Isha Rajput

AFRS 0214-01

Terrilyn Woodfin

While watching the flex your rights video, I realized that most of the things mentioned in the

video might not be applicable anymore as the youth-cop dynamic nowadays is difficult to

understand, therefore when watching ‘10 rules dealing with cops’ I was taking in consideration

of how things have changed, while those rules are effective some of them just are not applicable

anymore. The cops and youth have an ego clash and age-gap plus a whole generation gap

sometimes. Even if it is a miscommunication it does not take long for it to turn into a

misunderstanding. These cops read you the rights before the arrest but the minute you start

practicing your rights, they seem to get agitated. Similarly, the public has heard so many bad cop

stories that trusting even the good ones is hard and therefore trying to be careful and raising

concern when stopped by cops has become like a second nature for people of color which to

some cops is offensive and hence that accelerate the situation. There are some good cops doing

what needs to be done but there are few too many cops who don’t respect the basic rights of

people, even the nicest cop will use your mistakes against you. When people see or hear these

things happening again and again and their faith in the justice starts to waver and they start

taking justice in their own hands. The 10 rules and none of it makes sense at that point of time,

hence we see the protest, the national guards and the street chaos happening. If the system did

something when the people of color were killed by their own department or if the system showed

they care for the people of color by making changes or providing justice than there would have

been no need for public to go wild like they do every time their own justice department fails

them but to be heard loud and clear the public has to go louder and harder.
The situation cannot be forgotten but at least can be prevented from happening at least from the

side of public and by doing the right by at least keeping in mind the few rules that still makes

sense like

Rule 1: Always be calm and cool.

No matter cop situation or not, losing your cool will always land you in a bad situation

especially with cops because as we have been seeing it is a conflict situation to be in and judge

what is right and wrong when a police offer is saying he felt threatened for his life in the

situation, it is really difficult to overcome that kind of testimony, for justice at that point the

standard is about what officer perceives.

2. You have the right to remain silent.

From what I have seen in today’s time if a person of color practices this right it means he

either is too arrogant or has something to hide.

3. You have the right to refuse a search.

Refusing a search is a right which cannot be practiced anymore as when you do it raises

concern and thus gets the person in more trouble especially if that person is blck because

cops are already assuming things and that just adds more to it

4. Don’t get tricked into waiving your rights.

Sometimes when put into conflicting situation we get scared that we might get in more

trouble that force’s us to waive the rights.

5. Determine if you’re free to go.

Cops are not that patient, anymore and nor are the people who get caught, so as soon as someone

says this sentence it would look like they are rushing the cop, landing both parties in a heated

situation.

6. Don’t do anything illegal.

This is quite easy rule but again not followed by all as the youth thinks being rebel is cool

and thus every teen is viewed as suspect when being questioned and especially again people

of color because oof how things have been happening it is hard to differentiate

7. Don’t run.

If you run a cop has a reason to use force and that could be any force(physical, less lethal

teaser or a gun)

8. Never touch a cop.

Again, if you touch a cop, it is a valid reason for the cop to use force (physical, less lethal

teaser or a gun)

9. Report misconduct: Be a good witness.

This in today’s world might be the only rule that might make sense as people and the

system is now more aware and taking steps towards welfare of the system.

10. You don’t have to let them in.

This is also a rule that is applicable still to this date as if you are in your premises a cop has no

right to enter and violate your privacy.

Citation/References:

https://ilearn.sfsu.edu/ay2021/mod/url/view.php?id=828042

https://ilearn.sfsu.edu/ay2021/mod/url/view.php?id=827945