[LJLucido]

The officer was in uniform. While his statements would be appropriate once he clocked out and changed, he has an obligation to maintain a neutral posture while representing his department. And if he can't maintain his neutrality until quitting time, he can resign, change, then speak his mind.

Now tell me the truth, FN - if a uniformed officer had called for the confiscation of all firearms from private hands while on the city's payroll, would you be just as supportive of his "free speech' rights in that context?

Don't answer, I think I already know. You would (quite properly, IMO) be applying the JBT description to the officer and his actions. If so, does official misconduct magically disappear if the official says something you like?

[quietolong]

Now tell me the truth, FN - if a uniformed officer had called for the confiscation of all firearms from private hands while on the city's payroll, would you be just as supportive of his "free speech' rights in that context?

Uniformed officers do call for the confiscation of all firearms from private hands while on the city's payroll

How many Big city Police chefs have you seen saying this ?

[roughrider]

Calling for the confication of firearms is a statement advocating the violation of the Supreme Law of the Land, the Constitution. Calling for the confiscation of private property without just compensation is also subversive of the Constitution. An officer who makes statements that are contrary to the Constitution is violating his oath. An officer who points out that there is a movement out to subvert the Constitution is doing his duty. If he pays for it with his job, then he is a hero, but an officer doing his duty should not lose his job.

[spunkets]

"Now tell me the truth, FN - if a uniformed officer had called for the confiscation of all firearms from private hands while on the city's payroll, would you be just as supportive of his "free speech' rights in that context?"

Would you like a list of those that have. How about the ones that got on TV and advocated suspension of the Constitution so they could establish law and order. How about the ones that hand out join together.org, hci.org or the violence policy center from their stations. How about the ones that get paid to show up in the various legislative bodies to advocate firearm banning.

What this lt. did was issue an opinion contrary to the chiefs, that's all.