Ninety-nine plus percent of our police officers are brave, decent men and women, black, brown, white, who risk their lives to enforce law and order on our behalf. In doing their jobs, they sometimes find themselves in violent, physical confrontations with known or suspected law breakers.
How does it make sense to prohibit them from using chokeholds, a most common and effective hold in physical combat, when the person with whom they are struggling can and will use it on them? What is the likely outcome of a wrestling match in which one party, in this case the man or woman risking his or her life to protect us, is significantly handicapped and the adversary knows it?
It isn’t sufficient to cite the well-publicized handful of tragic examples in which men have died in police chokeholds. Those are exceptions to the norm for which police officers involved should be suspended, the incident investigated and, if appropriate, officers prosecuted. To place the lives and safety of the other ninety-nine plus percent of police officers in jeopardy based on the mistakes or bad behavior of the few in neither fair nor logical. No, worse. It is insane and cruel.
Deliberately placing police officers at a dangerous disadvantage in physical confrontations will have the certain consequence of causing good men and women to think twice before applying for police service. This can only lead to a decrease in the quality of police force applicants and an increase in inappropriate police behavior.
I cannot understand why that counterproductive result is not clear to our elected officials. So, I was disappointed Wednesday night when Senator Harris went out of her way to forcefully endorse such a ban.
Jack Fischer
Talbot County
Helen Chappell says
Has Mr. Fischer ever been placed in a chokehold? Asking for a friend.
Jack Fischer says
Yes.
barney kastel says
I have to admit as you have made very I have to agree. Would you go in a fight with one hand tied behind your back or perhaps blindfolded, probably not. These law enforcement folks need everything at there disposal to take control of the situation many these law breakers are on drugs having what seems like super human strength putting the police at a disadvantage. Yes I also agree the law enforcement ones who abuse this must be dealt with in an appropriate and not be let go.