[G-Force Junkie]

Originally Posted by NinerPilot

I have never heard of an officer getting let go of a felony... Not around here anyway. In my opinion, if an officer lets another one go on any felony, they are about as bad as the one commiting the crime. As for misdemeanors, Im guessing you are talking about upper class (A&B) as traffic infractions and jaywalking are misdemeanors as well.

As for the carrying a weapon thing, now with HR218 passing LEO's have nationwide carry priveledges. Before that, with the exception of the few commie like states (NJ, maybe CA, NYC, etc) Im sure not to many LEO's would have minded an out of stater to be carrying a weapon. THe biggest reason for this is that if I am fighting on the side of the road, and Chain happens to be driving by seeing me in this struggle, a) I know without a doubt that he or any other LEO worth their badge would stop and render aide, and b) I would want him to be equipped (armed) to help me in a worst case senario. To be an LEO you have to have yearly if not more training with your weapon, so I consider "most" LEO's to be safe with a weapon, and to make sound decisions if/when they have to use it. Now I know that you in particular G-Force, have had alot of firearms training and certs, and honestly I wish like hell that you and people like you could have nation wide carry. I feel that when the criminals dont know who is armed, they will be more detered from commiting crimes.
Chris

I am familiar with the new HR218 and agree with it whole heartedly. Prior to it, every cop I have ever known, met, worked with, etc carry outside their jourisdiction. And never a problem, same "Perk" as not getting tickest, etc. You said it yourself "Im sure not to many LEO's would have minded an out of stater to be carrying a weapon." My point, is it is not their position, nor job to subjectivly let some people out of felonies, and other to not. My only point in bringing this topic up at all was to point out issues that build a fence between LEO and the rest of us...one that Chain seem mysitified that it existed. My only intention in this whole discussion was to give a glimps of the reasoning behind the emoitons of non-LEO. Even without knowing it, in my experience (which may be different in other parts of the country, especialy less urban), often cops build an invisable wall, US and THEM. I totaly understand it, its a survival mechanism...when the vast majority of "the public" you encounter is scum, breaking the law, and willing to kill you, your going to form a barrier to protect your self. Your going to trust your fellow officers and few others. Your going to form strong bonds with your coworkers in blue, and be devistated when they get injured/killed. Yet they can see others killed, victomized, injured, etc often and have a lesser reaction, if any at all. It part of the job, I understand that, I hope others, cops and non-LEO see it as well.

PS: I like how this discussion has goten somewhat heated, but stayed civil Good job..."Can't we all just get along?"

[Chain]

Originally Posted by G-Force Junkie

My only point in bringing this topic up at all was to point out issues that build a fence between LEO and the rest of us...one that Chain seem mysitified that it existed.

I'm an educated 37 year old man who has been a police officer for over 16 years, a sergeant the last 7+ of that. I work in a metro area of three-quarters of a million citizens. I was the editor of our police union's newspaper for four years and recently stepped down after a two year run as the chairman of our union's executive board. In these positions of leadership, I've had to understand and balance not only the views and desires of my worksite peers, but with those of local politicians, neighborhood leaders, business owners, other community stakeholders, and the general public alike.

GFJ, I challenge you to (a) articulate what statements I've made that would cause a reasonable person to believe I'm "mystified" at the prospect of there being a gap of understanding between the law enforcement community and the public, and to (b) spell out the various posts I've authored since I've been a member here on Fireblades.org which might lead reasonable people to believe I am someone other than a good natured guy who regularly tries to curry favor among the citizens he serves as well as other members of this board.

[G-Force Junkie]

Originally Posted by Chain

I'm an educated 37 year old man who has been a police officer for over 16 years, a sergeant the last 7+ of that. I work in a metro area of three-quarters of a million citizens. I was the editor of our police union's newspaper for four years and recently stepped down after a two year run as the chairman of our union's executive board. In these positions of leadership, I've had to understand and balance not only the views and desires of my worksite peers, but with those of local politicians, neighborhood leaders, business owners, other community stakeholders, and the general public alike.

GFJ, I challenge you to (a) articulate what statements I've made that would cause a reasonable person to believe I'm "mystified" at the prospect of there being a gap of understanding between the law enforcement community and the public, and to (b) spell out the various posts I've authored since I've been a member here on Fireblades.org which might lead reasonable people to believe I am someone other than a good natured guy who regularly tries to curry favor among the citizens he serves as well as other members of this board.

(a): "Honestly GFJ, I didn't know there were two sides to the fence on this matter."

(b) "Honestly GFJ, I didn't know there were two sides to the fence on this matter."

My point was never to imply that you were anything other than a great cop, good natured guy, etc. I don't believe that at all, in fact my impression of you as a cop from what I have read is nothing other than steller. My issues was you perception of the event of a fellow officer loosing his life. You saw it in the context of a "hero" (based on occupation) loosing his life when a "civilian" was racing on the freeway. This is your perception based on the fact that you are a fellow officer. My only point, and LTL's original post, was to point out that not everyone sees this situation the same way. Being a cop, public servent, family man, etc dont NOT make someone a "good man" as sheepofblue posted. Alot of "good men", cops and non-cops die often. They are for the most part all a tragety for the friend and family involved. But to say one was more significent based on occupation is absurd. My "fence" comment was about how ALL LEO probaly feels the way you do, as you stated with the bagpipes playing and the motorcade and such. A fisherman, doctor, burger flipper, nurse etc who has contributed just as much to society, in differents ways, will never get that action after their death. Its just different perceptions of an event and a persons "worth" to society. I happen to not agree with the type of hero worship based on occupation.

[Chain]

I'm out. Too tired to go on with this . . .

[G-Force Junkie]

Me to...Keep up the good LEO work

[sheepofblue]

Originally Posted by G-Force Junkie

Being a cop, public servent, family man, etc dont NOT make someone a "good man" as sheepofblue posted. Alot of "good men", cops and non-cops die often. They are for the most part all a tragety for the friend and family involved. But to say one was more significent based on occupation is absurd.

G read my second post on this topic. Maybe this is a cultural thing but I was raised to respect folks first then change my opinion based on their actions. Also a bit of respect for the dead (after all they cannot defend themselves). I try not to participate in the "good the stunter died" threads either. Most everyone has friends and family that are hurt upon their death and the poor soul that had neither really deserves our sympathy.

In short my good man comment had nothing to do with profession I have made the same for others that were killed out trying to do an honest days work (ie EVERYONE in the 911 attack)

[Purpdust]

Another Hot topic

- I agree with the no chase policy for non violent offence that some places have adapted, not because I think the people running should get away but for the safety of the officers and the general public. Now some will say that they are protecting the Public by stopping them, but if some one has clearly decided to run I do not think they will stop until they are out of reach or is forcefully terminated.

As you know I was not there, Drag races on the road generally do not last very long, why not stay back call ahead, they are going to stop some time right?

As a volunteer firefighter, I do notice there is a tendency to rush in quickly to a situation without thinking things through first. I will reiterate I do not know the full situation but it is a tragic loss for his family and department and it sucks that he passed away chasing a speeder.

[Mangina]

So which person on here is going to go tell the officers wife and kids that there husband/father wasn't a hero? RIP.