That " Strike " Weapon !

There has been an aftermath to the funeral of slain Police officer Rafael Ramos in New York last week.  Arrests have dropped by sixty-six percent and on the spot fines are not being issued for minor offences but which are vital for city finances.  The Police are showing their displeasure at a remark made by Mayor Bill de Blasio when an assassin shot two Police officers dead in a revenge attack for Police shootings of unarmed black people.

The Mayor had called for an "emergency summit "with the five police unions which cover the city - and the cops bristled at the implied suggestion  that some sort of change was needed.  This goes to the heart of the problem which is poisoning relations between the police and citizens in America - and in many other parts of the world.

The police know that they are an essential service.  They do a dangerous job and they refuse to concede that any change is necessary in the way they do their policing work.   One union  representing police sergeants has called for the Mayor to "humble himself " and there are demands that he "change his philosophical views on policing ".   It seems that the police are implacably opposed to any review of police responsibilities.

Policing has come a long way since the days when the first police "Bobbies "walked the streets of London.  A century ago, most police were unarmed, but today officers have access to personal side arms and heavier weapon backup - and many wear body armour.  The biggest change is in the area of attitude.   Where police were once there to "help "the public, now most consider they are there to "control " the public.

This manifests itself in attitudes.    The police expect the public to obey their orders and some are accused of arrogance.  " Power "is in their hands and they are quick to make that clear when they are dealing with the public.  The suggestion that police wear cameras on their uniforms to provide independent verification of contact between police and the public does not find favour with police. They see that as a restriction on their right to control situations as they think fit.  Most regard it as a move to reduce the powers of the police.

In some parts of the world the police are completely out of control - and little better than the gangs that maraud city underworlds.  Often the interaction with residents is heavy handed and many citizens have good reason to fear any sort of contact with the police.  That is not a situation that we would want to happen here in Australia.

Unfortunately, that same sort of division between the public and police power has been steadily eroding trust as we see instances of police excesses swept under the carpet and not adequately investigated - and in each case it is the threat of intervention from the police union that stifles proper investigations.

There has only ever been one police strike in Australia - and the memory of that puts fear into the heart of any government.   In 1923 twenty-four constables at Melbourne's Russell street police headquarters refused duties and about half the state police walked off the job.  Criminal elements in the city went on the rampage, rioting, breaking into shops and looting.   The state government's call for the army to be sent in to restore order was rejected, and consequently five thousand "special constables " were recruited and sworn in - and armed with pick handles.   Order was quickly restored.

From time to time acrimony between the government and the police here in New South Wales have seen the same tactics now being  used in New York applied.   The uniformed police presence remains, but they are on an unofficial work strike and have ceased handing our traffic fines or fines for other offences, crippling the cash flow to treasury.  In a matter of days, the government caves in.   Thus the threat of a police strike remains like the proverbial "Sword of Damocles " - hanging over the head of parliament.

Eventually, a situation will arise that forces the hand of the government.  A police excess that is so blatant that it sends mutiny spreading through the public and makes confrontation between the judiciary, parliament and the police inevitable.

Every time controversy is swept under the carpet and not fully investigated, it brings that day closer.