I hope to generate some discussion here for future posts, but I am also just plain curious. Please answer quickly and from the hip:
What’s Wrong With Cops These Days?
Let’s see what people think…
Jun 23, 2009
What’s Wrong With Cops These Days?
Posted by philosophicalcop under police | Tags: cops, public opinion |[21] Comments
Jun 8, 2009
I just caught this video of the “latest” disturbing incident captured on video tape. So my usual warnings apply to the public and the media:
Remember, we weren’t there. Remember, we don’t know who this guy was or what he said. Also remember that police work often looks ugly, even if justified.
I also have notes of caution for all the cops out there; my friends included. For god’s sake, just know that everything you do is being videotaped! This used to be hyperbole, advice given to send a message to new recruits. Today, it is actually close to the truth.
So let us wait and see on the video, but remember that every action we take is being memorialized somewhere, and that in the end this is a good thing.
May 24, 2009
Hello all,
I hope the week found you all well. I think it is important to remind ourselves – and our friends and neighbors – of our men and women who have fallen in defense of this country. On Memorial Day it also strikes me how many of our fellow law enforcement officers serve in both capacities – as officers and as military personnel. A double thank you to those women and men.
Have a thoughtful Memorial Day and say a hearty “Thank You” to the service members in your lives.
PC
May 11, 2009
Oakland PD Support
Posted by philosophicalcop under police | Tags: oakland PD, officer down, officer killed |[2] Comments
I received an email from a detective in Evanston, Illinois. As far as I can tell he has no direct ties to Oakland PD. He pointed out to me that the tragedy there left 10 children without fathers. That is an amazing and horrible number. He asked me to spread the word on a fund raising effort he is coordinating for the fallen officers’ families out there. I jealously protect you all from the endless solicitations, etc. that I receive, however this one was quite moving.
If you are so inclined, head over to this link and help him with his project. One hundred percent of the profits go directly to the families. Thanks!
May 1, 2009
Hey Look, We Are Famous!
Posted by philosophicalcop under police | Tags: featured, police one |[4] Comments
Ok, not really. I do, however, get a little giddy each time someone recognizes the value of our conversations. Check out our feature on Police One dot com. Nice!
Apr 5, 2009
Oakland And Now Pittsburgh; A Call To Arms
Posted by philosophicalcop under police | Tags: mexican drug violence, oakland PD, pittsburgh PD |[11] Comments
It has been an unbelieveably tragic few weeks in law enforcement in this nation. First this Oakland tragedy, followed quickly by the deaths in Pittsburgh. I have been advocating for years that patrol officers in our cities and towns need to be better armed. In large cities, this seems to run into political roadblocks. In small towns, it is frequently a budget issue.
Enough is enough. Every patrol officer in America should have some type of rifle or submachine gun in their vehicle, ready to deploy. I don’t mean locked in the station, “just in case” or any other of the half-solutions that the pundits feel they can live with. It is time.
Cops have known for years that we are terribly out-gunned out there. Do I know that the Oakland cops or the Pittsburgh officers would have been saved? Certainly not. But in Oakland, the first rifles to arrive on scene were after the suspect was barricaded, giving him an incredible tactical advantage.
If these two incidents are not enough for the liberal folks to arm us properly, perhaps this article on cross-border drug violence will convince them. The time of our cops fighting military-grade rifles with pistols must end now. Maybe it will help save a few cops at the next Oakland or Pittsburgh…
Mar 26, 2009
I am ashamed that I did not get to this sooner. I must give thoughts and prayers to the four officers killed in Oakland this week, and to their families. I will not take space discussing the issues in play here; there are many, and they are complex.
For now, let us all think about their families as the funeral takes place Friday afternoon. For those many readers of this blog who are cops, or who are spending their lives with cops, please please please remember that Police Academy cliche’:
There is no such thing as a routine traffic stop. Ever.
Rest in peace.
Mar 18, 2009
NYPD Heroes Deliver Baby
Posted by philosophicalcop under police | Tags: heroic cops, NYPD |[2] Comments
It just seems like all we talk about here is the negative stuff. So hats off to these New York cops who delivered a baby in Penn Station. Remember, we are all first responders. The baby’s middle name? Penn.
Mar 10, 2009
NYPD NYFD Overtime: Well Done, Chaps!
Posted by philosophicalcop under police | Tags: FDNY, NYPD, overtime |1 Comment
I suppose some of the police managers in the world might not like my attitude here (hell, some of you might not either) but I say “Nice Work!” to the men and women in New York for their recent accomplishments with overtime. Are you joking me? $1 BILLION???
Large or small, east or west, all of us are looking to cut costs these days. I have a good idea for the Big Apple bean counters who will undoubtedly lament this grand figure. Why don’t you pay those public servants a decent living wage? Then they wouldn’t have to work so much overtime. I suspect those very same politicians who will scream at this number like it just the way it is. Why?
Because if a cop works double time and makes lots of OT cash, he or she still only gets ONE pension and ONE set of benefits. Cheaper to pay cops 30K and work them into the ground. So forgive me if I chuckle at those extra checks and how much they help a copper or a fireman with the family budget. The city is getting what they want, too.
Mar 10, 2009
My Opinion On The Seattle Video
Posted by philosophicalcop under police | Tags: police use of force, seattle police video, video |[2] Comments
Wow, this really worked out well. Last week I decided to let all of you comment on a video before I did. The response was wonderful: Lots of different opinions, and all well articulated. As promised, here is my take:
1. I never judge a video on its face. Never. I don’t care how good it looks, there could be some misconduct there. I don’t care how bad it looks, there are things we might not know.
2. Based only on the video, there are some good things and some bad things about the deputies’ actions.
GOOD: It seems like she kicked one shoe at them. No need to take a second one, so some sort of ballistic take down is probably okay.
ALSO GOOD: It seems like she is not compliant on the ground, so as bad as they look, the punches might be in policy in many large police agencies.
BAD: I have never understood picking someone up by the hair. If she is non-compliant there are wonderful techniques to do so. If she is violent, leave her on the floor for goodness sake. No reason for that, except anger and loss of temper.
ALSO BAD: I am not a custody expert, but have worked a bit in that environment. If, as the news said, this is a Sheriff’s department, I am guessing there were more deputies not that far away. Why not wait for help and do a proper “team” takedown and securing of this suspect? I know I always try and separate the officer who is angry from the suspect and let others deal with him or her.
So, while it is human nature to lose it once and a while, this was not a great video for the police. Take the suspect down for kicking the shoe (to protect from another such kick) and then cuff her. Call for backup once she is cuffed, and then have a new team lift her up.
Again, this is making a multitude of assumptions, such as the availability of backup, my guessing what preceded the video, etc.
Overall the most important thing is to remember never to judge completely based on what you see in one video clip. It simply cannot tell the whole story.
