Cops are doing a job. They have families to feed, just like everyone else. And a cop refusing to do his/her job faces far more serious repercussions than just about any other type of employee. It makes no sense to hate on them. If you're gonna attack someone, attack the lawmakers and politicians the police are required to obey.
It's funny, because 2 months ago I would have written a comment exactly like this one, but my thinking has changed. I have always been a huge supporter of cops, knowing they do a very difficult and important job. Unfortunately I don't feel this way anymore.
Cops across this country have been given a test over the past 2 months. When push comes to shove, will they actually protect the people they are sworn to defend, or will they carry out the orders of governors and mayors who are clearly abusing their power? Unfortunately many of them failed this test miserably. Just following orders doesn't cut it. They became complicit in the systematic abuse of power and for that, they've lost my respect.
I applaud the sheriffs and other police organizations who took a principled stand and said they won't enforce illegal lockdown orders, but there have been far too few of these.
Sorry but your numbers are way off. This has been going on in virtually every state and city. In NYC alone thousands of people have been ticketed.
It's not only people who have been arrested or ticketed, it's everyone else who have been harassed or just threatened. Think of that, law abiding citizens are being threatened by the police for just living their life. Not cool.
I agree, to a point. When a sheriff, who is an elected official, makes a stand he does so in the knowledge that his paycheck is secure. City cops making a stand against the will of their bosses will not only lose their jobs, but also face jail time. You can't really compare the actions of county cops who have the backing of an elected sheriff, versus the actions of city, state or federal cops who do not have the backing of their bosses. Just look at the cops who've been fired over a tweet during the lockdown.
If I were a deputy with the backing of a sheriff making a stand in support of the people he's sworn to protect, I'd be a lot more confident of my future than if I was a city cop who answered to a police chief taking orders from a democrat mayor.
It's about food on the table. Paying the bills. Your child's future. The cops are in a very difficult position here. And with bills to pay, do you choose an action that allows you to keep receiving a paycheck, or do you make a stand knowing that it will lead to your unemployment?
And with bills to pay, do you choose an action that allows you to keep receiving a paycheck, or do you make a stand knowing that it will lead to your unemployment?
I uphold my oath. If I can't do that, then I look for a job that doesn't require me to take an oath.
If they are not willing to do the right thing then they are in the wrong line of work. That said, you have a fair point. I'm not really talking about a single cop defying the orders of his boss.
What I'm getting at here is that entire police departments should be coming out and saying they will not enforce illegal orders, as some have. This happens when the rank and file make it clear to their bosses they are not comfortable with certain orders, and their bosses then make it clear to the public they will not support the abuse of power by mayors and governors. There has not been nearly enough of this.
It's about food on the table. Paying the bills. Your child's future. The cops are in a very difficult position here. And with bills to pay, do you choose an action that allows you to keep receiving a paycheck, or do you make a stand knowing that it will lead to your unemployment?
I believe they're doing the job they're paid to do, which is to follow orders, yes. Because every alternative means they not only get fired, but may even end up in jail. What I'm saying is, what are they supposed to do? Are you going to pay their bills? Send their kids to college? It's their job to follow orders. They do not have the luxury of choice.
The law, for all intents and purposes, specifically stated that those who broke the lockdown should be arrested. They WERE enforcing the law. That's my point. The lawmakers are the ones we should be going after.
Cops are paid to do a lot more than just follow orders. We also expect them to have good judgment. They do not have 'orders' to deal with many situations they encounter on a daily basis so we rely on their ability to assess a situation and determine the right course of action.
This same thing applies here. Assess the situation, determine that some mayors and governors have overstepped their authority, which they clearly have, and determine the right course or action, which is to not enforce illegal orders.
I get the moral argument, I really do. I'm just saying that cops are people too, meaning that they also need their paychecks in order to survive. What you guys are suggesting is that cops should give up their livelihoods, their futures in law enforcement, the food on their tables, in order to stand with "the people" in opposition to their employers. Which is much easier said than done, in my opinion. I'm not a cop, but I'm guessing none of you are either. Would you give up everything you've built for yourself, everything you've worked towards, for the sake of an oath? To side with people who treat you like shit all day long, even when you do your job right?
Taking the moral high ground does not put food on the table. It doesn't pay the bills. You aren't just asking cops to stand beside you, you're asking them to do it at the risk of losing everything they've ever worked towards, possibly even going to jail, to stand beside people who won't lift a finger to help them in return.
Umm that's the entire point of the oath man. In the states with terribly unconstitutional gun laws like NY/NJ, Maryland, Massachusetts, California etc.....those cops my as well not take an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution because it is in direct conflict with the laws of their particular states.
Lol you think it’s “unfair”?! No one gives a shit about your emotional appeal here. Life isn’t fair, suck it up.
They signed up for a job and are intelligent enough to know that they are beholden to the Constitution. This crisis is part of the job. They can either harass people for sending their kids to play with the neighbors or they can uphold their oath.
This is like the healthcare workers expecting to be treated like heroes. If you didn’t think you’d ever be exposed to viruses then you’re not very bright. I’ll respect what they do the same as before, not more and not less.
Cops are doing a job. They have families to feed, just like everyone else. And a cop refusing to do his/her job faces far more serious repercussions than just about any other type of employee. It makes no sense to hate on them. If you're gonna attack someone, attack the lawmakers and politicians the police are required to obey.
It's funny, because 2 months ago I would have written a comment exactly like this one, but my thinking has changed. I have always been a huge supporter of cops, knowing they do a very difficult and important job. Unfortunately I don't feel this way anymore.
Cops across this country have been given a test over the past 2 months. When push comes to shove, will they actually protect the people they are sworn to defend, or will they carry out the orders of governors and mayors who are clearly abusing their power? Unfortunately many of them failed this test miserably. Just following orders doesn't cut it. They became complicit in the systematic abuse of power and for that, they've lost my respect.
I applaud the sheriffs and other police organizations who took a principled stand and said they won't enforce illegal lockdown orders, but there have been far too few of these.
Once you stop licking the boot it feels good.
Sorry but your numbers are way off. This has been going on in virtually every state and city. In NYC alone thousands of people have been ticketed.
It's not only people who have been arrested or ticketed, it's everyone else who have been harassed or just threatened. Think of that, law abiding citizens are being threatened by the police for just living their life. Not cool.
Just going to leave this here...
https://youtu.be/NK1GLrGanAk
This video is 4 years old and they used FBI stats, it's kinda eye opening. The creator of the videos/cartoons was supposedly a CHP officer.
I agree, to a point. When a sheriff, who is an elected official, makes a stand he does so in the knowledge that his paycheck is secure. City cops making a stand against the will of their bosses will not only lose their jobs, but also face jail time. You can't really compare the actions of county cops who have the backing of an elected sheriff, versus the actions of city, state or federal cops who do not have the backing of their bosses. Just look at the cops who've been fired over a tweet during the lockdown.
If I were a deputy with the backing of a sheriff making a stand in support of the people he's sworn to protect, I'd be a lot more confident of my future than if I was a city cop who answered to a police chief taking orders from a democrat mayor.
It's about food on the table. Paying the bills. Your child's future. The cops are in a very difficult position here. And with bills to pay, do you choose an action that allows you to keep receiving a paycheck, or do you make a stand knowing that it will lead to your unemployment?
I uphold my oath. If I can't do that, then I look for a job that doesn't require me to take an oath.
If they are not willing to do the right thing then they are in the wrong line of work. That said, you have a fair point. I'm not really talking about a single cop defying the orders of his boss.
What I'm getting at here is that entire police departments should be coming out and saying they will not enforce illegal orders, as some have. This happens when the rank and file make it clear to their bosses they are not comfortable with certain orders, and their bosses then make it clear to the public they will not support the abuse of power by mayors and governors. There has not been nearly enough of this.
It's about food on the table. Paying the bills. Your child's future. The cops are in a very difficult position here. And with bills to pay, do you choose an action that allows you to keep receiving a paycheck, or do you make a stand knowing that it will lead to your unemployment?
Paid thugs, then.
In other words, they’re just following orders, right?
I believe they're doing the job they're paid to do, which is to follow orders, yes. Because every alternative means they not only get fired, but may even end up in jail. What I'm saying is, what are they supposed to do? Are you going to pay their bills? Send their kids to college? It's their job to follow orders. They do not have the luxury of choice.
It is their job TO ENFORCE THE LAW, not to "follow orders".
The law, for all intents and purposes, specifically stated that those who broke the lockdown should be arrested. They WERE enforcing the law. That's my point. The lawmakers are the ones we should be going after.
Cops are paid to do a lot more than just follow orders. We also expect them to have good judgment. They do not have 'orders' to deal with many situations they encounter on a daily basis so we rely on their ability to assess a situation and determine the right course of action.
This same thing applies here. Assess the situation, determine that some mayors and governors have overstepped their authority, which they clearly have, and determine the right course or action, which is to not enforce illegal orders.
Just following orders,bro. We got families to feed.If you didn't want a knee on your neck,you should've voted for some other guy.
Just doin my job, just followin orders. No thought given to the oath you are to uphold?
I get the moral argument, I really do. I'm just saying that cops are people too, meaning that they also need their paychecks in order to survive. What you guys are suggesting is that cops should give up their livelihoods, their futures in law enforcement, the food on their tables, in order to stand with "the people" in opposition to their employers. Which is much easier said than done, in my opinion. I'm not a cop, but I'm guessing none of you are either. Would you give up everything you've built for yourself, everything you've worked towards, for the sake of an oath? To side with people who treat you like shit all day long, even when you do your job right?
Taking the moral high ground does not put food on the table. It doesn't pay the bills. You aren't just asking cops to stand beside you, you're asking them to do it at the risk of losing everything they've ever worked towards, possibly even going to jail, to stand beside people who won't lift a finger to help them in return.
I just think that's unfair.
Umm that's the entire point of the oath man. In the states with terribly unconstitutional gun laws like NY/NJ, Maryland, Massachusetts, California etc.....those cops my as well not take an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution because it is in direct conflict with the laws of their particular states.
Lol you think it’s “unfair”?! No one gives a shit about your emotional appeal here. Life isn’t fair, suck it up.
They signed up for a job and are intelligent enough to know that they are beholden to the Constitution. This crisis is part of the job. They can either harass people for sending their kids to play with the neighbors or they can uphold their oath.
This is like the healthcare workers expecting to be treated like heroes. If you didn’t think you’d ever be exposed to viruses then you’re not very bright. I’ll respect what they do the same as before, not more and not less.
All the way to Nuremberg, fren. All the way to Nuremberg.