Paying the police officers for protection?

[70charginglizard]

I just watched a news story on a local neighborhood where there has been a recent car break in spree and the neightbors decided to hire local police officers to emphasis patrols in this neighborhood. Some are paying them upwards to $200.00!

So let me get this straight...We now have to pay the police to have them do what they should be doing which is to protect and serve? I don't know if I understand this? There are all kinds of commercials on tv right now about emphasis patrols on seat belt and speeding yet why don't they have emphais patrols on keeping peoples cars from getting broken into and ripped off?

I don't really have anything against the police but when I see things like this it really pisses me off. Especially with all this emphasis on Seat belt and speeding commercial crap going on lately. This is not right!!! I see this as nothing but bribery

[Troy]

When I worked in bars we paid off-duty police officers to patrol the parking lots and watch the front door. Even though there were many on-duty officers patrolling the streets it often took them too long to respond if we needed help. They were in uniform and we paid them through the police department. It also saved us in court because the officers were right there to see what was happening from the start - not to mention that most drunken belligerents don't take the time to see who they are swinging at and the courts are much less kind to someone assaulting a policeman than a bar employee. The environment was much nicer and everyone felt safer so our attendance and sales both improved. We had to pay $22-45 per hour depending on the rank of the officer (so $440-900) per weekend. You aren't exactly paying them to do their jobs, you're paying for them to monitor a very specific area and, essentially, ignore everything else (they can't leave to attend normal police matters either). Most city police departments just don't have enough officers to blanket their entire district (because people do things like voting down police levies and then complaining about crime).

Troy

[RECHRGD]

That doesn't even sound legal to me.  So you'll get better protection if you TIP your local policeman?  I don't like all the different "emphasis" patrols either.  They are only to generate revenue.  If your giving out traffic tickets your putting money into the city coffers.  No so if your investigating and break-in or assault.  The cops aren't the one's deciding on the priorities, their bosses are.  In Spokane County your lucky to even get an officer to come and take a report for home break-ins or car thefts.

[dodgecharger-fan]

That's what I thought at first - off-duty officers.

I think that's a common practise everywhere, but reading lizard's post it sounds like they are paying for more patrols from on-duty cops. At least that's how it reads to me.

If they're patrolling, I assume it's in marked cars - what if they see someone and have to give chase. They can't do it in their 92 Civic, right? Or do they just call it in and stay put? I don't know - but if they're using marked cars, then they'd have to be on duty, right?

I guess it's better to say we need more info.

Bottom line: hiring off-duty cops for specific events is fine, I think.
Having to pay on-duty for more protection is not right at all. Think of it from the view of people who can't afford to pay. How does the increased patrols in another neighbourhoood affect the crime rate in theirs? Not good I'll bet.

[70charginglizard]

"Think of it from the view of people who can't afford to pay. How does the increased patrols in another neighbourhoood affect the crime rate in theirs? Not good I'll bet."

Good point.

I can't remember what exactly they said about wether these cops were off hours or not. Maybe they will play the clip again and I will let you all know after that.

It just really pisses me off that emphasis always seems to be on Seat belt usage and speeding
and then stuff like this on normal taxpaying hours always gets sidelined or deemed as not as important.

To me it's more important for my tax dollars being used to have the cops to cruize around the neighborhoods watching our neighborhoods for suspecious theft and vadilism spree's rather then sitting at the side of the road watching for people going slightly over the speed limit or not wearing there seat belts.  That was my point.

[Troy]

I can't remember what exactly they said about wether these cops were off hours or not. Maybe they will play the clip again and I will let you all know after that.

Ah, yes, if they were on-duty then I kinda doubt it's legal. I hadn't even considered that.

It just really pisses me off that emphasis always seems to be on Seat belt usage and speeding
and then stuff like this on normal taxpaying hours always gets sidelined or deemed as not as important.

To me it's more important for my tax dollars being used to have the cops to cruize around the neighborhoods watching our neighborhoods for suspecious theft and vadilism spree's rather then sitting at the side of the road watching for people going slightly over the speed limit or not wearing there seat belts.  That was my point.

I agree. As I alluded to earlier, the police department/city has to generate enough revenue to sustain themselves. Catching petty criminals does nothing but overload the court/jail system but most people are more than happy to mail in their fines for minor traffic violations. Most policemen are told what to do by their superiors so, even if they know there's crime two blocks over they have to set up a DUI checkpoint or monitor radar where they are told. It also varies by location. My friends who patrol downtown literally patrol an area for their entire shift (burglaries, domestic violence, gangs, etc.) but out where I live I'll never see a cruiser unless he's monitoring traffic or getting to/from a place to monitor traffic. Both times we've had the house broken into it took well over two hours for an officer to show up even though we live about a mile and a half from the station. However, when I lived downtown I had to file a report on the phone as they wouldn't even bother coming out to investigate in person. I was three blocks from the station and the concentration of officers in the area was much higher.

Troy

[dkn1997]

there's no way the cops are getting paid extra for patrols while on duty.  come on..really...think about it.  I know some people have balls, but that's just a bit much.  the media and general public will tolerate a lot, but not something that blatant.

If people want to pay cops while off duty to work extra hours, then so be it.  who would you rather have catching the would be carthief.  Joe $hit the ragman security guard, or a real cop?  the one odd thing that struck me was what troy said about them being in uniform.  I know cops bounce and do security work on the side all the time, but I have never heard of them doing it in uniform.  you see all the trouble when cops pose for calendars and such wearing the uniform, imagine the $hitstorm when they are wearing the uniform and some dude gets stabbed or shot while they are inside the bar.....can of worms. 

[Silver R/T]

I just watched a news story on a local neighborhood where there has been a recent car break in spree and the neightbors decided to hire local police officers to emphasis patrols in this neighborhood. Some are paying them upwards to $200.00!

So let me get this straight...We now have to pay the police to have them do what they should be doing which is to protect and serve? I don't know if I understand this? There are all kinds of commercials on tv right now about emphasis patrols on seat belt and speeding yet why don't they have emphais patrols on keeping peoples cars from getting broken into and ripped off?

I don't really have anything against the police but when I see things like this it really pisses me off. Especially with all this emphasis on Seat belt and speeding commercial crap going on lately. This is not right!!! I see this as nothing but bribery

cause they would actually have to work not just sit on side of highway and jerk off with a laser gun (which is so easy and makes state money) Nobody wants to risk their life pursuing a rapist/felon in the middle of the night and get shot.

[Troy]

As far as I know, all Cincinnati Police officers are required to be in uniform while working outside details. I'm not talking about a second job as a security guard either or bouncer. These jobs are set up, managed, and paid for through the department as part of the collective bargaining agreement. Officers can sign up for a detail but the assignments are passed out on a rotating basis and hours worked are controlled. Here's an excerpt from one of the documents I found:
"All citizens derive benefits from officers working throughout the city, in uniform, at outside employment details. These detail officers handle incidents at the detail locations which would otherwise generate calls for service for on duty officers. Detail officers prevent illegal activity at detail locations and, in many cases, all around the vicinity of the detail locations because the uniformed officer is visible to the public. Preventing crime at detail locations positively affects all citizens at or near the detail locations and reduces service demand for the City. In the event a detail officer makes an arrest at the detail location related to the detail, the private employer pays the court time compensation for the officer."

Troy

[Shakey]

I just watched a news story on a local neighborhood where there has been a recent car break in spree and the neightbors decided to hire local police officers to emphasis patrols in this neighborhood. Some are paying them upwards to $200.00!

So let me get this straight...We now have to pay the police to have them do what they should be doing which is to protect and serve? I don't know if I understand this? There are all kinds of commercials on tv right now about emphasis patrols on seat belt and speeding yet why don't they have emphais patrols on keeping peoples cars from getting broken into and ripped off?

I don't really have anything against the police but when I see things like this it really pisses me off. Especially with all this emphasis on Seat belt and speeding commercial crap going on lately. This is not right!!! I see this as nothing but bribery

cause they would actually have to work not just sit on side of highway and jerk off with a laser gun (which is so easy and makes state money) Nobody wants to risk their life pursuing a rapist/felon in the middle of the night and get shot.

Would you have the balls to step up and be a police officer or are you content playing tough guy to the neighbourhood kids? 

[Silver R/T]

doesn't take "much balls" to trigger radar gun whole day long.

[Troy]

doesn't take "much balls" to trigger radar gun whole day long.

You're an idiot. There's just no other way to put it. I was just reading the "Fallen Heroes" section of the Cincinnati Police Department's web site and you know what? Many were injured or killed making routine traffic stops and investigating minor offenses. A good friend of mine was killed in the line of duty leaving a wife and child. He was doing what he loved and what he felt was right. I'm sure his family would love to hear your opinion. Another friend of mine was tops in his class at the Academy and had his choice of any district - he chose to work in the worst section of the city knowing that anti-police sentiment meant he was a constant target (literally). You are always complaining about cops - have you ever wondered if you have problems because of your attitude and lack of respect? Karma sucks doesn't it?

Troy

[70charginglizard]

Hopefully I didn't upset you Troy bringing this up. As I said at the beginning, I don't have anything against the Police in general. I know that they are there to do a very important and dangerous job. It's more of the politics on what they are prioritized to do is what gets me.

[hutch]

People have been stripped of their rights to protect their property over the years and of their rights to defend their own lives as well.  Thats the problem.  We give up our rights and pass the protection of our rights to the local and state governments.  So in turn they have to hire more cops because crime will always rise when governmetn prevents people from protecting their own self.

if people still had the right to protect their own property as they did for the first 200+ years of our nations history,  we would not have as many cops as we do now.   

[Troy]

Hopefully I didn't upset you Troy bringing this up. As I said at the beginning, I don't have anything against the cops. I know that they are there to do a very important and dangerous job. It's more of the politics on what they are prioritized to do is what gets me.

Absolutely not (upset). If the cops are taking money to patrol an area while on duty then that's certainly a problem. I was stating that, in many places, (most) anyone can hire uniformed officers for specific duties in addition to their normal work week. It's perfectly legal and benefits nearly everyone involved (except criminals and the terminally stupid). This is completely different than their duties during their normal work week where they may just have to go on traffic patrol all day. Attend a local city council meeting if you have concerns. The law is the law whether it's traffic or criminal, misdemeanor or felony, and the police are there to enforce it. Some people see traffic offenses as equal to, or worse, than corresponding criminal offenses. For example, some people will steal cable, bounce checks, light banned fireworks on the 4th of July, and/or lie on their taxes but get all worked up over someone else speeding (safely) on an open highway. So, who are the real criminals that the police should be targeting? It's a matter of perspective.

Troy

[JimShine]

Neighborhoods paying for protection. I had family in that business. 

[dodgecharger-fan]

The extra pay while on-duty sounds like a chitstorm waiting to happen. However, the reality is that it would (or should) come down to, "Why do they need to do that?" and the answer is likely that the force is understaffed and under-funded - not enough resources to cover all the bases. That's very likely true, but this isn't the way to deal with it, mainly because of the inequality of the whole idea.... expensive public meetings, new committees, studies and reports are the way to deal with it... 
Seriously though, if there's a lacking in the service provided, there's a way to fix it across the board, but it's going to cost someone, something, somewhere. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. I'm saying if they want to complain about the services rendered, they had better be prepared to foot the bill for the solution. It should be handled carefully though because it could easily turn in to a "the rich folks started whining and NOW something is being done whereas we've needed increase presence here for years...." kind of scenario.

If it's off-duty, then I see no issue at all - other than I think that it should be a service provided for special events, but not to supplement the basic reason for the existence of a police force - to serve and protect.

I'd have to double check, but I vaguely recall that up here, officers working "sanctioned" events while off-duty alter their uniform just slightly from their on-duty uniform. 99% of the people would never know that they are hired for the event. I think it's a crest on their shirt instead of a badge - or something like that. Of course that may be the regional force here and not everywhere...

[resq302]

I work for a police dept and yes, our officers do work "side jobs".  These are jobs that are contracted through the town in which the town gets paid the money and the officer works it of a specified hourly rate depending on the job.  They DO have different uniforms for road work jobs vs. regular uniforms but again, depending on the side job, dictates which uniform it will be.  The occasionally get hired out by a hotel for proms and security for an event in which they have to be in full uniform.

Also, traffic stops are as bad as if not worse than regular calls in regards to officers being injured or killed.  A member of Moparts.com, Gary Davis - screen name UNLAWFUL, (RIP) was killed while on duty during a traffic stop and was hit by a drunk driver.  Again, doing something to make our streets safer for us, yet people still rip on the police.  I'll bet that your attitude would be different if you or someone you knew was either seriously hurt or killed by someone who was speeding or drunk driving.

Don't get me wrong either.  Are there bad or dirty cops out there also, absolutely.  But the majority of the ones out there are in the profession for the right reasons.  It is a thankless job but for those who do it, its piece of mind that you are trying to make the world or streets a better place for the next generation.

[280bb0]

First its Police Officer not cops second get the full story before you put it out for discussion. Do some research go on line and look up Department policy on off duty work etc. Some Dept's allow it others do not , some allow use of uniform when the work is done in the City of jurisdiction. In some areas large corporations have hired and paid for laid off officers to work specifically at that manufactures location. Got one more for ya wear your belt slow down have your veh reg and all the paper work use your turn signal stop at red lights and stop signs pay all outstanding warrants if you have them and if you still get stopped be polite you should be back on your way in no time. If that doesn't work then think of all the times that you did do something wrong and got away with it.

[2Gunz]

We hire the police to for some of the stuff we do.

Off-duty and full uniform.


I believe.... but I could be wrong.... that they have the same power as On-duty police.

[68RT4ME]

An Officer being hired either thru the Dept. or outside of it with permission and in uniform is certainly fine. If you know an electrician who works for a company and you have him come over to do a side job that would be ok right? Same for a plumber, carpenter, etc.. It's how those guy's make extra money to bring home for whatever reason so it should be of no surprise for an Officer to do the same. No Officer is allowed to do that while on regular duty and yes, he or she would be locked up for it too.

I surely wouldn't work a side job for free so yes, you are paying Cops for protection and when I do, it's called and off duty detail. Lot's of guy's suppplement their income in this manner. Others have their own business that have nothing to do with law enforcement.

[Shakey]

First its Police Officer not cops second get the full story before you put it out for discussion. Do some research go on line and look up Department policy on off duty work etc. Some Dept's allow it others do not , some allow use of uniform when the work is done in the City of jurisdiction. In some areas large corporations have hired and paid for laid off officers to work specifically at that manufactures location. Got one more for ya wear your belt slow down have your veh reg and all the paper work use your turn signal stop at red lights and stop signs pay all outstanding warrants if you have them and if you still get stopped be polite you should be back on your way in no time. If that doesn't work then think of all the times that you did do something wrong and got away with it.

COP is also acceptable as it stands for Constable On Patrol

[mikepmcs]

I know it's common place to pay them outside normal shifts due to the fact that they don't make a whole heck of a lot in this state anyway, so they take road watch gigs for construction to earn some extra overtime and stuff.  My buddy Pat said years ago they would take vacation time to get these other duties and make some bank(double dip so to speak)
I'm sure if what Kelly stated isn't legal it will come out very soon as it's in the media and we all know what that means. I did get your point Kelly, I'm just choosing to stay neutral and view responses.

To address the COP issue, the justice department and a whole lot of other police related things use that acronym for various police/justice related activities. They supported a show entitled COPS as well. They must not think it so bad.
Here's one example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Oriented_Policing_Services

I know some take offense to that word as it has been distorted to mean something it doesn't, like a lot of words today, but it actually isn't derogatory at all.

Around 1700, cop was a slang verb that meant capture and by the mid 1800's, a policeman had become known as a cop, or one who captures criminals.

v/r
Mike

[hutch]

[68RT4ME]

We already know your a hater Hutch but don't worry about anyone coming after you. Your not that important. 

[hutch]

We already know your a hater Hutch but don't worry about anyone coming after you. Your not that important. 

Not a hater, just a lover of free people and not a police state.  Thats all.  The 1st and 2nd amendment,,, they are a bitch sometimes.




The minute you put your faith in Cops for your own or your Families safty, is the very minute you become a slave to your local government.

Im no slave.

[hutch]

Maybe some of yall should crack a history book.  The 2nd Amendment was created to keep this from taking place.

[Troy]

Which history book is that in? I'd like to hear your version of history so I know what to look for.

By the way, this thread is about citizens paying (off-duty?) police to help cut down on crime. It's completely different than police abusing powers but maybe that's a difficult leap to make for some people.

Troy

[hutch]

Which history book is that in?

Troy

all the correct text books that talk about the debates between the Federalist and anti federalist papers of our founding fathers and the debates about the rise of power in local and federal governments and making sure the citizens are armed to ensure a free state. 100% of the power is in the people they just dont know it because our education system is paid for by the teachers union and they are a bunch of commies.

We all know we need police.  I am all for police the way we had police and law enforcenment in America up untill the 1940's.   What we have today is something along the lines of Nazi Germany in the 1930's.  They kick in doors and rip people out of cars because they have a bad day and we just sit and say, "oh well".

Civil servents wtih guns that collect taxes by force is all they have become.

Once in a blue moon they save a life.  No where near the numbers of lives saved by normal people during the day.  Normal everyday people save more lives than cops every day but some how we put cops as untouchable.


And I know this is a thread about off duty cops getting paid.  The issue is that if we knew our rights then we would not need to hire off duty cops to do that. We would know that we have rights to protect our own property.  But in this day and age of a police state, if I pull a gun on a guy breaking into my car, a cop is going to act like I am the bad guy and not the guy breaking into my car.

When this line of thinking started in the 1960's the government created a dependent class that lives under a ruling class.

for over 200 years in America your right to pull that gun existed and was known.

[Shakey]

Which history book is that in?

Troy

all the correct text books that talk about the debates between the Federalist and anti federalist papers of our founding fathers and the debates about the rise of power in local and federal governments and making sure the citizens are armed to ensure a free state. 100% of the power is in the people they just dont know it because our education system is paid for by the teachers union and they are a bunch of commies.

We all know we need police.  I am all for police the way we had police and law enforcenment in America up untill the 1940's.   What we have today is something along the lines of Nazi Germany in the 1930's.  They kick in doors and rip people out of cars because they have a bad day and we just sit and say, "oh well".

Civil servents wtih guns that collect taxes by force is all they have become.

Once in a blue moon they save a life.  No where near the numbers of lives saved by normal people during the day.  Normal everyday people save more lives than cops every day but some how we put cops as untouchable.


And I know this is a thread about off duty cops getting paid.  The issue is that if we knew our rights then we would not need to hire off duty cops to do that. We would know that we have rights to protect our own property.  But in this day and age of a police state, if I pull a gun on a guy breaking into my car, a cop is going to act like I am the bad guy and not the guy breaking into my car.

When this line of thinking started in the 1960's the government created a dependent class that lives under a ruling class.

for over 200 years in America your right to pull that gun existed and was known.

[Shakey]

We already know your a hater Hutch but don't worry about anyone coming after you. Your not that important. 

Not a hater, just a lover of free people and not a police state.  Thats all.  The 1st and 2nd amendment,,, they are a bitch sometimes.




The minute you put your faith in Cops for your own or your Families safty, is the very minute you become a slave to your local government.

Im no slave.

And the minute you get caught off guard with your handgun outta reach, some fella sticks a gun in your face, you'll wet your pants, the tears will be rolling down your cheeks and you'll be praying for the police to show up and bail you out.  I can guarantee it!

Everyone knows your type!

[hutch]

We already know your a hater Hutch but don't worry about anyone coming after you. Your not that important. 

Not a hater, just a lover of free people and not a police state.  Thats all.  The 1st and 2nd amendment,,, they are a bitch sometimes.




The minute you put your faith in Cops for your own or your Families safty, is the very minute you become a slave to your local government.

Im no slave.

And the minute you get caught off guard with your handgun outta reach, some fella sticks a gun in your face, you'll wet your pants, the tears will be rolling down your cheeks and you'll be praying for the police to show up and bail you out.  I can guarantee it!

Everyone knows your type!

Na, because I know they will be too busy ripping old ladies out of their homes.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B1Qx0cTze0M


I guess you guys have not read my posts on my sisters family in New Orelans.  Cops forced her and her two kids to leave their home and they had no place to go.  I had to drive from Virginia to a fucking camp outside of Huston to pick her up.

Dont get me started about needing cops. I can go on and on.  This old red neck is no teen age kid you are talking to.  I have been around and I have seen it all.  I know my rights and the history of this country as well as the history of other nations that have given more power to law enforcement and taken rights away from its people.

It never turns out well.

[JimShine]

Here is the part that rubbed me the wrong way. The story that kicked this all off is about an entire neighborhood paying for extra patrols. If a neighborhood is in that much trouble, shouldn't the police ramp up patrols of the area? And doesn't this bring up a fear that possibly this could create a conflict of interest? Officers on duty not patroling so the paid officers earn their money?

[68RT4ME]

The Police only enforce the laws that are put in place by the Gov. you elect. There may be abuses by some but, there are abuses in all lines of work. Doesn't mean all are involved in those abuses. You must have had a real terrible experience at some point with the Police.

We all know we need police.  I am all for police the way we had police and law enforcement in America up until the 1940's.   What we have today is something along the lines of Nazi Germany in the 1930's.  They kick in doors and rip people out of cars because they have a bad day and we just sit and say, "oh well".

How old are you that you could know what it was like to deal with or be the police back then? Todays Officers go thru an actual Academy taking months of training before being allowed to go out to the streets and once there, they have to go through a Field Training Course that can take 12 to 16 weeks before being allowed to go off on there own. Back then, Most received little if any training. It was basically hand out the badge and gun and here's a book. Good luck to ya. In todays world, You have to recertify annually for all sorts of things including but not limited to firearms training.

It was I'd imagine (since I wasn't there) a more shoot first and ask later environment. Poor investigation techniques, There was no Mirand rights. There were few search warrants applied for. They just went in if they wanted and go ahead and complain to who? unlike today when you have to spell it out as to why you need to search a premises before a judge will sign off on it. Reports are filed on nearly everything, calls answered for any reason. So many calls that the 911 system is basically broken. People call 911 for everything from directions to ordering pizza etc..

Did I mention how many guns are on the streets (and yes we all have the right to bare arms but really now, who actually needs an AK-47 for example) and how easily it seems people are willing to shoot at Police in todays world? Do you not watch the news? I see the nice picture you posted of the APC. Imagine how bad it can be the we actually would need something like that for this job? The bad guy's have bigger, better guns than we do and when they decide to use them, we are the one who have chosen to run toward the gunfire as opposed to running away from it. All the while most likely out manned and out gunned and having to go even though the guy's in the APC won't be around for what could be minutes or hours. Some of these bad guys are part of gangs and are now being trained in the military on how to use these weapons and tactics. What do you think they will be doing when they come back, opening a church?

  I chose to do this when I got out of the Service. Been at it 23 years now. I hope to retire in a few more so if I want to take an off duty detail and build up my retirement, so what? As long as I do it the right way no problem. It's been my experience that those who complian about the Police are usually the ones who have had run in's with the police time and again. Not always mind you but some. There are no doubt some bad Cops out there but the numbers are few thank God. Me, I'd rather have them around than not. Those that don't feel like that, feel free not to call when you need one. Still a free country thanks to COPS. Better yet, shut down all police depts for 2 days and see what happens. Maybe things would be better 

[ACUDANUT]

Politics's. 

[resq302]

We already know your a hater Hutch but don't worry about anyone coming after you. Your not that important. 

Not a hater, just a lover of free people and not a police state.  Thats all.  The 1st and 2nd amendment,,, they are a bitch sometimes.




The minute you put your faith in Cops for your own or your Families safty, is the very minute you become a slave to your local government.

Im no slave.

And the minute you get caught off guard with your handgun outta reach, some fella sticks a gun in your face, you'll wet your pants, the tears will be rolling down your cheeks and you'll be praying for the police to show up and bail you out.  I can guarantee it!

Everyone knows your type!

Na, because I know they will be too busy ripping old ladies out of their homes.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B1Qx0cTze0M


I guess you guys have not read my posts on my sisters family in New Orelans.  Cops forced her and her two kids to leave their home and they had no place to go.  I had to drive from Virginia to a fucking camp outside of Huston to pick her up.

Dont get me started about needing cops. I can go on and on.  This old red neck is no teen age kid you are talking to.  I have been around and I have seen it all.  I know my rights and the history of this country as well as the history of other nations that have given more power to law enforcement and taken rights away from its people.

It never turns out well.

First off, no need for the profanity!  Calm down and relax.  And from what I heard from our guys in my dept. from NJ who VOLUNTARILY went down to LA to help out the hurricane victims, everyone down there was pretty much evacuated for their safety as there were no favorable conditions down there.

Well, this started off as a post about cops working off duty details. I'm probably going to be singled out and have to leave this forum after this but here it goes:

I was a cop for thirty years working some of the most violent neighborhoods is south Florida. During that time I worked my share of off duty details so I could afford to feed my family, take care of my ill in-laws and put my four kids through college. I got into law enforcement to help people, not harass Innocent folks. During my tenure I have saved a dozen or more lives including pulling people out of burning crack houses and bring back to life toddlers that careless parents allowed to wander away and fall in pools and canals. I have been shot at, spit on, punched, kicked, verbally abused, had knives pulled on me and treated like I was a second class citizen. I have seen close friends die in the line of duty and been to countless funerals of fellow officers who I didn't know but had a common bond. I have written my share of tickets and given even more breaks. I have arrested people for minor offenses as well as for raping an 18 month old baby and killing and decapitating a mother and her child. (As well as many others). The bottom line is during those years I have experience a lot of good, some bad and I was able to help a lot of people along the way. Everyone has their own opinions about cops and you are entitled. But you should not judge someone or an occupation until you have walked in their shoes. Things are not always as they seem.

By the way, the term Cop is thought to be an old English term from "constable on patrol" and the term Copper was due to the copper badges they worn.

Now, lets get back to building those Mopars!

BRS - I could not have said it better myself.  Well put!

[BigRed66]

Well, this started off as a post about cops working off duty details. I'm probably going to be singled out and have to leave this forum after this  but here it goes:

I was a cop for thirty years working some of the most violent neighborhoods is south Florida. During that time I worked my share of off duty details so I could afford to feed my family, take care of my ill in-laws and put my four kids through college. I got into law enforcement to help people, not harass Innocent folks. During my tenure I have saved a dozen or more lives including pulling people out of burning crack houses and bring back to life toddlers that careless parents allowed to wander away and fall in pools and canals. I have been shot at, spit on, punched, kicked, verbally abused, had knives pulled on me and treated like I was a second class citizen. I have seen close friends die in the line of duty and been to countless funerals of fellow officers who I didn't know but had a common bond. I have written my share of tickets and given even more breaks. I have arrested people for minor offenses as well as for raping an 18 month old baby and killing and decapitating a mother and her child. (As well as many others). The bottom line is during those years I have experience a lot of good, some bad and I was able to help a lot of people along the way. Everyone has their own opinions about cops and you are entitled. But you should not judge someone or an occupation until you have walked in their shoes. Things are not always as they seem.

By the way, the term Cop is thought to be an old English term from "constable on patrol" and the term Copper was due to the copper badges they worn.

Now, lets get back to building those Mopars!

I've been following this thread, and wasn't motivated to respond until now. Why do you think, BRS, that you would be booted from the forum for what you wrote? I know that I would not want to be a cop, police officer, highway patrolman, whatever you wanna call him or her. The world; no scratch that, the country, we live in now is full of fupped duck derelicts, child molesters, thugs, and general pieces of shit. Each traffic stop has the potential to introduce this element to the approaching officer.  No thanks. I "cop" (pun intended) an attitude when I get pulled over at 1 a.m. on my way home from work for nothing more than the local yokel looking for some sort of goings-on, and I've told more than one cop that he's fishing..."am I under arrest, sir, or may I be on my way?" as well as having invoked my 4th Amendment rights that I remind the officer he was sworn to protect...I have waited out warrants to search my vehicle, just to prove my point....all that being said, given the climate in which we live today, I respect the police for what they have to potentially face day in and day out...I tell my kids and wife each day that I love them before I leave for work...my job  and commute are rough, but I'm not in harm's way like a cop. Again, no thanks. Corruption in the police force? You know it exists, just as it exists in every facet of life. I agree, though, that if officers are being paid, en masse, by an entire community, to do the job that they normally would do otherwise, then, yes, they ought to step up the patrol in that area. But, more than likely, some politician looked to trim some fat off his city's budget, and rather than scale down his perks, and those of his cabinet, instead figured it would be less painful to just axe some old donut-eaters. That's why these guys are probably doing what they're doing. They might just live there, as well. Godspeed to all of them, I say.

[mikepmcs]

Well, this started off as a post about cops working off duty details. I'm probably going to be singled out and have to leave this forum after this  but here it goes:

I was a cop for thirty years working some of the most violent neighborhoods is south Florida. During that time I worked my share of off duty details so I could afford to feed my family, take care of my ill in-laws and put my four kids through college. I got into law enforcement to help people, not harass Innocent folks. During my tenure I have saved a dozen or more lives including pulling people out of burning crack houses and bring back to life toddlers that careless parents allowed to wander away and fall in pools and canals. I have been shot at, spit on, punched, kicked, verbally abused, had knives pulled on me and treated like I was a second class citizen. I have seen close friends die in the line of duty and been to countless funerals of fellow officers who I didn't know but had a common bond. I have written my share of tickets and given even more breaks. I have arrested people for minor offenses as well as for raping an 18 month old baby and killing and decapitating a mother and her child. (As well as many others). The bottom line is during those years I have experience a lot of good, some bad and I was able to help a lot of people along the way. Everyone has their own opinions about cops and you are entitled. But you should not judge someone or an occupation until you have walked in their shoes. Things are not always as they seem.

Thank you for your service!

[RallyeMike]

I just watched a news story on a local neighborhood where there has been a recent car break in spree and the neighbors decided to hire local police officers to emphasis patrols in this neighborhood. Some are paying them upwards to $200.00!

I guess some people would like to see the alternative that actually occurred in my old neighborhood: After months of car prowls, the prowlers finally hit a house where the residents were awake.....and armed. About 200 bullet holes later into everything in the neighborhood but the perps, (houses, mailboxes, pets, cars....)  the neighborhood was way, WAY more frightened than they had been before.

We keep cutting taxes and asking for more services. Something has to give, and car prowls are about the lowest priority around. Rental cops might be the way of the future unless we'd rather have a bunch of drunk cowboys shooting up the streets.

[Dave22443]

I understand this problem to be different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction so its understandable why we would have such pationate debate from both sides.  I am fortunate enough to live near a county line where the county that I live in is 180 degrees oposite from the county next door.

In my county, the police are a joke.  5 minutes to respond to a cat stuck in a tree, but 45 minutes to respond to a fight.  (much longer if weapons are reported involved)  Most people in my county understand that the only reason you call the police is to do the paperwork, because if you have to depend on them for your safety, your in a bad way.  Virginia is a concealed carry state and many people I know take full advantage of it.  But what most people don't know is that Virginia is also an Open Carry state.  Meaning, you can openly wear your weapon in full view without any special permit required.

Now, having said that, the county next door is completely the opposite.  They have a well staffed and highly trained police force that knows their stuff and take their jobs seriously.  These guys are incredable and have my full support 

So what I am saying is, different people have different experiences and that forms different opinions.  You might have a great police force in your area and feel completely comfortable with that.  But that doesn't mean that someone whose hates the police is wrong either.

As a rule, I respect the police very much and go out of my way to please them.  But when I look at events like Waco, TX where too much force was used and then at places like Columbine where all the police and SWAT teams hid behind their cars while innocent teachers and students were slaughtered like sheep, it puts a sour taste in my mouth.  And don't even get me started on "Gun Free Zone's"

I support the 2nd Admendment.

[Shakey]

I understand this problem to be different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction so its understandable why we would have such pationate debate from both sides.  I am fortunate enough to live near a county line where the county that I live in is 180 degrees oposite from the county next door.

In my county, the police are a joke.  5 minutes to respond to a cat stuck in a tree, but 45 minutes to respond to a fight.  (much longer if weapons are reported involved)  Most people in my county understand that the only reason you call the police is to do the paperwork, because if you have to depend on them for your safety, your in a bad way.  Virginia is a concealed carry state and many people I know take full advantage of it.  But what most people don't know is that Virginia is also an Open Carry state.  Meaning, you can openly wear your weapon in full view without any special permit required.

Now, having said that, the county next door is completely the opposite.  They have a well staffed and highly trained police force that knows their stuff and take their jobs seriously.  These guys are incredable and have my full support 

So what I am saying is, different people have different experiences and that forms different opinions.  You might have a great police force in your area and feel completely comfortable with that.  But that doesn't mean that someone whose hates the police is wrong either.

As a rule, I respect the police very much and go out of my way to please them.  But when I look at events like Waco, TX where too much force was used and then at places like Columbine where all the police and SWAT teams hid behind their cars while innocent teachers and students were slaughtered like sheep, it puts a sour taste in my mouth.  And don't even get me started on "Gun Free Zone's"

I support the 2nd Admendment.

Maybe you should join the police force and show them how they are supposed to handle situations like in Waco, TX and Columbine, CO.

[Dave22443]

Maybe you should join the police force and show them how they are supposed to handle situations like in Waco, TX and Columbine, CO.

I would except that I would never be able to pass the physical.

So whats your story Shakey?  You sound pretty bitter about the 2nd Admendment.  Why are you attacking me?

[ACUDANUT]

What this Country needs is a few more Rednecks.

[Shakey]

Maybe you should join the police force and show them how they are supposed to handle situations like in Waco, TX and Columbine, CO.

I would except that I would never be able to pass the physical.

So whats your story Shakey?  You sound pretty bitter about the 2nd Admendment.  Why are you attacking me?

My story, is not all that exciting.  Me, as in a regular average mostly law abiding citizen who is thankful that there are men and women, who are no different than you and I, who put that uniform on every day to serve and protect the rest of us.  I've had my run ins with the law and oddly enough, each time it happened I was breaking the law - the laws that were put in place to ensure a civil society.

2nd Amendment - I don't even know what that is!   

And that, was hardly an attack.  I read that you feel the officials in TX used too much force whereas the officials in CO weren't aggressive enough - what should they have done in each one of those situations?  You stated that those two incidents left you with a sour feeling towards the police which says to me that they can do no right in your eyes as either response was not the right one.  That was why I suggested that you join them and show them how it's done - that's all.

[69_500]

I don't think that the 2nd ammendment would even mean anything to Shakey as he doesn't even live in the USA.

I have no problem with a neighborhood paying some off patrol cops to drive through their neighborhoods and keep things in line. I know this, my neighborhood has had about 25 different break ins in the last 6-8 months, and with 2 different shootings involving elderly people who were at home during the day when the houses were broken into. As of yet I have not seen any patrols coming through our neighborhood, but then again for most of the day light hours I'm at work so they might be.

Everyone gets upset when they get pulled over for speeding, its a fact of life though. 90% of us speed every day, and just about every time we get behind the wheel. About 2% of us actually get pulled over, and of those probably 50% get off with a warning. I thought long and hard about joining the police force once I left college, but decided that it just wasn't for me. Love the idea, love the concept, but got to thinking down the road and wasn't willing to have to put my future wife and kids through that. The thought of knowing that each and everyday you could be killed in the line of duty, wasn't something I would have wanted to put on my wife and my son. I have all the respect in the world for the men and women who do make that commitment though.

[Dave22443]

Maybe you should join the police force and show them how they are supposed to handle situations like in Waco, TX and Columbine, CO.

I would except that I would never be able to pass the physical.

So whats your story Shakey?  You sound pretty bitter about the 2nd Admendment.  Why are you attacking me?

My story, is not all that exciting.  Me, as in a regular average mostly law abiding citizen who is thankful that there are men and women, who are no different than you and I, who put that uniform on every day to serve and protect the rest of us.  I've had my run ins with the law and oddly enough, each time it happened I was breaking the law - the laws that were put in place to ensure a civil society.

2nd Amendment - I don't even know what that is!   

And that, was hardly an attack.  I read that you feel the officials in TX used too much force whereas the officials in CO weren't aggressive enough - what should they have done in each one of those situations?  You stated that those two incidents left you with a sour feeling towards the police which says to me that they can do no right in your eyes as either response was not the right one.  That was why I suggested that you join them and show them how it's done - that's all.

Okay Shakey, I didn't look at your profile and I didn't realize that you were in Canada. 

As for me, I stay well within the good graces of the law.  And if you remember, I have nothing but praise for the police in the next county as they do a fantastic job of maintaining the peace AND solving crimes.  So there are ways to do it right and there are plenty of fine officers out there setting great examples.  Just not so much in my particular county.

I will leave it at that.

[ACUDANUT]

Are Canadian's even allowed to post here.