If you caught someone (pedestrian or otherwise) in possession of a little bit of marijuana, do you or do you not feel bad that this person will be in so much trouble over something so insignificant? Does it personally make a difference to you if the person caught is someone with a long criminal history or a 1st timer or even an upsanding senior citizen?
2006-10-03 16:45:28 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
R.J. gets my vote once again. I have done the very same thing numerous times.
My goal is to get the drugs off the street. If you have a small personal amount of Marijuana and you are cooperative, I don't care about arresting you. I want the mother load.
If you are honest and it is less than 2oz, you are going to probably walk away. If you lie about it and I have to find it, I don't care if its just a usable amount, you are getting a matching pair of bracelets.
Have you ever heard an officer say "Have you ever been fishing? What do you do with the little fish? You through them back in hopes of catching a big fish right?" Its the same thing. We do not want the users, we want the dealers.
If you have a small amount and are honest and turn it over, my goal was reached. That small amount of Marijuana is now off the streets. Not only that, this person will now respect me more in the future for being a man of my word and understanding. I served two goals.
2006-10-06 12:37:41 · answer #1 · answered by thanson73 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've arrested people for a very small amount of marijuana, and I've let people go who had the same amount. Since the city is considered the "victim" on a case like that, it's the officer's discretion on whether or not to charge the person.
Generally, I take a lot into account before making that decision, but there are 3 main things I consider. 1. How cooperative has this person been? 2. How honest with me has this person been? 3. What are my chances of turning this person into an informant?
Is someone is cooperative and honest, or if I think that by letting them go they might give me information on other crimes in the future, there's a good chance I'll let them off.
Have you ever heard an officer tell someone, "Okay, we know you have marijuana in the car. If you just go ahead and tell us where it is, we won't charge you with it. But if you lie about it and then we find it, you're going to jail." ? Well, officers say that or something similar quite often. But nobody actually takes them up on it. But this one time, the guy reached right in the console and pulled out a small baggie of marijuana. My partner and I looked at each other, shrugged, and said, "Umm, okay. Thanks for being honest. We told you that we'd let you off if you were, so have a nice night." We were surprised, but we had told him we would, so we kept our word. The marijuana was impounded as "found drugs" and we never saw the guy again.
2006-10-04 00:00:59 · answer #2 · answered by RJ 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A little bit of marijuana is a violation in New York and usually doesn't earn much more than a 50 dollar fine and court cost of 95 dollars. You can't even take bail on a person with a little bit of marijuana and usually the only reason a person is brought to jail for having a little bit of marijuana is so they can be searched better and maybe they have crack, meth, heroin, or something good on them.... if not it's an appearance ticket and see ya later. So unless the person with a little weed on them is a piece of crap or gives a cop a hard time or may be suspect to having more on their person it's barely worth the paperwork.
2006-10-03 23:56:11 · answer #3 · answered by okchico 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well there are some ex-police officers reading your question! :-) Breaking the law is about risk. If you are caught expect to pay the price. There is a big difference between a small time user of pot and a dealer! I don't feel bad about the trouble they will get in...you play - you pay...
IMHO - I think a senior citizen using small quantities of pot for medicinal purposes should have been legalized ages ago. I think using pot should be a personal choice much like drinking alcohol. Needless to say, I am no longer in law enforcement...BUT I still don't get stoned - because it is against the law and I want to keep my job which tests for illegal drugs...you can still have fun and live within the boundaries of the law...if you don't like the law...VOTE!
2006-10-03 23:58:47 · answer #4 · answered by Angelfood 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The classroom answer is that we are sworn to enforce the law whether we agree with it or not. Having said that, RJ hit it right in the 10 ring. If I arrested everyone I caught with a joint or a little bit of hooch, I'd never be anywhere but court, or writing arrest reports. You have to weigh the value of the arrest vs the long term impact, and the subjects usefullness if they are not in jail. However, if I get lied to or I get an uncooperative smart *** etc..., then I'm doing paperwork at the officers desk at the jail for the next hour or so. Cop's option, so weigh the risk of being a jerk if you are in misdemeanor possesion. Unless that is, you don't have anything to do for 24-48 hrs and you like orange coveralls.
RJ gets my vote for the 10 pts.
2006-10-04 00:19:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well as for my opinion wrong is wrong. If you let them get away with a little they'll expect to get away with a lot next time and will not take the laws seriously.
2006-10-03 23:55:19 · answer #6 · answered by chinadoll31645 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not up to the police to decide who should be punished and who should not. The police are given a list of laws that society thinks are important and are charged with enforcing those laws. They report the violators to society who then decide the punishment.
2006-10-04 00:02:14 · answer #7 · answered by Mike 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My feelings are that if you break ANY law you pay the penalty for it being a first time or the second time.
2006-10-03 23:48:21 · answer #8 · answered by AL 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow I cant believe some of the responses here. has no ever exceeded the speed limit, jay walked drank before they were 21 or smoked before they were 18? how hypocritical of you.
it is a misdemeanor ticket folks. pot isn't crack or meth or heroin. why don't we ban alcohol instead? or maybe the current drug of choice-caffine? Do your own research about the addicting qualities of pot versus caffine and you may learn something.
just say no to drugs unless it is what the doctors prescribe and the drug companies tell us we need every day on TV.
what a load of BS
2006-10-04 00:01:39 · answer #9 · answered by rwl_is_taken 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
officers are out taking a bite outta crime
and busting people like me
2006-10-04 00:08:05 · answer #10 · answered by Kelly Bundy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋