Is the Code of Conduct for Police Officers worth the paper it is written on?.?

Question

Judging by the questions on this site it is not. I am not anti Police and know many Officers who are appalled at the corruption and bullying of young Officers, especially Graduates. If they "whistleblow" then they are branded and promotion is a non starter. Some Officers seem to hide behind their uniform to bully and intimidate members of the public. How much longer is this going to be allowed to continue?. I reiterate I AM NOT anti Police, but I am anti corruption and sleaze.

Answer 1

Joan, I am also anti corruption, anti-sleaze and anti-bullying. In the main the code of conduct is worthwhile and most officers adhere to it. I work to the theory that if I treat people fairly and in the right manner then I shouldn't go far wrong. Some members of the public can be anti from the start despite how calm and approachable you are. That's just the way it is unfortunately.

I have been a police officer for 11 years and have seen little of what you mention. Obviously there are bad apples in the police (much like any other profession). These are few in number. A lot of newspapers print stories based on one side of the story. Often it has been embellished somewhat. I have personal experience of this. The public generally believe what they read.

People on this site may also embellish the truth. Others just are full on anti-police and will use the site to dis the police. That's fine because everyone has the freedom of speech. I personally will stand up for the police because I feel we do a good job in difficult circumstances. I am first to admit it could be a lot better. I also blame the government for the state of British Policing.

Answer 2

You want to know how to find a corrupt cop dial 911 and sure enough one will show up at your door.

No really I agree with you on some of your points. My wife an I are think about leaving the city that we grew up in that we have lived in for almost 28 years now. We feel like we can't call the cops and have a reasonable officer come to the door and help. For instants I have come dirt bag rolling up a joint right infront of my house with my kids looking out the window asking what he is doing. I call the cops and what happens they start in on me because they say i must have sold it to this guy. I had like $300 cash on me and they said it was from selling drugs. So $3000 in legal fees and i get the charges dropped.

My mother in-law 60 years old never had so much a parking ticket is in a roll over car acident. She is being charged with un-intentive driving because some witness, who can't even tell the cops what direction she was coming from says he saw she reaching for something. I have more stories about my home town law enforcement here but i think that the one of the problem is that for a few years now we have out own City Attorrny and i think that the cops will make there reports look more convicing than they really are with the hope that they person will not have enough money to hire a real attorny. It seems to me that the police around here just stopped caring about the communty that they serve and more about each other and make themselves look good.

Answer 3

Policing in it's purest sense is one of the most noble and selfless jobs a person can do. But we all know the reality is different, appallingly different. The police force attracts some of the most violent and amoral sections of our society, this coupled with a Government that, because it fails abysmally with crime (most notably by ineffective punishment) sees the only solution to be ever more draconian and illiberal legislation. Look at the Police Chief of Cheshire. He failed (refused?) to use existing legislation to prevent gangs making the life of local people a misery so now he goes on to tells us that the drinking age must be raised to 21 and alcohol should be banned almost everywhere in public apart from in designated areas. What about the innocent people affected by this? Why because the Police couldn't care less about the public and our safety can't I have a beer on a picnic?

Answer 4

Parents of the Baby Boomer generation are largely pot heads and alcoholics who have raised their children according to how they lived their lives: addiction is the rule, not the exception. Police are shooting more people because there are more insane armed criminals. I applaud the Police for trying to kill these idiots and make the USA a safer place to live. I hope the Police get MORE violent with criminals. Maybe some of the wannabe tough gang members will consider seeking God rather than guns. Maybe. Maybe it's too late for Gen X. Maybe the Police will have to kill them all off in order for the USA to be a safe place to live again. So be it. Criminals will reap what they sow, and if they are sowing violence, I hope the Police find them and do their job.

Answer 5

So am I.

However, I know for a fact that the corrupt ones are a tiny fraction of the whole. I have seen good cops turn on the bad, and the prevailing attitude of every cop I have worked with is that if you tarnish the badge, you don't deserve to wear it.

And it makes no sense to "Judge by the questions on this site" many of which are posted by people promoting a specific agenda. Not exactly a scientific survey.

Answer 6

Are our laws worth the paper they're written on? A Code of Conduct, like a law, creates a venue for punishment for those falling outside its parameters. A better question might be to ask what recourse is there against those in power who ignore their own Code of Conduct. If they're looking the other way and thereby setting the tone, they're obviously responsible and the more appropriate ones to suffer the repercussions. Sh*t rolls down hill.

Answer 7

Yeah, some cops, especially young ones, are feeling that power, the badge, the gun, the fact that they are never doubted in court.
I think most of them lose that over time, or they find another line of work, you dont see too many veteran cops with that attitude.

But make no mistake, the nature of the job makes you put people in two catagories, Cops and everybody else, and everybody else just may be "Perps".

Answer 8

Not when you consider many senior officers are members of Masonic lodges where every worshipfull brother looks after their own.

The same can be said for the medical profession,they all look after each others interests.

The saying goes " If you scratch my back il scratch yours"

Answer 9

Depends on the officer

Answer 10

maybe if you were a policeman for a while and put up with stupid delinquent insults all day and everyday, you might understand. how long would you last before you cracked? these people are only human. treat them with respect and you will be treated the same!