More data, body cams – some solutions to questions surrounding police

Incomplete videos cause rush to judgement
that makes patrolling more difficult

Knee jerk reactions based on partial stories aren’t helping the issues involving some violent interactions with police.

Far from it, says Jim Palmer, head of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.

What the nation needs is more complete information, not the half truth available on social media videos.

One solution Palmer sees is widespread use of body cameras; has to happen.

“They need to be implemented on a much broader scale than they are today,” Palmer said, “so that we don’t have to rely – social media doesn’t have to rely – on incomplete videos that go viral that may not (show) an entire incident or all the facts – all the things – that occurred.”

A rush to judgement isn’t making lives easier for police patrolling the streets in Wisconsin today. Palmer says his members are working with “trepidation” after the Dallas police killings and other reactions to viral videos that many have used to bunch police into all one group.

“We do lose sight of the fact that law enforcement officers are individuals,” Palmer said. “They aren’t just a uniform. They’re not just a badge and a gun.”

Palmer advocates for digging into data that could give a definitive picture on whether police really are reacting with excessive violence in certain situations.