Every civilized society needs law and order. The United States is no exception. Historically a chief tool of that law and order has been the police force. That history has been rife with examples of abuse of power, and police brutality. It is truly a shame that anyone has to live their life in fear of those sworn to protect them. We must begin to hold police officers to a higher standard.

I am petitioning the President of the United States as the executive branch of our government is charged with the execution and enforcement of the law. This makes the President in some ways the "Top Cop". Throughout history, Presidents have been called on to protect the people from their lesser selves, even those Presidents who often succumb to their own lesser selves. This point in history is no different. Our society is faced with a question. Will we finally stare our history in the face and commit to righting our wrongs in aims to never repeat them?

This government must protect all of its people! We the people in order to form a more perfect union and establish justice to coin a popular phrase... must demand from our government basic protections against the abuses of power of the police. We must demand the fair review of police shootings and fair prosecution of officers who have perpetrated those abuses. This problem is not a state problem it is a national one and in such deserves and demands a national response.

Either the President will hear the desperate cry of a wounded and divided nation or he will have to boldly and formally ignore it. My aim in publishing this petition is to turn those posts, likes, and comments, into a more formal solution within the framework of our government. As a social scientist, I fear if we do not move the needle of change soon the worst is yet to come.