[bob47]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I back the concept of a strong police department with humane, properly trained peace officers who know how to put their bias aside when it comes time for them to do their jobs. Honestly I don't care if they have a bias against the disabled, or if they're racists, or hate Jews and Muslims. As long as they leave that stuff at home and not bring it to work. But the second they step over that line, then the entire blue line disintegrates. Because of the actions of any singular officer. They rise together, and they fall together.

I'll gladly offer a thirsty-looking officer a bottle of water if I see him in the neighborhood on patrol. But if I see that same officer stop someone on the street because he's walking while black, that's when I turn on the video on my smartphone. Police are not a singular infallible entity. They are a collection of individual personalities. When we demand that they be treated as a singular unit deserving of respect that the ENTIRE collection hasn't yet earned, then we justify how any ONE member of them can commit crimes against anyone who isn't one of them.

Humans are flawed creatures. We ALL have our weaknesses. Police are not immune to that, and it's time we stop putting them up on a pedestal. I've worked with the police, I've had to call the police for help in the past, I've been pulled over for speeding by the police, I've been friends with the police, my parents' best friend was a cop and he and his wife and my parents used to go out once a week for dinner. So I have no beef against "the police." My problem is with the individual officers, and the departments that protect them even when they screw up. They are the ones that give "the police" a bad name, they are the ones who need to be held accountable, and they are the ones who need to either be rehabilitated, or removed from the force.

No one is above the law. That includes the police.

This is one of the most rational postings I've ever read.

[tophcfa]

I will support an officer of the law over LeBron James seven days a week and twice on Sunday.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The term, DeanFL, is "flamebaiting." If I recall correctly, the term for the person who commits the flamebaiting is not allowed to be used on this forum (talk about cancel culture, which predates the term cancel culture, which is political jargon most often used by people who fit the definition of the term we're not allowed to use, for the purpose of flamebaiting).

Some of us know that. And we're calling out out on it. You might not know the term, but your "provocative posts" fit the definition. Feel free to look it up.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by GrumpyOldMan

It seems many feel it is all or nothing, on almost every topic. Pandemic has a cure or doesn't. Vaccines are 100% affective or not affective at all.

And people have to chose to be for the police or against them. PERIOD.

I disagree with those presumptions. I can support the police while at the same time call for the incarceration of police that abuse their positions of power or break the law.

There are 15,000 murders in this country every year. That is only 0.015% of the population of Americans. Since it is such a small percentage should we just look the other way when a murder is committed? Why bother prosecuting that small percentage of Americans - when it is obvious that the overwhelming majority of Americans are good people are not murders.

Pretty silly?

Well, so is ignoring a police officer spaying pepper spray in the face of a patriot serving his country in uniform.
So is, justifying shooting a person in the back who is walking away with their hands raised, because they were walking away.
So, is, justifying killing a person by kneeling on their throat.

So, is.

These officers, the ones that are guilty, are a disgrace to the police force and the uniforms they wear.

I completely support the officers that uphold the law. I am 100% in favor of prosecuting to the fullest extent of the law any officer that abuses their position of power, or brakes the law in the line of duty.

The first thing we can do is get rid of qualified immunity. Some have taken it and run with it.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The term, DeanFL, is "flamebaiting." If I recall correctly, the term for the person who commits the flamebaiting is not allowed to be used on this forum (talk about cancel culture, which predates the term cancel culture, which is political jargon most often used by people who fit the definition of the term we're not allowed to use, for the purpose of flamebaiting).

Some of us know that. And we're calling out out on it. You might not know the term, but your "provocative posts" fit the definition. Feel free to look it up.

Horse feathers! I like Dean's posts. I guess It all depends where you sit what is provocative. I read a lot of people's Facebook pages. I have seen me some damned good flamebaiting there. How we deeply believe is not going to be negated by new words or "Woke" culture. I personally think "Woke" culture and relabeling does much more harm than good.

[villageuser]

We are not against “them”, the police. We are against the human beings, some who wear police uniforms, who are racist, and use their “superiority”, either because of their whiteness or their uniform, to be abusive to others.

[jswirs]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I back the concept of a strong police department with humane, properly trained peace officers who know how to put their bias aside when it comes time for them to do their jobs. Honestly I don't care if they have a bias against the disabled, or if they're racists, or hate Jews and Muslims. As long as they leave that stuff at home and not bring it to work. But the second they step over that line, then the entire blue line disintegrates. Because of the actions of any singular officer. They rise together, and they fall together.

I'll gladly offer a thirsty-looking officer a bottle of water if I see him in the neighborhood on patrol. But if I see that same officer stop someone on the street because he's walking while black, that's when I turn on the video on my smartphone. Police are not a singular infallible entity. They are a collection of individual personalities. When we demand that they be treated as a singular unit deserving of respect that the ENTIRE collection hasn't yet earned, then we justify how any ONE member of them can commit crimes against anyone who isn't one of them.

Humans are flawed creatures. We ALL have our weaknesses. Police are not immune to that, and it's time we stop putting them up on a pedestal. I've worked with the police, I've had to call the police for help in the past, I've been pulled over for speeding by the police, I've been friends with the police, my parents' best friend was a cop and he and his wife and my parents used to go out once a week for dinner. So I have no beef against "the police." My problem is with the individual officers, and the departments that protect them even when they screw up. They are the ones that give "the police" a bad name, they are the ones who need to be held accountable, and they are the ones who need to either be rehabilitated, or removed from the force.

No one is above the law. That includes the police.

You ECHO my sentiments, exactly. NO ONE, including policeman, are above the law, and it's about time those that discredit the police force are held accountable for their actions. Like many other organizations who go to extremes to protect their own, (for example, the Catholic church and their pedophile priest), it's time for accountability.

[BillY41]

You are recording a police interaction for what reason?

[Billy1]

Yes, lets get rid of the dirty water.

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

.
.
I would sincerely hope that most of us here in The Villages feel this way too.
.
.

100% back the Blue

[irishwonone]

What I can’t understand is why you would reduce your police force numbers and take millions away from their departments. Somehow they believe they’re punishing the police yet they are punishing all citizens. More theft, rape, murders. Police need MORE TRAINING just like any professionals NOT LESS TRAINING. They are dealing with life and death daily. Are we blind?

[Eg_cruz]

Originally Posted by Fredman

Why would u pull out your camera if u see an officer stop a black man. Sounds like you are painting them with a broad brush as being prejudice. You don’t know that police officer. Your prejudice is showing.

Agree

[Billy1]

Yes, accountability for evil acts. God is against evil.

[Get real]

Self serving politicians are more dangerous than any cop...
This is the advice I gave my rookies....

[Get real]

Originally Posted by irishwonone

What I can’t understand is why you would reduce your police force numbers and take millions away from their departments. Somehow they believe they’re punishing the police yet they are punishing all citizens. More theft, rape, murders. Police need MORE TRAINING just like any professionals NOT LESS TRAINING. They are dealing with life and death daily. Are we blind?

It is about money, power and control. It has nothing to do with police. Police are once again the pawns for corrupt politicians, poverty pimps, and scammers.