ORANGE COUNTY VOICES / PAUL M. WALTERS : Ice-T’s ‘Cop Killer’ Can’t Be Justified

Times change. Musical messages change. Along with the traditional compositions of John Philip Sousa and George M. Cohan played last weekend on the Fourth of July, there will be other musical choices available. The following is an excerpt from the lyrics of “Cop Killer,” a selection from Ice-T’s latest album marketed by Time-Warner:

“I got my twelve gauge sawed off.

I got my headlights turned off.

I’m ‘bout to bust some shots off.

I’m ‘bout to dust some cops off.”

The verse and chorus that follow are far too vulgar to discuss. Parental caution is placed on the album advising explicit lyrics. No words of caution can justify the decision to distribute this type of music. To profit from the civil unrest and the aftermath that the people of Los Angeles are so painfully enduring is appalling.

Time-Warner may cite the First Amendment, the right to freedom of speech, as justification for these unacceptable actions. Most assuredly, the American people cherish the many freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and by the Bill of Rights. Freedom of speech was one of the primary goals that led the American colonists to the Revolutionary War in 1775. In a democracy, freedom of speech is an absolute necessity.

However, without question, the right to this freedom demands a degree of social consciousness. Those in a position to influence the conduct of society must use restraint and good judgment. Time-Warner has shown neither.

As a nation we depend on our police officers to uphold the Constitution, to prevent crime, to enforce laws and to protect the civil rights of all. To distribute material advocating the coldblooded murder of these officers, the very defenders of the First Amendment, is paramount to condoning anarchy.

While the First Amendment was clearly meant to protect certain rights, it was not penned with the intention of advocating criminal behavior. Marketing messages calling for violence aimed at any specific group, whether that group be athletes, musicians, police officers--whatever walk of life--is unacceptable. The First Amendment was not meant to fuel hatred.

Last year, America’s police were subjected to closer scrutiny and to greater second guessing than ever before. Misdeeds and mistakes, whether real or alleged, continue to be sensationalized by the media. This drastically contributes to increasing the already high degree of difficulty associated with performing the role of police officer.

Placed in a highly volatile arena, police agencies are addressing the root causes of crime. Police officers are diligently trying to bridge the gaps that exist within our society. There is a growing realization that effective policing requires a partnership between the police and the communities they serve.

Leaders in law enforcement are responding to our changing society by re-evaluating standards of performance and of professionalism. A segment of corporate America would be well served to respond in kind. Distribution of incitive and inflammatory material can only prove detrimental to these positive efforts.

In our nation’s history more than 12,500 officers have died in the line of duty. At the current annual rate of deaths, by the year 2100, more than 29,000 will have given their lives to protect others. For a corporation to see fit to profit by contributing to the continuance of this carnage, under the guise of “principle,” is unconscionable and irresponsible. Such actions are intolerable in a civil society.

It is not my intent to place controls on the thoughts or on the beliefs of any individual or specific group. It is when those beliefs are presented in such an outrageous manner as to prove harmful to others that I am compelled to step forward to vehemently object.

We must consider the rights of all people. The First Amendment by no means suggests that we transcend the bounds of human decency. The advocation of the wanton slaughter of police officers is not now nor ever will be acceptable.

The attainment of a peaceful, law-abiding community cannot be achieved solely by the efforts of law enforcement. If we are ever to obtain cultural harmony, the many diverse factions of our society must attempt to work together. As a police chief, I join with police groups throughout the nation in an appeal to Time-Warner to work with us, not against us.