# LAPD as judge, jury, and executioner **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 9, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787 "2013-02-09T15:07:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/41 "2013-02-09T21:47:25Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Hell, _I’d_ fire a few shots at a zombie Michael Clarke Duncan! It’s a fair bet that the LAPD would, too. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/42 "2013-02-09T21:47:27Z")
> [@Pedro](#): > > Not a saint. That’s a ridiculous statement to make. Dorner himself said his actions were a “necessary evil”. Necessary might be up for debate. Evil, not so much. I’m not a fan of the LAPD…but murderers DO NOT get the benefit of the doubt. His every word is suspect. Once you have murdered, especially civilians, nothing you say can be taken at face value. ---
**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:** [February 9, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/43 "2013-02-09T21:50:32Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > That’s probably the most embarrassing thing about the incident for the LAPD: all those shots and they still couldn’t hit the target? Seriously? Sadly, this is not uncommon for police in Southern California. LAPD, Sheriff’s Deputies… ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/44 "2013-02-09T22:48:16Z")
So of course this guy Dorner is a crazy asshole, but you know, I believe every word he says in his crazy, [rambling manifesto](http://documents.latimes.com/christopher-dorner-manifesto/) when he accuses LAPD of massive brutality and racism, and their retaliation tactics against those who attempt to report fellow officers for using excessive force. But shitty cops in LA? What else is new? Uh, not that this makes his revenge rampage okay. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/45 "2013-02-09T23:34:13Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > What Dorner has done is inexcusable, and he should be tried for murder - but the cops who shot up these two women should likewise be tried for attempted murder. If it’s not acceptable for Dorner to apply the death penalty without due process and without an immediate threat to himself or the public, then the LAPD should be held to the same standard. > > TL;DR (pit version): Fuck the LAPD. No, they shouldn’t. Yes, they fucked up big time, but they are trying to bring in or kill a guy out to murder innocent people. Their “mistakes”, however mind-numbingly dumb they might be, do not put them into the same category as the douchebag murderer. That’s not to say that they should suffer consequences. They should. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/46 "2013-02-09T23:49:19Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > So of course this guy Dorner is a crazy asshole, but you know, I believe every word he says in his crazy, [rambling manifesto](http://documents.latimes.com/christopher-dorner-manifesto/) when he accuses LAPD of massive brutality and racism, and their retaliation tactics against those who attempt to report fellow officers for using excessive force. But shitty cops in LA? What else is new? Uh, not that this makes his revenge rampage okay. This is how I see it too. Killing folks right off the bat isn’t a way to endear yourself to the public and make your message gain traction. I’m guessing he didn’t watch “V for Vendetta.” There’s no way the police are going to take him alive. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2013, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/47 "2013-02-09T23:53:06Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > I’ve heard that police forces in the USA have an “empty the mag” firearms doctrine for the most part. I expect SWAT teams have snipers; but street cops are not typically great shots and their firearms doctrine proliferates overkill and stray bullets. The USA is made up of 50 states. Most states have several to dozens of cities/counties, each with their own police force. Police forces are local, though many states also have a smaller state police force. There is no USA police force firearms doctrine. Ignoring that, officially, police (in the few jurisdictions I am familiar with) are _supposed_ to use the minimum amount of force necessary. Doesn’t always happen, of course. And shooting a vehicle with unarmed people certainly does not qualify as minimum force. This isn’t a defense of the LAPD’s actions, as they are indefensible. This is an indictment of a foolish and frankly, quite idiotic, statement. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/48 "2013-02-10T00:02:45Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > They should kidnap his family, friends, and neighbors and water board them to see if they have any info on where he might be. Oh, don’t be silly. We only use advanced interrogation techniques on foreign muslims. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/49 "2013-02-10T00:14:51Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > No, they shouldn’t. Yes, they fucked up big time, but they are trying to bring in or kill a guy out to murder innocent people. Their “mistakes”, however mind-numbingly dumb they might be, do not put them into the same category as the douchebag murderer. That’s not to say that they should suffer consequences. They should. Depending on how negligent they were, the consequences could be as serious as negligent homicide (or its equivalent). ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/50 "2013-02-10T00:20:53Z")
Might make great ad copy. “See that shit? They lived. Toyota.” ---
**Author:** ![Pedro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/919ad9/32.png) [@Pedro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pedro)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/51 "2013-02-10T00:30:04Z")
> [@colander](#): > > Uh, angry and violent thoughts about _murdering their family members?_ > > How do you figure this violent outburst against totally innocent people is going to trigger any kind of reform? By what mechanism do you expect this to occur? Reform from within. Hahahaha! Just a joke to lighten the mood. I don’t expect any reform from this. There is however a small chance that Dorner might clear his name in the disciplinary action that originated this whole sad saga, ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/52 "2013-02-10T00:41:24Z")
> [@colander](#): > > Uh, angry and violent thoughts about _murdering their family members?_ > > How do you figure this violent outburst against totally innocent people is going to trigger any kind of reform? By what mechanism do you expect this to occur? By the mechanism of accountability? It’s kind of lacking when it comes to police departments nation wide. Ok, maybe killing their families for their incompetence, stupidity, abuse of power, etc isn’t the best option. But meet me in the middle somewhere. How about something more than paid vacations, and less than family annihilation. Anyone know if the incidents in this guy’s manifesto have any merit? ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/53 "2013-02-10T00:43:27Z")
What we as a nation need is a Batman. But one that doesn’t engage the criminals, but rather, keeps the cops in line - or rather DOES engage the criminals, but only the ones wearing blue. Would love that. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/54 "2013-02-10T00:47:41Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > This is how I see it too. Killing folks right off the bat isn’t a way to endear yourself to the public and make your message gain traction. I’m guessing he didn’t watch “V for Vendetta.” Yeah, don’t on hearing the phrase “You know that guy who killed all those innocent people? He was right.” ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/55 "2013-02-10T00:48:23Z")
Trouble being that a cop’s role appeals to two opposite extreme types of people. There’s they guys who truly want to protect and serve and bless their hearts, now and forever. And there’s they guys who want to wear a gun and push people around. And sorting them out in advance is pretty much impossible. I’ve met a couple of the first type, and we can never have too many of them. Met the other kind too, and one is too many. And so it goes. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/56 "2013-02-10T01:07:14Z")
Just read the entire [“Manhunt Manifesto”](http://documents.latimes.com/christopher-dorner-manifesto/) that the LAPD released. What I learned: Man, I have _got_ to sit down and write a manifesto! The guy hits every major issue of civilization, including gun control and Dave Brubeck’s music, and includes messages to Colin Powell, Ellen Degeneres, Charlie Sheen, and Anthony Bourdain. Even Larry David. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/57 "2013-02-10T01:12:00Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Anyone know if the incidents in this guy’s manifesto have any merit? I’m pretty sure [censored] didn’t [redacted] [blank]. I’m not sure about the time [redacted] [censored] [witheld], though. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/58 "2013-02-10T02:45:41Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Oh, don’t be silly. We only use advanced interrogation techniques on foreign muslims. The “OK to torture/kill” labels are blending together: terrorist, enemy combatant, enemy of the state. Hey, the police beating people up to get info was pretty normal a hundred years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/59 "2013-02-10T02:49:58Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > The “OK to torture/kill” labels are blending together: terrorist, enemy combatant, enemy of the state. Hey, the police beating people up to get info was pretty normal a hundred years ago. I recall some quote from the time saying that American police “compare favorably to the Inquisition” in their fondness for torture. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787/60 "2013-02-10T02:55:50Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I recall some quote from the time saying that American police “compare favorably to the Inquisition” in their fondness for torture. The US is hardly the only nation where cops can be really brutal. I’ve heard enough stories about the French and Japanese treatment of their suspects, particularly those that are “minorities” by their standards to recognize that the US police are hardly the only ones in the world to, at least occasionally, beat confessions out of suspects. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lapd-as-judge-jury-and-executioner/649787.md?page=4)