Today, cops zoom by you in a police car and you only talk to them when their is a problem or a community event. They kick in your door or shoot you in the middle of the night because they do not know you from Adam and your name is just another name in their report.
I was browsing in a store yesterday that sells tactical apparel and gear and that store is naturally frequently by police officers. The whole time that I was there, police officers basically ignored me. If I smiled at them or said "hello", their acknowledgement was either non-existent or almost imperceptible as they walked by me. One officer insulted the store owner who was not there and then asked the clerk for a police discount.
All too often, I hear about police officers being accused of crimes themselves or losing their jobs doing things that would have landed me in jail.
This is what happens when police become aloof and too far removed from the average citizen that they are supposed to serve. It becomes too easy for police to see themselves as powerful enforcers rather than humble community servants. And it is this same empowered aloofness that opens the door to the militarization of police.
We need less SWAT teams and more beat cops walking the beat.
Entrance IEDs.
Probably because of the balaclavas they wear...?
Today, cops zoom by you in a police car...
...with its windows tinted black...
ping
They know all, are friends with the indigenous dogs and peeps, and get a big neighborhood party at retirement.
After they pick granpa and granma up off the floor, they issue an ‘apology.’
An apology is not enough. Those people were MURDERED! People need to go to jail for life!
If you defend yourself against an invasion, you are not in the wrong!
Our police departments need to recruit more Andy Taylors, fewer Barney Fifes, and absolutely no "Rambos".
Unfortunately, today it seems they employ huge numbers of Rambo/Barney Fife hybrids and very few Andy Taylors.
The sum total of my 52 years of experience on this planet is that cops’ purpose is to raise money for the welfare state by harassing innocent citizens attempting to legally go about their day.
If they want to change my opinion, formed by every single interaction with cops I’ve ever had, they can start now. They have the next 50 years to convince me to the contrary.
Cops never enforce the law against bad guys. They always bust innocent moms and dads trying their best to follow the law. That’s all I’ve ever seen.
And of course that aloofness is the natural result of having professional standards handed down that can not be defended in discussion with responsible, informed, educated citizens.
How does a cop justify lying to a suspect who is "presumed innocent" for the purpose of obtaining incriminating information? How does a cop justify mistaking a sidearm for a tazer? How does a cop justify doing otherwise actionable damage to a person or property, using intimidation and violent action under the rubric of "fearing for their personal safety?"
The short answer is: they don't. They just keep their mouths shut and continue about their business.
And of course that aloofness is the natural result of having professional standards handed down that can not be defended in discussion with responsible, informed, educated citizens.
How does a cop justify lying to a suspect who is "presumed innocent" for the purpose of obtaining incriminating information? How does a cop justify mistaking a sidearm for a tazer? How does a cop justify doing otherwise actionable damage to a person or property, using intimidation and violent action under the rubric of "fearing for their personal safety?"
The short answer is: they don't. They just keep their mouths shut and continue about their business.
The cops are just the most well armed and organized gang in two of the four cities I’ve lived in.
I would never call them. They’re plain dangerous.
Me.
When the ATF and FBI massacred the Branch Davidians and then a Republican Congress gave them cover, this is what caused be to begin reassessing my support for law enforcement and politicians. Everything that has happened since then has confirmed my mistrust of government and all of its servants.
The federal government strongly encouraged police departments across the US to abandon the “Old West” style of policing and adopt SWAT training and tactics, starting in the 1970s, in the wake of several publicized police assassinations by leftist terrorist groups.
It was one of several major mistakes that were made in policy that only now it is obvious were fatally flawed and needed to be reversed. In particular, gun control, starting in 1968; the Supreme Court ending capital punishment from 1972-1976; and the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.
However, it is long past time for the states to recognize that adopting SWAT training and tactics was a mistake, and one that resulted in *more* police *and* civilians being wounded and killed.
This begins with a state law that, “no matter that the federal government says is legal”, police are *required* to obtain written warrants from authorized state judges before they may execute a search. That is, by state law restricting the use of warrantless searches, and strictly limiting how police can perform “exigency” searches (a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger or the imminent destruction of evidence) that requires immediate action.)
Next, the state mandates reforms to state police academy training, to train them to *not* be abusive; to *not* brandish their weapon unless they intend to shoot to kill; along with anti-aggression, anti-steroids, and violence avoidance techniques.
Likewise, the academy should give them some common sense rules, especially when dealing with young children, the infirm or incapacitated, the mentally ill and the elderly. For example, if called to a school to arrest a student who pointed his finger while going “bang bang”, the officer should instead offer to cite the principal for wasting police time with frivolous calls.
Anybody who kicks my door in with no announcement or warning will be treated equally.......
As a human being the ONLY person responsible for my protection is me..
-PJ