By way of explanation, I have completed courses in gun safety sponsored by the National Rifle Association as well as graduated from the Metro Civilian Police Academy. I have an extensive background in gun handling through the military as well as a basic knowledge of police work. While I am not offering you my opinion as an expert, I do have a good working knowledge of this subject. The subject of this inquiry is, “What are the police supposed to do?”
Almost daily now we are hearing of alleged police misconduct. These allegations most often refer to police shootings or other activity resulting in the death of a criminal perpetrator. In Ferguson, Mo. a young thug was killed when he attacked a police officer. The officer killed him in self-defense. In Baltimore, another criminal who was apprehended died while in police custody. In yet another case a young child waved a toy gun, incidentally altered to look real, at police and was killed. There have been reported cases of police shooting perpetrators in the back while they were trying to escape. There have also been reports of arrestees being mishandled and having died as a result. The list of allegations is long.
Recently in the area where I live, a convict working on a street project escaped and was at large. The police set up a roadblock. They were heavily armed and were stopping all vehicles and searching them. What if I, being impatient and possibly late for an appointment, decided not to stop and instead took off speeding away from the roadblock? What should the cops do? Who then would be responsible for any damage that ensued? I wasn’t an escaped convict so why should I be inconvenienced? I didn’t even know a convict had escaped. Well guess what? They would have probably shot me and would have been perfectly right to do so.
The rules are simple. If a police officer says stop, you stop. If he says go, you go. It’s not a debate. It’s simply the law. The next rule is don’t resist arrest. If you have been taken illegally, you will be released. It will all work out. What kind of a moron would try to fight three or four armed police officers just because he felt he was being disrespected? You are going to lose every time. Respectfully submit to the arrest and deal with it as an adult.
Police officers are charged with the responsibility of enforcing the law. They didn’t make the law, they just enforce the law. If you are drunk and disorderly or stoned out of your mind, they are probably going to take you in. If you try to run from them, you are going to lose, period. The cops don’t know why you are running. You may have just murdered your wife. You may have just kidnapped a baby. All the cops know is you are violating the law by trying to run away. Whether they outrun you, taze you or kill you, you still lose, every time.
Lest you think this is an excuse for misconduct by any police officer, think again. It is not. The actual incidences of true misconduct by police, however, are minute and almost non-existent. But, when cops do break the law, they too must be held accountable just like everyone else. It is all the worse when these defenders of the law become the lawbreakers. We have courts and a legal system to deal with all lawbreakers and bad cops are no different than any other criminal. Swift and sure punishment is their just reward.
Political rhetoric is never helpful to these situations. When the bad guys think they can operate with impunity, they will. Remember the cops are the good guys. When you need one, you can have no greater friend.
