reply to post by intrepid
To focus on the particular story loses the point of the post ... which probably would've been better with a closed and public clear example of
abuse against an innocent person (take your pick).
The point is ... if you are a good, honest person serving the public; do not let crimes against humanity happen, regardless of the situation.
Innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Each person you deal with is innocent; and though you have reasonable doubt to their innocence, part
of the beauty of our justice system is to be treated equal and with respect until we have our day in court.
Recall the kid at UF getting tasered and sprayed ('don't taze me bro'). Or the countless other examples of excessive force without provocation
(police shooting the back of a truck that had black ladies delivering papers instead of a white guy).
The point of the OP; without the bias of the linked particular story, is that if you are a human being with respect for your fellow humans ... arrest
the offending officers. Make sure each and every one of the violators get to see the other end of the justice system. Arrest the cops that speed not
on a call ... from the most minor offense to the most disgusting. Police yourselves while serving the public. If you can't be examples of the laws
you enforce, and you can't enforce it equally to every citizen, cop or not; then you don't deserve your badge.
There should be no excuse that the 'job is tough' ... that just means the job is meant for the most strong in conviction of heart and mind. One
that cannot be corrupted or swayed ... one that can use critical thinking in the most intense situations, and can always handle their own emotions
and chemical reactions ... as to not let themselves be overwhelmed by adrenaline or ego.
I've been on the receiving end of repeated (non-physical) harassment over a few month period in my youth. I was repeatedly pulled over, searched,
car searched; from everything from having a 'similar car' though the wrong color, and so was I (though they proceeded to search my car after the
call on the radio said a different race and different color car), to changing a cd at the stop sign of a non-public road (trailer park exit) before I
pulled on the highway, to other incidents that I dont need to ramble on about. Luckily for me, this was before the pepper spray and taser happy
attitudes came about; even though I was cooperative, I did question their intent and motives when I was obviously doing no wrong.
Here is where my stories meet with the point of the OP ... I now have a 'fear' of cops. A distrust for them, probably better put. I am
uncomfortable any time a patrol car is nearby ... despite my innocence and general choice to follow all traffic laws despite everyone else ignoring
them (try being the only one that goes proper speed limit lol). Even though I've had many great experiences, and prior to the harrassment, had a few
good acquaintances in the force, the 'bad apples' have ruined my general perception. It may never be fixed, because even though I can still meet
great officers; the lingering anxiety will make me nervous and apprehensive for the rest of my life, as to whether I'll be harassed again or can
trust that I can be free and in peace.
This feeling is exasperated when I drive at night or early morning, because people assume you must be doing wrong. I'm the type that likes to drive
to drive, listen to music, get out of the house, feel FREEDOM; but my personal choice of expressing my freedom has been slightly tainted. I feel like
I'm always under a microscope, even though I do no harm and follow the rules of the road/land. I used to try to put a finger on what changed about
me, when I used to feel free to walk and drive in peace and comfort any time of the day, any day of the week ... and it comes down to fear of being
harassed for just being alive and out of the house. The harassment ruined my sense of freedom and comfort in the world.
So, yes, please, good officers; do not let the bad ones ruin other people's lives. When you all treat each other as you treat the citizens, and
treat the citizens like you would your neighbors and friends ... we can all have a happier healthy community.
To relate it to (retro) pop culture: We need more Andy Griffiths, less Barney Fiffs.