Reserve Officers

This is not the normal kind of commentary I would offer but in light of multiple police issues that have come to light in the past year I'm compelled to.

In Oklahoma a 73 year old Reserve Officer shot a suspect with a gun thinking he was tasing him. This suspect was already subdued by Deputies and their call for tasing him is questionable in itself. The video is clear. The comments of at least one of those Deputies dismissing the suspects complaint of losing his breath is unacceptable. The suspect later died. It should not have happened.

One of the things that lead me to comment is how little the media is aware of these reserve programs, which exist across the country. I have been aware of them for many years, they exist where I live. I have known people who are in the programs and that's why I don't believe in them.

If a department believes it should have a reserve then it should only consist of retired officers. Even then I see no need. A police department is to serve very specific functions and if it can't meet those functions without volunteers then it is up to the local political establishment to address it. I've heard it suggested that these reserves are needed in the event of civil unrest. No they're not, the militarization of our police departments is part of our problem. If a local department has an emergency situation which it is understaffed to address it must turn to it's State Police or adjoining local agencies.

Pulling a gun and discharging it when you think it's a taser is frankly bizarre. Robert Bates is the Reserve Deputy in question. Allegations that he may have bought his way into being a reserve officer will all come out in time. The Sheriff's Department recommended no charges be brought against him. Thankfully the District Attorney has filed charges of manslaughter in the second degree.

The video in this situation as well as others in the past year reveal problems across the country. Some believe that body cameras on every police officer is the answer, I am not convinced. They will only work if there are universally recognized regulations and monitoring of those video feeds by independent review authorities.