Jacques Ellul on the Benefits and Dangers of Police Power

Thai riot police.

Jacques Ellul (1912-1994) was a French sociologist, lay theologian, Christian anarchist, and prolific writer. He gained prominence for his exploration of technology as a pervasive and dominating force that shapes and controls human existence.

One of his most influential early books was The Technological Society. One of the themes in this comprehensive volume had to do with police power. In light of the violence in France in response to a shooting of a 17-year-old there in 2023 and our current administration's use of ICE here in the U.S., I thought it may be relevant to cite Ellul's thoughts on police power. 

Greek riot police.

In this book he stated that "the perfection of police power is not the result of the state’s Machiavellianism or of some transitory influence. The whole structure of society implies it, of necessity. The more we mobilize the forces of nature, the more must we mobilize men and the more do we require order."

In The Technological Society. Ellul argues that the development of technology is not simply a matter of adding new machines and devices to our lives. It's also a matter of changing the way we think and behave. As technology becomes more sophisticated, it requires us to become more organized and disciplined. This is because technology is not neutral. It has its own logic and momentum, and it tends to lead to the concentration of power and the suppression of dissent.

Ellul argued that this trend is not inevitable. It is possible to develop technology in a way that is more democratic and humane. To do this, however, we must be aware of the dangers of technology and take steps to mitigate them. (The same way that our judicial and legislative arms of government were designed to hold the executive branch in check.) We need to develop new forms of social organization that can resist the tendency of technology to centralize power. We also need to find ways to protect individual freedom and autonomy in the face of technological determinism.

These are some of the issues contributing to anxiety about A.I. alongside the growth of our "surveillance society."

Zurich riot police.

Ellul's ideas are still relevant today. (The original volume was published in French in 1954 and translated to English in 1964.) As technology continues to develop, we need to be mindful of the potential dangers of police power. We need to ensure that our individual rights and liberties will remain protected. Ellul suggested that we also need to develop new forms of democratic participation that can give citizens a say in how technology is developed and used, though I'm skeptical of this ever really happening.

There are, unfortunately, plenty of examples of the abuse of police power. In the early 20th century, the United States government used police power to suppress labor unions and civil rights movements. In the Soviet Union, the government used police power to control all aspects of society, from the economy to the arts.

Police power is not inherently evil. It can be used for good or for evil, depending on the intentions of those who wield it.

It is also important to remember that "absolute" police power is not inevitable. It is possible to develop societies that are free and democratic, even in the face of technological progress. However, this requires us to be vigilant and to constantly fight for our rights.

If you have a story that illustrates the dangers or benefits of police power,

please share it in the comments.

Law and Order Is Fundamental to Economic Heath

It is widely recognized that a culture of law and order are essential for economic development. (If not widely recognized, it ought to be.) A stable and predictable legal system, effective law enforcement, and a low level of crime are all factors that contribute to community health. These factors can help attract investment, promote entrepreneurship, and create a favorable business environment. 

On the other hand, a weak legal system, ineffective law enforcement, and high levels of crime can deter investment, discourage entrepreneurship, and undermine economic growth. 

For example, a weak legal system can make it difficult to enforce contracts, protect property rights, and resolve disputes. This can discourage businesses from investing in a community, as they may be worried about their assets being stolen or their contracts being broken. 

Ineffective law enforcement can make it difficult to catch criminals and bring them to justice. This can lead to a rise in crime, which can make people feel unsafe and discourage them from starting businesses or investing in their communities. It can make employees fearful of working after dark downtown.

High levels of crime can also make it difficult for retail businesses to operate. For example, businesses may have to spend more money on security, or they may have to close early in order to avoid being robbed. This can reduce profits and make it difficult for businesses to grow. 

Therefore, it can be argued that law and order are critical components of economic development. 

* * * 

How has it come about the in many places it seems like the attitude is "Economic Development Is Bad" and "Crime Is Good." I mean, why do so many cities stop arresting or prosecuting criminals? Why are so many police officers taking early retirement? How can a trouble maker be stopped 100 times in a single year and not ever go to jail. When he doesn't show up in court, he is allowed to say, "I intended to" but nothing happens. 

What's going on?

Some people believe that police have too much power because they are often armed and have the authority to use force. They argue that this power can be abused, and that police officers are often not held accountable for their actions. While these things may be true, others argue that police need to have a certain amount of power in order to do their jobs effectively. They point out that police officers often face dangerous situations, and that they need to be able to use force to protect themselves and the public.

There's no doubt that police have a great deal of power. It's important to remember, however, that this power is not absolute. Police officers are still subject to the law, and they can be held accountable for their actions.

No one wants a police state. There is, however, something to be said for a desire to feel safe on our streets and in our homes. 

More can be said, but this will serve as a start.

Stats related to U.S. Law Enforcement Deaths Throughout History: A 7 Question Trivia Challenge

Photo by Matt Popovich on Unsplash

This afternoon I got to wondering how police officers have been killed in the line of duty the past couple years compared to previous decades. I Googled it and was surprised to find a chart that lists the number of law enforcement people killed per year since the founding of our Republic. There are some very interesting insights one can gain by looking at these numbers. 

I love turning things into a game. Here's a seven question Trivia contest. Let's see how you do. 

1. On average, how many officers were killed per year from 1786 to 1806?

2. On average, how many police officers were killed per year in the 1850s, the years leading up to the Civil War?

3. In the 19th century, what year had the most officers killed and how many?

4. What was the first year that more than 200 officers were killed on duty?

5. What was the first year that more than 300 officers were killed?

6. On average, how many officers were killed on the job per year in the 1960s?

7.  What was the first year that more than 400 officers were killed?

* * * * *

The purpose of this photo below is to place the answers

a little further away from the quiz.

Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash

ANSWERS

1.  One
2.  9.3
3.  1898 -- 82
4.  1919.   221 died. The Volstead Act was passed in October 1919, enacted January 1920.
5.  1930. Prohibition did not end till 1933.
6.  160 per year. As troubled as it was -- Civil Rights movement, anti-war movement, SDS, Weather Underground -- the number of officer deaths was significantly less than the 1920s, which saw an average of 270 officers killed per year.
7.  2021

To see the full list of fatalities every year, click here.

To share any insights you might have based on this on this data,
leave a comment. What surprised you most? Least?

Senator Klobuchar Addresses Carjacking Crisis

When a local musician friend who transplanted back to Minneapolis, got injured during a carjacking attempt last year, that hit pretty close to home. For some reason this carjacking epidemic struck me as especially disconcerting. In Mary Bue's case, it was the audacity that struck me. The perpetrators were probably no more than 14 years old. 

The frequency of references to carjacking caused me to make a Google Alert on this topic a couple months ago. It is a remarkably widespread problem, occurring in cities from coast to coast. Two themes that especially jumped out to me were (1) how many of these were being carried out by teens, and (2) how many involved weapons and physical harm to the victim. 

Having one's catalytic converter stolen from your car while you are sleeping is one thing. Being struck in the jaw by the butt of a pistol to grab your keys and steal your car is quite another.

On Monday, Sen. Amy Klobuchar conducted a roundtable with six police chiefs to address the spike in carjackings. In Minneapolis, the number of carjacking incidents increased by 537% between 2019 and 2020. 

The police chiefs brought up some other concerns, including the need for more resources to deal with the mental health issues here.  

Kudos to the senator for speaking openly about the carjacking epidemic and Minnesota crime, which are visible evidence that our social fabric is frayed and coming unravelled.

* * *

Related Link

Sen. Klobuchar hosts roundtable to discuss spike in carjacking

Our National Carjacking Epidemic and a Few Prevention Tips

The Fall of Seattle

Matthew Dowd    @matthewjdowd
As I said on @DeadlineWH with @NicolleDWallace
I feel like our democracy is in a Johnny Cash moment: "How high's the water, mama? Two feet high and risin'." The media does a great job covering Ukraine war, we need to do a better job covering the threat to our democracy.

* * * 

The above is a Tweet I saw this past week on Twitter. Whether our media is doing a great job or not could be argued either way. It may even be that the "threat to our democracy" can be argued either way. How serious is that threat? This is what the first year of the pandemic did for many people, especially after the George Floyd tragedy and its subsequent events. 

The March 26 story at Unherd titled "The Fall of Seattle" caught my eye because these past two years I have been following the challenges some of our cities are  facing. "How high is the water, mama?" That is, how bad is it and is it spreading? The subtitle of the piece reads, "After George Floyd died, the city turned on the police."

"The year 2020 saw a 68% spike in homicides, the highest number in 26 years, and the year 2021 saw a 40% surge in 911 calls for shots fired and a 100% surge in drive-by shootings. Petty crime plagues every neighbourhood of the city, and downtown businesses have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund their own security."

Unherd is a British publication that I receive. They have long form essays that present more in depth coverage of issues than what is typical. The purpose of this blog post is to share this story, The Fall of Seattle. It's relevant, and disturbing.

What happened to Seattle? The answer, of course, depends on your politics. In the news section of the Seattle Times, for instance, a reader is unlikely to see any consideration of a link between policing and public safety. 

What many officers found disturbing is exemplified in this anecdote after the initial riots following the George Floyd incident:

The following morning, Magan got called into the office to start investigations of 30 to 40 people who’d been arrested for crimes such as trespass, burglary and property destruction. Five or six hours in, he began to suspect they’d given the police false names. But there was no point looking into it further. “We found out they’d all been released from custody prior to even being questioned,” he says.

If you are an officer, what is the point of putting your life on the line when there are no consequences for law breakers? 

The net result of these policies is that people begin to not feel safe in many of our cities, which then hurts business. Businesses leave, squatters burn empty buildings, and a form of urban blight begins to take hold. 

It begins with a loss of respect for law and order.* 

In the event you missed the article, here is the link: https://bit.ly/3jafVe0 

Related: Duty to Warn: More Carjacking Escapades

* It cannot be denied that some of the backlash against police has been building for a very long time. When officers do misbehave fellow officers rally round the flag and defend their own. 

Duty To Warn: Duluth Police Launch Catalytic Converter Initiative

1996 Dodge Ram catalytic converter

Last year my son-in-law's mom had her catalytic converter stolen. It was taken during the night while parked in her driveway in a quiet suburban neighborhood.

The average motorist probably doesn't  know what a catalytic converter is or what it does, and would be hard-pressed to even locate where it was underneath their vehicle. 

The purpose of catalytic converters is to reduce harmful by-products of combustion and thereby keep our air and the environment cleaner. That clue should tell you where it is located: somewhere between the engine and the tailpipe. 

The reason they are being stolen is because criminals have learned that they contain small amounts of three precious metals: rhodium, platinum and palladium. These metals have catalytic properties. That is, they serve as catalysts that interact with the exhaust to make it 90% cleaner. 

* * * 

EARLIER THIS MONTH I went on a Citizen Ride-Along with the Duluth Police Department. It was interesting. I spent six hours in a patrol car, observing and experiencing what law enforcement officers do. I learned quite a bit that day, one of item being that there are a lot of catalytic converters being stolen in Duluth.

This must have been going on for some time because last fall the city initiated a program to etch serial numbers and identification on you catalytic converter to deter theft. Evidently, if the device is marked, thieves will leave it alone because they can't re-sell them.

How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter? Parts and labor can run between one and three thousand dollars. It's not only a hassle, it's a bite out of your wallet.

For more information about Duluth's Catalytic Converter I.D. Program, check out this article from the DNT.

https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/duluth-police-introduce-program-to-deter-catalytic-converter-theft

* * *  

What White Privilege Looks Like (A First Hand Experience)

For years I never quite grasped the meaning of "white privilege." My father grew up in extreme poverty and worked his way out. This is America and others from all races, many who never even spoke a word of English, went from rags to a decent life in one generation.

Then I reflected on an incident from my life which I'd never viewed through the lens of privilege, a story which I share with you here.

* * * *
We moved to our rural home while our children were still young, 4 & 6. We had a little land, added a couple small shed-sized barns, and acquired some animals, geese, a duck, pygmy goats, rabbits. The kids learned responsibility and we all enjoyed the hobby farm experience.

We had a problem, however. One of the neighbors had a dog that was accustomed to running free, and he took an interest in visiting our critters. He was aggressive and they were intimidated, frightened. After several such incidents I began to wonder where the law stood with regard to shooting the dog if things continued this way.

Mind you, I do not own guns and would not have done such a thing, but it did make me curious as regards where the law stands on the matter.

It just so happened that as I was driving home from work the next day I was thinking about this question as I drove past a police car with two officers in it. (Proctor police have had a reputation of no mercy for people going faster than the 30 mph speed limit through town.) As I drove by I looked into the face of one of the officers and considered stopping to ask my question.

In the next instant, the red lights were flashing and it became quickly apparent that it was I whom they wanted to stop, so I pulled over. What happened next surprised me though.

Both cops got out of their car and pulled their guns. They made their way slowly along both sides of my car. I watched each in the two side mirrors, curious about what was going on. I was almost laughing because it seemed such an over-reaction. I had not been speeding. I could not imagine what was happening.

I rolled down my window and asked what was going on. He replied that they thought I was someone else.

I then said, "Oh, while you're here, I have been having a problem with the neighbor's dog," and I explained the situation.

He said, "You can shoot the dog."

* * * *

How does White Privilege relate to this story?

My REACTION to being approached by two cops with pistols drawn illustrates White Privilege. I thought it amusing, even funny as it was happening. It was such an obvious over-reaction that I couldn't take it seriously.

I'd be willing to bet money that there are not a lot of African Americans in most parts of the country who would have reacted that way. Two cops approaching with guns drawn? I'm guessing the heart would be racing a little faster, maybe even some praying. Possibly even a temptation to take off and try to get away. Just as a dog can sense our fear, the police might sense this man's fear, and emotions would escalate.

It's more than unfortunate that this situation exists in so many parts of the country, if not most. I do not know how to change it, but it's useful to have a clearer understanding of what people are trying to change. I didn't always "get it."

* * * *
ADDENDUM
We didn't have any more problems with the dog, only because the neighbors dealt with it themselves. And no, even if we did I would not have tried to shoot him. That's not who I am.

Lunch Chat with Superior Community Policing Officer Bonnie Beste

Officer Beste (r) with youth from the community.

A couple weeks back I had an chance to serve on a focus group to discuss ways in which the Superior Public Library could better serve the community. It was a visioning exercise aimed at helping the library better forge its path into the future. But it was also instructive for me as I listened to so many others briefly share their background and experience in community service.

One of the panel members was a local police officer, Bonnie Beste. As she responded to portions of the discussion I became aware that my view of the role of local police has changed since I was younger, or was at least different than I’d previously thought. After the meeting I asked Officer Beste if we might be able to meet to talk more about today’s police work as it relates to our 21st century communities.

EN: In what ways has the role of police changed in the modern world?

BB: The role of police has historically been reactionary. Now, police are more pro-active. Their involvement in the community is more pro-active, trying to resolve issues before the calls come in. Hopefully, reducing crime by getting citizen involved. Citizen watch is a tool, educating citizens in how they can help. The key thing is making connections with the community.

At one time police were more connected to communities. When squad cars came along it gave officers greater mobility so they began to cover much larger areas. Today we’re focusing efforts on smaller areas again.

Another thing about cars is that they create a barrier between the police and the people. They do, however, help reduce “crimes of opportunity” when people know they are being watched.

EN: What are some of the things that officers like yourself do that most people are unaware of?

BB: We deal with a lot of people with a range of issues. Maybe there has not been a crime but people call because of their fears. We get five calls a day from one lady with mental health issues. We have to go when there is a call.

Child custody issues result in calls when a parent won’t turn kids over. Police can’t get involved, however, without a court order.

We always have Fourth of July calls. And there are a lot of other kinds of calls. Child abuse calls, sexual assaults.

We’re also involved in community meetings, educating people to get involved. Many people don’t want to bother anyone.

The police have been moving from reactionary policing to proactive policing. The approach is more of a problem-solving model.

Other things police are involved with include bike safety and a new program called Coffee with a Cop in which people get to meet officers and ask questions. The program makes police more approachable.

EN: Has the Florida incident hurt your neighborhood watch program? 

BB: No. This has become a talking point in our training and a teaching point. Community watch citizens are not to carry weapons or engage potential criminals.

EN: How have women contributed to the way police function to make them more effective? 

BB: Women bring assets to police work. Brute force is not necessary, though women are capable (with regard to strength.) Many situations require a different kind of communication to deescalate a situation before force needs to be used. For more than a hundred years women have always been called into special situations involving women and children. Currently women make up 15% of U.S. law enforcement.

EN: What prompted you personally to want to become an officer? 

BB: It’s always been in my genetic makeup. I played cops and robbers as a child. In high school I had two friends whose fathers were cops. When I grew up I wanted to help people. This is a world where I can do that.

EN: What’s been the hardest thing about being a woman on the police force? 

BB: In the beginning, it was a challenge acclimating to the department. It’s a male dominated field. Now, the hardest part has been dealing with things that have happened with children. It’s hard to get the pictures out of your head.