The other day I went to Inver Grove Heights Minnesota to do a first amendment audit. Spoiler alert, watch the video if you don't want the description to ruin it. I gotta hand it to this amazing officer. I believe that I asked the same kind of questions that an officer would ask a civilian in the exact same circumstance. I did try to keep it professional and at the end, I explained to the officer and his SGT what I was doing and why I do what I do. Officer Benning, in my opinion, should be in a leadership position. He, was human and honest. He exercised his rights (which is important for every American to do) and in the end as a public servant he wanted to be on the record to set things straight so that no one was able to question or doubt his ability to execute the duties he is charged with.
To me, though of course this was awkward, I believe it did give the two officers an example of what it feels like to be on the receiving end. Hopefully when they do this to another person they remember this moment. I do believe that Officer Benning will do things properly. The one improve that I gave the SGT was to handle these public things in a public manner (just like they do with the public). I think it is important for it to be done immediately because otherwise all of us are left to wonder if he covered for him, extended a privilege, documented it etc. We as citizens do not get the opportunity to "handle things later." We are all people. Yes cops make mistakes and as long as it is handled in the same manner, the department is good in my book.
I walk a fine line morally speaking because I have many friends that are police officers. I often think about what I am asking an officer to do or how I talk to them and what that would look like/how would I feel if I saw that being done to my friends. This one pushed the envelope and part of me thought right in the middle of it that I wasn't going to post the video. But the I have looked at it, I think it is not only fair but a great example of equality. Here is a black citizen asking a white officer, based off of the same type of stuff they would use, to take a PBT. The only difference in this scenario vs if it were a citizen is that it should be considered way more severe for a LEO to break the law.
In the end, I am really happy with the result of this and I feel like this goes to show that there are amazing and honest officers out there who care about the community and will do whatever they can to keep them safe to include setting the standard for other departments to follow.
I encourage everyone to call Inver Grove Heights PD or go on their FB page and tell them that you appreciate Officer Bennings service. This is in line with what I have always said, you have to praise the good ones as much as you shame the bad ones. Tell them Rowdy sent you!
Don't forget to check out the video: https://youtu.be/-V_CmPUUxlE
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