XNavyNuke
12-06-2014, 01:58 PM
. Editorial: Biggish deal: Civilian review coming to St. Louis Police (http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/columns/the-platform/editorial-biggish-deal-civilian-review-coming-to-st-louis-police/article_730f38f1-4ccb-5cad-9aec-9efb167db3e9.html)
. At long last, it appears that the city of St. Louis will establish a civilian review board to investigate complaints against police officers — everything from foul language and rude behavior to use of deadly force.
The new entity will be called the Civilian Oversight Board. The COB will not replace the police department’s internal review procedures. Instead it adds a separate civilian layer to the process. The COB will have no disciplinary power to enforce its findings, but rather will pass them on to the chief of police and the city’s director of public safety.
The mayor and police chief's choice of wording here tells me that they still don't get it. Somehow they want to keep themselves and the sheep dogs separate from everyone else. The term "civilian" is clearly defined in the Geneva Conventions, and except when a country specifically places them under martial rules, law enforcement and paramilitary forces are civilians. Continuing to use this terminology willfully and improperly is yet another example of the militarization of the police.
XNN
. At long last, it appears that the city of St. Louis will establish a civilian review board to investigate complaints against police officers — everything from foul language and rude behavior to use of deadly force.
The new entity will be called the Civilian Oversight Board. The COB will not replace the police department’s internal review procedures. Instead it adds a separate civilian layer to the process. The COB will have no disciplinary power to enforce its findings, but rather will pass them on to the chief of police and the city’s director of public safety.
The mayor and police chief's choice of wording here tells me that they still don't get it. Somehow they want to keep themselves and the sheep dogs separate from everyone else. The term "civilian" is clearly defined in the Geneva Conventions, and except when a country specifically places them under martial rules, law enforcement and paramilitary forces are civilians. Continuing to use this terminology willfully and improperly is yet another example of the militarization of the police.
XNN