# 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:** 215
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4281 "2015-06-27T19:31:54Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > They have a legal department. So, basically, for the same reason newspapers use “alleged”, even if the suspect shot the catcher at the ball park from the pitchers mound in front of 3,000 witnesses. > > Never go full **doorhinge**. Attention, **elucidator**. You might want to check your password. Somebody posted gibberish under your nom de plume. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4282 "2015-06-27T20:27:58Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > If that’s the fiction you have to cling to in order to sleep at night, so be it. In the real world, though, “a second” is a very short time to: > > 1. Realize that someone is shouting at you > 2. Process what they are saying > 3. React Smapti is perpetually ready to hear and comply with any commands anyone might shout at him at any time. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4283 "2015-06-27T20:40:46Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Attention, **elucidator**. You might want to check your password. Somebody posted gibberish under your nom de plume. No problem, I have no dignity to protect. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4284 "2015-06-27T20:42:21Z")
I know the Santa Ana pot raid bust is old news and I always have a problem with abusive cops pulling guns on people who aren’t fighting back. But I just learned today that they intentionally destroyed all the security cameras. And sadly, with the way things have been going I wouldn’t be surprised if they get away with it. And it is probably safe to say they’ve done the same thing many times before. How the fuck can cops destroying security cameras ever be deemed anything but a crime? I hope they actually get in trouble for that, but I’m sure it happens all the time and nobody has video evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4285 "2015-06-27T21:20:26Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Attention, **elucidator**. You might want to check your password. Somebody posted gibberish under your nom de plume. Boy **elucidator** , getting that from **doorhinge** must have stung like getting smacked with a wet noodle. **Doorhinge** is affiliated with the nefarious terrorist organization _al dente_. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4286 "2015-06-27T21:29:04Z")
Ah, I see. Civilians are expected to have hyper-aware reaction times, but the police are not. Awesome. Don’t drop yourself or an object in that fraction of a second and you’re dead. “We don’t care if your brain is still trying to process it because you’re not trained in dealing with those kinds of situations.” ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4287 "2015-06-27T22:01:33Z")
[Former Baltimore police offer speaks out](http://canadajournal.net/world/michael-wood-a-former-baltimore-police-officer-breaks-his-silence-28608-2015/). ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4288 "2015-06-28T02:57:30Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Smapti is perpetually ready to hear and comply with any commands anyone might shout at him at any time. Yeah, Smapti was at the airport when someone said Hi to their friend Jack and Smapti’s lightning reflexes stopped a major terrorist attack. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4289 "2015-06-28T10:51:02Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > [Former Baltimore police offer speaks out](http://canadajournal.net/world/michael-wood-a-former-baltimore-police-officer-breaks-his-silence-28608-2015/). Oh man. I’ve believed that thing like what he described are happening. Hearing them is still jaw-dropping. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4290 "2015-06-28T12:22:10Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Smapti is perpetually ready to hear and comply with any commands anyone might shout at him at any time. I don’t want to get shot. Do you? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4291 "2015-06-28T12:29:28Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I don’t want to get shot. Do you? You are legally open carrying in Wal Mart. Someone behind you says “Drop the gun!” Do you immediately drop the gun, or do you turn around to see who is giving the order? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4292 "2015-06-28T12:30:19Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > You are legally open carrying in Wal Mart. Someone behind you says “Drop the gun!” Do you immediately drop the gun, or do you turn around to see who is giving the order? I immediately drop the gun. If I don’t, chances are I’m going to get shot before I have time to do anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4293 "2015-06-28T12:53:17Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I don’t want to get shot. Do you? I would find getting shot aversive. I would also find living life perpetually scared and totally submissive to be _at least_ as aversive. To this point, neither of us has been shot, but I’ve lived like a man. I guess it’s a quality of life kind of question. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4294 "2015-06-28T12:57:33Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > To this point, neither of us has been shot, but I’ve lived like a man. I guess it’s a quality of life kind of question. I find your questioning of my manhood to be much less painful than a bullet would be. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4295 "2015-06-28T14:24:54Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I find your questioning of my manhood to be much less painful than a bullet would be. You’ve made that clear, but you’re missing the point. It’s kind of like never traveling anywhere because of a fear of flying, or never setting foot outside your home due to agoraphobia. That said, I do understand the effects of living with pants-wetting fear. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4296 "2015-06-28T14:36:08Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I find your questioning of my manhood to be much less painful than a bullet would be. Smaller target. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4297 "2015-06-28T14:51:37Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I immediately drop the gun. If I don’t, chances are I’m going to get shot before I have time to do anything else. Then you are dead, because it was an Islamic terrorist, and you gave up your right to defend yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4298 "2015-06-28T15:03:41Z")
I just hope nobody ever publicly tells Smapti in an authoritative voice to drop his pants. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4299 "2015-06-28T15:09:36Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Then you are dead, because it was an Islamic terrorist, and you gave up your right to defend yourself. If I’d tried to turn around, deactivate the safety, cock the hammer, aim, and fire, I’d have been dead anyway, because I wouldn’t have been fast enough to outgun the person who already had a loaded and cocked firearm trained on me. So in your hypothetical I’m dead no matter _what_ I do. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942/4300 "2015-06-28T15:49:26Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > If I’d tried to turn around, deactivate the safety, cock the hammer, aim, and fire, I’d have been dead anyway, because I wouldn’t have been fast enough to outgun the person who already had a loaded and cocked firearm trained on me. > > So in your hypothetical I’m dead no matter _what_ I do. The Islamic Terrorist is armed with a large knife. You disarmed yourself, and now he decapitated you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=214) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-encounters-between-law-enforcement-and-civilians-the-omnibus-thread/700942.md?page=216)