There is an increase in mass shootings and it seems to be a growing trend. People feel that that having a gun allows them to use those guns against others they are in an argument with or those who they see as different. What you are noticing is more group coordinated shootings and increased targeting (not necessarily in this case). At the same time we know there is a need for some level of positive police reform and an increase in recruiting new officers (Many departments are loosing police and having a hard time finding new ones.). We do not want anyone becoming a type of street militia (gangs, criminals, groups and/or rogue officer clans) so we will need reform and enhancement.
We should look at the different pressures to find possible solutions (Internal and External). Some on the right political persuasion will say that policing is perfect and no changes should ever happen. Some on the left political persuasion are saying that we should ban police altogether. I continue to believe that with the right changes we can 1.) create more effective policing strategies (i.e. catch bad guys and save lives), 2.) improve the protections of civil liberties (Make sure policing is focused on its central purpose in society), 3.) improve on the catching of criminals (...some go to jail and some get mental health help depending on the situation.) and 4.) restore trust in our institutions (Polls show increased decline in institutional trust and that is a contributing factor to increase in violence. It may not seem like it but it influences the general context of perception.).
There are two upfront pressures 1.) better police protection and 2.) civil liberties/oversite and they indicate we have to universalize our police (like our institutions) to ensure that they gain the trust of society and in turn begin more recruitment of police from different backgrounds and skill sets. While it seems bizarre, public impression and recruitment (even the type of people that are recruited) are associated (It can also impact whether people will help and support police in catching bag guys/gals in a way that makes them more effective. Better tips and better catches.)
Because the situation is becoming more heightened politicians should start thinking about long term solutions in the following arenas:
1.) Strengthen policing through research, tactics, and development (That includes new types of non lethal and group oriented weaponry/tactics for gangs).
2.) Diversify/universalize police and encourage accountability (...removing and prosecuting officers that engage in criminal activities and intentionally violate core civil rights. While mistakes can be improved on, a bad apple should be dumped quickly by departments.)
3.) Launch a recruitment campaign to strengthen, replenish, and culturally adjust (if it is necessary) through new young cadets and leaders from different backgrounds (New blood, new cultures, new ideas.)
4.) Gain a better understanding of how to use jails for violent offenders and when to use mental health to detour and reform (For example, some are violent and some are manipulative to create context for violence. i.e. MI track and Code for extremism).
5.) Think about the differences between hunting rifles, non-lethal guns, defensive guns with limited capacity, and aggressive/military grade guns. There should be different rules for each. Some may not even require a permit while others may require safety/legal training and a gun lock (We don't want these guns getting into criminal hands.)
If we can't agree on some basic approaches we are just going to debate this until the end. That is the best way at the moment (meaning I might change my ideas) on how to solve some of these problems while tying together the two various stakeholder perceptions into one.
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