(ThyBlackMan.com) As a country we have been constantly facing issues of excessive use of force by the police. Let me just state that, yes, there are police officers that do their job with character and integrity. There are officers that care about people regardless of race, gender or class. We appreciate those kind of officers because they really do put their lives on the line daily to protect, and serve us. With that being said we must start being honest about the fact that they are not the only people wearing a badge. There are some “officers” that should never be allowed to touch a badge, taser or gun. It’s not that they have bias, are bigoted or racist…the problem is they use their authority to act out their feelings.
Furthermore, the argument of “I was afraid for my life” gets old. There are officers that would tell me look you have never done this line of work so you don’t understand. This is very true…but were 
the officers in the Muskogee Police Department that pepper spayed an 84 year old woman in fear? At some point that statement doesn’t carry the same weight. At what point do we say enough? Would the officers involved felt this treatment was okay if it were their elder?
Maybe I’ve had too much hope because I always thought punishment was supposed to fit the crime. I understand this woman’s son ran a stop sign. Yes, that is a traffic violation, and yes he should have stopped. But, does a ran stop sign warrant a door being kicked in, the man being tasked with hands up and his 84-year-old mother being pepper sprayed in the face? I’m sorry I don’t see where this use of aggressive force was necessary.
The police released the video from the officer body camera, and I must admit this is disturbing to say the least. The police chief stated: “This is a very important issue. There is a lot of missing information out there. There is a lot of prejudgment out there and a lot of concern,” said Chief Rex Elkridge. Where is the prejudgment? Investigating the situation is only right, but one must also be mindful that this degree of force looks unwarranted. Stating the obvious is not prejudgment.
Officers must be fair with the public they serve. Many African-Americans have a justified fear of the police. Just as officers claim fear causes them to pull the trigger… fear can make one run. The more excessive use of force encounters occur the more citizens will live in fear of police. It has been acknowledged that all officers are not abusive, but even they must admit something needs to be done. This woman committed no crime, and had her door kicked in; before the pepper spray that alone could have given this woman a heart attack. It is a blessing she isn’t fighting for her life. There was no regard for her wellbeing. In the video, nor reports, there was no mention of drugs, or warrants. The actual suspect, in the video, had his hands raised and was openly tased. The message won’t be clear until officers are seriously facing jail time for excessive use of force.
It is important for our people to understand every officer is not going to be fair, and every officer is not your enemy. For the sake of your health and your family obey the laws please. The police is not supposed to be the judge, jury and executioner… but there are some that don’t seem to understand. Yes, many of us are afraid to be pulled over, but we must comply because it’s the only leg we have to stand on. Unfortunately, compliance will not always guarantee safety, but when the people rise up having complied with the law helps the movement. Be careful as you move about this country because as sure as there are those that will protect you… some with a badge are more dangerous than criminals on the street.
Staff Writer; Christian Starr
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