You're still not getting my point -- the taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for cop misdeeds to begin with. But putting that aside for just a moment, just how do you propose to "fix the cops?"
Cops misbehaving in the US
- Thread starter againstthegrain
- Start date
You're still not getting my point -- the taxpayers shouldn't be on the hook for cop misdeeds to begin with. But putting that aside for just a moment, just how do you propose to "fix the cops?"
While it is true that the police are tasked with enforcing the law and the courts ultimately decide on the constitutionality of laws, it is also critical to recognize that the police have a sworn duty to protect the constitutional rights of the citizenry. Every law enforcement officer takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, which means their responsibilities go beyond mere enforcement of laws. They must ensure that their actions do not violate the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, including those enshrined in the Bill of Rights.
In fact, the courts have consistently held that law enforcement officers are not simply enforcers of statutes but protectors of individual liberties. If the police blindly enforce laws without regard to their constitutionality or their impact on citizens' rights, they fail in their duty to protect the very principles they swore to uphold.
In practical terms, this means that officers must exercise discretion and judgment when performing their duties to ensure they do not infringe on fundamental rights like due process, freedom of speech, and the right to bear arms, among others. While courts ultimately interpret the law, it is the daily responsibility of the police to balance enforcement with safeguarding civil liberties. Both roles are critical to preserving justice and upholding the rule of law in our constitutional republic.
HermitHogan
Senior Member
- Location
- 3rd Stone from the Sun
Those numbers are actually fairly trivial compared to other much more dangerous jobs such as construction worker or logger.
ElCastor
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern CA
I wouldn’t call the deaths of 240 police officers “trivial”, but apparently you would.
HermitHogan
Senior Member
- Location
- 3rd Stone from the Sun
No, I said the numbers are trivial — not the deaths. Of course, the deaths police officers is a terrible thing, as are the deaths of construction workers and other people who are just doing what they need to do to get by in the world. No one should lose their life trying to earn a living.
I read Post #28 and watched the video. What I don't understand is why the cops couldn't be sued. This young man even took it to the Supreme Court. MY guess is that he had a bad attorney. I have known cops from other PD's to do less and was sued for millions. The complainant didn't get millions, but they were well compensated.
At the very least, these cops and the FBI agent should have been shown the door. I really dislike cops that abuse their power. This young man gave up to soon. He can file a right to review. The state court could take the case back to review it and so could the Supreme Court.
Maybe ohioboy will weigh in on this. I am sure that the young man can ask for a review of the case. Can't he? I think this case was in Michigan.
At the very least, these cops and the FBI agent should have been shown the door. I really dislike cops that abuse their power. This young man gave up to soon. He can file a right to review. The state court could take the case back to review it and so could the Supreme Court.
Maybe ohioboy will weigh in on this. I am sure that the young man can ask for a review of the case. Can't he? I think this case was in Michigan.
HermitHogan
Senior Member
- Location
- 3rd Stone from the Sun
https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/16/us/phoenix-police-tyron-mcalpin-bodycam/index.html
They were using sign language on the phone? I guess it's possible. The police overreacted, though. There needs to be some way for them to restrain people without injuring the suspect. We can catch a rocket booster in mid-air with mechanical arms but we can't catch a human without beating the hell out of him?
They were using sign language on the phone? I guess it's possible. The police overreacted, though. There needs to be some way for them to restrain people without injuring the suspect. We can catch a rocket booster in mid-air with mechanical arms but we can't catch a human without beating the hell out of him?
ElCastor
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern CA
Perhaps you should be more concerned about the behavior of your own police??
Thailand: Police Torture Political Activists
Thailand: Police Torture Political ActivistsThailand: Police violence and harmful chemical irritants routinely unleashed on young protesters
Leaked Murder Footage Puts Thailand’s Police on the Defensive
Thailand's cycle of police brutality concerns activists – DW – 12/07/2022
etc, etc, etc
ElCastor
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern CA
Yes, but one of our chief critic of US police seems to be posting from a country with a far larger police problem than the United States?
BTW, not in defense of Thai police, but the very unfortunate issue that is the subject of this thread happened at the hands of police who were assisting the FBI who wrongfully believed the victim was the criminal they were after. When the plain clothes police did, or perhaps did not, explain their identity a fist fight ensued and the mistakenly identified man became a victim. Very unfortunate, but far from being a typical police encounter.
Last edited:
dilettante
Well-known Member
- Location
- Michigan
BLM Supporter Goes Quiet When He’s Obliterated with This One Fact
Ooooh, but I am, that's why I have been posting my comments here.
And your point is exactly what?
ElCastor
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern CA
My point? When you live in a country with what appears to be a severe police problem, choosing to criticize the police of a far away foreign country seems curious at best.
ElCastor
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern CA
Why local US of course. The purpose of the spray was not punishment, but rather a non-violent attempt to halt them in their effort to block the passage of law abiding students who likely needed to attend a class or classes. Those being sprayed are most likely anti-Israel protestors. Here we had similar protestors blocking the Golden Gate Bridge. They were subject to arrest, appropriate under the circumstances.
dilettante
Well-known Member
- Location
- Michigan
Stealth Edit: FBI Quietly Revises Violent Crime Stats
https://www.realclearinvestigations...etly_revises_violent_crime_stats_1065396.html
https://www.realclearinvestigations...etly_revises_violent_crime_stats_1065396.html
When the FBI originally released the “final” crime data for 2022 in September 2023, it reported that the nation’s violent crime rate fell by 2.1%. This quickly became, and remains, a [...] talking point to counter [...] claims of soaring crime.
But the FBI has quietly revised those numbers, releasing new data that shows violent crime increased in 2022 by 4.5%. The new data includes thousands more murders, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults.
The Bureau [...] made no mention of these revisions in its September 2024 press release.
RCI discovered the change through a cryptic reference on the FBI website that states: “The 2022 violent crime rate has been updated for inclusion in CIUS, 2023.” But there is no mention that the numbers increased. One only sees the change by downloading the FBI’s new crime data and comparing it to the file released last year.
HermitHogan
Senior Member
- Location
- 3rd Stone from the Sun
I think that video is of students protesting tuition hikes at UC.
While it's true that the United States is far away, it is certainly not foreign to me. After all, my first ancestors arrived in what is now the United States in the early 1600s, where my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather John Bounds was born in 1649 in Northumberland County, Virginia, Colonial America. His great-grandson, John Bounds Jr. (1720–1810), who was my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, fought in the American Revolutionary War, whereas his great-grandson, Benjamin H. Bounds (1840–1911), who was my great-great-grandfather, fought in the American Civil War, though on the losing side. Hence, the USA is not foreign to me. Also, bear in mind that as an American expat living in Thailand, I am in no position to criticize the Thai police.
So, if I understand you correctly, you feel it's okay for the police in the USA to spray protestors but wrong for the Thai police to do it?
Murrmurr
SF VIP
- Location
- Sacramento, California
I know it's an old post, but this perp will absolutely be ordered to pay restitution. Brian didn't sue the public.
People awarded settlements like this are solely responsible for collecting them. For example, Brian can file a request with the IRS to collect all or part of the cop's tax refund. Courts order defendants to pay settlements and awards but they do not assist complainants to collect them ...btw, requests through the IRS are rarely granted to individuals.
I'm sure Brian's attorney advised him on whatever avenues are available to him. But I doubt the money was as important as winning the case.
And 2% of people make the rest of us look bad.
againstthegrain
Senior Member
- Location
- Sun Valley, ID
The cop apologists usually use 1% so it's good to see reality strike and you've upped it to 2 %.
It's the remaining "good" cops that FAIL to eliminate and tolerate the "bad" cops that make them all BAD. There is the rare exception of the truly good cop such as, Keechant Sewell, who was willing to stand up against corruption at ALL levels in the NYPD. She had the respect of the rank and file cop, but was let go when when she tried to stand up to corruption at the highest levels in the department. Of course another failed cop Adams NYPD ret was resposible for making a complete mockery of the NYPD and the city.