Sunil Dutta argues on behalf and against cops.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: An Indian American professor of homeland security at Colorado Tech University, who has been an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department for 17 years, Sunil Dutta, has gained national prominence for a column he has written for The Washington Post on the racial unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, where he has stoutly defended the dangerous work of police officers but has also minced no words in describing some personnel in police departments as being bullies and acting like criminals themselves.
Dutta’s message is that people, for whatever reason they are stopped, searched or questioned by law enforcement, must comply with that even if they feel that it’s unfair. The should resort to legal action by the police later on, he suggests.
“It is also a terrible calumny; cops are not murderers. No officer goes out in the field wishing to shoot anyone, armed or unarmed…Regardless of what happened with Mike Brown, in the overwhelming majority of cases it is not the cops, but the people they stop, who can prevent detentions from turning into tragedies,” writes Dutta.
Dutta gives some example of how he has encountered dangerous situations on the beat, but managed to use using deadly force, or firearms to subdue unruly elements.
He writes: “We are still learning what transpired between Officer Darren Wilson and Brown, but in most cases it’s less ambiguous — and officers are rarely at fault. When they use force, they are defending their, or the public’s, safety.”
He writes: “Even though it might sound harsh and impolitic, here is the bottom line: if you don’t want to get shot, tased, pepper-sprayed, struck with a baton or thrown to the ground, just do what I tell you. Don’t argue with me, don’t call me names, don’t tell me that I can’t stop you, don’t say I’m a racist pig, don’t threaten that you’ll sue me and take away my badge. Don’t scream at me that you pay my salary, and don’t even think of aggressively walking towards me. Most field stops are complete in minutes. How difficult is it to cooperate for that long?”
Dutta then suggests: “I know it is scary for people to be stopped by cops. I also understand the anger and frustration if people believe they have been stopped unjustly or without a reason. I am aware that corrupt and bully cops exist. When it comes to police misconduct, I side with the ACLU: Having worked as an internal affairs investigator, I know that some officers engage in unprofessional and arrogant behavior; sometimes they behave like criminals themselves. I also believe every cop should use a body camera to record interactions with the community at all times. Every police car should have a video recorder. (This will prevent a situation like Mike Brown’s shooting, about which conflicting and self-serving statements allow people to believe what they want.) And you don’t have to submit to an illegal stop or search. You can refuse consent to search your car or home if there’s no warrant (though a pat-down is still allowed if there is cause for suspicion). Always ask the officer whether you are under detention or are free to leave. Unless the officer has a legal basis to stop and search you, he or she must let you go. Finally, cops are legally prohibited from using excessive force: The moment a suspect submits and stops resisting, the officers must cease use of force.”
He adds later: “We have a justice system in which you are presumed innocent; if a cop can do his or her job unmolested, that system can run its course. Later, you can ask for a supervisor, lodge a complaint or contact civil rights organizations if you believe your rights were violated. Feel free to sue the police! Just don’t challenge a cop during a stop.”
Dutta’s column, with the provocative headline ‘I’m a cop. If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t challenge me’ has received more than 5,000 comments on The Washington Post. The comments suggest the immense anger of people to the law enforcement.
Here are some samples from readers who left comments:
Al Lucero: “This article and this man disgust me. He is un-American to suggest that we obey all police commands, whether rightful or not, whether lawful or not. We do not live in a dictatorship or police state, although he seems to suggest that we follow that model. Police DO NOT hold absolute authority over citizens, like it or not. He suggests that we comply under threat of violence or retaliation. His vast experience has only taught him one thing, that might makes right. WRONG! What a disgusting representation to all the police who handle their encounters with citizens in a professional, courteous and civil manner.”
Hijode: “Hold up, this morons article is still up? WP what are you guys thinking! Like I said yesterday, this guy typifies why people HATE cops. Just reading the article makes me realize one thing, police academies around our country need a full top to bottom cleaning! Let’s throw out the thrash like this moron and start hiring people who can do the job. And while we are at it let’s throw out the imbecile politicians who gave these idiots military equipment! Man is this country going nuts or what?”
HenryMiller1: “The last thing this country needs are sadistic Gestapo thugs like this guy running around, hiding behind their badges, getting their jollies out of bullying and hurting people. I urge every one out there to email the LAPD at contact (dot) lapdonline (at) gmail (dot) com and the office of the mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, at mayor (dot) garcetti (at) lacity (dot) org and demand that this jerk, and every cop who thinks like him, be fired.”
ZeeDante: “I have read the article. This man is actually, for the most part, a rare example of a good cop, the kind you’d rather have on the streets than the thug who shot the kid in California or the BART cop who executed the man in San Francisco. The only bad thing I can say about this guy is that he is incredibly naive. Corruption in Law Enforcement is widespread, police routinely get away with outright abuse, murder, and general misconduct. Complaints are laughed at, internal investigations are a farce, and they have the entire justice system on their side. I do agree with him on his advice regarding police encounters. Stay calm, assert your rights, film ALL encounters with police and do it openly. You have that right. If a cop escalates a situation, do everything in your power to leave the situation alive and unharmed.
I’d like to ask this guy one thing though, do you think the behavior of law enforcement during the protests is justified? The attacking of citizen journalists and even mainstream reporters. Also, there can be no argument in this area, the police are turning into a domestic military force. That’s the number one thing we need to fight back against as citizens. Once the police are fully militarized, we are living under a totalitarian government, period.”