Should cops who commit crimes receive more severe penalties?

Question

In Chicago an off-Duty cop beat the crap of a petite 25 year old woman. He is likely to get a slap on the wrist for attempting to kill this girl. I think Chicago PD should be liable too as if this were the other way around she would be facing a capitol offense for attacking a copy (off duty is only applied to their benefit).
Should we hold cops to a higher standard not weaker one?
If a cop breaks the speed limit in the UK they are fired! Shouldn’t we stop this power corruption?

Answer 1

Definitely. Cops are the ones we're supposed to be able to trust to take care of us. If they break that trust, then we're screwed, so they should have to pay. I mean think about it. You don't put your trust into the hands of the creepy guy next door, so should he recieve a more severe penalty? To be blunt, anything less would be stupid.

Answer 2

Not necessarily more severe, but anytime a law enforcement officer is accused of a crime, it seems obvious that jurisdiction for the investigation and prosecution should occur outside the community- not internal affairs and a prosecutor and judge that the officer has a working relationship with. That's like George Bush appointing a special prosecutor to investigate alleged misconduct within his own administration. The fact that the person is a cop should not even enter the courtroom unless the incident occurred on the job.

One thing is clear, though: any law enforcement or public safety official convicted of even a misdemeanor- whether a cop, judge, prosecutor, attorney, fire fighter, or meter maid- should be fired, lose his pension, and be permanently barred from any public safety position. Whether an incident occurs on the job or not, thieves and wife-beaters have no business interpreting the law, passing judgement, and using their badge to intimidate others.

Answer 3

I am completely with you that there should be a higher penalty for the Chicago off-duty officer.

In NYC, a few police officers fired and killed a soon-to-be groom. They were there on official business, and there is testimony that they were fired upon, but not by this man. By all accounts, this was a mistake. And yet they are being tried under the highest charges, of manslaughter. Shouldn't they receive some break for the danger that they expose themselves to?

Answer 4

As a police officer for more than 30 years...I watched the news and read the articles concerning this officer. I found his actions to be a pathetic representation of humanity.

Whether an officer or not is despite the point, he was bigger, intoxicated, and wrong.

As my own departmental regulations state, we cannot participate in any activity of which would bring discredit upon ourselves and our department...on or off duty!

Do we make the laws harder because he was an officer...no...that would be no different than the police "profiling" or "stereotyping" simply because of a certain "background."

If I read the news correctly, I understand he's lost his job. That is a start. Because he was off duty...he was not representative of his place of employment therefore sueing the Chicago Police Department will be difficult to say the least.

He hasn't been held to a "weaker standard" as you've questioned. I think, up to this point, he is getting everything he's asked for by his deplorable actions.

Because he was fired...I think that sends a STRONG message to the rest...don't go off duty and get drunk where this type of situation occurrs bringing discredit upon yourselves and your department or else the results will be the termination of your job and possible criminal charges.

This case has a civil issue to it as well. There is no doubt in my mind this FORMER officer will reap the penalities of his wrong doing.

Lastly, don't judge ALL officers by ones poor judgement. There are bad in ALL walks of life not just law enforcement. Those in law enforcement just strive to rid those bad apples as quickly as possible to avoid these type issues.

Best wishes.

Answer 5

Police should be held to a higher standard, as they enforce the laws. Just as a criminal who attacks a police officer should suffer a higher penalty, as it shows his disregard for the laws of society. As for the police officer in Chicago, he should be punished for what the video shows is an unprovoked attack. Unless further evidence surfaces, in this case.

Answer 6

Equality under the law is an important principle. Police officers should not be held to a higher standard, but they should certainly be held to the same standards.

Being fired for committing certain crimes seems reasonable, but many big city police departments are so desperate for personnel that they take who they can.

It is a often a toss up of having questionable police protection or no police at all.

Remember, police officers are people, too. They have their own problems just like every other citizen does, but they have deal not only with their own problems, but the problems of everyone else they have to deal with. It can be tough.

I know. I used to be one and my wife is one.

Answer 7

Where there is no equality there can be no dialog. He Had a gun and a badge while he was doing it. To answer your question, yes. Will it ever happen, no. You saw the cover up right from the start. The only way things will ever change up there is to get rid of the boss hog and he is not coming out easy.

Answer 8

They should be held to the same laws that we are. If this cop did this then he should be charged with attempted murder. And hopefully the lady will sue him for every penny he has and is going to make in the future.

Answer 9

Any cop that breaks the law more than once a year should be fired or get a pay reduction. Stupid cops dont even fight real crime they just give tickets.

Answer 10

Any officer of the law that breaks those laws should be subject to the same punishment. He has violated a sacred trust.