Racial Reason California Cops Fighting Prop 19?

[Jim Finnel]

A new study released Friday shows conclusively that in California’s largest cities African-Americans are arrested for marijuana possession at much higher rates that whites. In the 25 cities profiled, African-Americans were arrested at four to 12 times the rate of whites, despite much higher use rates among whites.

This horrifying disparity is one reason Proposition 19 has earned the support of civil rights groups, including the California NAACP and the League of United Latin American Citizens of California. These numbers make it clear that removing penalties for marijuana possession would eliminate a tool that has been used to institute a system of pervasive racism in the Golden State. Given that even a single possession charge can result in severe economic and social consequences, the fact that arrests are focused so disproportionately on minority communities is an overwhelming argument for reform on November 2nd.

Some folks disagree, namely the majority of California’s law enforcement community. Several law enforcement groups have given large sums of money to the campaign against Proposition 19, the most recent being the California Police Chiefs Association, who donated $20,000 to No on Prop. 19.

Throughout the public debates on this issue, law enforcement groups (other than those backing Prop 19) have said that reformers need to prove why marijuana should not be illegal. It seems much more reasonable to expect the burden of proof to be on the other side, especially when marijuana prohibition results in such obvious racial persecution. Yet law enforcement does not rise to this challenge, probably because there is no justification for such practices in a civilized society.

Could it be that some California cops actually like targeting minorities?

If Proposition 19 passes, they will lose their easiest way to do so.

Interestingly, the largest law enforcement group supporting Proposition 19 is…

…the National Black Police Association.


NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: opposingviews.com
Author: Marijuana Policy Project
Copyright: 2010 Opposing Views, Inc.
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Website: Opposing Views: Racial Reason California Cops Fighting Prop 19?

 

[whiteraven86]

"Could it be that some California cops actually like targeting minorities?"

As a retired law enforcement officer with 28 years in service I can reasonably state that race is not the driving factor in any marijuana arrests. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!!

At least 25 % of people in jail in California are in there for minor drug possession charges. That employs alot of custody officers, deputy sheriffs, and support personnel. Cut the jail population by 25% and somebodys budget allotment is going to suffer.

Then there is the overtime and court appearances for the officers making the arrests. An aggresive officer timing his arrests close to end of shift along with court appearances in some instances can almost double his yearly salary.

Of course then there are the recommendations for promotion by superiors. If two officers score even on a promotional exam; who do you think will get promoted? An officer with alot of drug arrests will get the nod. He will get the promotion because his superiors want the statistics to show they are fighting crime and because they don't want their funding cut.

full disclosure requires that I inform readers that I am a medical cannabis patient.

 

[Hogdady]

As a retired law enforcement officer with 28 years in service I can reasonably state that race is not the driving factor in any marijuana arrests. IT IS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!!

Then why the disproportionate number of arrests of blacks?

 

[whiteraven86]

Why the disproportionate numbers?

Again it is the money. New or aggresive officers are placed in high crime areas for experience and to get the "statistics". It is a fact that high crime areas are usually also minority areas. So when you make alot of stops and searches trying to get the really bad guys you have the opportunity to sweep up alot of otherwise innocent cannabis users. Hey the brass wants arrests to justify their budgets and to show the public they are doing their job. If you want the truth follow the money trail.

 

[freetheweed]

there is a easier solution. F@@@ them and legalize it

 

[whiteraven86]

I agree it should be reclassafied nationally and legalized. Was just giving one the reasons why law enforcement wants it to stay illegal.

 

[SnowBender]

LEO doesn't want it illegal...they want it to be legal. they just cant speak their true mind for fear of being fired.