Cheela wrote,
>The hindrance to these review boards, and internal dialogue(isn't that
>what internal affairs is for?) being created is similar to that of a
>parent being opposed to someone else disciplining that parent's child.
>The police looks at its own as a family/community/culture and it seems
>that they want to be protected from who they are supposed to protect and
>be responsible to and for. paradoxical huh?
In my experience of having worked with law enforcement groups, convicted
criminals, offender-victim mediation and survivors of violent crimes, a
systemic approach is the only one that shows any sustainable results. I
for one hope for a future, where instead of reforming, learning becomes
the central idea of dealing with deviant behaviour in a society. The
learning, of course has to happen mutually: the "criminals" and the social
mainstream have something to offer to each other.
Cheela raises in my view however the crucial argument when working with
the law enforcement. The police force is very protective of its own
community and culture and has a valid psychological reason for it. The
public frequently requests from politicians to be tougher on crime, the
politicians frequently pass the problem on to the police force, as those
who have access to US television could see from many of the recent prime
time interviews with the NY mayor and police commissioner. At this point,
the police is in a difficult spot. The politician will want them to
perform aggressive policing, but will not take any responsibility if abuse
happens on the way. What is aggressive policing and what is police
brutality is not a clear line, but rather a discussion topic. But the
public is even worse, since it has barely any consciousness, that it
shouts "be agressive on crime" in one second, and "police brutality" in
the next, using the police as a scapegoat to deal with their own guilt.
Police forces are relieved if you as a consultant understand the bind that
they are in and in my experience are very open to learning and change once
it has been established that this needs to happen in connection with a
learning process by the public as a whole which includes the responsible
politicians.
love
Max
--Max Schupbach, Ph.D. 2049 NW Hoyt Street # 3,PORTLAND,OR,97209 Phone/Fax USA 503 223 6548 www.max-jytte.com email: max@max-jytte.com
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>