USA Today published an opinion piece that encourages exposing police to direct lawsuits as a solution to stop "police violence." However, removing “qualified immunity” from police officers, which allows them to act as agents of the government, would open the officers to personal (and many frivolous) lawsuits for alleged “police brutality.” This would discourage people from seeking a career in law enforcement and create a shortage of personnel.
Removing the qualified immunity would let everyone and anyone to directly and personally sue any officer they feel “wronged” them. People who feel abused by an officer’s looked or tone would drag them into court.
The threat of lawsuits would require the officers to get expensive legal insurance, similar to a doctors’ malpractice insurance. Doctors have a difficult time affording malpractice insurance, and it would undoubtedly be out of reach for police officers.
Also, police officers are already under extreme stress in dealing with society’s most unruly and anti-social people. This action would be another distraction from their dangerous work.
Finally, the ranks of police officers are already thin in many communities. Removing qualified immunity will drive people from the profession and discourage recruits.
Instead of blaming the police and exposing them to personal legal action, why sue not parents and public schools produce unruly and anti-social children? Why not sue politicians whose liberal policies excuse, encourage, and justify bad behavior?
While some police officers may act like laws do not apply to them, the vast majority are honest, honorable men and women who serve their community. These officers place their lives on the line on a daily.
Since liberals claim we must not view all blacks as criminals, that same standard should apply to police. All officers are not racist, bullies.
In these times, citizens must use common sense and not react to emotional, political theater, and ideas. Some people openly claim they want to “reform the justice”; however, that seems to mean excusing bad behavior and limiting punishment.
Police work is not designed to please and encourage return customers. The unruly, even criminal behavior police officers face starts in the homes of the people. Instead of reforming the police and justice system, we should start with rebuilding the family and encourage self-discipline and respectful behavior.