opusd2 wrote:
I'm glad that after reading these comments that I am not the only one who keeps in mind that LEOs are as guilty as the common criminals who decide that human lives mean nothing. However, most criminals don't get a paid vacation or sit at a desk while their innocence it being tried.
There are some present and former LEOs on this board - such as, oh, ME. And I think I speak for all of us when I say that your comment is highly insulting.
When specific incidents are being discussed it is one thing. Tarring and feathering on general principles is quite another. I think I jave enough of a rep around here to be known as anything but a statist sympathizer. It is one thing to note that the power commensurat with an LEO's office provides a plethora of opportunities and avenues for abuse, etc; and that some LEOs go that route either deliberately or in honest error of the scope aand nature of their mission etc.
It is quite another thing to say that peace officers as a group are no better than "common criminals". That is sorta like saying that firemen are no better than arsonists.
Besides which there is a rule here against LEO bashing. Which you just broke, in spades. I am not gonna go whining to John or Mike about this, but you owe a few of your brother OCDOers an profound apology. If that is you are actually one of us."
The only thing I will apologize for is that what my statement was meant to say that LEO's who commit crimes are the one who are as guilty as the common criminals. I feel bad that you read it as I was insinuating that all cops are criminals, but that's the problem with reading posts by strangers - It's difficult to get the point across to someone who doesn't know you.
Those who use excessive force because they can, who speed without reason, who drive drunk and get off because they can, all these guys are no better than those they are supposed to enforce the rules to and punish. I won't apologize for saying that police are no different that the average citizen in that they should be punished for breaking the laws as well. I know a couple of deputies that walk a very fine line between doing their job and just being a bully with a badge. But I also have met some very fine officers who I have the utmost greatest respect for.
So, feel attacked if you want but that wasn't what I was doing. I was just pointing out that LEOs are people like the rest of us, some are good and some are bad. Those who break the law are as criminal as those of us average citizens who do so and should be punished as such.
