Schram: Does Seattle mayor want selective law enforcement?
What is it that we expect of police?
I ask that rhetorical question in light of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn apologizing for cops who pepper-sprayed Occupy Seattle protestors last Tuesday because there were some who refused to obey their legitimate orders.
So let's play this out.
Would Mayor Mike have issued a mea-culpa if it had been a Ku Klux Klan demonstration and some elderly racist had taken a face full of pepper spray for ignoring police orders?
I don't think so.
What's obvious here is that police need to be given a list of protesters that we absolutely won't tolerate breaking the law, and a list of protesters that we give a wink and a nod to when they do something illegal because we agree with what they're demonstrating against.
If Mayor Mike would just inform police which illegal actions deserve his dispensation then SPD could save their pepper-spray for those whose protests genuinely offend his sensibilities and political points of view.
If Mayor Mike wants selective law enforcement, the least that should be expected of him is to do the selecting.
With that, we'll all be clear on exactly what we expect of police.
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I ask that rhetorical question in light of Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn apologizing for cops who pepper-sprayed Occupy Seattle protestors last Tuesday because there were some who refused to obey their legitimate orders.
So let's play this out.
Would Mayor Mike have issued a mea-culpa if it had been a Ku Klux Klan demonstration and some elderly racist had taken a face full of pepper spray for ignoring police orders?
I don't think so.
What's obvious here is that police need to be given a list of protesters that we absolutely won't tolerate breaking the law, and a list of protesters that we give a wink and a nod to when they do something illegal because we agree with what they're demonstrating against.
If Mayor Mike would just inform police which illegal actions deserve his dispensation then SPD could save their pepper-spray for those whose protests genuinely offend his sensibilities and political points of view.
If Mayor Mike wants selective law enforcement, the least that should be expected of him is to do the selecting.
With that, we'll all be clear on exactly what we expect of police.
-----
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com. You can also hook up with Ken on Facebook.
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