do you think cops should be above the law?

Answer 1

Darren! Buddy! Hell No! But some of `em do. I think they should have their own Donut Shops, for the brave work that some of `em do. Plus, we'd know where they're hidin' out at? Don't you?

Answer 2

Absolutely not! I think they have to abide by the laws just like we do. However so many have chips on their shoulders and they have a good ole boy system to protect each other and freely break the law. Honestly, how many times do you a cop speeding with no lights on, never use a turn signal, cut you off or shoot people in the back or commit other crimes. They get away with it. That is why they are corrupt and do not help people. They are out to get the misfortuned and try and show everyone what power they think they have. No wonder their pay raises never get approved by the public. I will vote against every time. When I needed the cops to help me, they did not. The only cop I like is a traffic cop at rush hour. Even then they can hardly do their job.

Answer 3

Absolutely not. As a police officer I can tell you that there is nothing hated worse by police than a crooked cop; they make us all look bad. However society must grant a certain amount of latitude in order for us to do our jobs correctly. Certain liberties must be granted if we are to protect and serve the citizens to our fullest potential, so lawmakers have enacted laws such as alowing emergency vehicles to break posted speed limits and other traffic laws, so long as it is done with due regard to safety.
I'm sure that if you were ever the victim of a crime, you would want the police to respond as fast as possible, even if they broke a few traffic laws to get to you.
When I think of a "crooked cop" I think of someone that is using their authority to extort money or services, stealing, planting evidence, or in any way abusing the power that they have been granted by the public for personal gain. But, you must remember that a police officer is a human being just like yourself and is subject to make the same mistakes that anyone else makes. While he should be held to a higher standard, he is not superhuman.
Also our society has placed such a high burden of liability on law enforcement officials that there is now a shortage of police officers. As a result police agencies are forced to fill vacancies in order to keep up with a ever rising crime rate with less than desirable candidates. Some of these do abuse their authority and should be punished accordingly.

Answer 4

I believe the exact opposite. Law enforcement officers who are found guilty of something should be sentenced to the fullest extent of the law with no incentives.

There are times where a civilian is just not aware they are breaking a law and might still spend life in prison. A cop is supposed to know a lot more about crimes and laws, there is always a mens rea (guilty mind) in my opinion when a cop commits a crime.

Answer 5

They sometimes do need some latitude in following the law in order to catch criminals. Imagine if they never broke the speed limit during a chase - a criminal would be able to get away easily. There are many such examples where it is not practical for the police to follow the law to the letter.

The other side of it is that there are a few bent cops out there, as there are people who break the law in all professions. Of course, those bent cops should be punished, and in fact they are, and the punishments they recieve are usually a lot more severe than other criminals.

Answer 6

I was a cop for 27 years and NO ONE should be above the law, especially the police! They are supposed to set the example.

Answer 7

No. But sometimes they CAN run red lights to get to an emergency or to lead a funeral procession or for some reason known only to them and the department.

I refuse to sit on the sidelines and judge whether a speeding police vehicle is breaking the law or rushing to an emergency.

When police officers have committed crimes in the past, they have been busted and arrested, themselves.

They shouldn't be above the law. And average run-of-the-mill citizens should not judge whether average run-of-the-mill police officers are breaking the law or not.

Answer 8

Theyre not above the law. They ARE the law. But they still must abide by the same rules they themselves enforce.

The problem is that there are cops that dont believe they have to follow those rules, or think they can get away with not going by those same laws they enforce.

Answer 9

No.
The police should follow all laws. In fact I think they should get tickets for speeding on the freeway without their lights on. WE all know they speed. If they can do it why cant I?
Also I think that the cops should be punished more for breaking ANY law. For example the border agents in jail in TX deserve to be there.. its a long story, but from what I have read about that case they should be in jail.
NOTE: I said that the cops should get speeding tickets when they aren't using their lights , IE they aren't working!

Answer 10

I think everyone hits integrity bumps in the road as we grow, but when an officer takes that oath as a law officer they must be above reproach! What is the point of the fox watching the hen house?

There are too many accidents, too many incidents, too many abuses, too many corruptions, too many shootings with law enforcement.

They have to be impeccable themselves, but a step further, they must take a stand with their fellow officers and if they have had an impropriety, their fellow officers need to be ready to speak up.

Answer 11

Cops are the tools to enforce the law, not the entity to be above it.