Today's MOZEN: The Blue Wall aka The Thin Blue Line

Words and photo by F LoBuono

The Grand Jury has spoken and no indictments will be issued for the death of Eric Garner. I was not part of that Grand Jury. I cannot know all of the evidence presented. From my understanding, the jury was convinced that the move to "subdue" Mr. Garner was not illegal; therefore, there will be no charges filed against the policeman who applied what appeared to be a "choke hold" to Mr. Garner. I will not argue that at this point. I would tend to agree that, under the circumstances, it would be difficult to prove that the police deliberately applied tactics that would cause Mr. Garner's death.

However, it still does not address the issue that Mr. Garner begged to be allowed to breathe eleven times--eleven--with his face smashed into the pavement--while other police and EMTs, including a supervisor, basically let him die. LET HIM DIE. This, to me, is the crux of the case and is INEXCUSABLE. Further, the comments I have read, particularly from ex-policemen, are HORRIBLE. One actually called Mr. Garner a "fat pig" and, basically said that he deserved to die. As long as the police maintain this attitude, there will be NO peace on the streets. By not "manning up" to their culpability, they continue to make themselves targets. When will they get this?

Respect is mutual. It cannot be a one-way street. Based on comments I have read recently, the police have forgotten that they are public servants. And it seems to grate on them when I point that out. I have also observed that many policemen that I know, current and retired, have a sense of entitlement. Because they do a tough and dangerous job, they believe that they are entitled to the label hero automatically. They want to be acknowledged as different, perhaps even above the average person. They want to be recognized for their service. Well, my friends, it doesn't work that way. We ALL have jobs to do. Some are, perhaps, more important (or dangerous) than others. But, in the end, we all do our jobs. And, I should point out that there are MORE dangerous jobs than that of policeman. Both construction work and truck driving, from the stand point of deaths while on the job, are more hazardous. MUCH more. Even waste removal is considered more dangerous. In fact, policing doesn't even make the Top Ten (neither does firefighting).* According to FBI statistics, twenty seven policemen were killed by felonious assault during 2013 (the total number who died while on duty is greater).  For perspective, during the same time period, at least seventy journalists were killed covering the news all over the world. So, throw that argument out the window.

Frank Serpcio, the corruption busting cop made famous by Al Pacino in the film, Serpcio, recently wrote an op-ed article for the New York Times (Oct. 23, 2014) stating that the police have not changed all that much from when he exposed the rampant corruption in the NYPD during the '60s and '70s. He was treated as a pariah by his fellow officers then and still is!! Why?? Because there is something called "The Blue Wall," which is an unwritten rule that one cop will not expose another even when that cop is BREAKING THE LAW. It is as inexcusable as it is frightening. If the police, with ALL of their power, will not control themselves, then who will?

Recently, I was having a beer at local establishment. The subject of the police, enforcement, corruption, and Frank Serpico was brought up. An ex-cop from the Bronx contributed this gem: "I thought Frank Serpico was a piece of shit then, and I still do. And all my cop friends feel the same way." Really? Many will say that he is in the minority. I am not so sure.

Look, I am not anti-cop. I'm anti BAD cop!! My father was in law enforcement for many years. I grew up around cops and guns. I spent many a Saturday afternoon at the police shooting range with my father and his comrades. He also taught me that right will always be right and wrong will always be wrong--and that applies to EVERYONE.

What the police do not seem to understand is that the more that they retreat behind THE BLUE WALL (aka The Thin Blue Line), the more they are condemned to stay there, out of touch with the people that they serve. With no JUSTICE, there can be no PEACE. A relationship built on MUTUAL respect between the people and the police is the only answer. Until that happens, the police will only make a tough job that much tougher.

*Ratings compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)