imported post
BILLYBADBOY wrote:
Being an OEO or making sure to educate others comes from the same type of personality. I don't mean to offend by stating that.
Officer Billy,
I won't even attempt to play armchair psychologist about what is or is not the same personality type.
But I will point out the huge practical difference between a private citizen engaging in lawful conduct that might be offensive to some others, and a government employee attempting to enforce his opinion as the law of the land and
ILLEGALLY infringing on the rights of others.
I don't care one whit whether a cop likes me or hates me. I don't care whether a cop loves guns or hates guns. I don't care whether a cop tells racist, sexist, or other politically incorrect jokes in his private time. I don't care whether a cop loves or hates mormons, jews, muslims, catholics, etc. I don't care whether a cop likes big tits or flat chests. I don't care whether cops are democrats, republicans, libertarians, or politically disinterested. I just don't care about a cop's personal views. They are his business, NOT mine.
I care VERY much whether a cop--or any government agent--allows his personal biases to influence his on-the-job conduct toward those he is suppose to be serving.
If I get treated differently because I am one race or another, because I attend one church or another, because of my sex, or sexual orientation, or because I choose to wear a T-Shirt with a pro- or con- Obama, McCain, Romney, or Palin message on it, that is a problem and I care very much. If a cop singles me out for different treatment because I have a pro-choice or a pro-life bumper sticker on my car, that is a problem.
Similarly, if a cop attempts to enforce his personal views of the propriety of legally, peacefully carrying a gun in public,
that, is a real problem. It is a crime; It is violation of my rights.
I don't care what a cop's personal views are.
I care VERY much whether he is infringing my rights. Doing so out of honest ignorance of the law is bad enough. To do so
knowing that my conduct is legal, but attempting to enforce his personal opinion as law is wholly unacceptable. And it many cases it is legally actionable placing the city's, taxpayers, and sometimes the officer's personal finances all at risk.
Now, does your duty sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and chief know you are on here offering up blatant and pathetic defenses of such illegal and immoral conduct on the part of police officers?
Why are YOU so anxious to enforce your personal opinion as the law, Officer Billy?
Do you views represent most other officers? If so, a lot of the complaints about officer conduct that are called "bashing" are probably justified.
If not, then you are clearly less professional than your colleagues and are giving them a bad name with your conduct.
Which is it, Officer Billy?
Charles