I have never understood why it appears that when a cop gets into trouble all police seem to feel that it is their right and their mandate to protect the bad cop. I'm trying to be open-minded and I understand that the world of a police officer is vastly different from most "civilians" but that still doesn't give them carte blanche to protect or cover up for scum just because they share a uniform - evil people are evil people no matter what their "dress code" is. And I'm talking about the blatant, no doubt type of behavior such as the Abbate cop in Chicago. How can anyone defend those type of actions? I even give police the benefit of the doubt when the situation is not one hundred percent clear one way or the other such as the recent shooting of the wedding party in New York. Come on, mean, vicious thugs are still that, even with a badge, and not to be simplistic about it but they do freely choose their profession. A rational answer from someone in law enforcement would be nice!
2007-04-02 07:28:22 · 7 answers · asked by Accountability Guy 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
This is a good question. The problem I have with it is the way you worded it. Not "all" police personnel are anything: good, bad, ugly..etc. As a matter of fact, MOST police personnel hate dirty cops more than anything else. Why? Because it gives us all a black eye and causes people to ask questions worded like yours.
Now to answer your basic question: There is such a thing as a Thin Blue Line. Some cops make mistakes and some cops try to sweep it under the rug. However, there is such thing as accountability. When an officer is wrong, he is wrong, and those that cover it up are just as wrong.
They are taking the risk of catching some heat along with the offender cop.
Does it happen? Yep. Should it happen? Nope. Is there ever a time when it could actually be the right thing to do? Probably. You have to be a cop to understand.
Good question. Good luck!
2007-04-02 10:17:02 · answer #1 · answered by Hootiesplace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to remember that for police officers they live in a world of "us and them". This is really sad. Everyone is out to get them, and this is true. My father was a police officer and I have friends who are currently. People tend to look at all of the bad instead of all of the good that they do and try to do. When anything goes wrong they are automatically guilty instead of innocent till proven otherwise. If you look at the officers who have killed suspects with "non lethal" weapons, people think that the officer did it on purpose. Which in not hte case. These tools are used to keep from killing. That is the reason for the tasor and the rubber bullets and the bean bags. However, sometimes things go wrong and people die, but would you rather lose everyone shot at or minimize this death rate? It is a proven fact that a person weilding a knife can stab the officer if they are within 3 feet before the officer can even draw their weapon. I do know that there are corrput officers, but I also know that officers don't want it to be true. They are held to a higher standard then everyone else, and take pride in this. So when they have officers being accused of crimes they protect until they find out they are guilty or not. With every profession there are those that cover up and sweep it under the rug. The only difference here is that these are officers. Good luck in finding the answer you seek. I hope I could shed some light on the question. If not am sorry to not have helped.
2007-04-02 14:51:53 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Police dont want to ruin their public image. It is the same reason why people still believe gwb when he speaks. Some people are just fools and dont see through the faded picture. I admit, there are good cops out there. Public corruption is a bigger problem than everyone realizes. The FBI doesnt care because most of the time the victims are the poor people. FBI looks at them as dirt. So they dont want to help them. Even though they have all the resources to. If you have physical evidence of public corruption you could always alert the news media. They will be more help to get the message out than any law enforcement. But being a victim of public corruption is horrible. Just ask my brother that has titanium plates in his head. No justice has been served yet and it has been more than four years. This is why our country has a constitution. But now days it doesnt mean much.
2007-04-02 14:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Without using this as a platform to get political and slam our president, as some people thrive on doing, cops are not out to protect their own at all costs. Our agency had an accountability unit that had no problem firing, suspending, demoting or otherwise disciplining LEOs who crossed the line. I have personally known some cops where I worked who were not out for the best interest of the community, and they were dealt with accordingly. Having said that, I am SO sick of civilians being more of a problem for cops than the criminals are. I have seen firsthand many civilians who have just made up their minds that the cops are out to get them, or who just hate cops. This alone shows me these civilians are probably up to no good.
It sounds like you've made up your mind, when you throw all cops into one big mass of 'they all protect bad cops'. You have no idea what these people have to deal with. Our homicide cops look like they have the world on their shoulders. The unit which deals with child predators bears the same burden. A cop may be rude to you and not want to deal with you, and maybe that fact, coupled with the Chicago news story (which I am NOT excusing) helps you to form your generality.
I suggest riding along just for one day and put yourself in the good cops' shoes and see that not only do they not 'protect the bad cops', but they are trying to do their best to clean up the community's messes without getting themselves sued, crossing over the lines lawyers have drawn for them, or losing their tempers. Maybe instead of complaining you could help.
2007-04-02 15:20:18 · answer #4 · answered by hopem 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Following the news like anybody else...I see the Chicago Police Chief took action to fire the offending officer therefore there is no "cover-up" or questionable actions noted.
As an officer of over 30 years myself I take offense when I hear "all police seem to feel that it is their right and their mandate to protect the bad cop." I assure you that the vast majority of the police profession do not tolerate the type of criminal involvement witnessed by the off duty officer in Chicago.
You can take it to the bank...this is one officer that will never tolerate such abhorrent behavior on or off duty!
Best wishes.
2007-04-02 14:45:05 · answer #5 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
cops are automatically guilty until proven innocent....that minute the report breaks,he/they are guilty....so when this happens we defend the guy/guys until we know for sure because even though the constitution says we are innocent nobody else is willing to allow us that priviledge...I dont know the one you mention in Chicago and since I dont live there I cant say anything so there you go again,painting all cops the same...see?,,,you ask about one instance as if all cops defend this instance.....we cover our own cause nobody else will
2007-04-02 14:34:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
im with you... as a kid i had respect for police officers..
and was closer to seeing them as heroes.... but now
all i see are glorified hwy tax collectors..
will all the murders, rapes, and thieves you could
keep a police force 10x that is in place now, busy 24/7 !
but half are on the streets passing out
hwy speed permits. or messing with honest people
just doing thier jobs.. aka truck drivers
2007-04-02 14:37:32 · answer #7 · answered by pokerfaces55 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋