You will not see this from me very often as I don’t wish to snag onto someone else’s column for BNM. But, as I’m not taking exception with the author/columnist and since I wore a police uniform for a dozen years, I feel qualified, perhaps even justified. This is in response to the question raised in last week’s column from BNM columnist Rick Shultz. “Should the Media be More Supportive of Law Enforcement?”
It leads me to reply, not to Mr. Shultz, but to the question itself.
In fact, it really appears that Fox News anchor Trace Gallagher raised the actual questions while speaking with Retired Police Lieutenant Randy Sutton, a law enforcement analyst and supporter of the police community.
Mr. Sutton, in my opinion, is a great representative of law enforcement in general and frankly, of the community as a whole.
He’s a professional who has done his time in service, enough I’m sure for multiple cops.
He, like many law enforcement officers, first responders, and public servants are well in their right to question the media about its coverage of police activity, shootings, and use of force incidents.
Sutton made a statement to Mr. Gallagher, “They’ve (cops) been shot, they’ve been stabbed, they’ve been beaten. And yet, you don’t even see it in the newspapers. It’s barely covered because it’s not politically expedient for the political left and for the mainstream media to even cover.”
In some instances, he may have a point. But in other instances, I’m afraid he doesn’t.
Frankly, I don’t think there could ever be enough air, screen, or print time devoted to the heroics of those who watch over and protect us. So many acts of great service and bravery never see the light of day.
This is a common observation and an even more common complaint and sentiment from members of law enforcement.
Perhaps that’s what Mr. Sutton or Mr. Gallagher mean by the media’s “support” of law enforcement.
But, is it the news media’s place to “support” or are we here to tell you what’s happening?
I’ve lived in half a dozen states, worked just as many news markets and I have not experienced one where news of a cop, firefighter, or first responder of any kind injured in the line of or even off duty did not make the A-Block or at minimum the B-block based on the severity of the injury or circumstances.
Don’t make me get into the tragedies: the deaths. Wall-to-wall coverage at the outset, followed by updates, reaction and advancement of the story. The investigations, the arrests and the prosecutions of criminal suspects in high profile cases get significant exposure. We always want the perp walk, the body cam of the take down and the soundbite from the Detective, the Chief or the P.I.O.
So, I’m curious as to what constitutes this position that the news media is perpetually in the wrong when covering police?
Are we measuring local versus national interest or coverage? What News Director, Beat Reporter et al is willing to stand for this type of allegation? When cops do something bad or questionable, I’m sorry, but it is news, too. Is it the ratio of coverage of bad or criminal conduct by police to the actions of good cops?
The old saying is just as true for cops as it is for everyone else, “Play stupid games, win stupid prizes”.
The feelings and the comments from my fellow officers were always pretty standard whenever one of us in blue got into trouble, was accused of wrongdoing, or involved in a questionable or controversial shooting or use of force incident.
“They only cover us when it’s bad”. “Why don’t they tell the good stories about us?”
I used to ask the very same questions. I felt the very same way. It’s not easy to have your picture in the paper or on the screen when you’re accused of doing something wrong.
But the absence of positive police news is not always the fault of news outlets.
Think about it. Media Relations and Public Information Units don’t always clue us in on the above and beyond calls, arrests, saves, acts of humanity. Remember, we are short staffed too.
And some police bosses still exist who think “they shouldn’t get an Atta Boy for just doing their jobs”, How many times did we hear that at an Officer of the Month Ceremony?
But just what about the “War on Police” is not receiving coverage? Where and when is this not happening and to what level is this not happening?
It’s easy for social media posts to cry, “Why isn’t the media covering this?” or “You won’t see this on mainstream media!”
Most of the time it’s something heavily covered by the news media, in fact their source articles are all coming from a news media generated story.
I am not a regular defender of the news media by any stretch, usually just the opposite. Truth be told, my knee-jerk reaction after more than twenty-years out of the uniform is still to initially defer to the cops.
There are police officers who do wrong and to deny that would be ridiculous. There is equally plenty the news media does wrong and the same rule applies.
In each case, when that wrong happens it should be investigated and explored, and yes, covered.
Every time a Derek Chauvin comes to light it’s bad for all officers but for every Chauvin there are a hundred like Eugene Goodman, Richard DuChaine, or Jesse Turano.
Say Chuavin’s name and everyone knows the story. Goodman, DuChaine, or Turano…most will need Google.
Some of that responsibility is the media, some is on the police but most I think is just on society.
Dislike or institutional suspicion of the police by members of the news media is nothing new but it’s far from what I would call pervasive. I have seen and continue to see it first hand but it’s largely based on ignorance.
On the flip side of that, a side I find to be more common, is a genuine affection and interest in the law enforcement community. Reporters are almost protective of the job. Who hasn’t seen marvelously produced, multi-part stories on police suicide and P.T.S.D., Community relationships with officers and the constant worry about staffing shortages and health concerns?
Not uncommon to the human condition; we remember the bad much longer than we do the good.
But back to Mr. Sutton’s position for a moment, a claim he immediately politicized by criticizing one side of the aisle and using a tired and antiquated put-down for a perceived type of news media. He made these claims before Mr. Gallagher, a member of the media, seemingly serving his own agenda, with his own political leanings and using the very people he used to walk amongst as a backdrop. And he used the news media to do it.
Who is and who isn’t supporting law enforcement here?
Bill Zito has devoted most of his work efforts to broadcast news since 1999. He made the career switch after serving a dozen years as a police officer on both coasts. Splitting the time between Radio and TV, he’s worked for ABC News and Fox News, News 12 New York , The Weather Channel and KIRO and KOMO in Seattle. He writes, edits and anchors for Audacy’s WTIC-AM in Hartford and lives in New England. You can find him on Twitter @BillZitoNEWS.
