Submitted by Kammie Holder
It’s hoped this missive is not too chopped to derail its context and intent. Rambocops can be found in every police force, and service if not controlled can destroy public trust. Many officers the world over often forget they are only civil servants paid to enforce the law. They are not above the law and can be owned and humbled by the court.
The aforementioned was necessary to create a context as it relates to the execution of Sonya Massey last week in Illinois by a rambocop. Sonya Massey called the police for help; she was hearing a noise outside her home. Police on arrival did a perimeter search, and found no trespassers, however, they did notice a vehicle that had broken windows.
The alpha among the responding officers with his checkered past, and Rambo modus operandi invited himself in. In true US policing culture which is intrusive and can be sometimes abusive to Blacks, Sonya was interrogated and asked to produce ID. Most persons are intimidated by police questioning and may become a bit incoherent which was obvious in Sonya Massey’s case.
Poor Sonya, having mental challenges had the unfortunate encounter with a rambocop who lacked social and emotional intelligence, who asked her to secure the stove which had a pot with water boiling. Despite his instructions, the trigger-happy cop saw her removing the saucepan as a potential threat in the absence of any clear intent. Unfortunately, vulnerable Sonya received a deliberate lethal headshot to the left eye. Clearly the police service without hesitation to maintain public confidence moved swiftly and arrested the rambocop.
How we threat to the mentally ill in Barbados must also be considered. How many potential Sonya Masseys are in Barbados where police are summoned and not mental health professionals? This tragedy in the US must be used as part of training on emotional and social Intelligence and de-escalation strategies.
Neither should tasers be used on any homeless person unless they are an extreme threat to the life of the officer or the public. Officers issued with tasers should also be tased as part of their training according to international best practices. Unfortunately, in Barbados, the recent misbehavior of a cop caught on camera misbehaving towards a suspect in custody, and the response of TBPS is totally unacceptable. Thus, is the blue wall of silence among police officers, and social proof among gangs any different?
I will continue to support the The Barbados Police Service. I had the distinct honour of speaking to the international accreditors on their behalf 4 years ago. Did so knowing we have one of the best police services in the world despite they are often being overworked, underpaid, and sometimes feeling unappreciated by their bosses, and government.
Finally, it would be remiss of me not to also say something on behalf of the non-gazetted officers. Happy officers are the most productive, and polite leading to greater public trust. I cannot not help but notice the new shiny SUVs being driven by the top brass so enamored and fussy they use only ac when driving, do note it’s dangerous according to research to breathe in that new car scent. You are breathing in benzene a cancer-causing agent. The government needs to ensure the station sergeants, sergeants, and constables who do the heavy lifting, also do not feel slighted!
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