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Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank, 46, was in charge of the eviction. But Burbank took a decidedly different approach from his counterparts in other cities who used aggressive, confrontational measures to oust their own Occupy encampments.
Burbank showed up at the camp and talked to the protesters, in some cases one on one. He explained that they'd need to start leaving the park at night, although they could come back during the day. He said that when the time came for them leave, they could do so peacefully, or they could choose to be arrested. He even asked them how they'd like their arrests to take place, in case they wanted the TV and newspaper cameras to photograph them giving themselves up for their cause.
Unconventional has been Burbank's modus operandi since he was appointed chief of police in 2006. Be it the drug war, immigration, or the handling of protests, Burbank's mantra to his officers is the same: Use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation. Or as Burbank puts it, "It's not can I do it, but should I do it?"
projectvxn
This is a police Chief I can get behind.
Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank, 46, was in charge of the eviction. But Burbank took a decidedly different approach from his counterparts in other cities who used aggressive, confrontational measures to oust their own Occupy encampments.
Burbank showed up at the camp and talked to the protesters, in some cases one on one. He explained that they'd need to start leaving the park at night, although they could come back during the day. He said that when the time came for them leave, they could do so peacefully, or they could choose to be arrested. He even asked them how they'd like their arrests to take place, in case they wanted the TV and newspaper cameras to photograph them giving themselves up for their cause.
Unconventional has been Burbank's modus operandi since he was appointed chief of police in 2006. Be it the drug war, immigration, or the handling of protests, Burbank's mantra to his officers is the same: Use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation. Or as Burbank puts it, "It's not can I do it, but should I do it?"
Many of you have read my many posts on what military tactics look like, how they are employed, WHY they are employed. I have always been of the mind that military tactics have no place on the streets of America. I have been looking for an example from SOMEWHERE in the various police forces around the US that understand they are not the military. They CANNOT do what we do and garner the respect of the population. Period. The military is for the battlefield, we are employed for combat operations against hostile forces. The American people are not, and will never be a hostile force unless the police make them hostile. If things don't change to reflect what this police chief is doing with his department then eventually people are going to start getting openly hostile.
We should DEMAND that all police forces employ similar tactics when dealing with Americans. Not just protesters, but everything from a traffic stop to a domestic violence call.
Situations need to be cooled down not heated. It seems that cops go out of their way to heat situations up just so they have an excuse to be badasses. Here we have a police chief that appears to understand his role. I hope to find more examples like him in the future.
bigfatfurrytexan
reply to post by Dav1d
while i may not agree that he should be president (that is much different than running a police squad), i can certainly agree with your sentiment that there is a trait he has that our elected official are sorely lacking in: a desire to serve. That is the key. Do you want to serve, or be served? One makes you worthy of public office, the other makes you worthy of nobility.
crimvelvet
bigfatfurrytexan
reply to post by Dav1d
while i may not agree that he should be president (that is much different than running a police squad), i can certainly agree with your sentiment that there is a trait he has that our elected official are sorely lacking in: a desire to serve. That is the key. Do you want to serve, or be served? One makes you worthy of public office, the other makes you worthy of nobility.
I doubt this guy could be any worse than the Bushes or Obama.
At this point I have utter contempt for BOTH parties.