Cops are paid and expected to do good things. It's not news when they do. However, baseless threats at the end of a badge and a gun, constant violations of the constitution, use of unreasonable force, belligerent behavior and stripping good citizens of their freedom and personal property are all news worthy.
No-one here has said that all cops are bad, I know a couple of good ones. If a cop can't handle his emotions he shouldn't have a badge and gun or at least take a day or two off after a tense experience. Those aren't excuses for terrorizing the public.
No-one here has said that all cops are bad, I know a couple of good ones. If a cop can't handle his emotions he shouldn't have a badge and gun or at least take a day or two off after a tense experience. Those aren't excuses for terrorizing the public.
Very well said!
Police don't needs "reasons" to do things. Only the good cops let you know why they stopped you.
Sorry about your "bad experience" but to say: "I don't like most cops I've met..." is like; stereotyping? C'mon, these folks have a job to do and most ofthe time it's not dealing with nice folks. Plus, it's hot as hell out there. I think a calming, deep breath is in order...I'd move on to more important things...
If you feel the need to file the complaint then do so. It's your right.
I'd move on to more important things...
The OP is not stereotyping, he's stating that most cops he has met were unlikeable. I have spent a lot of time in my life dealing with the Oklahoma DHS (human services) and I can tell you that almost every case worker I have dealt with is as useless as teets on a boar hog. Is that stereotyping or stating my experiences?
Let's face facts without cop bashing, most cops are very good people, but there is an inordinate number of unqualified personnel in the profession. Many of those got into law enforcement for the sole purpose of exercising authority and that sounds like what the OP is dealing with. Thanks to technology a lot of these people are getting weeded out of the ranks.
I'd move on to more important things...
I think that's where all the butthurt comes from ... These types of threads nearly always have the implication that a prejudice is there to start with and once they run into an officer who has the same type of chip on their shoulder about civilians or just doesn't take crap off civilians, well ... things just kinda roll downhill from there.
I would hate to think what it would be like if the majority of police officers were really like a lot of citizens think the majority of police officers are like ... Yeah, I know ... some of you will have to read that a couple of times to get it.
Cops these days are like white, middle-class American males have been for years ... it's cool to stereotype them and judge them all based on the worst-case scenario.
In the end, if the OP REALLY truly thinks he has been wronged in some way, like others have said, a complaint is in order. Who knows ... maybe he can cause an officer to lose his job ... OR maybe the officer will get a year off with pay while he is being investigated and ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing ... just depends on the circumstances (of which we only have one side right now).
I don't think an act of violence was threatened in this case. At a minimum, your definition of violence and mine differ significantly. I think there's a solution to your concerns in this particular case:
Mind citing the case reference? I'm assuming you're leaning on the "aid" or "assist" here, since none of the OP's stated actions would come close to meeting any of the other elements. I don't see how confirming something the fugitive already knew and recommending turning themselves in would be considered aiding or assisting. A citizen has no duty to lie for the police. Besides, the fugitive's ascertation that the owner told her the police were looking for her is heresay and not admissible in court. Without an admission from the OP, an arrest for aiding a fugitive would be baseless in this case.
An officer asserting their arrest powers when an arrest isn't warranted is a coersion tool, used to make their job easier. They're expected to get results and what he wanted was better cooperation in the future. Because the OP recognizes that the threat was hollow, it backfired on the officer in this case. Don't forget though, it's not illegal for the police to lie to you, only for you to lie to the police.
