Finally, do not flatter yourself, you and your fellow officers are not the point of the spear, LACs are. There are not enough officers, as you have pointed out, to be the point of the spear. But there are millions of LACs legally armed to have your back when you are not there to have their back.
Good post, OC for ME. Well-balanced and objective.
I work with local LE on a periodic basis, mainly in community involvement. I had a conversation last week with my main point of contact, and he confirmed a couple of things, most notably that they are spread too thin to make a difference without the eyes and ears of the rest of us throughout the community.
I know some here would not call their local PD's unless it was to report needing a hearse for an unwelcome intruder. That's your choice, and I respect that. I, on the other hand, have made several reports over the last year and a half, two where I've given a statement. That's my choice, and I hope you respect that.
My point of contact is a member of the NRA, and supports the RKBA, including CC (which he prefers that we do) and OC (which he respects that we do). Interestingly, he knows my background, and towards the end of our conversation last week he commented that if I were ever with him on a ride-along, he wouldn't hesitate asking me to back him up if things hit the fan.
So, while I do hold law enforcement accountable, and might highlight certain instances where they either weren't being accountable, or weren't policing themselves, I know most LE agencies are a cut above the relatively few dunderheaded ones out there making the others look bad. I know for a fact that whenever we see an officer crossing the line on the news, most law enforcement personnel are saying, "Aw, crap. Why did he have to go and do that? What a knucklehead."
There is a difference, however, between how they feel about it personally, and what many are willing to do professionally to police themselves.
When I was in the Air Force, one had to mind their Ps and Qs pretty darn well, for rarely was any discrepancy overlooked. If you did something deserving of busting a check ride, you busted the check ride. If you did something squirrly during normal flight, you can bet you'd hear about it in front of the ops officer, and letters of reprimand for officers who made honest and even minor mistakes were common. Everything was documented, and if the errors accumulated, or were severe enough, you were given additional training, sometimes after having been disqualified (permanent record), and if things didn't improve, you were FEB'd (flight evaluation board), which usually meant permanent disqualification, often with a dismissal from the service.
That was for the honest mistakes. For those who broke regs, things rapidly headed towards a courts martial, often resulting in a dishonorable discharge, and if a crime was involved, time at Leavenworth.
Keep in mind this is for a group of government employees who did not routinely carry firearms, except in combat!
So, when I read about public servants who do routinely carry firearms being protected by their comrades in arms, it smacks of unprofessionalism and violates the public trust.
Again, most cops don't fit this stereotype. I'm not concerned with that group.
I'm concerned about those who, unfortunately, do fit the stereotype of being "law unto themselves."
:cuss:
