# Controversial encounters between law-enforcement and civilians - the omnibus thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 10, 2014, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942 "2014-10-10T07:35:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 185
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3681 "2015-06-12T19:34:30Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Well, I have a friend who works with a bunch of “green-skins” He is very unhappy in a job where the majority of his coworkers are bad. He includes “green-skins” willing to ‘look the other way’ as bad “green-skins” Therefore ALL “green-skins” I meet must be bad. To be fair, your friend shouldn’t have expected civilized behaviour from greenskins in the first place. Orks iz made for fightin’ ! ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3682 "2015-06-12T19:35:58Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > To be fair, your friend shouldn’t have expected civilized behaviour from greenskins in the first place. Orks iz made for fightin’ ! Valid point. I’ll mention that next time I see him.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3683 "2015-06-12T19:50:11Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > You seem to be missing the fact that apparently painting all cops with a broad brush stained by the actions of a few is acceptable, while similarly doing that with any minority group would quickly get you labeled a racist. Cops always say this, then they stand by silently and watch their co-workers do incredibly evil and outright illegal things without doing anything about it. The Blue Code says they can’t even criticize each other or they’re being disloyal to the Brotherhood. So yeah, they get painted with a well deserved brush, because they’re as fucking guilty as the ones they allow to do that shit. Call me back when we see police arresting each other for this bullshit before public outcry forces them to. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3684 "2015-06-12T20:11:14Z")
That sort of bonding is encoded in our very nature. It is why the common soldier is fiercely loyal to his “buddies” and will fight desperately and sacrifice himself to protect them, even if he knows that the mission is unworthy or even ignoble. Men who have been wounded or rotated out would crawl on hands and knees across a field of broken glass to get back to being terrorized or bored senseless, depending on the moment. One can hold an authoritarian and bigoted asshole in well-deserved contempt. Or not, if one’s very life may depend upon him. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3685 "2015-06-12T20:26:48Z")
Perhaps there should be a uniform-decoration requirement for the police, similar to, like, campaign ribbons: each officer shall apply above their left breast pocket a white star for every time they have drawn their weapon; or a yellow star for every time they have fired their weapon; or a red star for every time a suspect has died while in or prior to being in their custody. That way, we, the citizens, would have an idea about who will be laying out the carpet of eggshells for us. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3686 "2015-06-12T20:29:42Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Then why bring up the fact that nobody is born a cop? What relevance does that have? Well you see, black people are born that way and they’ve been historically marginalized as a minority. On the other hand, Police Man is a profession (one, I might add, that generally requires a certain aggressive disposition), not a genetic condition. Let me know if you need me to use smaller words. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3687 "2015-06-12T20:35:28Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Perhaps there should be a uniform-decoration requirement for the police > > That way, we, the citizens, would have an idea about who will be laying out the carpet of eggshells for us. And for that asshole in Buffalo, NY who shot 49 dogs last year? “No officer enjoys killing people’s pets” my ass. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3688 "2015-06-12T21:03:46Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > You seem to be missing the fact that apparently painting all cops with a broad brush stained by the actions of a few is acceptable, while similarly doing that with any minority group would quickly get you labeled a racist. Well, we’re _paying_ the cops. And we give them the authority. And they tend to see themselves as a group and band together as a group. They’re a fucking _Union_, fer chrissakes. Its pretty damn rare for a department or a union to come out and say “That guy is a dick, and he’s on his own!” Usually, they say “He is one of us and we are standing with him, defending him”\*. In light of that, painting them with the same brush is kinda unavoidable. [sub]\* paraphrasing, of course[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3689 "2015-06-12T21:26:40Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > (bolding mine) > > You’re OK with law enforcement slamming a citizen’s entire body into the ground for THAT?!? Jesus. I’d hate to think of what you’re OK with for a real infraction, like a half-housebroken puppy piddling on the carpet. As opposed to slamming half of a citizen’s entire body into the ground? :rolleyes: Of course you hate to think, but I won’t hold it against you. 🙂 Meanwhile, citizens called the police because there was a fight on the pool’s grounds. Citizens also called the police to handle some 100 to 130 out of control, unwelcome, guests who were invading a privately owned pool. An officer was dispatched to the area and ordered people to start leaving the area. More officers arrived. Yellow bikini was repeatedly told to leave. She refused. Her choice. She was then forcibly detained, keyword - forcibly. Two other assholes rushed the officer who was making the arrest. Other officers arrived and arrested one of those assholes. If you want to body slam puppies for piddling, that’s your idea, and your problem. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3690 "2015-06-12T21:28:21Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Perhaps there should be a uniform-decoration requirement for the police, similar to, like, campaign ribbons: each officer shall apply above their left breast pocket a white star for every time they have drawn their weapon; or a yellow star for every time they have fired their weapon; or a red star for every time a suspect has died while in or prior to being in their custody. That way, we, the citizens, would have an idea about who will be laying out the carpet of eggshells for us. What, no Star of David pinned to their clothes? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3691 "2015-06-12T21:37:16Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > You would cry too if it happened to you. She lived. I don’t know why that would disappoint you. Or are you crying tears of joy? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3692 "2015-06-12T22:24:33Z")
That this was being looked into has been mentioned in this thread, but here’s an update. [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us--cleveland-police-shoot-boy-20150611-story.html](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-bc-us--cleveland-police-shoot-boy-20150611-story.html) A Judge has said that there is enough evidence, and probable cause to charge Tamir Rice’s alleged murderers with crimes like: murder, reckless homicide and dereliction of duty, among other things. No lawyer me, but my understanding is that his finding is in no way binding to the DA’s office, unless they, you know, _feel_ like prosecuting. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3693 "2015-06-12T22:28:24Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > No lawyer me, but my understanding is that his finding is in no way binding to the DA’s office, unless they, you know, _feel_ like prosecuting. It is not binding, and the prosecutor intends to take the case to a grand jury. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3694 "2015-06-12T22:40:26Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > … the prosecutor intends to take the case to a grand jury. You know, that part is even mentioned in the link I provided. :smack: (I should read more slowly sometimes.) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3695 "2015-06-12T23:03:17Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Meanwhile, citizens called the police because there was a fight on the pool’s grounds. [And proud we are of all of them](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/11/1392348/-Fox-s-Key-McKinney-Witness-Sean-Toon-and-his-Wife-were-with-people-who-attacked-Pool-Party-Host). ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3696 "2015-06-12T23:08:12Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > What, no Star of David pinned to their clothes? [What, like this?](http://s8.photobucket.com/user/tenfourimgone3/media/assasa.jpg.html) ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3697 "2015-06-12T23:41:10Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Well you see, black people are born that way and they’ve been historically marginalized as a minority. On the other hand, Police Man is a profession (one, I might add, that generally requires a certain aggressive disposition), not a genetic condition. > > Let me know if you need me to use smaller words. So, again, you are saying it’s okay to make generalizations about ALL police based on the actions of a few, because it is a profession, and they choose to be in that profession, they are not born as police? The small words “yes” or “no” will suffice, if you can manage that. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3698 "2015-06-12T23:42:15Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Well, we’re _paying_ the cops. And we give them the authority. And they tend to see themselves as a group and band together as a group. They’re a fucking _Union_, fer chrissakes. > > Its pretty damn rare for a department or a union to come out and say “That guy is a dick, and he’s on his own!” Usually, they say “He is one of us and we are standing with him, defending him”\*. In light of that, painting them with the same brush is kinda unavoidable. > > [sub]\* paraphrasing, of course[/sub] And I’ll ask the same thing to you: You think it is okay to generalize about all police, based on the actions of a few? Yes or no will suffice. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3699 "2015-06-12T23:47:18Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > And I’ll ask the same thing to you: You think it is okay to generalize about all police, based on the actions of a few? Yes or no will suffice. Yes. When we see officers standing up in public and saying “_Fuck that asshole! We are not like that_,” then we will stop generalizing. And no mealy-mouth equivocation about how maybe he went too far, we want to hear firm repudiation of excessive force. Because, so far, these guys are starting to look like they need uniforms that have a big yellow stripe down the back. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/3700 "2015-06-12T23:52:08Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Yes. > > When we see officers standing up in public and saying “_Fuck that asshole! We are not like that_,” then we will stop generalizing. And no mealy-mouth equivocation about how maybe he went too far, we want to hear firm repudiation of excessive force. Because, so far, these guys are starting to look like they need uniforms that have a big yellow stripe down the back. Well, thank you for answering. Do you further feel it is okay to generalize about other groups that are formed by the choice of the members, based on the actions of some of the members? Or do you feel that only the police deserve this type of generalization? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=184) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=186)