Chief: ​“Hate Cannot Drive Out Hate”

This the the cultural revolution Tony, minus Chairman Mao.

Well said, Chief

As the great Dr. Martin Luther King stated, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only the light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.

And in the words of these Great People

"There are fundamentally two ways you can experience the police in America: as the people you call when there's a problem, the nice man in uniform who pats a toddler's head and has an easy smile for the old lady as she buys her coffee. For others, the police are the people who are called on them. They are the ominous knock on the door, the sudden flashlight in the face, the barked orders. Depending on who you are, the sight of an officer can produce either a warm sense of safety and contentment or a plummeting feeling of terror."
― Christopher L. Hayes, A Colony in a Nation

"Most middle-class whites have no idea what it feels like to be subjected to police who are routinely suspicious, rude, belligerent, and brutal."
― Dr. Benjamin Spock

"Until cops stop treating blacks differently than whites, we're going to have problems."
― Mark M. Bello, Betrayal In Black

New Haven police officers need to be tested for drugs, at random, by a civilian review board.

This testing MUST includes tests for steroids.

We cannot let New Haven police drive fortified vehicles (aka "lethal weapons") and carry lethal and non-lethal weapons without them being drug tested by a civilian review board.

Please tell us, Chief Reyes, how often are officers tested for steroids? Other drugs? Who administers the test?

There is much this bill didn't address.

Dr Spock is wrong. Bello is wrong. Everybody has had the experience of a rude, aggressive cop and everybody has probably been helped by a good cop as well. If criminals experience the other side due to their actions; I am OK with rudeness (not brutality). Everything I have seen shows the Black population being egged on to resist, to fight, to injure police. Then , when they get hurt, whose fault is that?

Finally-- Hate may not drive out hate but it is certainly driving out lots of other things and driving people further apart . All the progress made for racial harmony and tolerance is being driven out and may not return for a long time. Hate is bad for both sides. Physical violence is worse.

Thank you, Chief Reyes for your professional leadership! The good Women and Men of the NHPD have set the example for many other departments for years with regards to community policing. Regardless of the recent legislation, WE all need to do better with how we treat one another!

Stay healthy!

posted by: CityYankee on July 31, 2020 6:28am

Dr Spock is wrong. Bello is wrong. Everybody has had the experience of a rude, aggressive cop and everybody has probably been helped by a good cop as well. If criminals experience the other side due to their actions; I am OK with rudeness (not brutality)

The problem is when it comes to blacks and people of Color it can cost us our life when the police show up.

My bad.Did you know that Off duty, black cops in New York and even arcoss this country feel threat from fellow White police officers.Even some Black officers have been killed by white officers.

Reuters interviewed 25 African American male officers on the NYPD, 15 of whom are retired and 10 of whom are still serving. All but one said that, when off duty and out of uniform, they had been victims of racial profiling, which refers to using race or ethnicity as grounds for suspecting someone of having committed a crime.The officers said this included being pulled over for no reason, having their heads slammed against their cars, getting guns brandished in their faces, being thrown into prison vans and experiencing stop and frisks while shopping. The majority of the officers said they had been pulled over multiple times while driving. Five had had guns pulled on them.Desmond Blaize, who retired two years ago as a sergeant in the 41st Precinct in the Bronx, said he once got stopped while taking a jog through Brooklyn's upmarket Prospect Park. "I had my ID on me so it didn't escalate," said Blaize, who has sued the department alleging he was racially harassed on the job. "But what's suspicious about a jogger? In jogging clothes?"

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-police-nypd-race-insight/off-duty-black-cops-in-new-york-feel-threat-from-fellow-police-idUSKBN0K11EV20141223?fbclid=IwAR1sWqTUlwOrZoY4IzjFKalLpnWcUd34XhSSp91e1cpxO7NjkUKqHxr6pq8

Wait! Hate? To pass legislation that says you may be sued for violating a citizen's constitution rights? To make it easier to discipline bad employees? Ok, so, yes, being a cop is dangerous. According to the BLS, police don't fall within the top 10 most deadly jobs by profession: (https://www.businessinsider.com/the-most-dangerous-jobs-in-america-2018-7#14-construction-trade-helpers-21). Yet, they get pensions due to the lack of "safety" their job entails.

As for the argument that they need immunity because they make decisions within split seconds, so do doctors. They don't get qualified immunity and much of what surgeons do is life and death. We also don't grant immunity to truck drivers, who as we've learned during this pandemic are actually essential to our orderly society. So, what we have here is someone crying about the loss of a privilege that is steeped in racism, sexism, and classism. If you do your job well, document what you're doing, and generally aren't bad at it - you'll be fine. Just like every other profession.

I get regulations imposed at my job all the time and I can be sued. I get called names all the time. I don't pack up my belongings and quit on my community. No, I double down to prove people wrong. And I wish that more police had that mentality. Double down. Down your job exceedingly well. Stop the violence, earn the respect you think should be automatic. Reyes, you are actually the problem. And if you can't see that then there is no hope for New Haven with you in that position.

I'm disappointed by this statement by Chief Reyes, who I respect. Note that Chief Reyes doesn't criticize the bill's contents itself. That's because they are unobjectionable and much needed. Instead, he suggests the bill was hastily assembled. But most of the
bill's provisions have been debated in one form or another for years (including in the Independent), so it is wrong to suggest that they were rushed. Next the Chief criticizes what he calls a spirit of negativity. Really? Please read the comments and watch the testimony of Sen. Winfield and Rep. Porter and New Haven's other reps, who defended this bill with a spirit of community and of equality, not of negativity.

But my greatest frustration is with the Chief's suggestion that "we had an opportunity to lead the way, to be a beacon of hope," and that the bill threatens this. Chief Reyes, don't use this bill as an excuse not to become that beacon of hope. If you have ideas to make policing less violent and more just, you are free to push them through. After all, you are the Chief. Embrace your power and obligation to lead towards justice. I will join you. But don't criticize others for taking action where you haven't.

@CityYankee - I think your disagreement with Dr. Spock needs to be a bit more nuanced. Yes, white middle-class people can have bad experiences with police. But they often end up alive, if mildly annoyed. When some black people have what they or others would call a bad experience, they end up dead, or falsely accused of a crime, or wrongfully convicted. The history of the police in the United States can be said to state with the policing of fugitive slaves (https://lawenforcementmuseum.org/2019/07/10/slave-patrols-an-early-form-of-american-policing/). From it's inception in the United States, the police have generally meant something different to black people than white. Thus, even if you can understand that history, or perhaps understand what it is like to have a bad interaction with the police, a middle-class white person on par is going to have a different association and affinity to the police. The history is just different.

Look, anyone can go to a frat and deal with douchey frat guys and say frats are bad. But I wouldn't deign say that my fear or understanding of how bad those places can be (not all frats or fraternity brothers are bad people, most are good people who haven't raped anyone) equivalent to that of a female, and certainly not one who has herself or had a friend(s) be the victim of sexual assault.

We get it, cops are human. Sometimes their jerkish behavior transcends race. But often, they behave based upon social misconceptions of who perpetrators are and what actions are dangerous based upon skin tones.

I totally agree with SparkJames. I believe police officers should be randomly drug and alcohol tested across the board regardless of rank and include steroids as suggested. In fact, it might not be a bad idea for all city administrative and education department employees.

This is rhetoric and not argument. As a public figure, Chief Reyes should try to make his case, and not just resort to characterizing the motives of the people he disagrees with or expressing his concern with the process.

OldHaven,

Given that police are authorized taxpayer funded guns and battering ram vehicles, and carry them while on duty, not to mention the ability to run red lights and disregard traffic laws on a whim, I'd say drug testing police comes first.

Plus, teachers don't have a bad track record of stomping on citizens.

Steroid Test the Police. They carry deadly weapons.

As a white woman growing up in the city, I saw my friends and coworkers and neighbors being treated differently based on the color of their skin, and by the neighborhood they lived in. I've been in cars pulled over in the suburbs with Black and/or Brown people in the car. I've had friends told they couldn't walk through Yale campus grounds and the streets between Yale buildings. I've had friends asked to show ID and prove that that they were students. I've had friends detained for hanging out in the former Chapel
Square Mall. I've had friends detained for hanging out in front of the Yale Art Gallery. I've had friends told to move along from Cross Campus and Beineke Plaza. I've had friends told they couldn't wait for buses at bus stops all over downtown, especially on Broadway and Chapel. I've had friends and family detained for skateboarding. I've had Yale friends tell me the speech they were given at orientation their freshman year that told them to avoid going into non-Yale neighborhoods because they were dangerous, and not to let non-Yalies go to their parties, or enter campus gated properties, or date or make friends with townies. I've had teachers and friends and co-workers pulled over for driving in primarily non-white neighborhoods and asked what they were doing in those neighborhoods and were told by the officers to avoid those neighborhoods at night because "we assume you're here to buy drugs." I've had black and brown friends tell me of the countless times they were pulled over or followed and had their cars searched and told to stay out of the area when they were in primarily white neighborhoods. If people are angry, and they want a change in policing with some legal weight to enforce good police behavior and remove bad cops, It's not without a long history of mistreatment and racism and bullying by police as policy and practice with little legal recourse, as the
police were always given the benefit of doubt.
This law is a check on power misused.

Dear Chief Reyes, what is the content of the bill that you object to? and why?

@ Sparkjames and Old New Haven


What are you talking about police not being drug tested. The NHPD officers are tested at least once a year sometimes twice and it's all random.

The Chief is absolutely right, its disgusting that no one reached out to him (or the Union, who requested to be heard) about this.

It may not have occurred (or they didn't care) to the supporters of this bill that many provisions endanger our community. The bill takes away consent to search motor vehicles and lays the groundwork to make it illegal for police to enforce certain traffic laws.

NHPD's latest compstat shows in the last 28 days car stops are down 96% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile in that same period, murders are up 300% and persons shot up 340%. I don't think that's a coincidence. I'm sure this guidance is coming down from the mayor, bowing to the vocal minority. But the vast majority of people want the police do keep their streets safe. Not show up to put some tape up and have detectives take some pictures after yet another murder.

WFSB did a poll (albeit unscientific) on if Gov Lamont should sign the bill. 8,175 respondents said no, compared to 667 yes and 68 undecided. People aren't stupid. They want the police.

There's some fine provisions of the bill: body cameras, de-certified officer list (thought that exists), Inspector General, etc. but Sen. Winfield made it clear: all or nothing. Given that, I'll take nothing.

PS: NHPD are drug tested, the details of the program are right on the city website: random selection by a 3rd party, at least 50% annually, testing done at least quarterly.

Compstat: https://www.newhavenct.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=37514
Testing Policy (pages 67-76): https://www.newhavenct.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=35806
WFSB poll: https://www.wfsb.com/news/ch-3-poll-results-show-92-are-against-controversial-police-reform-bill/article_2c4d9066-d28a-11ea-a0e3-3f8d75bbf8c1.html
De-certified officers: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/POST/CERTIFICATION/DecertifiedOfficers_Jun_2019.pdf?la=en

Police are such snowflakes. Yes, let's all line up submissively behind a militarized, demonstrably racist system of violence whose leadership openly resists and dismisses any attempt (even an attempt as relatively toothless as the bill in question) to hold them accountable. Once we're all together in "unity," I'm sure we'll see just how wonderful life can be under an authoritarian regime.

These comments make no sense The Chief was clear that his disappointment was NOT at the content of the bill, but the way it was done Did I read the same statement. His message is of unity... why such outrage?! You all prove his point, you are driven by emotion and hatred for police. He also said he wants accountability, but he is asking for the hate and division to stop... what is wrong with that? The majority of police are good and you won't accept that? I don't know why anyone would want to be a police officer, it is a thankless and dangerous job. Our country is in such a sad state of affairs

I have read the article like everyone else. And personally, I have to agree with Chief Reyes. Moreover, I see very little wrong with his explanation. I would not have used the word "hate" in explaining his thoughts regarding the impetus behind the bill. But those are his words.

Whether the Chief's input could have made a difference had he been invited to a meeting, that we'll never know. However, in my view, he should have been given the respect as Chief of Police for the City of New Haven to have at least received an invitation to a meeting regarding his department. Additionally, it would have been unstinting of the group to state that the Chief had input. And thus show

For the most part, the City of New Haven Police Department has conducted themselves extremely professional over the years. They have shown tremendous restraint from discharging their weapons when many circumstances warranted them to do so. And for that, we as a community should be appreciative.

Now I know that many from the Black community will perhaps take issue with my comments. But those who truly know me, know that I measure my words very carefully. And I say it like I see it.

Finally, let me end with this. To the officers, you were hired to do a job. And based on previous performance, we're confident that your professionalism will continue to bare that out. But know this, you are very much appreciated by the citizens of New Haven and by others on the outside.

As a former police officer I can only hope that those who authored this bill did in fact give those that it will affect the opportunity to come to the table and speak upon it, if not then it's truly a one sided initiative by those who have no experience as a police officer, and yes IMO you do need some experience in the field you are looking to make drastic changes that are needed, according to most.
The NHPD is drug tested annually by an outside agency at random, sometimes multiple times during the year. If police are involved in a shooting they are also drug tested.

This bill may have been authored some time ago but it was indeed rushed to be signed for some BS political agenda and SJW victory. There is already talk that there are portions of this bill that will need to be corrected or amended during the next session, and this is being said from both sides of the isle. It wasn't properly vetted and debated just rushed to be signed to make the interested parties feel better.

Oh and it's was extremely painful to watch Winifield get grilled about his own bill and not be able to answer questions about it, sorry but he truly looked like someone who just had an agenda and not a well thought out cause

@ ElmCityLover

They're not tested for steroids.

Steroid use is prevalent in local police departments.

After any incident of aggression they should be tested.

@SparkJames

Please provide the facts and stats that support your allegation that steroid use is rampant in police departments. If not then it's just a baseless claim

@DMH464 I can answer that for her, the claim is baseless. I'll go a step further, instead of being generalized, which many in the NHI comments section tend to be when it comes to law enforcement, lets get more specific. Has there been any facts or stats that indicate New Haven Police Officers have an issue with steroids. I mean, there's a few big guys at that PD, but I certainly don't see many walking around that jacked up and I haven't heard from any community members claiming an officer had "Roid rage." Roid rage is categorized as a loss of impulse control, haven't read of any complaints from citizens in regards to that, I'm a life long resident of this city. I swear, some of you that complain on the NHI live in a different city that I live in...smh

Hamden officers were busted for dealing steroids two years ago. In East Haven.

You cannot prove to me that steroid use is not rampant in our police departments, because officers aren't tested for them.

Even though we give cops a reinforced cruiser and a gun, we don't test them for steroids?

Police brutality is a problem. Police work for us.

@SparkJames

So two Hamden, not New Haven, police officers get busted 2 years ago and that's you evidence of rampant use, sounds like dealing to me and you still haven't produced facts or evidence to support your, at this point, baseless allegation.

What's a reinforced cruiser, never seen one of those, unless your referring to the push bumper in which case your wrong, the car is not reinforced or up-armored.

DMH464

It's widely understood now, since Malik Jones, that officers will kill you if your car moves in any little way they deem suspicious. The car is a deadly weapon.

A cop car is a deadly weapon.

@SparkJames

No, you said reinforced cruiser, so again my question is, what is a reinforced cruiser?? Please provide facts or evidence of this, and yes a vehicle is a deadly weapon and if driven toward a officer they can use deadly force if needed to save themselves or a third party.

Police stop vehicles everyday so please provide the evidence that they are killing people for moving their vehicle "in any little way they deem suspicious"?

Still waiting for the facts on the steroid question I asked as well.