The Great Barrington Police are starting to wear body cameras. That is a very good thing, indeed. It is important to anticipate and stay out in front of any potential problems. For the most part, I have found that the members of our police department with whom I have interacted are both polite and professional. In these days, our police really have to know what they are doing, and that often means keeping abreast of new technology and professional practices that better allow them to do their jobs.
I have frequently written on police matters in this space, and a long time ago, I worked with the New York City Police Commissioner. I like cops, even though I do realize that there are some in law enforcement who may not have the perfect psychological profile for the job.
In the case of the Great Barrington Police, we are a lot better off than we used to be. It wasn’t so many years ago that the police were a sort of club. If you were on their bad list, you could be in real trouble. In those bad old days, there seemed to be a sense of entitlement among our local police officers that was really unhealthy. I do remember one guy with the most common name in the country seeing me standing with one foot in the crossing lane yelling at the top of his voice, “Get back on the sidewalk!” He sure showed me who was in charge.
Let’s put it this way: Anyone could complain to our town manager and Select Board about being mistreated and that complaint could, would, and should be investigated in part by reviewing the body camera of the officer. Power can corrupt and the police are powerful. Of course, that doesn’t mean that our cops are corrupt. If I sensed that our police were corrupt, I would say so. I have done so in the past when the situation warranted. I think our elected representatives are well aware of what could happen if they don’t pay attention. When you are supervising a police agency, you need courage. I remember a time when even the town manager complained about being abused by the police. The leadership within the police department means a great deal, and Great Barrington is in good shape now.
We all know that a citizen’s complaint can sometimes come from a not so good place. Some people just like to complain and always seem to believe they are being picked on. The body cameras may help mitigate that problem. Then again, the town of Great Barrington may be getting in front of a problem that may not even exist. A lot will depend upon the citizens who will be reading this article right now. If you see something, say something. We all know that district attorneys and police rely on each other in getting their jobs done. It takes a lot of courage for someone to make a complaint about police misbehavior. One might worry that by complaining, they risk retribution. If you have ever been targeted, you know that it can be mighty uncomfortable.
Great Barrington is lucky to have public officials who know that they have to stay out in front of this. It’s not just the police, either; tax collectors and so many others have the potential to make life difficult for the citizens, and the fact that we have elected and appointed town officials who are insisting on body cameras certainly indicates that they will do what they can to protect our citizens.
Our little town is a pretty special place. The fact that we have a relatively small police department under excellent leadership, overseen by a conscientious Select Board leaves us in good shape. That said, it’s always a good idea to keep our eyes on those with power.
