[TheeBadOne]

Cops on the Take


First he takes ... the oath.
Now look at all he takes:
He takes... it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes... time to stop and talk to children.
He takes... your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you
really deserved.
He takes... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at. He takes... time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes... your injured child to the hospital.
He takes... the graveyard shift without complaint because it's
his turn.
He takes... his life into his hands daily.
He takes... you home when your car breaks down.
He takes... time to explain why both your headlights have to
work.
He takes... the job no one else wants--telling you a loved one
has died.
He takes ... criminals to jail.
He takes... in sights that would make you cry.
Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because
someone has to.
If he is lucky, he takes retirement.
He takes... memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear
for even one day.
Sometimes, he takes a bullet.
And yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.
Then one day he pays for all he has taken, and God takes
him.
Please remember that the "he" in all this represents all
police officers, both men and women who have served and
are serving our cities and their citizens we have all sworn to
protect.

[2nd Amendment]

Ten years ago I'd have agreed with every word. Today, no. Things are changing. What's at the root of it? Bad men, ego, greed? Not really. It seems that the root is, as usual, a one size fits all federal government and their funds, mandates, rules and politics. Our police force here is a great example. Wer'e up to well over a dozen cars and men, they've got tactical gear and AR's. There's four cars out at nite, every nite...in a city with a popultion of 8,000 which hasn't had a murder in a year. The man who should have been cheif? A decorated 'nam vet with 25 years on the force? He's driving nite shift and the cheif is a newly appointed jerk with allegations of wife beating and drugs following him for the last decade. But he's better connected politically.

There was a time when the worst part of dealing with being a cop was the pay. You got respect to make up for that lack of money. Now even the respect is gone and people wonder why so many of the newest officers seem in it for the power. What else does the job have to offer anymore?

[TheeBadOne]

If you haven't had a murder in over a years it sounds like your Police Dept and those squads out at night are doing their job. Must be nice to live in a safe area. I'm sure a lot of people would trade places in a heartbeat!

[2nd Amendment]

Most areas in this nation are safe and generally speaking always have been. We didn't have murders before the local cop surplus, either. Regardless, cops don't prevent murders, or much of any crime. It isn't their job, according to several court decisions. Perhaps that's another part of the problem, they used to believe it was part of their duty to prevent these things and now we all know it's not.

Kudos to the court system, too.

[TheeBadOne]

http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/photogallery/FirstUse102102.html

On October 17, 2002, at 10:27 a.m., Trooper Eddie Moore, a 23-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol assigned to Troop D, Orlando, became the first trooper to successfully use a defibrillator to revive a cardiac arrest victim.

The incident occurred on the East-West Expressway as Trooper Moore was on routine patrol. A white Lincoln was stopped in the median and Trooper Moore noticed the driver slumped over the wheel. Moore found a 72-year-old man unconscious in the vehicle. Trooper Moore gained access to the locked vehicle, and with the help of an Orange County deputy, removed the man from the vehicle and then began to perform CPR.

Trooper Moore then used his defibrillator on the victim. Paramedics arrived and transported the man to a local hospital where he is listed in critical condition.

Congratulations to Trooper Moore for this lifesaving effort!

[peteinct]

Hi all, A couple things. I believe that almost all police seriously think their job is to serve and protect the public. But I also believe that they would whitewash or protect the few that should not be police officers.
pete

[Jim V]

As a retired cop, I know they would whitewash and protect............(not all mind you, but the establishment sure works toward it)

[Monkeyleg]

TheeBadOne, I know you're trying to speak for the 99+% of the officers who are upright and courageous about their jobs.

The other 1% have always been around. They're not pleasant to deal with, and they're damned hard to get rid of. Sort of like lice.

Having said that, can we get beyond the cop-bashing threads here on THR? They were boring on TFL, and they're boring now.

[Baba Louie]

Monkeyleg,

Hear hear!

Adios

[Zander]

Having said that, can we get beyond the cop-bashing threads here on THR? They were boring on TFL, and they're boring now.Dadgummit, I hate to disagree with you, but I will.

Threads that contain explicit, documented instances of LEO abuse are not only non-boring but should be of interest to us all. If it's real, it's not "cop-bashing", it's cause for concern.

Sadly, such instances are increasing, and my conversations with the latest generation of LEOs doesn't give me much hope that anything is going to improve in the near future. Many of them wouldn't know the provisions of their state and federal constitutions if bitten on the butt. This mindset must change or we'll never gain any ground.

[Leatherneck]

I agree, Zander If it's real, it's not "cop-bashing" And I think there are enough pro-LEO tales on here to reflect respect for most officers, while exhibiting concern over misdeeds by the few.
TC
TFL Survivor

[DeltaElite]

I would love to defibrilate my command staff. :evil:
Even though none of them have a cardiac problem. :neener:

There are alot of good cops out there, but alot of what is coming on scares the crap out of me.
That's why I go to calls alone as much as possible.:what:

[Slotback]

Fortunately for me, the officers I work with, even the newbies, are by and large honest, decent folks, who really want to make a difference. And they want to do it in the right way.

I suppose that I am luckier than most, in that regard.

[CZ-75]

The other 1% have always been around.

From the news stories around here, I'd say the other 10%.

Rape, Sodomy/Homosexual Rape, Murder, Conspiracy, Election Fraud, Bribery, Theft, Trafficing, Battery, Domestic Abuse; and I've only been down here a year.:uhoh: :cuss: :fire: :(

[Cal4D4]

I think police image is suffering badly. Impotence against gangs and military style tactics don't help. Local SWAT used my house as backstop to deal with neighbor based on a bad intentioned phone call from his wife. Full balaclava clad, black jumpsuits and AR-15s in force, around a dozen vs. the separated husband alleged to have weapons. If he had come out James Cagney style, my house 50ft away would collect what missed the squad. He came out peacefully to the bullhorn. Neighbor kids now fear the badge a bit, ya think? Whole thing bogus, no charges filed.

Awhile back, young property owner in Wilmington, CA contacted I believe Sheriffs about continued gang hangout behind his apt. house. Since gang activity so common, he was told to just fence them out of the alley. Driveby killed him one afternoon as he installed the fence.

Gang member shot by police in Wilmington, LE deemed it a righteous shoot, gangs felt otherwise. Lured black and white into area with bogus 911, centerpunched driver's side and passenger side windshield with rifle after they got out. Neighbors in area said it was months before they saw police again. Who's in control here?

Plenty of anecdotal info and public press about gang stuff. New LAPD's C.O.P. defining statement is "We will take the streets back from the gangs". You and who else?

If you want a dangerous job, convenience store clerk. If you want heroics in the workplace, try emt/paramedics. John Q. Public faces the worst of what you see without backup, kevlar and in Kali we aren't even armed. We aren't warned either.

Pick up todays paper and got a bad cop article. LAPD officer, 3 year veteran (yeah, a rookie) convicted on 14 counts including forcible rape in the back of squad car. So, he passed the psychological screening, huh?

You so adamantly defended the Tennessee high risk traffic stop and the resulting dog blasting. Seen the video?

Did some public service, worked a bit with detectives and others. Experiences follow suite with all of this stuff. About 6 outta 20 in my circle of HS friends went into LE. One bad apple - extremely violent record - and his kid was just acquitted on some violence while on duty. Gotta wonder.
Sheriff's deputy I know bragging about dumping a handcuffed perp onto his face by stomping back of knee - he was running his mouth.

List goes on and on. Reputation is suffering. Look at the hit count on any police conduct thread that is started here. Rant off officer, be safe.

[TheeBadOne]

alienation

Main Entry: alien·ation
Pronunciation: "A-lE-&-'nA-sh&n, "Al-y&-
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : a withdrawing or separation of a person or a person's affections from an object or position of former attachment : ESTRANGEMENT <alienation ... from the values of one's society and family -- S. L. Halleck>
-----------------------------------------

Food for thought. If 1% of the cops are the problem, what about the other 99%. When they visit boards all they see are threads about how bad the cops are, how corupt, evil, etc. Wonder how they feel after unending attacks on their profession? They are lumped in with the 1% and cursed and dismissed. All the police threads do have a high view rate, and they are all negative. With 99% of the officers the good guys you'd think someone (other than a cop) would post a positive thread about police. I wonder why the cops get hardened and withdrawn.....if they are always slapped in the face by "Joe citizen".....................

[Cal4D4]

Touche (don't know how to make the little french accent over the e)

Truly another side to the overall problem. It isn't "them and us" from either side.

[Cal4D4]

Cal4D4 ranted:
"One bad apple - extremely violent record - and his kid was just acquitted on some violence while on duty. Gotta wonder."

More was in today's paper. This officer was acquited by a civilian jury after 2 fellow officers and his sargeant testified against him. It was a flashlight beating after a foot pursuit. His own department is continuing a interdepartment investigation while he is on paid leave (no comments in the interest of fairness) and civil rights abuses - a la Rodney King style - are being considered. This is a high end PD interested in maintaining a good image. Not much coverup or closing the ranks on this one.