Racism and trigger-happy cops: What caused the assault on India grandfather in Alabama

My heart goes out to Sureshbhai Patel (57) from Gujarat who was badly beaten up and paralysed by the Madison Police (Alabama) in the US a few days ago. Patel, who was walking on the road outside his son’s house, knew no English and could not therefore explain himself during questioning by a patrolman who had been alerted by a local resident after he had allegedly seen the Indian strolling under ‘suspicious circumstances’. Patel, who is still in hospital, was visiting his engineer son, a resident of the suburbs of Madison. There are reports that the Madison Police has already suspended the erring policeman, who had no ostensible reason to assault the hapless Indian. [caption id=“attachment_2098043” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Sureshbhai Patel in hospital. Image courtesy: Twitter[/caption] Those who have not been to the US will not readily appreciate the ambiance in which the unfortunate incident took place. I had the advantage several years ago of a Master’s education in criminal justice in Philadelphia during which I had the opportunity to closely observe the American Police in the field as part of a project commitment. Later I attempted a comparative study of Indian and American Police for a book, which gave me many insights into the intricacies of policing in both the countries. I have also found it fascinating to remain in touch with my eminent Professors and quiz them on the happenings in the police in America. The episode of Patel being beaten up by the police is not the only one that has aroused the indignation of right thinking people in the US and outside, and consequent ignominy to the US Police in recent times. The shooting of Trayvon Martin in February 2012 when a white-cum-Hispanic part-time policeman George Zimmerman shot dead an innocent black youth in Sanford (Florida) stirred the whole nation. The policeman was proceeded against departmentally, but his criminal prosecution failed. So much for justice, in a country that President Barack Obama waxed eloquent about, a few days ago. Another recent unfortunate incident was the shooting reported from Ferguson (Missouri) in August 2014. Here again the victim, Michael Brown, was a young black who was shot in a public thoroughfare by a white policeman Darren Wilson. The Grand Jury decision to not indict Wilson caused nationwide outrage and street violence in many places. Most significant was the decision of the Ferguson City Council (with a majority white membership) not to punish the offending policemen. The reason: the Council was mostly white. The recent Madison (Alabama) outrage does not therefore come as a surprise to close observers of the police in the US. The police in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC and Philadelphia are predominantly white. However, genuine efforts of many in government, at the Federal and State levels, have pushed up black content only marginally. One major reason is the inability of black youth to attain even the lowered standards set for recruitment. More importantly, they are reluctant to come into the police because of the fear of maltreatment by white supervisors. The US has more than 10,000 stand-alone police forces, some of which are as small as ten to fifteen in strength. They do help one another during a crisis in one or more forces. But the basic fact remains that there is no uniformity in training or resources. Policemen are no doubt more educated than in the past, and each of them has at least a high school degree. College graduates are also no longer a novelty. Nevertheless there is a certain laid back attitude, especially among rural policemen, and a sense of complacency that is not conducive to high class professionalism. This only partly explains the Madison episode. More relevant is the continued high crime rate, particularly the one that is accompanied by the use of guns. Police casualties in tackling criminals and gangs remains high. This accounts for a most trigger-happy police that literally shoots from the hip. When a policeman challenges a citizen in any setting, home or outside, the former assumes the other has a gun and he has to be disarmed. Therefore the slightest physical movement of a citizen when confronted by a policeman invites the latter’s aggression and firepower. I won’t be surprised if, in the Madison incident, the errant policeman comes up with the plea that Patel was trying to pull out a weapon from his person. Patel and his near ones should thank their stars that he was not shot and killed by the police. It is this bizarre situation that marks everyday life in the US. No US President can alter this mind-set of the average cop in that country. This appalling situation is aggravated by a Federal decision to strengthen the weaponry and other equipment of the police departments all over the country. The beneficiaries of this unmindful Federal munificence are departments which do not need such sophisticated and lethal equipment to discharge their routine duties. As a result there is currently much more police highhandedness than in the past. The Madison happening fits into this assessment. Unrestrained use of force that is not circumscribed by law is an invitation to disaster and huge police misconduct. It is this axiom that New Delhi should remember in regulating its police modernisation scheme. This is a tricky situation at a time when we have to combat terrorism with an iron hand. The answer lies in arming the Central paramilitary forces and State Police Commandos alone and not any indiscriminate enhancement of fire power at the police station level. The writer is a former CBI director