Who Is Behind Police Unions? | NowThis

Summary

This special episode of 'Who Is?' delves into the role of police unions in the United States, particularly their unique power and influence amidst protests against systemic racism and police brutality. It highlights cases like George Floyd's murder and the controversial support police unions provide to officers involved in such incidents, often complicating accountability and reform. The script also examines the militarized training, political connections, and aggressive tactics of some union leaders, suggesting the need for a cultural shift within law enforcement.

Takeaways

• 🏙️ The state of Minnesota initiated an inquiry into the Minneapolis Police Department after the murder of George Floyd by a police officer.
• ✋ The death of George Floyd sparked global protests against systemic racism and police brutality, highlighting a pattern of Black individuals dying at the hands of the police.
• 🔬 A study revealed that Derek Chauvin, the officer responsible for Floyd's death, had been involved in multiple police shootings, indicating a broader issue of police conduct.
• 👮‍♂️ Police unions in the U.S. have a unique role compared to other public sector unions due to the militarized nature of police work and their ability to use lethal force.
• 💵 Elected officials are often tied to police unions through donations and campaign support, complicating the pursuit of accountability for police misconduct.
• 📜 A Reuters examination of police union contracts in 2017 exposed the challenges in holding police accountable for their actions.
• 🛡️ Bob Kroll, the former head of the Minneapolis police union, implemented a warrior-style police training approach, which was later banned by the city's mayor.
• 🐺 Patrick Lynch, known as the 'blue bulldog,' led the New York police union in supporting Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who was involved in the death of Eric Garner.
• 🚫 One of New York's police unions engaged in the controversial act of doxxing, posting the private information of Mayor Bill de Blasio's daughter on Twitter.
• 🆚 In Chicago, the head of the police union, John Catanzara, faced numerous misconduct allegations, some of which were substantiated, reflecting issues within the union leadership.
• 💰 Police unions have been known to raise funds for officers involved in high-profile killings, such as in the cases of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray, suggesting a systemic bias in support of their members.

Q & A

What triggered the nationwide and global protests against systematic racism and police brutality?

The murder of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, by a white police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck, sparked the protests.

What is unique about police unions compared to other public sector employee unions in the U.S.?

Police unions are unique due to the militarized role police have assumed in recent decades, which includes the power to use lethal force and implement unjust orders.

How are elected officials tied to police unions and what impact does this have on accountability?

Elected officials are tied to police unions through donations and campaign support, which makes holding police accountable for misconduct nearly impossible.

What was the role of Bob Kroll in the Minneapolis Police Department and how did his leadership affect the department?

Bob Kroll was the head of the city's police union, implementing warrior-style police training and being an outspoken supporter of President Trump. His leadership was controversial, with accusations of misconduct and racial bias.

What was the stance of the Minnesota State United Labor Unions Organized AFL-CIO President on Bob Kroll?

President Bill McCarthy released a statement calling for Bob Kroll to resign his post due to his controversial actions and statements.

Can you provide an example of police union support for an officer involved in a high-profile case?

In New York, the police union backed Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who killed Eric Garner with a chokehold, and the head of the union, Patrick Lynch, defended Pantaleo even after his firing.

What was the incident involving New York's police union and Mayor Bill de Blasio's daughter?

One of New York's police unions doxxed Mayor Bill de Blasio's daughter, posting her private information on Twitter and publicly threatening her during protests over George Floyd's murder.

What is the background of John Catanzara, the head of Chicago's police union, in terms of misconduct allegations?

John Catanzara has had 50 misconduct allegations against him, with 10 of those allegations sustained, indicating a violation of policy or procedure.

How did the police union in Ferguson respond to the murder of Michael Brown by Darren Wilson?

The police union in Ferguson raised over $200,000 for Darren Wilson, the officer who killed Michael Brown.

What is the suggested solution in the script for addressing the issue of police misconduct and the role of police unions?

The script suggests changing the culture of the officers themselves and reevaluating the role of police unions, which may include removing them from the labor movement if they continue to safeguard misconduct.

What was the impact of the study conducted by Reuters on police union contracts in 2017?

The Reuters study examined police union contracts and found issues that could hinder accountability and transparency in cases of police misconduct.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Examining Systemic Racism and Police Unions

The state of Minnesota has launched an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department. This episode of 'Who Is?' delves into the role of police unions. The murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by white officer Derek Chauvin, sparked global protests against systemic racism enforced by police. Floyd's death is part of a broader pattern of Black people dying at the hands of police. The paragraph also discusses other cases like Breonna Taylor, highlighting the ongoing issue of police violence. Derek Chauvin had a history of involvement in police shootings, and the unique militarized role of police, unlike other public sector employees, allows them to use lethal force with little accountability. The influence of police unions, through political ties, makes accountability for police misconduct challenging. In Minneapolis, Bob Kroll, a supporter of President Trump, led the city's police union, promoting aggressive training and opposing reforms. Kroll's controversial actions, including support for the 'warrior style' training and his derogatory remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement, have led to calls for his resignation. The paragraph underscores the pervasive influence of police unions in shielding officers from consequences, both in Minnesota and across the U.S.

05:02

⚖️ Misconduct and Political Influence in Police Unions

This paragraph continues to explore the misconduct within police unions, focusing on New York and Chicago. In New York, the police union supported Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who killed Eric Garner with a chokehold, and defended him even after his firing. The union's aggressive tactics included doxxing Mayor Bill de Blasio's daughter during protests over George Floyd's murder. In Chicago, the head of the city's police union, John Catanzara, had 50 misconduct allegations, with 10 sustained. He was reprimanded for engaging in political activity while in uniform, showcasing the deep-rooted issues within police unions. The paragraph also touches on how unions have historically raised funds for officers involved in controversial killings, such as Darren Wilson in Ferguson and the officers in Baltimore linked to Freddie Gray's death. It argues that to achieve justice for George Floyd and others, the culture within police forces must change, suggesting that police unions, often led by bigoted individuals with records of misconduct, play a significant role in perpetuating systemic problems and might not belong in the broader labor movement.

Keywords

💡Minnesota

Minnesota is a state in the Upper Midwest of the United States. In the video's context, it is significant as the location where George Floyd was murdered by a police officer, sparking nationwide protests. The state's response to the incident and its examination of police practices are central to the video's theme of police reform and accountability.

💡Police Unions

Police unions are organizations that represent the interests of police officers. They are central to the video's narrative as they are portrayed as entities that often protect officers involved in misconduct, making it difficult to hold them accountable. The video discusses how police unions differ from other public sector unions due to the unique powers and responsibilities of police officers.

💡Systematic Racism

Systematic racism refers to the discriminatory practices that are embedded in the policies and institutions of a society. The video highlights this concept by discussing the disproportionate number of Black individuals who have died at the hands of the police, suggesting a systemic bias against people of color within law enforcement.

💡George Floyd

George Floyd was a 46-year-old Black man whose murder by a police officer led to widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice. His death is a focal point in the video, symbolizing the broader issues of police misconduct and the need for reform.

💡Derek Chauvin

Derek Chauvin is the white police officer who murdered George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for over eight minutes. His actions and subsequent trial are central to the video's discussion of police accountability and the role of police unions in protecting officers from consequences.

💡Police Misconduct

Police misconduct refers to improper actions by police officers, such as excessive use of force, corruption, or racial profiling. The video discusses several instances of police misconduct, emphasizing the difficulty in holding officers accountable due to the influence of police unions.

💡Elected Officials

Elected officials are individuals chosen by the public to represent them in government. The video suggests that these officials are often tied to police unions through donations and campaign support, which can compromise their ability to hold police accountable for misconduct.

💡Warrior Style Training

Warrior style training is a controversial method of police training that emphasizes aggressive tactics. The video mentions Bob Kroll, the head of the Minneapolis police union, who implemented this training, contributing to a culture of aggression within the police force.

💡Breonna Taylor

Breonna Taylor is another victim of police violence mentioned in the video. Her death, along with others, underscores the pattern of Black lives being lost due to police actions, reinforcing the video's theme of the need for systemic change in policing.

💡Accountability

Accountability refers to the expectation that individuals, including police officers, should be held responsible for their actions. The video argues that police unions often hinder accountability for police misconduct, which is a key issue in the discussion of police reform.

💡Blue Bulldog

The term 'blue bulldog' is used in the video to describe Patrick Lynch, the head of the police union in New York, who is known for his staunch defense of police officers, even in cases of misconduct. This nickname illustrates the video's point about the protective stance of police unions towards their members.

💡Doxxing

Doxxing is the act of publicly revealing someone's personal information without their consent. The video mentions an instance where a police union doxxed the daughter of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, illustrating the extreme measures some unions take to intimidate or retaliate.

💡John Catanzara

John Catanzara is the head of the Chicago police union mentioned in the video, who has had numerous misconduct allegations against him. His case is used to highlight the issue of police union leaders themselves having records of misconduct, which raises questions about their role in promoting ethical policing.

Highlights

Minnesota has launched a review of the Minneapolis Police Department following protests against systemic racism and police violence.

George Floyd's murder by a white police officer sparked global protests against police brutality.

Floyd is the latest in a string of Black people killed by police over the past decade.

Derek Chauvin, the officer who murdered Floyd, had been involved in at least three previous police shootings.

Police unions in the U.S. have a unique militarized role compared to other public sector unions.

Elected officials are often tied to police unions through donations and campaign support, hindering police accountability.

A 2017 Reuters investigation examined police union contracts and their impact on accountability.

Bob Kroll, the Minneapolis police union leader, implemented warrior-style police training and has a history of misconduct allegations.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey banned warrior-style training in 2019.

Kroll has been accused of using racial slurs and excessive force against a biracial teenager.

The Minnesota State United Labor Unions Organized AFL-CIO called for Kroll's resignation.

Aggressive police union tactics supporting officers involved in killings have been seen in New York and Chicago as well.

New York's police union backed Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who killed Eric Garner, and the union head defended his actions.

Chicago's police union head, John Catanzara, has faced 50 misconduct allegations, with 10 sustained.

Police unions have raised funds for officers involved in high-profile killings, such as Darren Wilson and those in the Freddie Gray case.

The New Republic argues that changing the culture within police departments and addressing police unions is key to serving justice for victims of police violence.

Some suggest that police unions, led by officers with records of bigotry and misconduct, may not belong in the labor movement.

Transcripts

The state of Minnesota has since launched a

of the Minneapolis Police Department.

In this special episode of Who Is?

we'll explore police unions.

Countless protests against systematic racism

enforced by police erupted in the U.S.

and around the globe after the murder

of a 46-year-old Black man named George Floyd.

Floyd was murdered under the knee

of white police officer Derek Chauvin.

Three other officers participating in the arrest

from the Minneapolis police named

George Floyd's death is just the latest casualty

in a string from the past decade plus,

where Black people have died at the hands of police.

and more recently in March of this year

Breonna Taylor, just to name a few

of the many precious lives lost.

According to one study,

Derek Chauvin, the officer who murdered Floyd,

and was involved in at least three police shootings.

One of which he was place on leave

after using lethal force, a.k.a. killing a person,

Police unions are different from other

public sector employee unions because of

the unique militarized role police

have assumed in the U.S. in recent decades.

Teachers and social workers don't have the power to kill

or don riot gear and implement unjust orders,

like dispensing tear gas into crowds of peaceful protesters.

Elected officials are tied to police unions

through donations and campaign support,

rendering any sort of accountability

for police misconduct nearly impossible.

In 2017, Reuters examined police union contract.

They found

- How can you thank this guy for everything he's done

for law enforcement, wonderful president.

- [Narrator] In Minneapolis, for example,

where Floyd was murdered,

who, at the time, were still on the force.

Bob Kroll took the helm of the city's police union

in 2015 and implemented warrior style police training.

In 2019. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey

banned this warrior style training.

Kroll is a strong and outspoken

supporter of President Trump.

He's referred to the Black Lives Matter movement

as a terrorist organization.

As a young officer Kroll was accused of beating,

choking, and kicking a biracial 15-year-old boy

while yelling racial slurs at him.

And in a unique development, Minnesota State

United Labor Unions Organized AFL-CIO

President Bill McCarthy released a statement

calling for Kroll to resign his post.

These aggressive police union tactics

aren't confined to Minnesota.

In New York the police union backed Officer Daniel Pantaleo,

who killed Eric Garner with a brutal chokehold.

The head of the police union, Patrick Lynch,

who is known as the blue bulldog,

stood behind Pantaleo and was livid about his firing.

- But the decision that was passed down today

saying that this police officer was reckless is ludicrous.

New York City police officers now will be

considered reckless every time

they put their hands on someone.

- [Narrator] One of New York's police unions

also doxxed Mayor Bill de Blasio's daughter.

Posting her private information on Twitter

without her consent, publicly threatening her

while she was held in their custody

amid protests over George Floyd's murder.

In Chicago, John Catanzara, the head of the city's

police union, has had 50 misconduct allegations.

10 of those allegations were sustained,

meaning evidence indicated that it is

more likely than not that a violation

of the policy or procedure occurred.

Catanzara was reprimanded in 2017

for violating a rule that prohibits

on-duty officers from political activity

when he posted pictures of himself in uniform

holding a sign in support of Trump,

the Second Amendment, and the American flag.

which is a bit of a sea change in how unions

have handled the fallout for murders

committed by their members.

For example, the police union in Ferguson

raised over $200,000 for Darren Wilson,

Michael Brown's killer.

The Baltimore police union did the same thing,

raising money for the officers

involved in the killing of Freddie Gray.

The New Republic notes,

If justice is to be served for George Floyd

and the many other precious Black lives

that have been lost at the hands of the police

then we must change the culture of the officers themselves.

Police unions, some led by bigoted former officers

with long records of misconduct themselves,

seem to be a key way they systematically safeguard

evil behavior within their ranks.

Perhaps these police unions have no place

in the labor movement at all.