Former Minneapolis Officer Steve Dykstra spent just over four years with MPD. The 42 year old had worked with juveniles in Hennepin County, and at the jail. He says he wanted to make a difference outside those walls, according to Police Law Enforcement magazine.
But Dykstra, who is now an officer on a small force in Iowa, says even before the George Floyd incident, he saw warning signs, including a change in the pursuit policy, on who police could chase, and when.
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Just Saying
BY RAUL HERNANDEZ
This is why many good police officers leave the force.
People should be allowed to protest but destroying and vandalizing property, especially businesses, houses, and cars, are criminal acts.
This police officer is critical of thugs and criminals taking over a police precinct, stealing sensitive material and computers, and burning it down.
If you want to condemn the thugs, loons, and racists who assaulted the nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, then, there should also be condemnation against the thugs and criminals who loot and burn down businesses and public property during a protest.
Peaceful protest is a Constitutionally protected right.
Defunding the police is nonsense and counterproductive. Shift some police funding to pay for youth programs and job training in poor neighborhoods.
A good police officer is worth his or her weight in gold. Governments must do all they can to keep these good officers on the payroll.