BUT…
I love the police. My Dad’s dad had been a Marine before WWI (!), then transitioned to work as a railroad cop. Became a Lieutenant in the NY, NH & H Railroad. Was one tough son-of-a-bitch. My own dad worked as a RR cop for a short time, then went to the Rhode Island State Police Academy. Among other things he had to learn how to safely dump an Indian motorcycle @ 60 mph! He, unfortunately, didn’t make it through the academy. Ended up as a coach/schoolteacher. Even though I was disabled from age 12, I took it upon myself to at least try to get on a police force. Family duty and all that. When I was younger and more fit (translation - thinner and less infirmed) I ran the Phoenix Police Academy obstacle course @ South Mountain on behalf of a small town local PD. Never made it to recruit, but at least ran the whole course! And I ended up with my A.A. degree in Administration of Justice from Mesa Community College, with high distinction. My point being police stuff is in my blood.
But, I was taught the job of the police is to protect the public and their rights. This is what makes us different from other countries where their job is to keep the upper class safe and keep the regular guy down.
But there’s been a change in attitude of local police since I graduated in 1975. Paramilitary units, SWAT raids poorly executed, more of that us versus them attitude. And we are the ‘them’.
Here’s a link to news stories regarding police abuse: Injustice Everywhere. (Of course, just because an arrestee says the police acted inappropriately, doesn’t mean they did!)
Claire Wolfe of Living Freedom has an excellent post regarding how to behave in police custody. More valuable today than ever. I’ve never been arrested, but as a regular carrier/possessor of lethal instruments, there’s a real possibility it could happen one day. The Arresting Officer isn’t going to care that I come from a police family or have a police science degree.
The Lesson is this: If arrest happens to you, Keep Your Mouth Shut, except when Demanding a Lawyer!
h/t Clair Wolfe, Injustice Everywhere
Both sides of my family have a long history of LEO involvement. I’ve noticed, over the years, their mentality has shifted from Peace Officer to POLICE.
My late brother in law, when he was a county deputy, was once given twenty four “Failure to Appear” warrants to serve. He went from address to address making contact. He gave each a chance to turn themselves in. Asked questions like, “Do you have someone to watch your livestock”? “Do you have a bail/bond contact”? Out of the twenty four, twenty one had turned themselves in within three days. He always regarded himself as a Peace Officer.
What I seldom see addressed is the internal politics of many departments causing major morale problems. We all know what flows downhill. Disgruntled officer meets public. Surprised?
Posted by WSF | May 21, 2012, 9:29 amExcellent commentary!
When politics enters the police arena, they cease to be Peace Officers.
They become instruments of someone’s political agenda.
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 21, 2012, 9:33 amYeah, the Police were a great band back in the day.
Oh, wait…
Posted by lpcard | May 21, 2012, 2:27 pmI’m pretty square, but an old friend of mine saw this bumper sticker in a college parking lot (back in the day) and thought it was pro-law enforcement!
Even I knew it was different.
Posted by guffaw1952 | May 21, 2012, 3:13 pmYep, ask for a lawyer and otherwise keep your mouth shut.
Posted by Old NFO | May 21, 2012, 5:32 pmSolid advice.
Posted by Tango Juliet | May 22, 2012, 5:28 am