Politics, Political Correctness, and P.D. Policies

The San Francisco Police Department’s Police Chief William Scott recently published within his department a directive instructing his officers to “avoid . .” sitting detained subjects (handcuffed or not) on the ground or sidewalk. Chief Scott is of the opinion that leaving detainees standing is necessary, “in order to carry out (an officer’s) duties respectfully and professionally, . . .” Per the Chief’s directive, “sitting a subject on the ground or sidewalk should be done only as a last resort and only when necessary.” Exceptions are allowed in “(e)ceptional circumstances” such as (but presumably not limited to) when necessary to take a resisting subject to the ground. And even then, the subject is to be taken off the ground and put into a police car as soon as practical to do so. Instances where a detainee is seated on the ground or a sidewalk must be documented, presumably for later Monday-morning quarterbacking and critiquing of the officer’s actions. One can only guess what prompted such a directive. But its apparent intent is to minimize whatever embarrassment to the detainee might result from being forced to sit on the ground or sidewalk while exposed to public view. What this directive ignores is the need (if not the right) of an officer who detains a suspect to do what he or she feels is necessary for his or her own safety, the safety of anyone else in the immediate vicinity, as well as the safety of the detainee himself. The ....