May 25, 2025, marked the fifth anniversary of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. As we commemorate this death and the death of so many at the hands of law enforcement, we must do all we can to prevent any other such deaths. Although there are reports of up to 1500 people killed by law enforcement each year, my goal is that it not be you. We do not need any more T-shirts, marches or burials.
To further exemplify our commitment, the AfroSolo Theatre Company is naming June as “STOP! SHOW & CONTROL!™: The Art of Surviving A Police Stop” Month. We will host performances such as “Trouble the Water” a one person play, about a police encounter, as well as other free community workshops to prevent such incidents.
The workshop’s goal is to present a simple plan that one can easily remember and use to enhance the probability of surviving a stop. Just as we’ve learned, when an earthquake occurs, one should duck, cover, and hold, or as we were taught as kids, if one catches on fire, one should stop, drop, and roll. In preparation for law-enforcement encounters, we recommend you STOP! SHOW & CONTROL!™, meaning if an officer asks you to stop, you stop. You must show empty, non-threatening hands. And you must control yourself.
Unfortunately, you may get an officer unfamiliar with de-escalation techniques. The officer might know that pinning someone down, on one’s stomach and forcefully putting one’s knee on one’s back might cause harm, or that if you state, “I can’t breathe!” they may not believe you.
Therefore, you may have to take the lead in de-escalating the situation. In other words, you may have to be the diplomat to survive and go home.
In 2024, Police 1’s (a comprehensive online resource for police and law enforcement professionals) national survey of law-enforcement officials found:
- 70% of the officers reported having difficulty sleeping
- 50% reported heightened anger
- 50% stated they had family issues
- 30% said they had thought about suicide
- Officers also reported other issues with depression, panic attacks, and PTSD, and 13% said they had thought about suicide within the last year.
- On May 20, 2025, Police 1 posted a YouTube video stating San Francisco’s Police Department was 500 officers,and San Francisco’s Sheriff’s Department was about 200 officers short of the recommended number of officers.
- The May 8, 2025, issue of The NY Times ran a story by Jamie Thompson titled, “Why Do More Police Officers Die by Suicide Than in the Line of Duty?”
- The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial—the nation’s monument to law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty reports that between 1786 and 2024, 24,412 officers were killed.
These statistics are vital because you don’t know the stability of the officer who stopped you. Imagine getting an officer who has not had proper sleep. Are you getting one with anger issues? Again, with this in mind, you may have to take the lead in de-escalating the incident. You may have to be the diplomat! This situation may not be fair, but it may be the reality. For reasons like this, you must have a clear and memorable response to being stopped.
Try not to do anything that will make the officer inclined to become the Judge, Juror, and Executioner on the spot. If an officer asks you to stop, you stop. Show empty, non-threatening hands. Most importantly, you must control what you say, how you move, and how you react to the officer’s commands.
The power dynamics in favor of the officer, such as legally carrying weapons, the law on his side, and using force as a tactic, are to the officer’s advantage. With many other extenuating factors, such as stress, anger, the memory of past deaths, and fear, it is incumbent that you have a memorized plan. The performances will occur on June 13th, 14th, and 15th at the Potrero Stage Theater at 1695 18th St. in San Francisco. Call 415-771-2376 for more info.
We would also like to offer community workshops. If you want us to come to your facility and conduct a workshop, please contact me at [email protected]. The workshops may include theatrical performances, community discussions, and discussions with law enforcement officials, lawyers, and engaged community leaders.
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Thomas Simpson
Artistic Director, AfroSolo
