A news story about three Riverside, California police officers fired for sporting disabled veteran license plates broke some readership records and generated hundreds of Facebook comments.
In February, the case first drew attention when the police chief announced plans to terminate the officers. This past week, he followed through after an internal investigation. Together, coverage of the case has drawn well over 1.3 million views. So what generated such broad interest?
The attention and response may stem from the complex issues that intersect with intense feelings about military veterans, police discipline, due process and disability rights.
Police discipline
With unprecedented scrutiny on our nation’s law enforcement, reports of alleged police misconduct draw immediate attention from critics and supporters alike. Those predisposed to looking for validation of anti-police sentiment and suspicion of widespread corruption in law enforcement are quick to engage with stories about police being held accountable for any infraction.
Despite persistent narratives about a “Blue Wall of Silence,” where police cover up misconduct of colleagues, most police officers detest “bad apple” cops that cast the profession in a bad light. They want to know that misconduct is addressed and are frustrated when it seems to go unaddressed.
Stolen valor
Despite political shifts depending on world affairs at any given time, the American military remains highly regarded. Those who claim to have served, or claim accolades for service they never rendered, are widely criticized. If the officers in the article are perceived to have falsely claimed to be disabled veterans, that would certainly raise the ire of much of the public, especially the 20 million military veterans in the U.S.
It was never claimed that the officers involved had not served honorably or were not disabled as a result of military service, but the lack of specifics coming from the Riverside Police Department has done little to prevent speculation.
Due process
Police officers remain one of the most trusted professions (number 6, above judges and below pharmacists). Many civilians and police officers watch with concern as law enforcement officers seem all too disposable and subject to punishment and even criminal charges. Police officers can be correct in their conduct, but insiders are well aware that discipline can be applied because of optics, perception or political pressure.
The stakes are high for any officer who faces the loss of a career and livelihood. The credibility of the agency is at stake, as are officer recruitment and retention, as well as public support and funding.
No one disagrees with holding police to a high standard, but that must also come with due process to protect officers from the pressures of misinformed public perception.
Misunderstanding of disability
Obtaining an official status of service-related disability requires a screening and evaluation process. Disabled plates come with some accommodating privileges, but do not necessarily mean that the individual cannot maintain employment, even in the demanding job of policing.
A natural question for many members of the public would be how a police officer can be mentally or physically disabled and still perform the duties of law enforcement with its physical and mental demands. The nuances of defining service-related disability — particularly those that are invisible — are not widely understood.
Getting just part of the story
A common aspect of reporting on alleged misconduct by police officers is that details and context are not always forthcoming from the agency or the officers involved. Initial reports are typically followed by investigations, lawsuits and other legal matters that must remain out of the public eye.
Unfiltered comments by police leaders or the officers involved can adversely affect the outcome. Readers seldom know the rest of the story until a final disposition is made, often years later and no longer immediately newsworthy.
This case has caused waves of interest and concern for a variety of reasons. While the details and full outcome of this incident may emerge in the future, law enforcement and the public must consider how the Riverside Police chief’s decision may affect officer behavior, morale and public trust while the story is still fresh.
Should the officers have been fired? Share your thoughts below.
| READ ADDITIONAL NEWS ANALYSIS BY CHIEF JOEL SHULTS
