Fire the Cops!: Essays, Lectures, and Journalism by Kristian Williams

by Kristian Williams

Killer cops and cop-killers, ""police as workers"" and police as soldiers, copwatching and counterinsurgency operations... these subjects and more are examined in this collection of essays by veteran activist Kristian Williams, released to mark ten years since the first publication of his book Our Enemies in Blue in 2004.

Genres: Nonfiction, Race, Activism

Paperback

First published September 20, 2014

About the author

member of Rose City Copwatch in Portland, Oregon, and of the National Writers Union (UAW Local 1981)

Reviews

[Spicy T AKA Mr. Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Williams. He plays catch-up over the last several years since his Our Enemies In Blue came out and many of the readings are from the northwest of the country. However, many of the stories recounted from that area can be copied onto Rochester, NY--just change the names--or elsewhere. Terrifying relevant with little change seen. I love his analysis and felt that his abolitionist approach came out even more in the book. It was appreciated to hear where his determination to write on the police came from--regardless of how horrible it was. And it was horrible. Made me ache.

The first chapter of the last section, "Police Accountability and Police Abolition: Dilemmas, Paradoxes, Strategies" was of particular interest to me as he expanded on his critique of the institution of policing and what reform and revolution are about. Not that they are opposed necessarily, but how does one place themselves in the overall movement and what strategy is used when determining tactics and goals. Do we want a smarter, more lawful, better organized police force? Or do we want to live in a world where all of our immediate needs are met and police are abolished? Answers to these questions will determine which reforms are worth pursuing and which ones actually increase the power and domain of the state.

His reflective chapter on CopWatch was also helpful in fleshing out copwatch as a tactic that is used in mass movements of all kinds rather than an end into of itself.

Really glad to have read it. Quick and to the point. Love his writing style.

I gave it four stars because a) I wanted more and b) there were interesting absences that our book group talked about: gender, sexuality, and patriarchy for one, and domestic violence among officers and their partners/spouses as another. And to be fair, maybe that was not his focus, but it seems that if he was going to write another our enemies in blue, those might be fruitful areas to look into.

Honestly though, reading his work, Christian Parenti, Michele Alexander, Critical Resistance, and INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence will give the reader an astounding look at the criminal (in)justice system in this country.

[Alavvii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire the Cops! is a well written, intelligent, and succinct collection of essays written by veteran anti-police and anarchist theorist and activist Kristian Williams.

This anthology of writings follows the publication of his history of policing titled “Our Enemies in Blue” and is divided into four parts: 1) “violence of policing”, 2) “cops and class conflict”, 3) “repression and counterinsurgency”, and 4) “fighting back”

Part 1 focuses on the inherent brutality of policing as an institution to control and enforce the will of the state through the threat and use of violence, in particular how policing is used by the state to repress people of color and the poor, for example to control homelessness through the enforcement of panhandling or sleeping on sidewalks prohibitions to protect the commercial interests of the wealthy.

Part 2 discusses policing in relation to the labor movement, detailing the troubled origins of police unions and police as anti-labor agents working on behalf of a wealthy elite.

Part 3 dedicates a lengthy discussion to the militarization of police and the adoption of counterinsurgency techniques against civilian populations including mass surveillance and community policing to root out subversive elements and movements.

Finally, part 4 discusses copwatching in the broader context of activism for a more just and equitable society.

Fire the Cops! is a well argued analysis and critique of policing, written in clear and engaging prose. It is the first anti-policing book I have read and made several compelling cases for why we should begin to imagine and implement alternatives to policing. Williams doesn’t offer alternatives to policing in this book, which is why I will be reading The End of Policing by Alex Vitale next. In this book William’s primary thesis is that policing is an inherently violent institution used to by the state to control broader society, but especially any subversive elements that may undermine the interests of the powerful. By maintaining inequality and keeping society divided, the powerful are able to remain in power, and the police serve as the primary means by which this is accomplished. This point is brilliantly theorized in this book.

My only major issue with the book is it’s title and cover art, I feel it would have reached a broader audience had it been a bit more subtle.