Posted on 08/20/2014 2:35:47 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
In a single column, a veteran police officer has catapulted himself into the national debate over the death of unarmed teen Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
“I’m a cop. If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t challenge me,” the Washington Post headline blares. The piece was written by Sunil Dutta, a 17-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.
“Even though it might sound harsh and impolitic, here is the bottom line: if you don’t want to get shot, tased, pepper-sprayed, struck with a baton or thrown to the ground, just do what I tell you,” he wrote.
Dutta cautions against arguing, insulting, or screaming at officers, “and don’t even think of aggressively walking towards me. Most field stops are complete in minutes. How difficult is it to cooperate for that long?”
If you believe an officer is violating your rights or bullying you, Dutta says, don’t challenge him then — save that for lodging a complaint later. “Do what the officer tells you to and it will end safely for both of you.”
It took no time for the anger over his message to explode.
“The outrageous thing is not that he says it. The outrageous thing is that we accept it,” writes Ken White of the blog Popehat, which tracks American legal issues.
“Do we have a justice system? By name, yes. Is it effective in deterring cops from abusing citizens or punishing them when they do? No… If you hope the cop will be charged criminally for misbehavior, you’re going to be waiting a very long time for no result.”(continued)
(Excerpt) Read more at fox17online.com ...
“I hate the protesters in Ferguson, but this cop is a bigger threat to my liberty. “
OBVIOUSLY YOU DID NOT READ WHAT THE COP ACTUALLY SAID!
All that I want is for the “cops” to be held accountable to the same standards as a “civilian”.
Yeah, that’s right. The thing Big Mike should have done was to demand to see a warrant (as opposed to beating the crap out of the cop).
I’ll call you the next time I need someone here to protect me. Can you be here in about five minutes, willing to risk your life?
Yup. And Big Mike definitely tried to do that. Guess he thought beating the crap out of the cop would teach him a lesson about accountability.
He'd advocating that you stick up for rights, but he's also telling you to pick your place of battle wisely.
“That part sticks in my craw. For instance, I’ve often heard that you don’t let them into your home or search your vehicle without a warrant. Doesn’t “just do as I say” apply there? “
Dutta talks about that. He says you should stand up for your rights but not get in the cops face about it. Keep it civil.
Why? You like to give back talk to cops? You can't be polite to a cop?
Big Mike deserved what he got.
Hopefully you and I would be given the same if faced with the same.
“Even though it might sound harsh and impolitic, here is the bottom line: if you don’t want to get shot, obey the constitution and understand you work for me.”
Don’t hold your breath, I am not coming to your aid.
My point being, if it was you being assaulted,
and you stopped the threat, would you be off the hook?
I think the cop was justified, but would you be justified?
Are you claiming Officer Wilson violated the constitution?
I didn’t think you would.
That statement makes me wonder if you even read Dutta's editorial.
NO matter, all you really need to read is the title:
I’m a cop. If you don’t want to get hurt, don’t challenge me.
Here's the range of actions that Dutta won't tolerate:
Don’t argue with me, don’t call me names, don’t tell me that I can’t stop you, don’t say I’m a racist pig, don’t threaten that you’ll sue me and take away my badge. Don’t scream at me that you pay my salary, and don’t even think of aggressively walking towards me.
He goes on
But if you believe (or know) that the cop stopping you is violating your rights or is acting like a bully, I guarantee that the situation will not become easier if you show your anger and resentment.
Amazing. Even if you KNOW that your rights are being violated, you may not show your emotion to Masa Dutta.
There's quite a bit of distance between punching a cop in the face (ala Big Mike) and sighing because you are frustrated with a cops actions.
No even sure that I would want to.
3 warnings and a $15 "no seat-belt" ticket.
Did I show respect? What do you think?
I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.
If you react violently to a police officer, you’re putting him and yourself both at risk.
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