140 Officer Deaths: Should the Media Be Blamed For the Demonization of Police Officers?

140.

That is the number of police officers that were killed in the line of duty for 2016. 63 of those deaths were related to gunfire from suspects. 12 of those were related to vehicular assaults. 9 struck by a vehicle and 1 stabbed. The rest of the deaths were related to illness and other factors such as drowning and automobile accidents.

The deaths for 2016 were the highest since 2010, which was a year when 181 officers died. These deaths, though some may be accidental, are reflective of an increased hostility towards police officers. Thanks to the demonization of police officers from the media, many citizens have found themselves lacking trust for officers.

Other groups have declared all-out war against police officers and have promoted hate against police officers. The snipers in Dallas, TX. The increased assaults against officers. Even the recent incident of officers being shot at and pinned down from gunfire in Harris, TX have displayed an ever-growing resentment against police officers. 

These increased feelings of hostility, open displays of belligerence, and increased number of assaults and willingness to use deadly force against law enforcement agencies come in light of recent cases of deaths related to use of force by police officers.

Perhaps the biggest influential factor in these cases is the media’s willingness to use deaths of suspects by police officers as a means of showing the “brutality” that officers are willing to use to subdue suspects. Yet, why is it that the media is quick to show incidents involving the use of force but not so willing to show the good that officers do.

What about the officers that run into burning homes? The officers that will willingly run to a burning car to attempt to rescue a person? The officers that are willing to administer first-aid willingly despite circumstances surrounding them that could endanger their life. What about the officers that go Christmas shopping with children or those that do good deeds?

One could easily blame the media for the demonization and increased hostility of police officers. After all, when was the last time that the media was willing to show all the good deeds that police officers committed in a single day? On the other hand, when there is violence being displayed either against officers or by officers, the media is quick to cover the story. The recent shootings in Harris, TX were quickly answered by the media. While the shootings were occurring, the police officers were on the scene covering the story.

Dirty laundry sells. Perhaps that is the best way to describe the reasoning behind the media’s quick reaction to show the bad side of police officers. Dirty laundry is what everyone wants to read and watch on television. It is easy to see why police officers have been demonized by the media.

Perhaps the best solution would be for officers to create some type of media outlet in order to display the good committed by officers on a daily basis. When families have been wronged by police, they have been quick to take action and voice their case to media outlets in order to show the manner in which they were wronged by law enforcement agencies. What if us, as police officers, did the same thing? Would it be effective in helping to decrease some of the hostile feelings towards officers?

2016 was a rough year for police officers. The rise in deaths. The rise in assaults against officers. The rise in increased hostilities and protests against police officers. It was truly a year spent condemning the actions of the peacemakers of society. Perhaps 2017 could be the year that officers fight back and try to repair their damaged image.

Let me know what you think in the comments section about how officers and law enforcement agencies can work towards repairing our damaged reputations and images.