Interesting police policy

[Honda]

Thought about it and at first I thought what would the harm be. Then I thought it could cause a micro second of hesitation that could cost an officer his life. I guess I am going to take the side that this has a chilling effect on officers in tense situations. What says you.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/20/us/ph...uns/index.html

[Billy_Rightwing]

Sounds like they can't even shoot back, maybe they take courses in dodging bullets.

[Mike]

As a retired cop (mostly retired, but I am still a reserve deputy) with 38 years of service I find it somewhat frustrating. How much more is going to be required of the street cop just trying to do his job and live to go home at the end of his shift? I realize there has to be accountability, hell, I'm in favor of accountability - it helps keep straight cops straight.

We have added dash cams and GPS locators to patrol cars, and body cameras to the cops. We had none of that when I was working the street, but I was there to help implement them. I don't know if I would have tolerated the invasion. Not that I was trying to hide anything, but it seems like a trust issue to me. If you don't trust me, why keep me around? Maybe I should just go find another form of livelihood.

Back to the topic, there is no telling how many times I pointed a gun at someone. By the grace of God, I never had to squeeze the trigger. Me and the bad guy both lived to see another day. I am very grateful for that.

Today, the department requires a use of force form to be filled out if you point your gun at someone while you are trying to do your job and save your life. The last time I saw one it was only a one page form, but needs to be filed with a written report, as well. What a pain in the ass just because John Doe citizen was reaching under his seat during a traffic stop. How is the street cop supposed to know John Doe keeps his wallet and drivers license under the seat?

If they keep this up, the already shrinking applicant pool will shrink even more. It is hard to find someone who wants to be a cop and have every action placed under a microscope trying to find out what he did wrong instead of trying to prove he did no wrong. Why take that on? Be a truck driver, or a store manager, or an accountant. Life will be much easier without the stress of someone trying to hang you for every choice you make.

I am really glad I no longer live that everyday. Whenever anyone asks if they should become a cop, I explain all the reasons they should find something else.

[Honda]

^^^^^
What a powerful and heartfelt response from somebody who knows. I wish that could be on front page of every newspaper tomorrow. Thank you for sharing Mike and I completely agree with every word you uttered

[mgrist]

They're just handcuffing the police even more while at the same time having police sitting around filling out more and more paperwork when they should be on the street doing their job. This edit alone won't do it but the ever-increasing bullchit they are putting cops through so that they can do their job is ridiculous. And all of it, every piece of crap that comes down the line every new rule is written to enhance the criminal's odds in every situation. I can see murder charges getting thrown out because the cop forgot to fill out form #384-86A. Trouble is only the poor cop is punished. Pretty soon our cops will be carrying billy clubs made out of nerf darts and wearing silly looking hats!

[wacojoe]

I would not like to walk around with a tattletail camera on my chest, and I am retired.

[UTAH]

If they keep this up, the already shrinking applicant pool will shrink even more. It is hard to find someone who wants to be a cop and have every action placed under a microscope trying to find out what he did wrong instead of trying to prove he did no wrong.

I think you nailed it, Mike. We are having a heck of a time here filling our police slots. But, maybe - just maybe - they'll think about restoring benefits our police lost. I think it's a good time to bring them back.

Hunter

[Phillbo]

Phoenix Pd has taken a LOT of heat for the volume of officer involved shootings the last couple years. This is a move to appease the masses. I disagree with it as well.

I'm not familiar with their reporting process but have to assume it's not hard copy anymore since every car has a lap top. Just add a couple check boxes to the reporting app.

[Mike]

Coincidentally, a deputy from a different precinct here was shot multiple times early this morning on a traffic stop.

A deputy is recovering after he was shot multiple times as he approached a vehicle during a routine traffic stop early Wednesday, and police said his bulletproof vest likely saved his life.

[snip]

"Before the deputy had a chance to say anything, the suspect fired shots,"

This is how fast bad things can happen. No time to think about what you are about to do, instincts and training take over and you just do it. And hope all goes well during the inquisition that most assuredly will follow.

SOURCE

[Honda]

The cowardly DA in our area put an officer before a grand jury knowing and after reviewing a clear high definition video of the entire shooting which clearly and without a shadow of a doubt showed the suspect point a shotgun at the cop before the cop shot him. On to the grand jury. Did not have the balls to make the decision himself. Afraid he might lose a vote or two. Oh and also after the State Investigative Agency cleared the officer. Undeterred on to the Grand Jury.

[Mike]

That's interesting, Tom. Here, all police shootings go to a grand jury in the interest of transparency. That way, no one can shout "cover up" because of a lack of scrutiny. While it is not fun for the officer, it does give him closure and lets him get on with life.

I can't find any recent statistics about how many cops have been indicted in shootings here, but it is a very rare occurrence. You just about have to something really stupid and really illegal to be indicted here. I did find a news article from 2014 that shows how unlikely a true bill will be returned.

....nearly 300 instances in which Houston grand juries have let officers walk in an instance of excessive use of force....since 2004, Houston cops have been cleared every time they’ve gone before a grand jury for shooting a civilian.

That's over a 10 year period from 2004 to 2014. As odoriferous as it seems, the grand jury system is working here.

[Honda]

Unfortunately not the case here in some of our larger counties. The state attorney general has had to step in several times and pull the case from the local DA to save an officer heading for a lynching.

[Mike]

Let me guess, the current D.A. is a democrat. It sounds like y'all need to elect a new D.A.

[Honda]

And you would be correct and there is much more to it. An officer will get indicted in Jefferson county faster than your head will turn. That's about all I will say on the internet about it. Bet you can figure it out.

[Blue74]

As a retired cop (mostly retired, but I am still a reserve deputy) with 38 years of service I find it somewhat frustrating. How much more is going to be required of the street cop just trying to do his job and live to go home at the end of his shift? I realize there has to be accountability, hell, I'm in favor of accountability - it helps keep straight cops straight.

We have added dash cams and GPS locators to patrol cars, and body cameras to the cops. We had none of that when I was working the street, but I was there to help implement them. I don't know if I would have tolerated the invasion. Not that I was trying to hide anything, but it seems like a trust issue to me. If you don't trust me, why keep me around? Maybe I should just go find another form of livelihood.

Back to the topic, there is no telling how many times I pointed a gun at someone. By the grace of God, I never had to squeeze the trigger. Me and the bad guy both lived to see another day. I am very grateful for that.

Today, the department requires a use of force form to be filled out if you point your gun at someone while you are trying to do your job and save your life. The last time I saw one it was only a one page form, but needs to be filed with a written report, as well. What a pain in the ass just because John Doe citizen was reaching under his seat during a traffic stop. How is the street cop supposed to know John Doe keeps his wallet and drivers license under the seat?

If they keep this up, the already shrinking applicant pool will shrink even more. It is hard to find someone who wants to be a cop and have every action placed under a microscope trying to find out what he did wrong instead of trying to prove he did no wrong. Why take that on? Be a truck driver, or a store manager, or an accountant. Life will be much easier without the stress of someone trying to hang you for every choice you make.

I am really glad I no longer live that everyday. Whenever anyone asks if they should become a cop, I explain all the reasons they should find something else.

I understand why they are pushing this, I would say the police of today are different then they were in your time. BUT the people that they are policing have also changed.

But if you change "cop" for "truck driver" you now have the reason I could not wait to get out of the cab. We had people setting in cubicle reviewing a 6 or 10 sec video clip and passing judgement.