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David Clarke is one of the most famous lawmen in America. He is the sheriff of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He is a commanding personality who has much experience and much to say. And he says it very well.
Sheriff Clarke is a guest on National Review’s current cruise. Jay sat down with him for a “Q&A” in front of an audience.
They talk about his upbringing: Sheriff Clarke’s father was a military man, and he loved America, despite the injustices he experienced, as a black man. Then discussion turns to Sheriff Clarke’s early days as a policeman: What were they like? How are things different today? (They are VERY different, and worse.)
In due course, Jay and the sheriff talk about some key and controversial issues: the “militarization” of the police; drugs; guns; Black Lives Matter; the “Ferguson effect.”
Finally, Jay asks some “heavy” questions, as we used to say, once upon a time: Should a mom or dad want a son or daughter to join a police force? What about the burden that a sheriff or police chief bears, being responsible for the physical well-being of a large community?
At the end of this “Q&A,” the audience rose in applause for Sheriff Clarke. You’ll see why, when you listen.
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We need a lot more Democrats like this. I happen to believe the only way to really turn around this nation is we need to reform the Democratic party. Much more than the Republican party.
What a superlative human being! His description of what he has seen with young men between 15 and 25 holds very true with my own experience in Middle and High Schools teaching special education. I worked closely with several police officers over the years, and it is very true that they are being asked to do things which are not part of their job. There is no one at home to discipline the child. The responsibility is thrown onto the schools and the police to control the children, something that was never expected at an earlier time. The kids I worked with in Juvenile Detention were convicted of crimes that were unthought of in the days of my youth. Nearly every kid I worked with in detention had a gun charge on his record. It is a very different world, and those who think it isn’t different from the world of their youth are kidding themselves.
Wow.
Great interview. I saw a lot more thoughtful side of Sheriff Clarke that we usually get to see on TV. He’s a compelling figure.
We love him here! I was hoping he’d run for Mayor of Milwaukee but there’s talk of higher office (I could see him as Governor or, even better taking Tammy Baldwin on and getting rid of her!) I hope he’s actively being recruited- by either party.
I would hope he would run as an independent.