Corrupt police

[Ori]

Should the law be harsher on those who are supposed to uphold the law, but instead work both sides of the fence for their own personnal gain?

 

[mr.guy]

Should the law be harsher on those who are supposed to uphold the law, but instead work both sides of the fence for their own personnal gain?

I don't think one should isolate the police in this; i would tend to think all public servants should warrant as much scrutiny.

 

[michel]

I don't think one should isolate the police in this; i would tend to think all public servants should warrant as much scrutiny.

I agree; just look at the latest fiasco with politicians accepting loans in return for titles, nighthoods and perrages.

There are corrupt people in every facet of society, just as there are honest and decent ones.

 

[Buttercup]

Should the law be harsher on those who are supposed to uphold the law, but instead work both sides of the fence for their own personnal gain?

No the laws should not be more harsh for policemen or other public servants.

But their trials should attract plenty of media coverage to show justice in action and to show Americans the legal system works.

 

[ΩRôghênΩ]

this is all true

 

[mr.guy]

I agree; just look at the latest fiasco with politicians accepting loans in return for titles, nighthoods and perrages.

Well, elected officials seems like another whole kettle of fish...hadn't thought of that.

 

[robtex]

No the laws should not be more harsh for policemen or other public servants.

The thing to consider, and it depends on the crime, is the reality that many if not most times the ease in which the facilitated the crime was largly do to their profession (aka accesss uniform badge) or training that they got. For instance evasive driving is a skill they learn as an officer. Somehow, if they use their badge, gun, NCC or anything else for crimminal activity it seems reasonable that that should be a subsidary crime they are charged with.

 

[Buttercup]

The thing to consider, and it depends on the crime, is the reality that many if not most times the ease in which the facilitated the crime was largly do to their profession (aka accesss uniform badge) or training that they got. For instance evasive driving is a skill they learn as an officer. Somehow, if they use their badge, gun, NCC or anything else for crimminal activity it seems reasonable that that should be a subsidary crime they are charged with.

I am assuming the OP is about corrupt policemen or other officials.

Obviously if a policeman has to use evasive or skilled driving tactics to chase down a criminal...he should not be charged with reckless driving. It's part of his job.

 

[robtex]

Obviously if a policeman has to use evasive or skilled driving tactics to chase down a criminal...he should not be charged with reckless driving. It's part of his job.

Actually that wasn't what I meant by evasive driving. A few years back an officer robbed a bank. (no i am not making this up). I foget what state it was but he walked in used his service revolver to get the money jumped in his car and got in a high speed chase with local deputies. Deputies, unaware of who it was, were astounded because his driving skills rivaled their own and they couldn't catch him. Eventually they got him, I think at a later time. In my mind cause he used his service revolver and tatical driving skills those should carry additional penalties for being used.

 

[Buttercup]

In my mind cause he used his service revolver and tatical driving skills those should carry additional penalties for being used.

Are the laws stiffer for policemen in your state if they use their own gun to commit crimes?

 

[mr.guy]

In my mind cause he used his service revolver and tatical driving skills those should carry additional penalties for being used.

I agree. I think the question revolves around abuse of public trust/office; thusly i mentioned public servants at large. Is bureacratic abuse a worse offense (to the public at large) in government than in private/corporate circles?

 

[Buttercup]

I don't think one should isolate the police in this; i would tend to think all public servants should warrant as much scrutiny.

A postal worker is a public servant. Should they receive harsher penalites when they commit murders? How about a doctor?

 

[c0da]

Im with Buttercup on this 'un. I don't know how it is in the US, but in Britain the police have enough red tape and paper work getting in the way of them catching criminals without more crap on their plate.

 

[mr.guy]

A postal worker is a public servant. Should they receive harsher penalites when they commit murders? How about a doctor?

Well, the angle i'm coming from would be to punish abuse of their position; taking advantage of the public with tools/privileges granted to them by the public. Under such a rule, post office employees would be more severly punished for mail theft.

Note: i agreed a bit too hastily with robtex; i find it hard to punish police officers for their training (it's not like they can leave it on the nightstand before they nip off to commit misdeeds). Abuse of their authority in general seems the real meat, to me.

 

[Buttercup]

Well, the angle i'm coming from would be to punish abuse of their position; taking advantage of the public with tools/privileges granted to them by the public. Under such a rule, post office employees would be more severly punished for mail theft.

Note: i agreed a bit too hastily with robtex; i find it hard to punish police officers for their training (it's not like they can leave it on the nightstand before they nip off to commit misdeeds). Abuse of their authority in general seems the real meat, to me.

And I'm not necessarily disagreeing with the service revolver bit. I do think that has some merit and may very well be law in some states. I don't know.

I was looking for argument to sway my views that some charges for public servants should be stiffer. I think in the case of a cop who is supposed to "serve and protect", using deadly force with his service revolver is a real bad thing. Obvioulsly Postal Workers cannot kill anyone with mail.

 

[Flappycat]

Im with Buttercup on this 'un. I don't know how it is in the US, but in Britain the police have enough red tape and paper work getting in the way of them catching criminals without more crap on their plate.

I think it depends upon where you go.

Impersonating a police officer is already a crime, and it can and probably has been argued in court that an officer could be held guilty of this if he's
charged with certain crimes. I think that's enough.

 

[mr.guy]

I was looking for argument to sway my views that some charges for public servants should be stiffer.

Don't look at me! I'm not actually sure as to how wise it would be either; it does strike simply to include all public servants as the abuse is simillar in nature. However, a police officers' access and authority could possibly give them more opportunity and means to misstep their ordination.

Obvioulsly Postal Workers cannot kill anyone with mail.

Baby, i've seen some paper cuts you wouldn't believe...but they want you to think that paper's harmless.