Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

kpete

(71,898 posts)
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 10:43 AM Dec 2014

A Red State Police Chief Addresses Protests - With Brilliance

Nashville police chief shares message, responds to questions:
A Christmas Message for the MNPD from Chief Steve Anderson

12/26/2014

To All Employees:

..................

Overwhelmingly, in comments that have been directed to me, the public is supportive of your actions. Obviously, some have expressed disagreement. Most have stated their disapproval in a well thought out and rational manner. Their thoughts should be respected and given consideration.

However, as in any similar issue, there is a fringe, generally about 5 percent, on either end of the approval spectrum that have very strong views. It is readily apparent that their thought processes are driven, not by what has occurred during the demonstration, but more by the social positions taken by the demonstrators. Clearly, they are more angry at the thoughts expressed by the demonstrators than how the demonstrations are being conducted. While I respect their right to take that position, we cannot allow those views to be a part of our decision making process. Decisions need to be made with a view toward what is best for all of Nashville.

Below is my reply to one such email I received. I have removed the name and other identifying information from the email in order to respect the privacy of the individual.

Again, the Nashville public is very proud of you and the work you have done over the last years. The confidence and support of the public is continually and loudly expressed to both me and the Mayor at any time we are out in the public. Thank you for making this a very impressive police department--another thing we can celebrate during this holiday season.

I wish you and your family well during the holidays and I am predicting, thanks to the work that you do day in and day out, that we will have another very successful year.



++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


(Email Received)

Chief Anderson,

I wanted to send you this email to express my frustration and outrage at how the situation of these protesters is being handled in Nashville. The first night protesters marched here after the incidents in Ferguson they never should have been allowed to shut down the interstate. Instead of at least threatening to arrest them, they were served coffee and hot chocolate. I don't feel that is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars. It sends a message that they can do whatever they want and will be rewarded. Then, this past week, more protesters march around downtown for 3 or more hours and once again, no arrests, and it took THP to keep them from getting on the interstate again. Saturday night, marching and "die ins" at Opry Mills mall. How long are we going to allow these people to disrupt our city?

I have a son who I have raised to respect police officers and other authority figures, but if he comes to me today and asks "Why are the police allowing this?" I wouldn't have a good answer. If any other group of people wanted to march around the streets they would have to get a permit weeks or months in advance, and I know it's not possible to get a permit to obstruct traffic and walk on the interstate.

Please understand I am not trying to disrespect you or your department, I just want myself and my family to feel that our city is safe, and right now we don't feel that way. Is this going to be allowed to continue until someone gets hurt? Protection of the city should be coming from MNPD, not THP. I also understand that you get direction from the mayor's office, but these actions are putting the department at disharmony from the majority of the citizens. At some point you are going to have to answer this question to yourself - "Am I following or giving orders that help or hurt the community?" In closing, if these recent actions have been due to pressure from the mayor's office, please reach out to the people of Nashville, there are many who will gladly contact the mayor's office as well.

Sincerely, ________ __________


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


(Reply to Email)

Mr. _____________

While I certainly appreciate your offer to intercede on my behalf with our Mayor, you should know that the Mayor has not issued any order, directive or instruction on the matter with which you take issue. All decisions concerning the police department's reaction to the recent demonstrations have been made within the police department and approved by me. Therefore, any reasons or rationale supporting your proposal as what would be the best approach for all of Nashville, and not just a method of utilizing the police department to enforce a personal agenda, should be directed to me.

In that your thoughts deserve consideration, I will attempt to address some of the issues you have raised:

• Has consideration been given as to whether the response of the police department "help or hurt the community."

It is our view that every decision made within the police department should be made with the community in mind. Obviously, there are some matters in which we have no discretion. On matters in which we do have discretion, careful consideration is given as to the best course of action, always with the welfare of the general public in mind.

That has been the consideration on this issue. Certainly, in comparing the outcome here in Nashville with what has occurred in some other cities, the results speak for themselves. I stand on the decisions that have been made.

• "These actions are putting the department at disharmony from the majority of the citizens."

While I don't doubt that you sincerely believe that your thoughts represent the majority of citizens, I would ask you to consider the following before you chisel those thoughts in stone.

As imperfect humans, we have a tendency to limit our association with other persons to those persons who are most like us. Unfortunately, there is even more of a human tendency to stay within our comfort zone by further narrowing those associations to those persons who share our thoughts and opinions. By doing this we can avoid giving consideration to thoughts and ideas different than our own. This would make us uncomfortable. By considering only the thoughts and ideas we are in agreement with, we stay in our comfort zone. Our own biases get reinforced and reflected back at us leaving no room for any opinion but our own. By doing this, we often convince ourselves that the majority of the world shares opinion and that anyone with another opinion is, obviously, wrong.

It is only when we go outside that comfort zone, and subject ourselves to the discomfort of considering thoughts we don't agree with, that we can make an informed judgment on any matter. We can still disagree and maintain our opinions, but we can now do so knowing that the issue has been given consideration from all four sides. Or, if we truly give fair consideration to all points of view, we may need to swallow our pride and amend our original thoughts.

And, it is only by giving consideration to the thoughts of all persons, even those that disagree with us, that we can have an understanding as to what constitutes a majority.

• "I just want myself and my family to feel that our city is safe, and right now we don't feel that way."

I have to admit, I am somewhat puzzled by this announcement. None of the demonstrators in this city have in any way exhibited any propensity for violence or indicated, even verbally, that they would harm anyone. I can understand how you may feel that your ideologies have been questioned but I am not aware of any occurrence that would give reason for someone to feel physically threatened.

• "I have a son who I have raised to respect police officers and other authority figures, but if he comes to me today and asks "Why are the police allowing this?" I wouldn't have a good answer."

It is somewhat perplexing when children are injected into the conversation as an attempt to bolster a position or as an attempt to thwart the position of another. While this is not the type of conversation I ordinarily engage in, here are some thoughts you may find useful as you talk with your son.

First, it is laudable that you are teaching your son respect for the police and other authority figures. However, a better lesson might be that it is the government the police serve that should be respected. The police are merely a representative of a government formed by the people for the people—for all people. Being respectful of the government would mean being respectful of all persons, no matter what their views.

Later, it might be good to point out that the government needs to be, and is, somewhat flexible, especially in situations where there are minor violations of law. A government that had zero tolerance for even minor infractions would prove unworkable in short order.

Although this is unlikely, given your zero tolerance stance, suppose that, by accident or perhaps inattention, you found yourself going 40 miles per hour in a 30 miles per hour zone and that you were stopped by a police officer. Then, after making assurances that licenses were in order and that there were no outstanding warrants, the officer asked you not to speed again and did not issue a citation, but merely sent you on your way.

As you have suggested, a question may come to you from the back seat, "How can I respect the police if they will not enforce the law?" In the event this does occur, here are some facts that might help you answer that question.

In the year 2013, our officers made over four hundred thousand vehicle stops, mostly for traffic violations. A citation was issued in only about one in six of those stops. Five of the six received warnings. This is the police exercising discretion for minor violations of the law. Few, if any, persons would argue that the police should have no discretion.

This is an explanation you might give your son. Take into account, however, that the innocence of children can produce the most profound and probing questions. They often see the world in a very clear and precise manner, their eyes unclouded by the biases life gives us. This could produce the next question. "If you believe that the police should enforce the law at all times, why didn't you insist that the officer write you a ticket?"

I don't have a suggestion as to how that should be answered.

I do know, however, that this is a very diverse city. Nashville, and all of America, will be even more diverse when your son becomes an adult. Certainly, tolerance, respect and consideration for the views of all persons would be valuable attributes for him to take into adulthood.

Mr. ______, thank you for taking the time to express your position on this matter. I assure that your thoughts will be given all due consideration. We will continue, however, to make decisions, on this and all matters, that take into account what is best for all of Nashville.

Steve Anderson
Chief of Police



emails here:
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson/2014/12/26/nashville-police-chief-shares-message-responds-to-questions/20914171/
via:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/27/1354392/-A-Red-State-Police-Chief-Addresses-Protests-With-Brilliance
another link:
http://gawker.com/police-chief-respecting-cops-means-respecting-protesto-1675787560
35 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A Red State Police Chief Addresses Protests - With Brilliance (Original Post) kpete Dec 2014 OP
That is a great response. nt el_bryanto Dec 2014 #1
WOW. Beowulf42 Dec 2014 #5
The email writer probably heard the faux news of the Faux News manufactured police chants, Fred Sanders Dec 2014 #2
fucking media: kpete Dec 2014 #6
Not just Faux, the whole fucking mass media is a disease on democracy...with Obama on that opinion. Fred Sanders Dec 2014 #8
yep, me too. mountain grammy Dec 2014 #18
The e-mail writer is like so many others with situational ethics Populist_Prole Dec 2014 #34
excellent response heaven05 Dec 2014 #3
I like the way he kicked that man's (the email writer's) ass Schema Thing Dec 2014 #4
Brilliant n/t LittleGirl Dec 2014 #7
What a wise police chief brush Dec 2014 #9
Wow. Now that is a good response! NutmegYankee Dec 2014 #10
Chief Anderson is one smart and humane cop pscot Dec 2014 #11
For sure! Where are all of the "all cops are bad" crowd? Dustlawyer Dec 2014 #32
Woot, woot for CoP Anderson PumpkinAle Dec 2014 #12
+1 madokie Dec 2014 #22
his response surprised me PatrynXX Dec 2014 #13
There's a cop who understands how to protect and serve. LuvNewcastle Dec 2014 #14
I like the way he noted the attempt to use children to emotionally manipulate people. sabrina 1 Dec 2014 #15
Think of the children1111 yardwork Dec 2014 #16
+100 NewDeal_Dem Dec 2014 #17
K & R Should be required reading for the NYPD. mountain grammy Dec 2014 #19
Thinking of moving back to Nashville anyway maindawg Dec 2014 #20
Bravo! Bravo! Moral Compass Dec 2014 #21
I wonder if I can talk this guy into coming to Florida and be our governor. BlueJazz Dec 2014 #23
I hope he is a bell weather that good cops are going to start coming forward Tommymac Dec 2014 #24
Perfect. bravenak Dec 2014 #25
that was truly a strange reading experience for me Kalidurga Dec 2014 #26
Betcha anything Chief Anderson was hired from the outside tularetom Dec 2014 #27
39 years with Nashville PD. Appointed, as are most cheifs of police, by the Mayor of the city. Bluenorthwest Dec 2014 #29
I'm all the more impressed now that I know that tularetom Dec 2014 #31
Respect. johnnyreb Dec 2014 #28
The original email sounds like a template daredtowork Dec 2014 #30
I will be re-posting these comments...... DeSwiss Dec 2014 #33
again,when some say DonCoquixote Dec 2014 #35

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
2. The email writer probably heard the faux news of the Faux News manufactured police chants,
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 11:12 AM
Dec 2014

manufactured lies by two Faux News stations on conseqeutive nights, repeated by CNN on consequetive days and others, and without apology or retraction or correction or the slightest mention when found out to be manufactured lies intended to outrage and incite. They ran with it with fucking glee....

Fucking mission accomplished, fucking media.

No consequence, no justice, no peace.

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
8. Not just Faux, the whole fucking mass media is a disease on democracy...with Obama on that opinion.
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 11:23 AM
Dec 2014

Populist_Prole

(5,364 posts)
34. The e-mail writer is like so many others with situational ethics
Mon Dec 29, 2014, 03:12 AM
Dec 2014

A typical conservative that becomes an erstwhile liberal if he or his is arrested or otherwise runs afoul of some statute.

Doubtless one of those mouth breathes that watches 'Cops' or the like while screaming "lock 'em all up!" except when he gets a traffic or civil citation; then it's "tyranny by the government.......!" Blah blah blah.

pscot

(21,023 posts)
11. Chief Anderson is one smart and humane cop
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 11:31 AM
Dec 2014

There may even be people here at DU who could profit from his message of tolerance and respect.

PumpkinAle

(1,210 posts)
12. Woot, woot for CoP Anderson
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 11:42 AM
Dec 2014

that was an amazing, well thought out and succinct reply.

And I liked this paragraph which I believe should be sent to the NY Cops.........

It is only when we go outside that comfort zone, and subject ourselves to the discomfort of considering thoughts we don't agree with, that we can make an informed judgment on any matter. We can still disagree and maintain our opinions, but we can now do so knowing that the issue has been given consideration from all four sides. Or, if we truly give fair consideration to all points of view, we may need to swallow our pride and amend our original thoughts.


Thank you Chief Anderson.

PatrynXX

(5,668 posts)
13. his response surprised me
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 12:02 PM
Dec 2014

WOW. is right. He gets it. NYPD, they're gonna end up losing their jobs. Except the one guy. He might end up being police chief. I get the feeling the Mob still runs the cops in Nuuu Yooork. (sorry hard to spell out an accent. far easier to do a redneck accent myself. than something up in new jorsey... Riot police in theory are supposed to diffuse the situation. I suggested maybe a solid cardboard target with a hole in it. throw bean bags, balls or balllons filled with neon glowing paint thru the hole yes it's messy but fun and fun and laughter just kills it. wanna light off some fire...provide an area for it. maybe mostly fireworks put the firefighters next to it to douse areas those might land but hey bringing out food etc relaxes people. so basically the above guy said nashville is one of the safest places to be in America. O_O never saw that comming

LuvNewcastle

(16,820 posts)
14. There's a cop who understands how to protect and serve.
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 12:10 PM
Dec 2014

I'll stand up for cops like him any time. Most of the cops in my town seem to have similar views. It makes a very big difference in how a police department is run and who is doing the hiring. We need a lot of investigations and reform in many police departments across the country, and we have cities like Nashville to hold up as examples for the ones who need help.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
15. I like the way he noted the attempt to use children to emotionally manipulate people.
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 12:18 PM
Dec 2014

And how he responded to that tactic.

 

maindawg

(1,151 posts)
20. Thinking of moving back to Nashville anyway
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 01:00 PM
Dec 2014

This make me think more about that. I am genuinely surprised that such a red state has such a great chief od Police. This guy gets it. He should be heard by all police and politicians in our land. Made my day!!!

 

BlueJazz

(25,348 posts)
23. I wonder if I can talk this guy into coming to Florida and be our governor.
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 01:18 PM
Dec 2014

What a wonderful, fair, logical answer !

Tommymac

(7,263 posts)
24. I hope he is a bell weather that good cops are going to start coming forward
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 01:27 PM
Dec 2014

and take control of the conversation away from the conservative racist evil cops who are dominating the establishment's public response right now.

Publically Identifying and outing the bad apples by their peers is going to have to be the first step to regain the trust of the public and implement systemic repairs to an institution corrupted by the evil within it.

If they, the 'good' cops take the lead and out the racists and evil ones, the MSM and the rest of us are going to have to follow.

Kalidurga

(14,177 posts)
26. that was truly a strange reading experience for me
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 02:38 PM
Dec 2014

in a blue state with police that act like well not like most people in this blue state.

tularetom

(23,664 posts)
27. Betcha anything Chief Anderson was hired from the outside
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 02:58 PM
Dec 2014

The biggest impediment to effective management of any public agency, and especially a police department is the unfortunate practice of in-house promotions.

An employee who becomes the head of his department goes from being one of the good old boys to being the man who often is forced to crack down on the guys he used to drink with.

It doesn't work well. And it leads to an even more incestuous relationship within the department, and an "us vs. them" mindset toward members of the governing body and the public at large.

The fact that this chief is so willing to state that he works for the public and not the police department indicates to me that he didn't come up through the ranks.

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
29. 39 years with Nashville PD. Appointed, as are most cheifs of police, by the Mayor of the city.
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 05:00 PM
Dec 2014

He was administrative assistant to 3 former chiefs in a PD with about 1500 employees so I doubt he was drinking with the guys all that much during the later stages of his career.

tularetom

(23,664 posts)
31. I'm all the more impressed now that I know that
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 06:30 PM
Dec 2014

One good thing about electing a sheriff is that the new guy has a chance to throw out all the deadwood from the old regime.

daredtowork

(3,732 posts)
30. The original email sounds like a template
Sun Dec 28, 2014, 05:17 PM
Dec 2014

The Police Chief may have gotten several matching ones! Perhaps the sender had received a mass mailing or attended some meeting/training on how "concerned citizens" can badger the police.

The response of this police chief was MAGNIFICENT! I doubt the head of the Berkeley PD (a "progressive" city) could have done half as well!

As a matter of irony, Markos Moulitsas of the Daily Kos (linked in the OP above), who lives in Berkeley, and who is sadly not the "progressive" here that he is on the Internet played the "my wife doesn't feel safe" (when walking past homeless people sitting on the street) card when he wanted to get a Sit/Lie law passed in Berkeley. Where does that lump him in the exchange above?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»A Red State Police Chief ...