[NuclearDruid]

I'm pretty certain there is a Supreme Court ruling to the effect that there's no obligation for a law enforcement officer to come to the aid of a civilian. Seems to me that should be a two-way street. Of course, this did happen in the City-State of Chicago aka Illinois.

[correctthought]

I think you're spot on ND.

-CT

[T.Smith]

If I wanted to help a copy arrest a perp I would have become a cop. This is completely ridiculous.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Exactly. I believe in CCW precisely because courts have ruled many times that a cop is not required by law to assist a civilian during a crime in progress. It should go the other way, too.

[Red Badger]

If he is not paid for the aid, then it's involuntary servitude, aka SLAVERY!.........

[Echo Talon]

Policeman asks for help say ok, take his gun and shoot the thief. :D /obvious sarcasm

[ARCADIA]

I suspect that the law will unconstitutional if it is ever placed to the test. You cannot take work from a citizen without just compensation; then there are all of the other issues involving the personal liability of the deputized citizen; and their relative ability and personal risk of injury. This does not seem like a well thought out law.

[hombre_sincero]

the part about "helping your fellow man" ??? yeah right - who gives a s**t anymore, right?

That is what I hear on this board - The man should NOT have been charged with a crime for not helping the police, but on the same token, he SHOULD have helped to his utmost ability.

This is the least/left coast big city liberal mentality - gimme gimme gimme - but I won't lift a finger to help.

all you, please never move into my neighborhood.

[L98Fiero]

Seinfeld finale?

[JIM O]

Isn't this why Jerry, George and Elaine went to jail?

[The Sons of Liberty]

What if the perp suffers a real, or imagined, injury during the arrest? Or what if the indidual himself is injured? Is the individual who aided the Cop covered for this libility?

I hate to even ask these questions, but let's face it, the lawyers are in control.

[jwpjr]

I would put this in the same category as helping a drowning person. I am not a life guard and I am not a good swimmer. If I see someone who is in danger of drowning I am limited in what I can do to help in view of my lack of aquatic skills. As tempting as it might be, I have to remind myself that it will do no good for me to drown trying to save the other person. Regardless of the merit of my intentions if I act beyond my demonstrated abilities I will end up leaving a widow and three fatherless children behind. My actions would, however, benefit the local funeral home community.

In case of the law enforcement officer needing help I would be limited to using his/her radio or my cell phone to summon backup.

[Tspud1]

The city state of Chicago is about 300 miles from Wood River.
Wood River is across the Mississippi River from St. Louis

[MinuteGal]

Some say tomato, some say tomahto....

The cop said he said.......

Skinner said the cop didn't say what he said he said......

Cop said vs....

Skinner said.....

Skinner loses.

Oh, let's call the whole thing off.

Leni

[Lazamataz]

I think he should be prosecuted just for the expression on his face.

[PAMadMax]

Hey, if a cop is not under obligation to help me, then neither am I to him. Call for more backup, officer.

[Smokin' Joe]

Where to start? The cop needs help, and asks you for it.

I would help to the utmost of my ability, if requested to do so.

(If he/she does not ask for help, but is capable of doing so, stay out of the way--you might be percieved as a threat.)

To not help is to give tacit aproval to the criminal element.

I carry a concealed weapon to intervene, not only in threats to my life and well being, but to, if necessary, intervene on behalf of third parties as well. This is an action which is legally protected in my home state.

Without that aspect in the population, what incentive do the cops have in backing CCW laws?

For those who talk about expense, etc, if they get hurt, I can pretty much guarantee any civillian who gets hurt helping a cop will have the entire police force's fundraising effort to help them out, and in some areas, the commmunity as well.

As for expensive, let the perp get away, hurt or kill the cop, and commit other crimes as well. That will cost the whole community.

In many jurisdictions Good Samaritan laws handle the liability aspect as long as you act in good faith.

For the record, I have never been employed in law enforcement, nor do I consider myself to be a law enforcement wannabe by any stretch of the imagination.

[Sandy]

This cop needed help subduing a 14-year-old boy who couldn't even change a freaking tire? Good grief. The man should be fired.
What a doofus.

[stuartcr]

So if this guy had helped, and got hurt, would it be the criminals fault, or the cops fault?

[sandydipper]

The cop wouldn't need to ask me - I'd jump right in - especially if I thought the cop was getting the short end of the stick.

[AmericanChef]

And in other news...citizens' arrest of illegal "entrants" are strictly forbidden.