Indifference to people's suffering

i live in the abq area and my opinion is that the police mostly do a good job. the author of the article appears to have run into what would be abberant police behavior, or he is a whiny weasel.

I am Michael Martinez, the author of the above piece, writing in to strongly recommend reading a book called "Turnaround", by William Bratton, the ex-Police Commissioner of NYC. In this book he describes an intelligent, effective method that the police can use to reduce a LOT of crime and make the public feel better in large cities. He used this method when he was head of the Massachussettes Bay police, the New York City Transit Police, and finally the NYPD only 2 years ago. The amount of success he had is inspiring. It's unacceptable for any police department not to try to implement the same high standards. A comment to the person above who says the APD do a "mostly good job". When you read "Turnaround" you'll see how much they lack.

The bottom line is law enforcement usually deals with the symptomes of crimes that have already occured. As for the kids shot at you failed to mention whether or not they were alberquerqe gang members or not. How do you know that the perpetrators of the assault were "skinheads"? My hair is military style, does this make me a skinhead? Gang members are into only one thing: CRIME. They bring victimization upon themselves 99.9% of the time. If you think something is being done wrong in the police force then join the APD and rise through the ranks to chief. Then, take all of the theories that are out there on how to stop crime and put them in place. When you fail, you will be the next target of anothers criticism. It's harder than it looks Mr. Martinez. I am interested in the book you mentioned though and will read it. But remember, New York is not Albequerqe, NM. What works in combating crime in the northeast may not work in the Southwest. Geography plays a big part in sociology. It's not neccessarily true that police don't care. We just become numb after a while. I can't remember the last time I was invited to a neighborhood party in the area I work, or just asked by a citizen how I was doing. It doesn't work that way in the cop job. Muder scence after murder scene and assault after assault I have come to realize something, A lot of these crimes could have been prevented by the victim or a member of the victim's family, but weren't. Maybe you Mr. Martinez can answer the question why. We aren't heartless, numbness is just a defense to keep us from going crazy.

I definately knows what it feels like to be looked upon by police as nothing. As a minority security officer working for two employers i work in very close proximity with police officers. Most of the police officers i have met from working with them are good people; and they give me the respect i deserve. However, i also know some officers who are no better than the punks they are supposed to protect us from. I am looked down by SOME of them first for being black, and secondly because i am not a part of the "elite" of being a police officer, i am dismissed as a wannabe cop when in reality i am three times the professional they claim to be. Some private security officers go through and see some of the same things our sworn brothers do. We put on a uniform and go to work putting our lives on the line too; and many of us dont have all the goodies that cops have like side arms vests or even another officer for a partner for back up in some of the shady places we have to work. I dont get special perks like running a red light "just because" with no fear of recieving a ticket. I have seen some SEVERE automobile accident scenes involving civillians that would only rate maybe 3 or 4 squads--and the city i live in is NOT small folks. And then i have seen accidents involving a citizen and a police officer (and you already know who is going to get stuck) with no injuries and just a few dents to the vehicles and half the damn police force is out there! It's one thing to check on your own as the police would argue, but 7 to 8 squad cars for a minor property damage accident is nothing short of intimidation. Its no wonder that more people resent the police these days. It is hard not to lose faith in the police (especially if you are a minority) when you see and hear and unfortunately for some of us experience some the outright and blatent disrespect and misconduct among some police officers. And of course since it is believed that most of us in the minority community are little more than whiny troublemakers, reports of misconduct will simply be covered over and dismissed. Tell me how do i as a honest taxpaying citizen who to my young children look like a cop explain why cops are mean and bad when they are supposed to be our friends?

Sounds like rent-a-cop has an ax to grind. Trade your security badge in for a real one and then see what it like. I DID!

I need to find an organization like yours in Southern California. I am a disableld senior and recently had major surgury. When I got out of the hospital, drug sellers next door whom I had reported broke my knee and told me they were going to kill me. The police never loged the over 100 calls I made to them. The police bluntlmy told me, the drug sellers have civil rights. I dont. To leave them alone. please get back to me with any help you can. Ruby myturnnow@dock.net

People that are ignored or treated badly by public servants should demand to fill out an official complaint at at the head office of the offending agency. Ask for a full investigation and/or hearing. Do not take no for an answer. Even if your complaint is not upheld there will be a notation in the offending persons file and when these multiply, the person is passed over for higher positions and a pattern of such offense can be used in a court case for future victims of the person or agency.

I am glad that you had the courage to tell your story. I lived in Santa Fe and was also always afraid. Have the police responded to your article?

You people should apply for your federal aid that you are entitled to. I'm pretty sure all mentally challenged people would get federal money for the treatment you need.

maybe this isnt a prblem with the police, maybe this is a result of the indifference and the human beings need to point the finger at someone. Of course, indifference can be tempting, more than tha, seductive. it is so much easier to look away from vicims. it is so much easier to avoid such rude interruptions to our work, our dreams, our hopes. It is, after all, awakward, troublesome, to be involved in another person's pain and despair. yet, for the person who is indifferent, his or her neighbor are of no consequence. And, therefore, their lives are meaningless. Their hidden or even visible anguish is of no interest. Indifferencew reduces the other to an abstraction. In a way, to be indifferent to that suffereing is what makes the human being inhuman. Indifference, after all, is more dangerous than anger and hatred. Therefore my friends the problem is NOT with the poilce force but with americans.

maybe this guy should join the police force and help, or maybe its easier to bitch about cops when you are ignorant rather than put on the uniform and try to help

maybe this guy should join the police force and help, or maybe its easier to bitch about cops when you are ignorant rather than put on the uniform and try to help

There is a lot of bad stuff going on here. I'm 17 and in my first year of college, and I've seen and heard about a lot of police injustices. My boyfriend got harassed by cops just tonight and they slapped a fine on him, he's lucky he didn't get worse for yelling back at them. What are we supposed to do, cower like dogs? Police are supposed to be there to protect us, and they are instead causing us misery and intimidating us. I live in Albuquerque (for God's sake, people, spell it right, please!), and I'm scared to drive Downtown or near crowded areas, for fear that I'll be accosted by police for no reason. I personally would never become an officer, a security guard maybe, but never an officer, it's a dangerous job and I understand that there are some really good cops out there, but the bad ones are simply horrible and they're everywhere. I pray that we get a decent police watchdog group to put a stop to all this. And also, if anyone knows where I can find some statistics for juveniles killed by police in 2001 and 2002, please email them to me at lady_metaka@hotmail.com, thanks!

New Mexico is full of corruption. Been there, thank god I escaped. NM has it's KKK but it is also the white people that better beware especially if you have done well and have anything of value. http://www.realcrimes.com/Corruption_Overview.htm