Open Post #6: Police Officer deaths on the Rise

       I recently read an article in the Washington Post on the skyrocket in the murders of police officers that were fatally shot in 2016. The death toll is already up to sixteen as of April 1st, compared to the seven deaths at the same time last year. This increase in gun violence just adds strain and tension between law enforcement and the community. 

Image Credit: Carrara

       This is most likely the result of the backlash from the recent deaths of Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Eric Garner, and Freddie Gray over the past few years. While these deaths have been controversial and have sparked violent riots in the aftermath, police officers all around the country have had to pay for the mistakes of a few. Now, I'm not here to state my opinion on each of these shootings, because it's not the place to do it. However I am here to talk about why these police killings will only make matters worse.

       There is no denying that there have been some bad apples in the law enforcement profession. In their case, they need to be punished justly and removed from their profession. However, to label a whole field of hard working dedicated officers around the country that risk their lives as corrupt or racist is preposterous. For every one corrupt police officer there are thousands that do their jobs to be best of their ability each day to make the neighborhoods you and I live in a safer place. And these retaliation killings of good officers will only widen the gap in-between law enforcement and their constituents. There are proper ways to respond to a situation like Eric Garner, such as peaceful protests and pushing for legislation for body cameras or more government oversight. Riots and murders, however, are not doing any good for anybody. 
       This country has bigger problems to deal with abroad, and fighting amongst ourselves will only hinder our progress as a country.