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Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo Policing Katrina: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo Policing Katrina: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Presented by: Brandon Alessini & Jamal Robinson. Introduction.

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Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo Policing Katrina: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

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  1. Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo Policing Katrina: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Presented by: Brandon Alessini & Jamal Robinson

  2. Introduction • This study examines both the good and bad actions of NOPD during and after Katrina, taking into account the state of the city and the effects it had on the police. • Outline: • Background • Good policing • Bad policing • Theories applied • Conclusion: Better practices and solution.

  3. “Danger typically yields self-defensive conduct, conduct that must strain to be impulsive because danger arouses fear and anxiety so easily. Authority under such conditions becomes a resource to reduce perceived threats rather than a series of reflective judgments arrived at calmly.”-Jerome Skolnik, The Community Relations Service USDOJ “In the annals of history, no police department in the history of the world was asked to do what we were asked.” New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass

  4. Background • Before Katrina even hit, New Orleans had major problems with their police. • During the 90s, NOPD hit an all-time low. • New Orleans became the murder capital of the nation in 1994. • They were also first in the nation in police brutality during this time. • “Name another urban police force that has had four officers charged with murder over the past two years, with another officer identified as a possible serial killer. Name another that has had a similar spate of scandal - brutality, corruption - while homicide rates soared.” -Seattle Times

  5. Good Policing: Law Enforcement Code of Ethics • Duty to safeguard lives and property, protect the innocent and weak, and respect the Constitutional rights of all. • Maintaining courageous calm in the face of danger and developing restraint; honesty in thought and deed. • Never permit personal feelings or prejudices influence decisions; enforce the law appropriately without ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence. • Recognizes the badge as a symbol of public faith; constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals.

  6. Acts of Courage: Good Policing during Katrina • August 29, 8 NOPD officers set out on boat to rescue civilians that were stranded • Many other instances of cops rescuing civilians via boat and helicopter http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hic1Mia4Sb4

  7. Media Scrutiny • Out of about 1,700 officers in NOPD, approximately 250 deserted and only a select few were accused of crimes or other police brutalities. • The point is that the vast majority of NOPD did their duty as expected, especially considering the horrendous conditions of the city. • However, the media loves to blow up and ride the few bad cases like the Danziger bridge incident and Henry Glover. • Rightly so, these were heinous crimes but NOPD proved to be mostly courageous and admirable during this time of crisis, a “state of nature”.

  8. Bad Policing • Bad policing includes anything that contradicts the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, as outlined previously. • At least 10 people shot by police during Katrina • There were cases in which police negligence and brutality were prevalent, especially in the Henry Glover case and the Danziger Bridge Shooting. • These cases demonstrate clear breaches against the Code of Ethics.

  9. Danziger Bridge Shooting • Example of poor policing and excessive and unnecessary force. • Cops attempted to cover up the incident, fabricating a false police report. • Two were killed by the gunfire, four other innocent civilians were badly wounded. • All victims were unarmed

  10. Henry Glover Case • After being shot, Henry Glover was found near-death by Edward King, his brother. • They sought aid at a temporary police station. • Instead of being helped, he was ignored and then brutally beaten. • Eventually him and the car were driven off and purposely burnt to cover up evidence. • Dwayne Scheuermann is responsible for beating and burning Glover. • Gregory McRae is responsible for burning the car. • Robert Italiano and Travis McCabe responsible for falsifying reports.

  11. Police Brutality • According to Worden, it’s not as easy as it seems to differentiate between reasonable and excessive force. • This is especially true during the aftermath of Katrina: lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, and the overall state of New Orleans would make this decision even more difficult for police. • However, there are instances in which no force is necessary, and when force is involved here it is most definitely unnecessary. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryxlSKW6fls

  12. Social Contract Theorists: How would they react? • The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina did devolve into a state of nature. • Also, the lack of communication effectively discounted an authority figure or government in general. • Locke: Common Judge • Protection of life, liberty, and property • Hobbes: War of all against all: Constant danger • Would argue sovereign with unlimited power and authority is best way to get out of SON. He would probably be in favor of martial law in the city.

  13. Conclusion: Solutions • Boost pay and benefits • Improve recruitment and training procedures • Prepare cops for similar disaster situations • Covering behavioral and psychological aspects • Create an effective internal affairs department and as a last resort, consent decree

  14. Works Cited • http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_newslog004.htm • http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060196/ • Wiki Site: Newspapers, Official Reports: • http://www.nola.com/katrina/index.ssf/2005/09/no_police_chief_defends_force.html • Seattle Times: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource./com/archive?date= • http://willibys-corruptjustice.blogspot.com/2009/08/nopd-saga-continues.html • http://airboats4sar.com/news/index.php?blog=2&cat=17 • http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/r/20001546/detail.html • Social Contract Theorists: Morris • Worden Reading • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hic1Mia4Sb4 • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryxlSKW6fls • Seattle Times- 1996 http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19960421&slug=2325209 • Law Enforcement Code of Ethics-University of Maine Fort Kent http://www.umfk.maine.edu/academics/programs/psa/ethics/default.cfm • The Times Picayune 8 cops to the rescue8/29/2005http://www.nola.com/katrina/index.ssf/2005/08/ph_cops_to_rescue.html • NOPD Rescue- YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hic1Mia4Sb4 • The Times Picayune NOPD cans 45 cops for abandonment8/28/2005 http://www.nola.com/katrina/index.ssf/2005/10/nopd_cans_45_cops_for_abandonment.html

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