While the efficacy of video in revealing the lies and misconduct that we could only argue about in the past (while judges, prosecutors and police officers laughed at defendants and their lawyers for engaging in the lunacy of an unprovable pissing contest) is beyond question, the heroes may not receive the mention they deserve.

One such hero is Carlos Miller.  His blog, Photograph is Not a Crime, has catalogued police arresting people for videotaping and photographing police. He’s put himself at risk, twice having beaten charges against him, so that our right to observe and document what really happens on the streets of America is secure.

Carlos’ efforts are usually highlighted when he posts about some of the more horrendous or absurd abuses, but watching one of the  latest videos he’s posted from the Occupy Oakland protest struck me as one of the most telling in its banality.

No one is being beaten. No one is being arrested. No flashbang grenades go off.  The officer involved, whose name is Hargraves, doesn’t say a word, though the look on his face speaks volumes of contempt.

The short video is about the officer covering his name on his shirt with black tape so that it can’t be seen.  The reason is why is obvious, to prevent the officer from being identified by name.  The reason why the officer doesn’t want to be identified is similarly obvious, that whatever may happen that day, whatever he may do, he doesn’t want to be held accountable.

It’s unlikely that this will cause the outrage that comes from images of police officers using force against people without justification, but this image may be far more telling about the nature of the relationship between police and everyone else than any particular instance of harm. 

This image represents the schism between citizens and those given a gun and shield, and the authority to use them.  This image reflects how the ordinary “us against them” has become.  As if it’s two species at war, part of an ingrained ecosystem where one goes about his daily life prepared to kill or be killed by his natural enemy.

The look between Lt. Wong and P.O. Hargraves is painful.  The former’s eyes appeal to the latter, saying

“but you’re one of our kind, not theirs.  You’re supposed to support me, defend me, not them.  How can you betray our trust?”

I’ve watched this video numerous times, and I’m mesmerized by what it shows. The look of contempt changing to pleading.  There is no question about the wrong of a cop concealing his identity so no one can speak his name should something happen on that shift.  There’s no reason to believe he plans anything bad, intends to use force, to beat some young man or woman.  But just in case, he made sure no one could name him.

Everything bad that happens between cop and citizen starts with this attitude.  Look at the eyes.  That’s where the beatings, the lies, the harm comes from.  It’s the mindset that covers the name before there’s any reason to be concerned that produces the outcomes we find outrageous.  This is where it all starts.  Everything else flows from this attitude, and we will never change the conduct without changing this attitude of hatred and contempt.

And without guys like Carlos Miller, we would never see it.  More importantly, those who laugh at us would never see it.

H/T  Radley Balko