36 minutes ago (http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1l4icw/i_am_radley_balko_writer_and_investigative/cbvrqs3)

Nobody wants to see how police work is done, they just want to know that the police work is done. All of you people sleep peacefully in your beds because rough men stand ready to commit violence on your behalf. We do the job you are either too weak, scared or uncomfortable to perform. You're welcome.

We have a saying where I work in Los Angeles. Every single person, regardless of race or color or economic class unknowingly adheres to it. Goes something like this; "Fuck you fuck you fuck you oh shit PLEASE HELP ME!"

Oh bruddah. Actually, I sleep worse knowing they're out there "protecting and serving" the crap out of us.

[kcchiefs6465]

Is this a parody?:

Oh bruddah. Actually, I sleep worse knowing they're out there "protecting and serving" the crap out of us.
Probably not. I've had a few tell me that directly. That everyone hates the police until they are getting robbed or beaten.

The idea of being responsible for one's own security is insulting to them. I reaffirmed that I will never call them and that if they should be called by someone else, I do not want their help.

He eventually got the idea and left me be. I wish I could opt out. Unfortunately I'd still have to see their by and large worthless asses taking up parking spaces to converse with each other. That or the pigs hiding on the off ramp with a radar gun looking to ticket those minding their own business.