not-so-furry discussion > debate forum

Life risk for our Police.

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Old Rabbit:
First I want to say I support the Police, and look at them with
respect.

The area I grew up in was what many would call a protected
area. A rual small town that saw little violence other than a
drunk taking a swing at a cop.

So most of what I know is  what I have seen or heard about on the news.

That said it seems in the past the police didn't approch everyone with their gun
ready to pull or fire. Today it seems they feel they need to have the drop on those
they think is dangerous. Due tp race or ethnic background.

Unfortuantly Police are human beings wanting to survive and go home to their
family after work. No Robocops yet.. So they are going to be paranoid and afraid
at times.

The problem is Police work is dangerous, being a fireman is dangerous. A job that requires
you to take life risks. Not dumb risks, but calculated ones. I get the feeling that there has been
a basic change in how law enforcement risk is being taught today.

Seems there is the perception that the Police are going to be shot unless they shoot first. Any
unsolicited action or movment by the person they confront is justification to shoot them. If
they continue to wiggle or squirm shoot them again.

I fear giving the Police this option will cause more problems for law enforcement than it helps.
Perhaps fewer people will want to be in law enforcement if they percieve greater risk. I don't
know. Perhaps those that do will be more responsible.

I mean most any gunho type might like the idea of being able to shoot first and ask questions
later. Unfortuantly many of our Police departments end up with these kind of people to enforce
the laws.

The answer? I think communication would help. Getting to know the people they serve. Unfortuantly
due to population growth Police departments have to enforce loaws with fewer officers relative to
population.. So they have less time to serve the public and only enforce laws instead.

cause the rat:
I watched the governor of Texas speech. What he said in a nutshell is "Let's do nothing about it.". He said what a wonderful state Texas is. How wonderful the people of Texas are. And glossed over everything else.

I to support the police. They do something I could never do.

Old Rabbit:
When people take the law into their own hands or retaliate against unwarrented shootings they make
things worse for everyone. With ambush attacks on Police they will be even more likely to shoot first
in a dangerous situation.

Avor:
cops wouldn;t a shoor first mentality if we out two in a car at a time, they don't have to worry as much about a sudden attack. Also it;s a generally is a bad idea ti make war vets into police, when things get complicated they fall back on military training.

Kobuk:
I found the following on Facebook several days ago and thought I'd share.


--- Quote ---... "It's not the police who need to be retrained, it's the public. We have grown into a mouthy, cell phone wielding, vulgar, uncivil society with no personal responsibility and the attitude of 'it's the other person's fault', 'you owe me'.  A society where children grow up with no boundaries or knowledge or concern for civil society and personal responsibility.
When an officer says "Put your hands up," then put your hands up! Don't reach for something in your pocket, your lap, your seat. There's plenty of reason for a police officer to feel threatened, there have been multiple assaults and ambushes on police officers lately. Comply with requests from the officer, have your day in court. Don't mouth off, or fight, or refuse to comply... that escalates the situation.
Police officers are our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. They're black, white, brown, all colors, all ethnicities, all faiths, male and female, they are us. They see the worst side of humanity... the raped children, the bloody mangled bodies of traffic victims, the bruised and battered victims of domestic violence, homicide victims, body parts... day after day.
They work holidays while we have festive meals with our families. They miss school events with their kids, birthdays, anniversaries, all those special occasions that we take for granted. They work in all types of weather, under dangerous conditions, for relatively low pay.
They have extensive training, but they are human. When there are numerous attacks on them, they become hyper vigilant for a reason, they have become targets. When a police officer encounters any person... any person, whether at a traffic stop, a street confrontation, an arrest, whatever... that situation has the potential to become life threatening. You, Mr & Mrs/Miss Civilian, also have the responsibility of keeping the situation from getting out of control.
Many, the majority, of law enforcement officers are Veterans. They've been in service to this nation most of their lives, whether on the battlefield or protecting us here at home. They are the only thing that stands between us and anarchy in the streets.
If you want to protect your child, teach them respect... for themselves, for you as a parent, for their teachers, for police officers. Police officers do not make the laws, they merely enforce them. If you don't like the law, be proactive in the political process. The police officer doesn't have, or want, the role of judge and jury.
If you get a speeding ticket... were you speeding? Don't blame the cop if you broke the law. Go to court, pay the fine, don't do it again.
It's easy to judge, it's harder to look within oneself and see what your role should be as a citizen, as a responsible person seeing both sides of the issue."


--- End quote ---






--- Quote ---Also it;s a generally is a bad idea ti make war vets into police, when things get complicated they fall back on military training.
--- End quote ---

Agreed. Most, but not all, cops come from ex-military vets. To some, that might be a good thing. But it takes awhile for a military vet to re-adjust back to civilian life after being in the military. I have to wonder how many ex-military cops have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) that might be affecting their police duties. If I were in politics, I would strongly sponsor a Bill to prevent ex-military individuals from becoming Police officers for a period of 1-3 years pending PTSD reviews and evaluations.

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