Controversy is still in the air over the famous film maker, Quentin Tarantino’s, statements last month at an anti-police brutality protest.
The original controversy was reported after Tarantino allegedy referred to cops as “murderers” during the event on Oct. 24 of last month— just four days after the fourth New York City police officer this year, Randolph Holder, was shot and killed while on duty.
Tarantino’s exact words according to The Washington Times were, “When I see murders, I do not stand by. I have to call a murder a murder, and I have to call the murderers the murderers.”
Tarantino has faced backlash over those comments being accused of instigation and worsening an already tense situation between police officers and the general public.
In particular, police officers have been the most outraged by his statements. In an interview with the WNYM- 970 AM radio station, New York City Police Commissioner, Bill Bratton said of Tarantino, “Shame on him, particularly at this time when we are grieving the murder of a New York City police officer.” Bratton also said in the interview, “There are no words to describe the contempt I have for him and his comments.”
According to The New York Post, the president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (PBA), Patrick Lynch said, “It’s no surprise that someone who makes a living glorifying crime and violence is a cop-hater, too”
He noted how the struggles and sacrifice go through to keep people safe and said, “New Yorkers need to send a message to this purveyor of degeneracy that he has no business coming to our city to peddle his slanderous ‘Cop Fiction.’”
According to The Washington Times, police unions from NY, NJ, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia are calling for a boycott of the film makers’ newest film, “The Hateful Eight.”
Since the riots in Ferguson, MO over the shooting of Michael Brown, there have been numerous videos of negative police interactions with citizens that have gone viral.
People are referring to this increasing number of viral videos and negative police interactions as the “Ferguson Effect.” According to CNN, FBI director James Comey linked these reactions and the increase of crime this year to the “Ferguson Effect” by saying, “Far more people are being killed in America’s cities this year than in many years and let’s be clear: far more people of color are being killed in America’s cities this year. And it’s not the cops doing the killing.”
He asked, “In today’s YouTube world, are officers reluctant to get out of their cars and do the work that controls violent crime? Are officers answering 911 calls but avoiding the informal contact that keeps bad guys from standing around, especially with guns?”
Professor of Criminal Justice and retired NYC Police Lieutenant, John Comiskey said, “I agree with FBI director Comey about crime increase.” He said, “Police are under attack in this country. Now police are reluctant to act.”
He said about the media reporting, “I think that some media outlets sensationalize controversial issues and do not report objectively. Ferguson is an example of this sensation.”
Jennifer McGovern, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Sociology at the University, said, “The media does hype intra-racial crime more. This hurts that people don’t know about the reality of crime. People don’t see link between poverty and crime but link people in crime.”
She said that cops are “under more scrutiny” and that they “have to go out of their way to show that they are good cops.”
One idea that has been suggested as a solution to stop the tension between cops and the public is body camera’s that are to be worn by police officers. Comiskey said that body cameras would, “Expose the criminal, Deter people from acting in a criminal manner on camera, and deter the police officers from acting inappropriately.”
McGovern said, “On one hand it is positive because police officers would make sure they act according to policy. On the other hand, we need to give them the freedom to act as they see appropriate.”
Senior criminal justice major, Keon Osby, said, “I see both sides especially being African American. I see why some people feel why the incidents involving white officer and black males has some part of racism in it. Although I understand their point of view, I do not completely agree with it. From having some experience in law enforcement and taking classes, I don’t see the incidents so much as the race factor but more of what events lead up to why the situation happened.”
He continued, “I think both sides need to take a step back and collaborate on ways to come together. I just hope that somewhere in the near future that the trust between law enforcement and the public will be established once again and the amount of violence throughout the nation will decrease.”
IMAGE TAKEN from ABC7.com
