What kind of a person would do something like...?

Question

In 1985, two Portland officers were reinstated by an arbitrator after they were fired for selling "Don't Choke `Em, Smoke `Em" t-shirts on the day of the funeral of Lloyd "Tony" Stevenson, who reportedly had been killed by a police chokehold.

According to press reports, between mid-1989 and mid-1991, training was canceled by police officials because they did not want to take officers off the streets.2 There was no training on firearms or on tactics in dealing with combative subjects. Police officers went fourteen months without firearms qualification tests, even as the department switched to high-capacity semi-automatic weapons. The more advanced weaponry was supposed to be used in response to violent gangs in the city, but instead some officers used the guns on the mentally ill and drug suspects who did not comply with their commands.3

On December 7, 1995, suspecting a robbery in progress, plainclothes Atlanta police officer Willie T. Sauls entered a motorcycle shop with his gun drawn and shouting obscenities. An employee thought the police surrounding the store were themselves robbers, and a gunfight ensued. When the shooting stopped, a customer named Jerry Jackson was dead and two others, including Officer Sauls, were wounded.5

Seven53 must be a cop or a cop wannabe
At least he provides an honest representation of the police attitude!
They are a self destructive bunch aren't they!

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Shielded from Justice: Police Brutality and Accountability in the United States

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Answer 1

Police qualifications, hiring, and deployment are among the most crucial problems facing America. In my view police should be paid higher wages, required to possess Bachelor's Degrees with specific training disciplines such as racial and cultural relations and anger management and above all be switched from patrolling in squad cars to walking beats. Were this to happen positive changes might result. Police would get to know citizens especially those in high crime areas and this would mean more arrests through citizen/police cooperation. And since all cops are trained in traffic control gridlock and jams would be greatly reduced by them directing traffic when needed.

Answer 2

I know of good cops and know bad cops..I do think they have a very stressful job..That anyone being a cop should have anger management classes all the time..It would be easy to lose your temper with a citzen. At one time I wanted to be a police officer but I realized that it was too stressful and dangerous..I had a son to raise..I wish things were different..I am not sure how to change things except for the officers to hit the streets and get to know the kids, and gang members. Talk to the people to make changes in the neighborhood. Make a difference in your neighborhood go talk to kids that don't have good supervision before they talk to someone bad.

Answer 3

"Don't Choke `Em, Smoke `Em' t-shirts"

I can't say you'd catch me wearing this type of shirt, however, we make this HUGE issue of "Freedom of Speech" and as such one could argue that the officers had that same right to their free speech and expression.

"According to press reports..."

Many times the press will distort facts in order to sell their product.

Since the late 80's and early 90's law enforcement has changed where training is concerned. Within my own state one must fullfill a specific number of training hours or lose state certification as an officer, therefore, today...any ageny not wanting to pursue up-to-date training is going to have problems!

"some officers used the guns on the mentally ill and drug suspects..." I would certainly like to see your source of information!

Best wishes.

Answer 4

THIS is just more examples of why we need more stringent rules and regulations as to what kind of people are allowed to be police officers. The police are supposed to be the embodiment of law enforcement, to protect the public and serve the greater good, not acting like cowboys with guns who shoot first and ask questions last.

Answer 5

The problem is ALL people get corrupted when they get the power that the Police have , you can say what you like about getting better people and such but it just would not matter. They may all not turn gun happy and start shooting people but they will abuse their power in some way

Answer 6

When some people get a little whiff of power and authority, the go berserk

Answer 7

Don't choke em, smoke em.....LOL