Officer Darren Wilsons’ Resignation

Yes, if I were in Officer Wilson’s situation, I would have resigned just like he did.  First, my continued stay in the force posed a security threat to not only myself but also other law enforcement officers.  The courts may have chosen not to indict Officer Wilson, but the majority of the public held a different opinion.  The public did not want to see Wilson back on the streets, and there is a chance that he and his colleagues would have been attacked.  Moreover, if I were in Officer Wilson’s situation, I would have resigned because I would not have carried out my duties as effectively as I did before the shooting.  I would be attempting to operate in a hostile environment and chances of retaliatory attacks would have been high.  

  The shooting also created the impression that the police (who are predominantly white) are targeting the African American community. The continued stay of the shooter at the department would result in the maintenance of the position that the police are racially profiling and targeting the African American community (Byers, 2014).  Personally, I would perceive my resignation as an indicator or positive change to the Ferguson police department.

The issue of ethics would also form the basis for my resignation if I had been in Officer Wilson’s position.  It would be unethical to resume normal duties and responsibilities and assume that the community would get over the fatal shooting. It is a fact that Ferguson Brown did not deserve to die and that the officer would have handled the situation in a more professional way other than shooting. The community is thus still angry and is yet to recover from the apparent justice that has not been served (Byers, 2014). Resignation would have been the best solution so as to clear the image of the law enforcement agency. An individual who works for any organization is the representation of the organization.  Officer Wilson, by retaining his position would be a representation of the Ferguson Police Department.  He would continue to be a reminder of how police officers act as if they are above the law.  The officer would also be a representation of a failed justice system as the community would interpret his indictment as favoritism over justice.

 Resignation would also give the officer as well as the officer time to heal.  The officer would have been a constant reminder of the cause of conflict between the community and the police.  It is only by resigning that the community would be able to recover and move past the anger, tension, and animosity arising from the shooting.  Personally, resigning would enable me to take a low profile and re-organize my life. Moreover, Ferguson police department would be able to approach the community and establish a reconciliatory platform that would rebuild the community’s trust of the police.  The shooting eroded the community’s trust in the police and the perception that the public is safe in the hands of the police.  The effective delivery of service and working together with the police department and the local community would work, only if the perpetrator of the shooting is no longer attached to the department.

Reference

Byers, C. (2014). Darren Wilson resigns from Ferguson police department.  Law and Order. 

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