POLICE TO MANDATE ‘HANDS UP’ POLICY DURING ROAD STOPS
Everyone to be assumed a criminal until proven otherwise
Police in Kansas are set to implement a bonkers policy of mandating that all drivers stopped for whatever reason will be expected to put their hands up in the air when approached by an officer.
“We all want to go home to our families, and this makes it safer for us to approach vehicles to gain that compliance. It gives us a chance to survive these encounters.” a police spokesman told reporters with KSNT News.
“As we all know, we’ve lost three officers in less than 2 years and as a result of that we’ve had to take a hard look at the way we’re conducting business, particularly as it relates to car stops.” said Officer Matt McClimans.
“It doesn’t matter what the infraction is, it doesn’t matter if it’s a soccer mom, it’s just gaining that hand compliance.” McClimans added, also noting “We have to treat every encounter as if it’s dangerous.”
Residents have responded to the plans with anger, with some noting that it is offensive to be treated as a criminal without any probable cause.
“To put my hands up, I mean, I just can’t see how people are not offended by that,” said one man.
“I think that is too aggressive, and unnecessary, and I don’t agree with it,” said another resident.
“Make us feel safe, not automatically make us feel like criminals.” another woman pleaded.
Locals were never asked their opinion on the policy proposal by law enforcement or local authorities, and some are worried that the new policy will lead to more violent escalations involving police.
“Police and community interactions are tough enough as it is and the more demands, the tougher it’s going to be, and the more problems you’re going to have,” one local told reporters.
“Every day somebody’s getting shot by a police officer, and it’s like ‘oh my goodness, will I be next?’, or will I be okay?” said the resident.
Police have not stated what will happen to those who do not or cannot comply with the hands up policy.
Critics have also suggested that the policy is a stealthy way of ensuring that residents are no longer able to film police encounters with cell phones.
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