Amidst the nation protesting and demanding justice for the colored community during the “Black Lives Matter” movement, a new movement known as “Back the Blue” was formed in response. What benefit would be served in instating extra protection for the police force while we are currently pleading for their regulation? Georgia should not classify law enforcement as a group that can be affected by hate crimes.
Following George Floyd’s death, protests nationwide have been demanding either reallocation of police funding or their removal from schools. People want the government to regulate its officers. However, the law signed by Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp provides extra protection to its officers against hate crimes.
The law’s flaw lies in its vagueness and ambiguity. There are multiple excuses for a police officer to be biased or harm an individual in the name of peacekeeping and safety. Yet, how many measures have been applied to the police department to curb their reckless activities?
A law that gives extra protection to the police department is a poor decision that will hardly promote transparency and accountability or hold police responsible for their misdeeds. Rather, this will provide them with yet another veil of corruption.
It wouldn't be incorrect to state that American law protects the police and puts the public at risk. Do black lives matter to the American government? It’s a serious concern, and the community is currently crying out for justice. A new law that provides increased police protection only proves that the government couldn't care less.
“House Bill 838 is a step forward as we work to protect those who are risking their lives to protect us,” said Kemp. The crime is punishable by 1-5 years of prison and a fine of up to $5000. Mr. Kemp wants to protect the police against hate crimes, but does he acknowledge that the police should be penalized for the unjust taking of lives? Is there a forthcoming law that would compensate for the lives taken by the officers?
Surprisingly, the law also allows police officers to file lawsuits against anyone who threatens the officer’s civil rights. What about the civil rights of the citizens? What about the civil rights of the African-American and other colored communities? What is Kemp thinking? Hate crimes based on uniform colors are not equitable to those based on ethnicity and race that have plagued society for decades.
“The Georgia code already includes more than sufficient protection for police officers,” states Andrea Young, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia. Ironically, the public now fears the force meant to protect them; no one wants to be the next George Floyd.
Instead of regulating the police’s actions, the government is attempting to protect them in the name of hate crime issues. We are asking for justice for the community at large, yet the police are the ones getting protection. Compare it to a criminal who should be serving jail time for their actions receiving a literal “get out of jail free” card, as well as protections that prevent them from getting charged again.
Jack McDevitt, the Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Northeastern University and has written several books on hate crimes, states, “Hate crime laws were created for individuals of particular characteristic—obviously race, ethnicity, religion, other types of status issues," he says. "The idea that occupational groups will be singled out for hate crime protections seems to be a reach.” It is an absolute abuse of power to frame the police department as a victim and shield them from their crimes.
The police have stained the relationship and trust between the community and the department. They should seize every opportunity to improve that relationship. This law will only serve to stain things further.
Real change is expected, and it won’t be found by categorizing the police department as a group that can be affected by hate crimes. Improve accountability and transparency with force before awarding them further protections.
