been reading a book called '50 thing you're not supposed to know' by Russ Kick. i was shocked to discover that police have no obligation to help you out, you have no right to sue the cops for not doing their job even in the following circumstances, which seems pretty incredulous...
- when 911 systems have been shut down for maintenance
- when a known stalker kills someone
- when the police pull over but don't arrest a drunk driver who runs over someone later that night
- when a cop known to be violently unstable shoots a driver he pulled over for an inadequate muffler
- when authorities know in advance of a plan to commit murder but do nothing to stop it
- when parole boards free violent psychotics, including child rapist-murderers
- when felons escape from prison and kill someone
- when houses burn down because the fire department didn't respond promptly
- when children are beaten to death in foster homes
2007-08-15 02:28:59 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
"To Serve and Protect" is 100% BS
2007-08-15 05:09:23 · update #1
They police are under NO obligation to protect individuals - only society in general. See Warren v. District of Columbia, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C. Ct. of Ap., 1981).
Also, many states have specifically precluded such claims, barring lawsuits against State or local officials for failure to protect, by enacting statutes such as California's Government Code, Sections 821, 845, and 846 which state, in part: "Neither a public entity or a public employee [may be sued] for failure to provide adequate police protection or service, failure to prevent the commission of crimes and failure to apprehend criminals..."
Calif Deputy
2007-08-15 08:17:22 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
- when 911 systems have been shut down for maintenance...
If someone needs the police...why not call the police department number instead. The "911" system is convenient but one should ALWAYS have secondary access numbers on hand in an emergency!
- when a known stalker kills someone...
Hogwash!
- when the police pull over but don't arrest a drunk driver who runs over someone later that night...
If he wasn't drunk at the time of the first stop and is arrested...the officer has violated the drivers consitutional rights! What took place AFTER the stop when the driver continued to drink going over the legal limit and THEN ran over someone...different scenario!
- when a cop known to be violently unstable shoots a driver he pulled over for an inadequate muffler...
He'd be charged in my state but without further details it's not possible to make a qualified statement.
- when authorities know in advance of a plan to commit murder but do nothing to stop it...
It's called "Conspiracy to Commit Murder" and you can research many cases that were sucessfully prosecuted.
- when parole boards free violent psychotics, including child rapist-murderers
The parole boards are not law enforcement but represent the prison system.
- when felons escape from prison and kill someone...
In all my years of capturing escapees...I'd say the statement is untrue.
- when houses burn down because the fire department didn't respond promptly...
This isn't a criminal issue but POSSIBLY a civil issue. You have to remember also that there are countless volunteer fire departments throughout the US. These departments consist of people who respond when able to do so! This is why you maintain fire insurance on your home!
- when children are beaten to death in foster homes...
Again...hogwash!
Many of the facts in the book are true with others being rediculous.
Additionally, it's easy to find remote instances where an event occurred yet improper actions resulted. Your comment and the book imply that ALL police agencies EVERYWHERE do nothing under the circumstances you mentioned.
You have to remember who the author is...what he represents...and he's out to make MONEY!!
2007-08-15 03:02:26 · answer #2 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 4⤊ 3⤋
The people have no rights. The protect the community garbage is also just a lie. Defenders of the system always change to subject and never offer proof that the system has any obligation to the people or to the community or anything else. What proof is there that they police must protect the community. What proof is that public officials have to tell the truth. Where is it written that defenders of the system have to tell the truth I have never once heard of a time when the police confronted a superior force and stood their ground. I never heard of a time when judges were required to simply convict the guilty and acquitte the guilty.
2015-10-02 18:54:27 · answer #3 · answered by flamestar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, that's probably a state law issue and isn't going to have a universal answer as national law isn't going to cover that. You should either ask the doctor's office if he/she has to and if they did (which they will have to be upfront with you on) or contact and consult an attorney. No one on here willl be qualified to answer this especially given you did not mention what state this is in which is a necassary detail to give you specific advice.
2016-05-18 03:10:35 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the previous answerers is right: The US Supreme Court and numerous State courts have ruled the police are not legally bound to protect you. They are not guardians, they're law enforcers. Their responsibility is limited to apprehending those who break the law and "keeping the peace"...not PREVENTING crime.
Here's one of the latest rulings (June 2005):
"The decision focused on-and rejected- the single, somewhat novel legal theory that the failure to enforce a protective order constitutes a violation of a victim's federal procedural due process rights. Although the court rejected this argument, there are still several other legal theories that might be used to hold the police liable for failing to protect victims of domestic violence or stalking."
http://www.ncvc.org/src/main.aspx?dbID=DB_TribalSummit,SexualAssault791
2007-08-15 03:07:28 · answer #5 · answered by evans_michael_ya 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Um, does the phrase "To Serve and Protect" mean nothing. That is what they are here for. As in any job, if the employee fails to preform they can be sued.
IN ADDITION: I am not saying the police are flawless. I wasn't born in a cave. But the fact remains that they CAN and ARE sued frequently for such things as: failure to respond in a timely fashion, mishandling of legal documents,excessive force, wrongful imprisonment and even CLERICAL errors!
So, fine, Gimme thumbs down because I mentioned a slogan you dislike but the answer I gave to your question is 100% accurate. Your book is BUNK, The police are obligated to protect you, PERIOD.
Ps. Have you ever watched CNN? Court TV, or worked for a law firm? There are many actions pending and in progress civilian VS. Police Force or Personal taking place...AS WE SPEAK!
2007-08-15 02:37:58 · answer #6 · answered by Lilly 5 · 2⤊ 7⤋
What the heck are you talking about? They DO have an obligation. And they DO act on it. I have been involved on both sides...and totally respect what they do. That list you have is ALL jibberish. Police can't put out fires. What the $$%#&$ do foster homes have to do with this? Police don't have anything to do with prisons. And absolutely NO 911 centers have ever shut down for maintenance.
2007-08-15 02:48:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 6⤋
To Protect and to Serve
In australia this means:
To protect their income! Speed cameras everywhere and stupid fines for stupid things.
and
To Serve themselves! I have seen houses get trashed because of gate crashers, and the cops sit down the street watching. What happened to protection and getting the bad guys?
As if!
2007-08-15 04:06:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think they protect and serve themselves first.
If they were truly legally obligated in all these situations, the lawsuits would be endless. No one can stop every stalker or killer.
2007-08-15 02:42:30 · answer #9 · answered by anothercrazyho 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The Supreme Court has ruled that the police have no legal responsibility to protect you.
2007-08-15 02:42:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋