imported post
I am anti ignorance more than anything else. I decided that when a uniform stops me the likelyhood of me winning an argument is nill. I either have a supervisor summoned, or just end it quickly and take the matter up with the people in charge. To that end I am not shy at all about making proper complaints if I have a valid reason. Someone PM'd me and pointed out too, that there is a problem with the officers who suppor the "blue line" through inaction or other means. I am quite willing to be friendly with LEO's but I find that in any kind of organization, it is hard to change instutional biasis and opinions. This has to be done through the top down with finess and a bit of heavy stick swinging at times. Personal behavior has a lot to do with it as well. Okay I'm just rambling now... I try to be easy to get along with too, which comes out in my dealings with cops.
I am of course pissed off when a LEO detains me for OC. I have had two dealings, with five different officers. In one case the lead officer was polite and uninformed. I have not encountered him again, but given his attitude and demeanor I think the OPD training directive probably has set things right in his head about OC. The second time, the lead officer ignored the training directive and acted as he pleased. I have spoken with the daywatch (now nightwatch Sgt) about OC, and while he is trying to convince me of it's tactical inferiority, has not voiced major concerns about it. Those in charge seem more reasonable than the uniforms on the streets. Perhaps there is a lack of strong leadership, but that is dealt with through channels, not attitude.
That said, I know have zero trust in Officer O'Neill, and a suspicion of Schaeffer, and am willing to say so publicly. I have confidence in Sgt. Johnson, and Lt. Wilson, and believe that through continued efforts on my part I can achieve my goals with the OPD.
Right now I have a healthy suspicion of LEO encounters, and have made that known to the OPD. I don't have an anti LEO attitude per se, but do have an anger directed towards them, and this will come out as I continue my complaint process. I do choose specific targets, and will not tar all LEO's with the same brush, until I feel it is earned.
Not sure what I am saying here, but ultimately it comes down to righteous anger directed at specific targets, not an entire group. Perhaps as I learn more about how the OPD works, and how the officers operate I will have a different attitude. I dunno... I want LEO's to be supportive, of my rights and the law, and I want to be supportive of them,. We are on the cutting edge of a movement, and things will be better for those behind us. Some of us had to change our mindets in regards to OC, and we try to change those of others around us. How much harder it is to change an institutional bias, and deal with cops who are willing to support the "blue line"
The blue line is problem that has been around for quite sometime, and I'm not sure it is going away anytime soon. Local accountibility and activism can lessen it's effects. Most cops take orders and don't act much on their own, the trick is to change the internal mindset, and culture of LEO's.
