TPM Catherine Thompson: Police Chief Tells Pro-Cop Critic To
Respect Protesters In Powerful Letter
December 29, 2014
Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson response “to a pro-cop
resident who criticized his department for going soft on anti-police brutality
protesters’” according to TPM writer Catherine Thompson…
“Anderson posted a
holiday message on the police department's website that included the text of
the critic's email. Among the critic's complaints were that police allowed
protesters marching in reaction to a grand jury's decision not to indict
Ferguson, Missouri police Officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of
unarmed black teen Michael Brown to cut off the interstate highway.”
[…]
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A Christmas Message
for the MNPD from Chief Steve Anderson
12/26/2014
To All Employees:
It is the holiday
season and this has been a good year. My
sincere thanks for the work you do every day to make this a successful police
department. The Nashville public is especially
pleased with the work you do and has even more confidence in you as events have
unfolded over the last few weeks.
Over the last weeks,
across the nation, and here in Nashville, we have witnessed many protests and
demonstrations. Some of the
demonstrations have been peaceful. Some
have been violent, with significant property damage. Here in Nashville, persons have gathered to
express their thoughts in a non-violent manner.
I thank all involved for the peaceful manner in which they have
conducted themselves.
I also thank you. As a member of the Metropolitan Nashville
Police Department, you have responded to these events in a manner that clearly
shows that this is a professional police department staffed by professional
individuals who respect the points of view of all persons. Again, thank you for showing the Nashville
public that, individually and collectively, they have a police department they
can be proud of.
Obviously, as you have
come to know over your police career, not everyone will understand or agree
with the manner in which we have responded during these demonstrations. In any endeavor we undertake, decisions
should be made with a view toward producing the best outcome for all of
Nashville. Our decisions must be made
with this in the forefront. However, in
that we work for the public, public opinion should be given consideration in
the decision making process in matters such as this.
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.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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,
________ __________
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
