Tweet
Since this seems to be the hot topic of the month...I'm gonna throw in my$0.02....
If you don't like it, that's cool...I don't have to like your opinion, either, but we can still share ;).
I have a few "requests" for consideration by all LEOs in the future, which might actually make your occupation safer, more satisfying, and more respectable. Some of my requests may seem like demands....they are.....there's a line that I will not allow to be crossed....period. These may be points of serious contention among the members here, but I personally consider any contrasting opinion on these moot....they are my laws, and are not up for amendment or repeal. So, with that said, here goes.
When I am approached by a law enforcement officer, in uniform and on the clock, I am immediately Switzerland. I expect the LEO to be the same....courteous, non-invasive, and non-aggressive. If (I say "if" because I know it won't always apply) I wish not to interact with the officer, and he has no valid, lawful reason to detain me at that time, I will offer my name and address and be on my way. If he persists past this point, he will cease any questioning and either find cause to arrest me, allow me to conduct a conference call with him and my attorney, or will face subpoena in the near future to answer charges of police misconduct....I have a very good attorney who specializes in business law, civil rights, and police misconduct.
Neither the State Constitution of Arkansas, nor the Code of Crawford County (or the surrounding counties) offer any requirements of a legally armed CCW-carrying citizen to divulge such information during a police interview, and when asked, I simply ask if the question is relevant to any ongoing investigation, and proceed as I feel is in my best interest (most of the time, I let the officer know that I'm not required by law to divulge...if he contradicts me, I encourage him to peruse the book of statutes I carry in my console while I get my attorney on the phone). I expect LEOs to be more informed about my rights than I am, and conduct themselves accordingy. If they cannot ive up to this requirement, they should turn in their badge and seek life in another career.
If you are a LEO, and you wake up feeling particularly cocky, and it shows in your demeanor....expect reciprocity. Most of the time you will be dealing with adults who are having a bad day, and their "camel" is wearing a huge straw stack...you should not add to it and exacerbate the situation by being the d*ck that everyone makes you out to be, just because they see the badge.
If you have a reason to issue me a citation for some offense...try not to talk down to me....I'm probably better at it anyways. I'm an adult, and fully aware of the concept of risk and consequence. So you caught me...big deal...give me my ticket, don't be a condescending, lecture-happy jerk, and let's get on with our days. Remember, you don't abide by "the law" 100% of the time, either....you just happen to have that little "get out of jail free" card because of your profession.
I could go on and on, but the point is this: The cops that I know say that they don't even feel "human" when they're in uniform....partially due to the image that they have in the public's eyes, and also to the "ego-factor" that comes with a position of authority and dominance. I tel 'em that if they'd act more "human", maybe they'd get a better response in the field....
I think the beat-cops are long since gone....the ones you knew by their first name, and they knew you, too. They walked their patrol route and were intimate with their neighborhood, and knew how to treat each individual to garner the most desired relationship...
Respect is not a one-way street, and when you've lost it, whether through your own actions or a stereotype, you have to be the one to take the first step.....How about saying "hello" to that speeder you pulled over, instead of cutting straight to "gimme your papers, comrade"....
And don't transform into super-punk whenever someone tells you that you're over the line and they assert their authority as citizens to invoke their rights.
One more thing....don't ever assume that you can come to my land and usurp my authority....I don't care what badge you're wearing, or who you work for. You may request an audience with His Majesty, the King of the Castle, and it may be respectfully granted....but if you're there to be just another burr in my saddle, I'll probably tell you to pack sand, and you might just be out some useful intel in your investigation.
Now that I've gotten that out of my system.....I'l close by reiterating a statement I hinted at in another popular thread....I do suspect the badge...it's foolish, IMHO, not to....but the man behind the badge can earn my respect and cooperation fairly easily...all it takes is a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
If you don't like it, that's cool...I don't have to like your opinion, either, but we can still share ;).
I have a few "requests" for consideration by all LEOs in the future, which might actually make your occupation safer, more satisfying, and more respectable. Some of my requests may seem like demands....they are.....there's a line that I will not allow to be crossed....period. These may be points of serious contention among the members here, but I personally consider any contrasting opinion on these moot....they are my laws, and are not up for amendment or repeal. So, with that said, here goes.
When I am approached by a law enforcement officer, in uniform and on the clock, I am immediately Switzerland. I expect the LEO to be the same....courteous, non-invasive, and non-aggressive. If (I say "if" because I know it won't always apply) I wish not to interact with the officer, and he has no valid, lawful reason to detain me at that time, I will offer my name and address and be on my way. If he persists past this point, he will cease any questioning and either find cause to arrest me, allow me to conduct a conference call with him and my attorney, or will face subpoena in the near future to answer charges of police misconduct....I have a very good attorney who specializes in business law, civil rights, and police misconduct.
Neither the State Constitution of Arkansas, nor the Code of Crawford County (or the surrounding counties) offer any requirements of a legally armed CCW-carrying citizen to divulge such information during a police interview, and when asked, I simply ask if the question is relevant to any ongoing investigation, and proceed as I feel is in my best interest (most of the time, I let the officer know that I'm not required by law to divulge...if he contradicts me, I encourage him to peruse the book of statutes I carry in my console while I get my attorney on the phone). I expect LEOs to be more informed about my rights than I am, and conduct themselves accordingy. If they cannot ive up to this requirement, they should turn in their badge and seek life in another career.
If you are a LEO, and you wake up feeling particularly cocky, and it shows in your demeanor....expect reciprocity. Most of the time you will be dealing with adults who are having a bad day, and their "camel" is wearing a huge straw stack...you should not add to it and exacerbate the situation by being the d*ck that everyone makes you out to be, just because they see the badge.
If you have a reason to issue me a citation for some offense...try not to talk down to me....I'm probably better at it anyways. I'm an adult, and fully aware of the concept of risk and consequence. So you caught me...big deal...give me my ticket, don't be a condescending, lecture-happy jerk, and let's get on with our days. Remember, you don't abide by "the law" 100% of the time, either....you just happen to have that little "get out of jail free" card because of your profession.
I could go on and on, but the point is this: The cops that I know say that they don't even feel "human" when they're in uniform....partially due to the image that they have in the public's eyes, and also to the "ego-factor" that comes with a position of authority and dominance. I tel 'em that if they'd act more "human", maybe they'd get a better response in the field....
I think the beat-cops are long since gone....the ones you knew by their first name, and they knew you, too. They walked their patrol route and were intimate with their neighborhood, and knew how to treat each individual to garner the most desired relationship...
Respect is not a one-way street, and when you've lost it, whether through your own actions or a stereotype, you have to be the one to take the first step.....How about saying "hello" to that speeder you pulled over, instead of cutting straight to "gimme your papers, comrade"....
And don't transform into super-punk whenever someone tells you that you're over the line and they assert their authority as citizens to invoke their rights.
One more thing....don't ever assume that you can come to my land and usurp my authority....I don't care what badge you're wearing, or who you work for. You may request an audience with His Majesty, the King of the Castle, and it may be respectfully granted....but if you're there to be just another burr in my saddle, I'll probably tell you to pack sand, and you might just be out some useful intel in your investigation.
Now that I've gotten that out of my system.....I'l close by reiterating a statement I hinted at in another popular thread....I do suspect the badge...it's foolish, IMHO, not to....but the man behind the badge can earn my respect and cooperation fairly easily...all it takes is a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
Comment