Should police be treated 'nicer' when it comes to breaking the law?

[Cognizant]

It's something that I've noticed. Without a doubt, when it comes to a police officer breaks the law, the charges are a lot lower than if a random civilian committed that crime...Do you think that's fair?

[Cicero]

Yes I do. They're job is not the best paying job, and they risk they're lives. But here, police officers dont even get speeding tickets much, if they do its either really low, or they dont need to pay it.

[Navi]

No, cops should be treated like anyone else.
Cops do their job to enforce the law, not break them. If they break a law, they should face the same punishment as any other person does. Just because they get a weapon, badge, and fancy car does not give them permission to abuse and break the law.
I understand that they got places to go when they need to, so of course, speeding, running lights, and all that jazz as long as they do it safely. But if they abuse their powers- kill innocent people, and so on and so forth, then they should be dealt with.

Now, I have respect for law enforcement officers, don't get me wrong, I just don't like the ones that are corrupt and try to get away with their dirty work and abuse their authority.

[Donkey]

I'd like to see some evidence that this happens in Western MEDCs.

[Mortal Coil]

No, I don't think it should happen. Like Brice mentioned, if they have to get to a crime scene in a hurry then speeding and running red lights, etc, can be tolerated. However, police officers are supposed to enforce the law and not break it. They set a disgraceful example for the general public when they do break the law.

[Cicero]

I'd like to see some evidence that this happens in Western MEDCs.

What's medcs

[Donkey]

What's medcs
more economically developed countries, e.g. UK, USA, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, South Korea....

[Cicero]

more economically developed countries, e.g. UK, USA, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, South Korea....

Woot woot! Go Italy :P haha

[Korashk]

I'd like to see some evidence that this happens in Western MEDCs.
Are you serious? It's common knowledge that police will almost universally let other police get away with minor legal infractions like speeding tickets. A quick google will tell you that cops involved in brutality cases and accidental shootings will more often than not get a slap on the wrist or a suspension when they should be charged with assault or manslaughter.

It's despicable. If anything cops should be punished more harshly than the regular person simply because they have more responsibility to that law.

[Cognizant]

A quick google will tell you that cops involved in brutality cases and accidental shootings will more often than not get a slap on the wrist or a suspension when they should be charged with assault or manslaughter.


This exactly. It's horrible.

[Donkey]

Are you serious? It's common knowledge that police will almost universally let other police get away with minor legal infractions like speeding tickets. A quick google will tell you that cops involved in brutality cases and accidental shootings will more often than not get a slap on the wrist or a suspension when they should be charged with assault or manslaughter.

It's despicable. If anything cops should be punished more harshly than the regular person simply because they have more responsibility to that law.

Link me. Common knowledge can equal common misconception. Media dramatises this kind of thing superlatively.

[Iron Man]

Fuck no. Just because they enforce the law, doesn't mean they are above it.

[West Coast Sheriff]

Po r sposed 2 protect the law not break it
I think their punishment should b worse

[Cicero]

Fuck no. Just because they enforce the law, doesn't mean they are above it.

Every job has a benefit. If you work at a gym or restaurant you get discounts. Why shouldn't the police officer get a few police tickets here and there excused? Plus, regardless of what we think, it's always gonna happen. Hell, my dads not even a police officer, and every single ticket he gets gets excused and it doesn't go on his record.

[Haufen]

Every job has a benefit. If you work at a gym or restaurant you get discounts. Why shouldn't the police officer get a few police tickets here and there excused?

Getting a discount on a gym isn't comparable in any way to getting favor in the law, and you look like a fool now because of that comparison.

The law rules over very serious things like life and death, what if an officer uses excessive force on a friend of you, which kills said friend. Would you just accept it if the officer would barely get punished, or maybe not get punished at all?



Plus, regardless of what we think, it's always gonna happen. Hell, my dads not even a police officer, and every single ticket he gets gets excused and it doesn't go on his record.

Nice corruption, where the hell do you live? Some third world country?


I believe people here who work in a public governmental function like police, ambulance, fire department etc., actually get punished more when they break the law because they have what's called an example function. Which pretty much means it is their duty to be an example to how people should and shouldn't act in a society.

[Cicero]

Getting a discount on a gym isn't comparable in any way to getting favor in the law, and you look like a fool now because of that comparison.

The law rules over very serious things like life and death, what if an officer uses excessive force on a friend of you, which kills said friend. Would you just accept it if the officer would barely get punished, or maybe not get punished at all?





Nice corruption, where the hell do you live? Some third world country?


I believe people here who work in a public governmental function like police, ambulance, fire department etc., actually get punished more when they break the law because they have what's called an example function. Which pretty much means it is their duty to be an example to how people should and shouldn't act in a society.

Uhh no, the United States of America, have you heard of it? and no it's not corruption. It's called knowing the right people and doing a friendly favor. Corruption is more like paying a judge so you have more immunity or so you win a case or paying a law enforcement officer to arrest someone. Having someone take care of tickets you get is called a favor or being friendly. And I never was saying anything about killing, I was talking about tickets. Killing is different. Honestly, if any friend on mine died, I'd be sad sure, but I wouldn't get involved I'd just feel bad for his family and go to his funeral. I'd be a little sad myself. My dad goes to about 5-10 funerals a year, for his friends, I never see him cry. All he is, is sad. If his friend got killed by an officer, we're not gonna waste our money on a lawyer. It's that families responsibility. Plus, if he did sue everyone who died because of some reason, we'd be in debt, and within 5 years, we'd be sueing more than 25 people (last year alone, or the year before I forgot, 13 of his friends died, crazy how short life can be, just proves you need to live it to its fullest)

[Thunduhbuhlt]

No, nobody is above the law. But it seems like people like police officers and celebrities always get off way easier than they should.

[StoppingTime]

and no it's not corruption. It's called knowing the right people and doing a friendly favor. Corruption is more like paying a judge so you have more immunity or so you win a case or paying a law enforcement officer to arrest someone.


Corruption :

abuse of public trust,*act*of bribing,*act*of profiteering, baseness, breach of faith, breach of trust, bribery, complicity.


Having someone take care of tickets you get is called a favor or being friendly.

No, it illegal. Having someone remove a ticket from your record isn't friendly, its wrong.


Honestly, if any friend on mine died, I'd be sad sure, but I wouldn't get involved I'd just feel bad for his family and go to his funeral. I'd be a little sad myself. My dad goes to about 5-10 funerals a year, for his friends, I never see him cry. All he is, is sad. If his friend got killed by an officer, we're not gonna waste our money on a lawyer.

You just wait until you find yourself in that situation, and I'm sure you'd feel different. Why is an officer killing someone any different from anyone else killing someone?

[huginnmuninn]

i think they should be treated more harshly than regular citizens when it comes to breaking the law since they are there to protect it.

[Azunite]

Any priviliges to the police ( or for me, the "Government's Personal Army" ) leads to this: http://www.british-israel.us/israel/swastika033.jpg

Also, it is a bigger problem if the police force breaks the common law and be above the law. ( see: Police State )

Every working person in the community has a job, and their job is simply to make sure people obey the rules and punish those who do not obey. Do you think someone who works at a clothing store would get a discount if he or she would go to a clothing store and say: "I work at a clothing store I want a discount"
If a man murders someone, he is given a prison sentence. If a police officer kills someone, they simply take his badge and that's it. Seriously...

[Cognizant]

If anything, the police force needs to be treated harsher, because they should already be aware of the laws, you know?

[PinkFloyd]

Well if breaking the law means pulling your gun on a random person for calling you a fatass or whatever than yeah thats against the law. If a police officer shoots an armed intruder in someones home than he might have just saved the family's lives.

[Noirtier]

No, nobody is above the law. But it seems like people like police officers and celebrities always get off way easier than they should.

This. Believe it or not, even the President isn't above the law. Richard Nixon thought he was, but with Watergate it was proven that he wasn't. Police and celebrities both get special treatment, for no legitimate reason. In the town my stepdad is from, the entire police force is corrupt. They even sell drugs like meth and cocaine, and take bribes and everything because of the rampant corruption. I know that isn't the only town police force that is like that either. But, on a different note, something like speeding or running a red light i could see being let go a little easier for police. That doesn't bother me. But I have seen cases where police (in my own city even) have killed people in what with everyone else would be either manslaughter or even homicide, where all they get is kicked off the police force or a suspension. Not even a fine. No real punishment for taking another human being's life. That's just plain wrong. No one is above the law. No one.

[FreeFall]

The benefit of enforcing the law is being able to break it?
Nice to know. I'll become a cop and tase/assault whomever I want but that's ok, it's the perks of being a cop. A little tap on the wrist and I'm on my way to do it all over again. I'll kick an old man or two.

But no one's above the law, especially not law enforcers.

[Cognizant]

Well if breaking the law means pulling your gun on a random person for calling you a fatass or whatever than yeah thats against the law. If a police officer shoots an armed intruder in someones home than he might have just saved the family's lives.

If the intruder has no weapon though, and the officer shoots them, is that fair? Is it fair that they shot someone that had no defense against the police officer, and the officer only goes to jail for 3 years instead of perhaps 10 that a normal civillian would have to do?

[Azunite]

If the intruder has no weapon though, and the officer shoots them, is that fair? Is it fair that they shot someone that had no defense against the police officer, and the officer only goes to jail for 3 years instead of perhaps 10 that a normal civillian would have to do?

Wait, officers do go to jail?

[Korashk]

Link me. Common knowledge can equal common misconception. Media dramatises this kind of thing superlatively.

10,000 reports of police abuse in Chicage between 2002 and 2004 resulted in 19 cases of meaningful disciplinary action. (http://www.copblock.org/17484/infographic-a-neutral-look-police-brutality/)
From 2009 to 2010 only 33% of police charged, emphasis on charged, were convicted and only 66% of those served prison time. (http://www.copblock.org/2841/police-brutality-statistics/)
Article out of Florida about excessive force. (http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2010-04-08/news/police-brutality-rarely-ends-with-punishment-for-the-cops/)

[Sugaree]

Wait, officers do go to jail?

If Internal Affairs does their job right, yes, they do. That's why most cops hate Internal Affairs; they see IA as cop-busters.

[Cicero]

Corruption :

abuse of public trust,*act*of bribing,*act*of profiteering, baseness, breach of faith, breach of trust, bribery, complicity.



No, it illegal. Having someone remove a ticket from your record isn't friendly, its wrong.




You just wait until you find yourself in that situation, and I'm sure you'd feel different. Why is an officer killing someone any different from anyone else killing someone?

It's actually not illegal at all.

[StoppingTime]

It's actually not illegal at all. The friend my dad has just doesn't wanna go around saying her can do that. But it's perfectly fine in his position and perfectly legal. They just don't wanna go around saying that they have the privilege to do that. So.... Its legal :)

How is it legal? Explain it to me please.

[Cognizant]

It's actually not illegal at all. The friend my dad has just doesn't wanna go around saying her can do that. But it's perfectly fine in his position and perfectly legal. They just don't wanna go around saying that they have the privilege to do that. So.... Its legal :)

How is it legal that a police man gets excused from the law?

[Jess]

no they shouldn't. no one's above the law.

[Neptune]

No. Cops should follow the law like everyone else. If they break it, they should face the punishment. For the most part, they do get the same punishments unless it is something minor like speeding - which - usually, cops only let cops they know go without a ticket. Both of my parents are in law enforcement, one as a sergeant of a local police department and one as a dispatcher of another local police department, they get tickets like everyone else in cities that they don't frequently visit. In the cities and surrounding area where they work, they do go without a ticket for the most part..... is it wrong? Yeah. But ask yourself this: Would you give a ticket to your friend if you could chose not to?

[triggerperson]

Cops shouldn't be treated 'nicer' of 'harsher'. They should be treated fairly and so should everyone else. Not that that's reality.

[Foamy]

Cops are people. Be treated like people. Meaning the rest of us.

[Donkey]

10,000 reports of police abuse in Chicage between 2002 and 2004 resulted in 19 cases of meaningful disciplinary action. (http://www.copblock.org/17484/infographic-a-neutral-look-police-brutality/)
From 2009 to 2010 only 33% of police charged, emphasis on charged, were convicted and only 66% of those served prison time. (http://www.copblock.org/2841/police-brutality-statistics/)
Article out of Florida about excessive force. (http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2010-04-08/news/police-brutality-rarely-ends-with-punishment-for-the-cops/)

The second is a biased source that cites another biased source. The first also is a biased source that cites biased sources (some better). And the third is dramatised junk, I could spot several dozen literary devices used for effect in that article, so it's a crappy source in a serious debate.

I can appreciate the situation that many people do get off easy. But let's think about it another way; if all of these people were convicted, and so many police were laid off and jailed (rather than just a quiet word in the office or similar), the tax costs would go up very considerably. Having to continuously recruit, the huge costs in not only sacking someone, but charging them, court costs and then actually jailing them. The cost for cops would go up so much that numbers would decline and it'd be the same people that would complain relentlessly.

Obviously in serious cases cops should be given serious treatment but I can imagine a huge huge majority of police complains are very invalid, just based on the fact that people are angry they got stopped / a criminal record, and want someone to take the blame on. The low statistics aren't very surprising to me at all, and none of the articles go very far in reasonably arguing that there are cases where a genuine police report is filed to absolutely no response. I would like to hear about one of them.

I will admit I enjoy a certain lack of empathy for American cops because I live in rural Britain. The cops I talk to are nice, friendly, approachable, reasonable and good guys. They don't carry guns and they're willing to talk to you on the same level.

[Cicero]

How is it legal that a police man gets excused from the law?

How is it legal? Explain it to me please.

I'm talking about speeding tickets or parking tickets or whatever nothing serious. Like, I can't say much, but police officers and people in the law can excuse tickets, it's just something that they want to keep on the hush hush. But it's legal, I dot know how it's legal, it just is. If you have a good friend or family member, working in the place where all tickets go through, they're allowed to erase the ticket itself and make it not go on the record. So I guess the answer is, is that they go into the computer system, erase the ticket, and make it not go on permanent driving record. If you know people within the law, you can do this, if your wealthy, you can do this, if your powerful, you can do this. It's not something my dad takes advantage of, but if he does get one, he'll just call in someone he knows, and then it disappears. It's also something he tells no one. It's something that's never gonna change, if a piece of paper were passed with names on it saying to ban this rule. It would still go on, it would just be an even more hush hush topic. Just how if you go to a restaurant, and you go there often and you tip good. You will be treated better, they will remember your drinks and names. You will probably even be bumped up the list if theirs a waiting list. Hell, the owners of restaurants even encourage them to give them complimentary drinks (sometimes). You go to a hotel/casino, and if you get the most expensive room their, you will be treated better than someone who got the regular rooms. It's just how people are, if your a busboy, and you know a guy is a big tipper, you will tend to that person more often and great them better. Because you know you'll get a nice tip.

[StoppingTime]

I'm talking about speeding tickets or parking tickets or whatever nothing serious. Like, I can't say much,

*Insert badass meme here*



but police officers and people in the law can excuse tickets, it's just something that they want to keep on the hush hush. But it's legal, I dot know how it's legal, it just is.


http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5od5hfLCg1rt6ocno1_500.gif

Well there's a good argument. "It just is." :rolleyes:



If you have a good friend or family member, working in the place where all tickets go through, they're allowed to erase the ticket itself and make it not go on the record. So I guess the answer is, is that they go into the computer system, erase the ticket, and make it not go on permanent driving record.

Source?


If you know people within the law, you can do this, if your wealthy, you can do this, if your powerful, you can do this. It's not something my dad takes advantage of, but if he does get one, he'll just call in someone he knows, and then it disappears.

That's called taking advantage of a legal system.


It's also something he tells no one.

You just told me, maybe I'll report it. :P


It's something that's never gonna change,

That doesn't make it right.


Just how if you go to a restaurant, and you go there often and you tip good. You will be treated better, they will remember your drinks and names. You will probably even be bumped up the list if theirs a waiting list. Hell, the owners of restaurants even encourage them to give them complimentary drinks (sometimes).

That's the same as breaking the law....


You go to a hotel/casino, and if you get the most expensive room their, you will be treated better than someone who got the regular rooms. It's just how people are, if your a busboy, and you know a guy is a big tipper, you will tend to that person more often and great them better. Because you know you'll get a nice tip.

No shit. That isn't against the law, however.

[Christheman]

no one should be "above the law"

[Sol90]

They should get the same punishment.

[Immortal Love]

As many others here have said, I also agree that they should receive a more severe trial and punishment. As Officers, their motto is "To Serve and Protect". They go through probably hundreds or hours worth of training to become a person that people look to for protection and loyalty. It is their job to bring down the hammer of justice and subdue criminals. They risk their lives every day of their job, yes. But, just because of that, if they go against their code of conduct, why should they receive special treatment JUST because they wear a badge.

-End Rant-

Sorry, I am rather sensitive when it comes to Law Enforcement seeing as I am in a Law Exploration organization ( Called Explorers). So I ask of you all to not get angry at me for my words. Thank you~

[Cicero]

*Insert badass meme here*





image (http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5od5hfLCg1rt6ocno1_500.gif)

Well there's a good argument. "It just is." :rolleyes:




Source?



That's called taking advantage of a legal system.



You just told me, maybe I'll report it. :P



That doesn't make it right.



That's the same as breaking the law....



No shit. That isn't against the law, however.

Well you reporting it will do nothing. I have no sources, because I don't know where on the Internet it says it's legal. It's just something that happens, which might I add, I'm very grateful it happens. Sometimes they do make mistakes, shouldn't their be a little something extra for them, I mean, if we're talking about minor tickets why don't they deserve it? They don't get paid all that much to "protect and serve".

[StoppingTime]

Well you reporting it will do nothing. I have no sources, because I don't know where on the Internet it says it's legal. It's just something that happens, which might I add, I'm very grateful it happens.

Nobody should believe anything you say unless you can provide proper sources. Why post in a debate forum if you can't prove anything?

[Cicero]

Nobody should believe anything you say unless you can provide proper sources. Why post in a debate forum if you can't prove anything?

I was just saying that I think it is fair that they get excused from tickets. I don't know how I can prove the fact that happens a lot, but kept on a hush hush level. It's something that law enforcement doesn't go around saying they do it. But it's common knowledge that it happens, just how athletes are paid off to lose or win matches. Just how judges are paid off to make cases lose or win. It's common knowledge. It's like proving that cows milk comes from cows, it's common knowledge that cows milk comes from cows, because if it doesn't come from cows, it wouldnt be named cows milk. It would just be named milk.

[StoppingTime]

I was just saying that I think it is fair that they get excused from tickets. I don't know how I can prove the fact that happens a lot, but kept on a hush hush level. It's something that law enforcement doesn't go around saying they do it. But it's common knowledge that it happens, just how athletes are paid off to lose or win matches. Just how judges are paid off to make cases lose or win. It's common knowledge. It's like proving that cows milk comes from cows, it's common knowledge that cows milk comes from cows, because if it doesn't come from cows, it wouldnt be named cows milk. It would just be named milk.

I wasn't asking you for proof that it happened. Check the "no shit" comment. :P

I was asking you to prove to me how that is in the confines of the law.

[DEEJ21]

okay watever im not tryin to say screw the police but cmon. there was this story about 3 police officers who pulled a guy over for suspected DUI, the guy stopped his truck and once he got out the officers started kicking and punching him, but heres the twist the guy wasnt drunk he had high blood pressure which caused the eratic driving. he later had a seizure after the cops beat him for no reason (he is ok) BUT HERE THIS the cops got RELEASED WITH PAY????!!!!!!! something a regular person would be put in jail for attemped murder or battery. all im trying to say is if you see something reported.

THERE SUPOSED TO BE PROTECTING US NOT KILLING US (NOT SAYING ALL COPS ARE BAD)

[DEEJ21]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDTIviQp2pM

[Korashk]

The second is a biased source that cites another biased source. The first also is a biased source that cites biased sources (some better). And the third is dramatised junk, I could spot several dozen literary devices used for effect in that article, so it's a crappy source in a serious debate.
The third was meant more fore effect than actual substantiation. It only reports about one police department. I'll also give you the criticism of the second one since it doesn't adequately cite its sources like most infographics do, even if its data isn't unfair to police. It's not like the actual information is presented in a particularly biased fashion. However, the first is pretty much inscrutable. It cites all its sources and by and large they're government reports.

I can appreciate the situation that many people do get off easy. But let's think about it another way; if all of these people were convicted, and so many police were laid off and jailed (rather than just a quiet word in the office or similar), the tax costs would go up very considerably. Having to continuously recruit, the huge costs in not only sacking someone, but charging them, court costs and then actually jailing them. The cost for cops would go up so much that numbers would decline and it'd be the same people that would complain relentlessly.
I realize the practicality of your statement here, but that's tantamount to saying "let's just tell criminals not to do it again". A person committing a jail-worthy offense deserves jail time.

Obviously in serious cases cops should be given serious treatment but I can imagine a huge huge majority of police complains are very invalid,
I'll agree that a significant number of them are invalid and petty, but I doubt that 99.9981% of them in Chicago from 2002-2004 were.

I would like to hear about one of them.
Seriously, do some googling. I realize that this is a debate forum but reports of exactly that pop up all the time. Cases where absolutely nothing happens are more rare than cases where punishment is inadequate or superficial, but they do exist.

[Christine.]

I havnt really noticed that, but no they shouldnt

[Cicero]

I havnt really noticed that, but no they shouldnt

You haven't noticed, because it's something that they don't talk about. I'm only talking about small tickets like speeding or what not. Their was a famous case years back about corrupt cops (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Eppolito_and_Stephen_Caracappa). It's very interesting, and if your interested about La Cosa Nostra, this is pretty cool (in the fact about interesting, not what they did).

[heeysamantha]

A police officer raped my friends, friend...and got away with it. Do you think that deserves a slap on the wrist?

[Cognizant]

A police officer raped my friends, friend...and got away with it. Do you think that deserves a slap on the wrist?

More than that. Rape is rape, no matter who commits it.

[Twilly F. Sniper]

No. Breaking the law's breaking the law.

[Truth]

The second is a biased source that cites another biased source. The first also is a biased source that cites biased sources (some better). And the third is dramatised junk, I could spot several dozen literary devices used for effect in that article, so it's a crappy source in a serious debate.

I can appreciate the situation that many people do get off easy. But let's think about it another way; if all of these people were convicted, and so many police were laid off and jailed (rather than just a quiet word in the office or similar), the tax costs would go up very considerably. Having to continuously recruit, the huge costs in not only sacking someone, but charging them, court costs and then actually jailing them. The cost for cops would go up so much that numbers would decline and it'd be the same people that would complain relentlessly.

Obviously in serious cases cops should be given serious treatment but I can imagine a huge huge majority of police complains are very invalid, just based on the fact that people are angry they got stopped / a criminal record, and want someone to take the blame on. The low statistics aren't very surprising to me at all, and none of the articles go very far in reasonably arguing that there are cases where a genuine police report is filed to absolutely no response. I would like to hear about one of them.

I will admit I enjoy a certain lack of empathy for American cops because I live in rural Britain. The cops I talk to are nice, friendly, approachable, reasonable and good guys. They don't carry guns and they're willing to talk to you on the same level. I've scene an FBI agent get off of the hook for shooting a 14 year old girl in the head, because supposedly he mistook the girl for her father.

Yeah, that's some justice being served right there... a simple suspension with pay, rather than jail time. Never even having your name publicized... that's the world of being a member of the law enforcement, you do not get in trouble. :yummy:

[Alliegator]

hell no.

[ryantombs]

Just got pulled over 48 in a 35. I had a pba card he looked at it and said drive slow he saved me 2k usd. I think its wrong i used it but hey idm brong a hypocrit. Same thing for cops they should be treated equal but all the world cares about now is who ya know not whatcha know

[The Flash]

I personally want to become a police officer, so i have a bias, but i think that police officers should NOT be treated better than others, one thing i hate other than criminals are SCUMBAG/dirty cops! they should actually be charged more than non-cops becuz they should know the law better and have more respect for it!

[Human]

Are you serious? It's common knowledge that police will almost universally let other police get away with minor legal infractions like speeding tickets. A quick google will tell you that cops involved in brutality cases and accidental shootings will more often than not get a slap on the wrist or a suspension when they should be charged with assault or manslaughter.

It's despicable. If anything cops should be punished more harshly than the regular person simply because they have more responsibility to that law.

I agree with your last bit...
They know the law and people but their safety into the polices hands, they should be treated harsher.
it's not like anyone forced them to join a dangerous job