08/19/2020
In the last year, supporting law enforcement has become even more politicalized and polarized than arguably any other time in our nation’s history. Friendships are being lost because while one person may support law enforcement without question or hesitation, another may have reservation.
I have long held the opinion that supporting law enforcement means having a critical eye, looking for improvement and reform where and when necessary. That, is being honest. That is what we do in our own lives and with those around us who we support. If you are unwilling to be honest with those you support about where they can improve then you aren’t helping them to succeed, you’re merely standing by until their faults lead to failure.
Putting my soapbox aside for a moment, the 2019 NBA Finals ended with a tremendous black eye. It was a great series but the President of the Toronto Raptors was engaged with a sheriffs deputy just as the series closed. It was the flashpoint type of altercation that is highlighted in the misconduct and lack of professionalism by police officers when encountering ordinary citizens and especially those who are black.
Ujiri, the President is the Raptors is going to join the team he built on court and was shoved by the deputy who was providing court side security and the officer screamed profanities at him. From the outset, Ujiri and witnesses backed his account and said that the officer instigated the incident. Video backed up that assessment. Alameda County Sherrif’s office however wanted to press charges against Ujiri in what would undoubtedly have led to a (small) diplomatic crisis of sorts but the county DA declined to press charges.
In a federal lawsuit filed in February and naming Ujiri, the NBA and Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment as defendants, Strickland alleged that Ujiri assaulted him and that he had “suffered injury to his body, health, strength, activity and person,” causing him “great mental, emotional, psychological, physical, and nervous pain and suffering.” He also filed a workers’ compensation claim alleging Ujiri “circumvented” the security checkpoint and then tried to “storm” the court and “hit him in the face and chest with both fists.”
In an August 18th counterclaim a rather important piece of evidence was brought to light, the Axion body cam that Strickland was wearing; which is supportive of Ujiri’s narrative and counter that of Strickland.
Ironically, had Strickland not filed his lawsuit, it’s unlikely the public would have ever seen this video, which is a problem. How many employees of the Alameda County Sheriff’s & DA’s office saw this video and did not feel the need to make the public aware that an officer of the law lied to the public and submitted a fraudulent insurance claim? Why did it take over a year to see the body cam video of something so simple?
At what point will the police that we entrust our safety to, who demand our support be willing to take the same steps that they ask of us and say something when they see something?
Make no mistake, I support law enforcement and our police officers. I know that for our communities to be safer, it requires those who witness a crime to find their voice, stand up and be heard. We need our police officers to similarly find that same bravery when they put on their uniform to begin their watch, to find their voice and stand up and speak when they witness one of their own commit a crime, to be honest brokers with the public. If not, they are part of the problem and arguably a far more grievous one.
