chapa10@... asked this question on 5/1/2000:
1. Prior to the aquited verdict of Rodney King, did you believe that the officers involved should be imprisoned, if found quilty? yes or no
2. One of the most intersting phenomenas in the lenghty O.J.Simpson case was the early polarization of attitudes regerding Simpson's quilt or innocence. In your opinion did you think O.J. Simpson was quilty or innocent.
3. Do you think police protection in black neighborhoods is better, worse, or about the same as in white neighborhoods?
4. In your opinion, who do you think is treated more harshly in the country's criminal justice system- black, whites, or are they treated about the same?
5. Have you personally ever felt treated unfairly by police or by police officers specifically because you were (black, white)?
6. We have heard of racism towards blacks by police officers in some big cities. Now, how widespread do you think the problem is: a. just what we see and hear b. in big city departments only c. widespread through the U.S.
7. After discovering and seeing the incident involving Rodney King and several L.A. police officers, in your opinion were the actions taken by police officers towards King fair? Yes or no?
8. Is your view or opinion on the criminal justice sytem a negative or positive view?
9. How much confidence do you have in police officers in your community in terms of treating blacks and whites equally. a. a great deal b. a fair amount c. just the same d. very little e. no confidence
tcsmpsi gave this response on 5/1/2000:
Good Afternoon chapa 10, 1. No. I do not believe they should have been imprisoned. They should have been suspended and required to go through behavioral training and evaluation. If the evaluation was negative, they should never be officers again. 2. I have absolutely no idea whether O.J. was guilty or not, as I never got a chance to interview him. 3. Police protection? By that, I am concluding that you mean patrol units and the time and presence they spend. My experience has been that generally there is more presence in black neighborhoods than in white. 4. In the criminal justice system, I have not ascertained in the last 30 years a notable difference in the 'treatment' of any race. 5. In my experience, I have noted 'unfair treatment' not particular to race as much as other demographics. (drunk, poor, 'stupid', hippies, etc.) 6. There is and will always be a certain amount of 'racism'. We all tend to lean toward our own race at least a little, no matter what race it is. 7. You say the 'incident'. I am once again concluding here....that you are speaking of the media portrayed portion of the infamous video. After evaluating the incident (all the information and video), my conclusion is that the officers allowed the situation get out of hand in the very beginning. LAPD has very long and complex use of force procedure. It is my belief that in the very beginning of the stop, there was a moment of hesitation in taking the appropriate action immediately. Mr. King should have been treated as a felony stop, and 'taken down' the very moment he showed the least resistance. Unfortunately, this didn't happen and it got out of hand. The officers were wrong in their use of force. 8. I believe that our criminal justice system is unique and my general feeling toward it is completely positive. There will always be the human factor involved with anything involving humans. This is where the breakdown is, not with the system itself. Were EVERYONE within the system to do their job as it has been laid out to be done, and with the integrity and honesty of the individual as it should be, it would certainly work as it should. 9. I have a great deal of confidence that the officers in my community will treat one as the other. Many of these officers are black...and Indian (American)....and Hispanic....and Female...and Male.
Sincerely, tcsmpsi
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