March 2023 Blues Vol 39 No. 3

licing will fall to the

licing will fall to the unqualified or inexperienced? And finally, when the best available data states that cops do their jobs well without excessive force and polls hold law enforcement in high regard, why do we have incessantly negative media and advocates painting “all” cops as brutal? Why do we allow such stereotyping to exist? Do incessantly negative media reports focusing on American policing (thus all cops) create a false narrative that results in officers leaving by the thousands, inadequate and unready recruits taking their place, and growing violence that will literally destroy cities? If “the point of journalism is to hold people in positions of power accountable,” are media organizations looking in the mirror for creating a false narrative? I have no data to “prove” that what happened in Memphis is occurring in other high-crime urban areas, yet the number of media accounts focusing on the loss of police officers tells me that the unqualified or under-qualified may be necessary to fill empty positions. No one is excusing the actions of bad or disrespectful cops. We must be held accountable. We must serve all regardless of who they are. We must understand historic mistreatment. But if the data suggests that most cops are doing well while responding to high-stress and dangerous calls, why the attack on everyone in the profession? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr. is a retired federal senior spokesperson. Thirty-five years of directing award-winning public relations for national and state criminal justice agencies. Interviewed multiple times by every national news outlet. Former Senior Specialist for Crime Prevention for the Department of Justice’s clearinghouse. Former Director of Information Services, National Crime Prevention Council. Former Adjunct Associate Professor of criminology and public affairs-University of Maryland, University College. Former advisor to presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. Former advisor to the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign. Certificate of Advanced Study-Johns Hopkins University. Former police officer. Aspiring drummer. Author of ”Success With The Media: Everything You Need To Survive Reporters and Your Organization” available at Amazon and additional booksellers. IMOD2 Carson's versatile MLH6 dual color led light has arrived! It features 12 high intensity LEDs packed into a super thin housing. With 12 different flash patterns, steady burn, and cruise mode (programmable for each color), this light is up for anything! The MLH6 is designed to surface mount with the BM6 bezel, or can snap in to the IMOD2 housing for an outstanding dual head option. Stay tuned for more modular mounting options coming soon from Carson! Scan for website: Check out our website for more information on our MLH6 as well as to check all of our other products. Contact us today at: sales@carson-mfg.com | 317-257-3191 | www.carsonsirens.com 14 The BLUES The BLUES 15