Let’s Raise Compensation for Those Who Really Serve and Protect

With the use of cell phones, it is clear that bad and unequal policing exists in our society. Within our two-party system, pundits on the far right and far left have magnified the phrase ‘defund the police’ to their own end – yet no sensible solutions have been put forth. Certainly no solution that prioritizes the security of our communities, yet not over tax, nor add to bureaucracy.

Why is this? Could it be that ‘defund the police’ is a dog whistle to profit from? A message the far right and the far-left use to advance their own name, brand and political fundraising? Meanwhile, we in the middle remain the suffering majority.

Here I propose a simple, practical solution that addresses the safety of all our citizens and yet is seldom spoken aloud. The solution is practical, simple, sensible and non-bureaucratic. To be clear, the solution is not my own. I only know it has gained no traction within our two-party political arena….

Let’s not ‘defund the police’. Let’s raise compensation for those who really serve and protect! Let’s invest to attract better talent. And in return – let’s ‘defund the police pension funds’ when our officers cannot ‘Police’ themselves. What is meant by that?

When officers are guilty of civil wrong doing, cities and municipalities – you and I - pay for their wrong doings. Debiting pensions will drive out bad actors. What is ‘right’ and what is ‘rewarded’ comes into alignment. Unacceptable behavior is driven out.

Police unions will object. But to those unions – do you not believe in accountability and ‘honor’ for the badge? Who is better to ‘police’ your culture? With accountability comes deserved respect and higher compensation.

To the far left and right –this is a practical answer without political ‘profitability’.

–Reginald Conley, Castro Valley