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Kamala’s Run In With The Police?

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Kamala claims to stand up for America’s police force but her past tells a very different story.

Vice President Kamala Harris has a controversial history regarding her stance on law enforcement and criminal justice. During her time as the District Attorney of San Francisco from 2004 to 2010, Harris supported policies that allowed suspects charged with assaulting police officers to qualify for pre-trial diversion programs. This approach starkly contrasted with her earlier promises to take a hard line against violent crime.

In February 2007, Harris made a public commitment to holding violent offenders accountable, emphasizing her intent to address crimes against law enforcement officers. However, her resolve seemed to weaken when faced with significant pushback from San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi. Adachi’s high-profile protest, including demonstrations outside police headquarters, reportedly influenced Harris to revise her policies. This resulted in a new directive that permitted suspects of misdemeanor assaults on police officers to receive alternative punishments, such as counseling, rather than incarceration.

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This policy change was met with strong criticism from local police officers. Capt. Kevin Cashman expressed frustration, stating that suspects who assault officers should face jail time, not just attend classes. Although serious assaults resulting in visible injuries were still subject to traditional prosecution, the policy’s leniency towards other forms of assault, including spitting on officers, was seen as a step too far by many in law enforcement.

Harris’ record on police issues continued to be contentious throughout her career. As a U.S. Senator in 2020, she supported the defund-the-police movement and backed plans to cut police budgets, echoing her critical stance on traditional law enforcement practices. Harris compared policing to historical injustices like lynching and Jim Crow laws, advocating for a shift in resources away from police. This consistent pattern of promoting leniency for those who assault officers while challenging conventional policing approaches highlights a significant aspect of her political career.