protests & police brutality

As huge protests continue all over the nation and the world in response to recent police brutality, racial profiling, and the senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of police, it’s important to remember why so many have had enough of what’s wrong with some in our society. Also keep in mind that most of these protests are now peaceful. Gone is the looting, burning, and other negative behaviors that cloud the movement. We can’t let the few criminals and those with a political agenda that took advantage of the situation and dominated some of the early protest news take anything away from the real issues at hand.
Though I maintain most in our law enforcement act with integrity and respect for all citizens, those that don’t must be weeded from our public safety community, and more importantly be held accountable to the same standards of the law we are all expected to.
This will take full engagement of our citizens assuring our local forces are being accountable, and to help change the culture from the inside out. Stringent vetting of new officers, and independent reviews of lethal or excessive force allegations may also curb disturbing behavior. 
Investment in social programs can benefit the community in not only bolstering our citizens' needs, it can also reduce the strain on our law enforcement and it’s necessary footprint.
We must continue to be thankful for our local officers, but also be diligent if any would step out of line.
Regarding equality in this nation we all have a lot of work to do. White privilege is real, as is racism in America, and it has no place in the land of the free.