I was reading an article on Vara.nl in which the Brunssum PD asked the public “not to stand in our way with your nonsense”. An argument against misinformation online, which in fact sounds more like a (recurring) rant. No substantiation, no concrete examples, what is left between the lines is a heap of frustration.

It actually is a demand for faith and trust. The kind that is reminiscent of pre-internet days, rooted in the all encompassing oath; the police officer as the writer of the truth, and nothing but the truth. 

A position they still feel very much entitled to. In an environment where checks & balances are so unashamedly disregarded: total absence of body cams and dashcams, 112 calls remain undisclosed, interrogations unrecorded, just to name a few. 

As the landscape changed, however, and each individual became their own publisher, the public started to fill in the gaps. The range of attributes authorities wield at those who provide “unsolicited” input is remarkable, writer of nonsense being one of the milder ones. But if that input just so happens to be directly contradicting the oath, the spotlight is quickly redirected, at the authorities themselves.

In response to which the PDs start yelling, handing out fines and even paying home visits. That’s when you know the counterweight against this Policing On Good Faith approach is firmly in place. The angrier these officers get, you could say, the better it works.

also read:

tinyurl.com/4ahuedst