Backing the Cops
Ok, the verdict is in. The three NYPD cops have been found innocent in a trial that was non jury. The courts have been pretty solid in backing officers in cases such as these and most of the time, I agree. Split second decisions are difficult for any officer, soldier or person, no matter the training. How do you really train someone to kill someone else? When is a cell phone not a gun on a dark night in a hostile situation when it is all on the line and coming fast. I do have problems with 50 rounds entering the man and one officer that emptied his clip and reloaded. On the other hand, I admit that I don't know the whole situation and will not comment one way or the other until I do. It seems that this country is still very polarized. Some against the cops, blacks against the whites and the list goes on and on. How do we stop it? I have my two cents worth in upcoming blogs.
Atheist Sues Defense Dept
I believe in God. It is my right and it is personal. I also believe in another persons right to not believe. I get sick and tired of people using religion for things that it was never meant to be. I think that this country is falling apart because our basic moral fiber is eroding. That is my belief and yours may be different. I am tired of the race issues in this country. I am tired of the rich ruling us poor. I am tired of a government that lies and is unresponsive. Here's the link for the story of the atheist. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080426/ap_on_re_us/army_atheist_speaks;_ylt=AgOtzoh3tpiQx8jjlvP4_KZH2ocA
I may not agree with him personally, but doesn't he have a right to his opinion?
Obama For President?
I think that the democrats are in the process of shooting themselves in the foot. The longer Hillary and Obama battle it out the better it is for McCain. Can Hillary pull this thing off. I wouldn't count her out, I think she would sell Bill to get the democratic nod.
The differences between States
It is amazing how different the laws are in each state. Some states you can go to jail for not having your license. Others, it's a small fine. Some can take you to jail for no insurance, others it's a traffic ticket. Some states train the cops in the inspection rules and allow them to site. Other states don't have much on th books for things like this. I think the traffic rules should be uniform nationwide. Too many different laws in too many states just means trouble... and in a lot of cases can be unfair. We also hear that ignorance of the law is no excuse but the way they vary from one state to the next, we are all is some form. ignorant.
Hillary?
Well, as expected she pulled off Pennsylvania but I doubt that it matters. Obama has the popular vote and the delegate lead and it looks very unlikely that will change. The reality is though that I doubt that either one will beat McCain. It's my opinion, but I think that there are enough voters that will not vote for either a woman or a black man and they will hand the presidency to McCain.The economy is in the toilet, we are in an unpopular "war" in Iraq, the prospect of us becoming a second class nation are real and more evident every day and yet McCain holds his own. This is amazing considering the ties he has with Bush and some of his policies. Lyndon Johnson did not seek a second term back in 68 because of the unpopularity of the Vietnam "war" . He knew that he had little to no chance of winning. What's changed? Probably the fact that the country is currently sick of both parties!!
The Price of Gas- Blame the government
The beauty of the blog. I can say anything I want even if it has little to do with anything. I filled up the gas tank recently and all I can say is this sucks! We should have seen this coming. Domestic oil production is crap…too dirty. The domestic refining capacity…no new refineries built since the 70's. This has happened before. We are owned by the Middle East and now China. Our national debt is soaring, the price of gas will hit what ever the kook from Iran wants it to and we can't get rid of our SUV's. Years ago, I drove a diesel rabbit. It got 50-53 miles per gall back IN THE 80'S. Don't tell me that we couldn't still have that car out there only running cleaner fuel. The government is to blame. Every President and Congress since Jimmy the peanut man. We should have had conservation measures in place. The average MPG of the cars being sold today should be near 50. We should have been finding new DOMESTIC sources' while moving towards energy independence. You may say that is hindsight…I have been saying this since the rabbit died. We need to get new vehicles on the road. Check out this one. http://www.aptera.com/ Instead of the government taking our tax dollars to bail out companies that were mismanaged, they should help get this vehicle up and running and on the streets NOW!
The War on Drugs
President Nixon started the first official "war on drugs." President and Nancy Reagan came up with more intense enforcement and punishment plans as well as her "Just say no" idea. Is it working? Are DARE programs working? Amazingly enough, back around the turn of the century, cocaine was legal and actually in COKE A Cola and many more items that were legal and readily available. It wasn't until years alter that anyone realized that hey…this crap isn't really good for us. I just wonder that because we can't seem to win this war on drugs, how long will it be until we legalize and control it like booze? Everyone knows that nothing has ruined more families and killed more people, as far as drugs go, as the drug called alcohol. We couldn't control it during prohibition and finally they made it legal again. Will this happen with heroin and cocaine as well ?
This was Different
Being dirty will catch up with you. At the very beginning of the audio, you can hear him saying a prayer because he thinks he is dying. Law enforcement can be a great career. You are being paid to help. Some kids look up to you. Remember that!
The Youtube generation
6 kids getting arrested for luring a girl in and beating her on video for 30 minutes. 2 more got arrested for being lookouts! http://www.jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/040608/D8VSEK7O0.shtml They were going to put it on youtube. This was after they even knocked her out and waited for her to come around so that they could beat her some more! What the hell is going on here? The kids are getting more and more violent with less regard to others. If it hasn't happened already, someone is going to get killed. This was a viscous attack. What amazes me is at the end, the kid holding the camera can be heard saying "only 17 seconds left...make it good!." The victim has suffered hearing loss, vision problems and who knows what all else. I saw a defense attorney saying that they all need probation for this attack. Sorry, I know that they are kids, I also know that this was pre-meditated and I know that they could have killed this poor girl. I think they need a lot more punishment than probation. Again and again all that I can say is...Remember the VICTIM! If it was my daughter or yours, what would you want the suspects to get if found guilty. This sucks folks!
The reality of the resource
I remember the first time I took a solid case to the local DA's office. It was an indecent exposure case where a guy exposed himself to 3 teen age girls. We worked the investigation, found the guy and filed charges. We were told to give him a disorderly conduct ticket as the odds of taking it to trial were slim since money was tight and they needed to save "resources'" for the bigger cases. I was young and furious. I'm sure that this will happen to you if it hasn't already. Just remember, do your job. DO it the best that you can and leave it go. If someone else or "resources" cause you to have to let a case go or you are ordered to go for a lessor charge, it's not your fault. When you put that head on your pillow, rest easy knowing that you tried and did your best. That's all that is in your power.
Beware of the Camera
Cameras are everywhere now. Like that's a bad thing? I think we should have them up and running for every circumstance that we run into. I know that there are so many cases where an officer was saved by the evidence the camera provided. The general public has no idea how many times cops are lied about. The use of camera evidence complete with audio, would end a lot of bull crap. If you as an officer fear the camera, then I believe that you need to re-think your profession. Remember to treat every situation as though you are a movie star because one mistake and you could become real quick.
I have added videos that will hopefully amuse you. Check them out by clicking the video page. I hope you enjoy them. Catch ya tomorrow.
Another teacher was assaulted in Baltimore by a 10th grade student while the class cheered her on according to an article located at http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-teacher0409,0,6065301.story Just another incident of how we are letting things get out of hand. I know that it has happened on a regular basis in years past, but it sure seems to be more commonplace now. Plus, what frightens me more is that it seems too many students actually enjoy this kind of behavior. Losing respect for parents, teachers and law enforcement. These are the adults of the not so distant future. Watch your backs out there…
I'm sorry but I have no sympathy or any desire to see an idiot like this locked up. He needs to be executed. I'm talking about the rapist in Orlando Florida. If you aren't familiar, check out http://www.wesh.com/news/15831855/detail.html. It is one of the toughest parts of the job. To see a punk like this pull this crap and to realize that if he is caught, you have to gently take him in to custody and give him his rights. No one can ever make up for what he has done to his victim and I see no reason why this thing deserves to live. Why do we keep victimizing our victims? I have been on the prosecution end of a lot of rape cases. It sickens me to think of how many times the defense tried to paint the victim as "asking for it" or "dressed in a way as to lead on" the poor rapist. Don't believe in the death penalty? That's ok and it is your right. I do. Not a deterrent? No, not the way we do it. With years of appeals and even a modicum of fame that goes with the celebrity created, it can cause some to see a heinous crime turn into an avenue to be someone special in their deranged mind. If we made it silent and swift, I believe it would be a deterrent…and by the way, yes, I would be happy to flip the switch.
Ok…now I have heard it all. I received am email from D.G of Des Moines Iowa (supposedly). He accused me of being a right wing "cop kook that supports a mostly corrupt organization known as United States Law Enforcement." I just have to reply. HEY MEATHEAD…if someone is a teacher for their career, what are the odds that they will support teachers? How about a life time trucker? Wonder if they will support the industry. Can we say DUH! I am not saying that police officers are perfect and EVERY profession has its share of bad eggs. Want to see corruption…go to Washington DC…or even Iowa.
Now that I am pushing 50 and I wear bifocals, have aches when I wake up in the morning and realize that I am looking back on my more of my life than I have ahead of me, I feel that I can offer advice to younger officers. You can laugh at it or heed it. It is up to you. One of the most important things about being a cop is that the job can change your reality…if you let it. I have been an officer, an investigator, an accident reconstruction expert, all the way up to a police chief and I can tell you that you have to stay grounded. Not everyone is against you. I think that one of the most important things to remember is to have friends that aren't cops. It is so easy to get into the "all the worlds a toad" outlook on life. It isn't true. There are enough problem makers to keep us in business but there some really nice, great people out there too. I used to only hang out with cops years ago. Work with them, spend days off with them (usually drinking) and pretty much hang out with cops all of the time. It cost me a lot. A marriage was not the least of the expenses that I paid. I see it over and over again, cops cheating on their wives or husbands. We have an extremely high rate of alcohol addiction, suicides and divorce. Stay grounded, remember the kids and promises that were made. I have grown into a reality that my conscience is happy with. Life is to short…
What do you think of Police Departments offering advertising on the police cars to generate revenue? How about putting the officers' name on their cars? I am not sure how I feel about either. As far as the ads go, on one hand it could help pay for badly needed equipment and maybe even RAISES! On the other, some say it cheapens the department's image. As far as the names, some say since most departments that do it put just the first and last name or a nickname on the car, that it ads to the loss of respect for officers. On the other hand, it makes the officers seem more...human. I don't know. Do you have any opinions? Go the message board and post your take on it.
D
"I would have rather have a trained monkey with common sense for a partner as opposed to a college educated man with none." That is what I heard years ago from my training officer and I think it still holds true today. I'm not saying that having a degree is bad or anything of that nature at all. I am saying that no matter how educated you are, you will never be the best possible officer if you lack common sense. Act…don't react and constantly try to train and prepare yourself for the worst situation. It may never happen but if it does, it will only be your common sense and training that saves you. By the way, what is up with you K-9 officers? I need pictures of you or at least your dog. Action pictures would be great. Come on and send them in! Tell others about this site and have them send in pics too. Fire department pictures have been real slow in coming also. Please spread the word!!
Ok, now some States are looking at releasing criminals early to save money. About damn time! Like they already don't release them early, or not incarcerate them at all to begin with. I see California pays over $40,000 per prisoner per year? I know cops that don't get paid that much! Here's a radical idea...put the inmates to work. Thanks to NAFTA, CAFTA and whatever stupid trade agreements we have in place, we don't make anything here. Like we can compete with countries that pay workers $.25 per hour. DUH! We have been sold out. Even though I consider myself a conservative to moderate, this was STUPID! We have turned China into a powerhouse and I think it will come back to haunt us even more than it does now. Anyway, my idea is simple. Since we don't make anything here, have the inmates do it and sell it. The profits go towards paying for their costs, paying for police and school teachers salaries and paying off the national debt. I know that this isn't popular with advocates of smaller government but to me we have been screwed constantly by big business. I trust them even less as they have no accountability. Social Security and Medicare are big government and yet all we hear is how great it is and how we need to save it. To me it would be so great to see A FEW things that say "made in the USA by inmates" as opposed to "MADE IN CHINA". Just my thoughts.
4/4/08
I remember the days before mace, tasers, beanbag rounds and all the new less than lethal force ideas came out. You had a flashlight that served as a club, a billy club, a slap and a gun. If someone was resisting heavily, your next option was to try to beat him or her senseless before you had to shoot. Now we have all these other weapons available and yet, every time someone dies while being shocked or maced, they sue and cost the taxpayers millions…if not billions. I think that there should be a nationwide law concerning use of force and lack of liability if the proper steps are followed. Going State by State or even Department by Department is asinine in my opinion. The taxpayers shouldn't have to keep paying when someone wants to be an idiot. Just my thought for the day.
Have great one and be safe
D 4/3/08
Another day and more bad news. The economy may head into recession. That's from the head of the Fed. Where has he been?? Considering that here in Florida, we have cops being laid off left and right. Universities cutting back on classes so that people can't graduate due to the fact that the State, in their infinite wisdom, cut taxes at the same time we entered this downturn. How is it in your State? I know that places like Western PA have been battered over the years and still so. Great to know that politicians rule our lives. Yep. I complain, I vote and I might run. Are you gonna vote for me?
Till tomorrow
D 4/2/08
We just keep getting deeper and deeper. Now a group of THIRD GRADERS, 8 and 9 years old have been caught conceiving and attempting to implement a plan to use duct tape, handcuffs a broken steak knife and more on their teacher that they are made at. They even had rules delegated and some of these involved were going to cover the windows and clean up after the attack. In this day and age where kids see everything on TV, do we really expect things to get better? How do you explain Viagra and Cialis commercials to your 8 year old that caught it on the internet while doing mandatory research for a report? I've said it before and I will say it again. Law Enforcement is going to get tougher and tougher. Hang on...the ride is going to be a rough one
Later
D Posted 4/1/2008 @ 2058 hrs
Ok, here it goes. An 11 year old girl was shocked by a Taser in Orlando, Florida. The story goes that this girl, at around 5" 5" and 160-170 pounds, was going nuts and when a female Deputy tried to restrain here, the Deputy ended up with a broken nose. Now, parents are in an uproar over this innocent child being shocked. Where are we going with this folks? I have seen how the kids today have been losing respect for law enforcement. I think we are on the cusp of a major problem. When I was a kid, I feared the cops, jail time and my dads' belt. Now kids are given time out, and asked to stay away from a play area. Teachers can't touch them, not even to show a little affection to children that receives none. The perverts have ruined that. We can't spank them. I don't know about you but that was my motivation for being well behaved. The shrinks have ruined that. We have a system of counseling and rehabilitation that is a joke overall. One parent commented that a guidance counselor should have been there to handle the situation. What, with a magic wand? If the report is accurate, the child was out of control. I guess we are heading for the time when we just let them go until they get tired and hope no one gets hurt. Oh wait, then if someone else's child gets hurt, they can sue for no one stopping the attacker. I believe we need to take a long look at this…or else. Check it out at http://www.wesh.com/news/15722007/detail.html
My opinions are my own and free speech is great
D 4/1/2008 @2:30am
I am thinking that we need to start a blog on judges that have come up with goofy stuff that ticked us off. We have all done it, bust our tail to investigate a crime, make a good arrest, get the t's crossed and the i's dotted just to go to file charges and have a prosecutor bargain it to nothing or a judge throw it out or drop it to a lower offense, forget the sentincing guidelines or whateve. It is one of the most frustrating things about the job. KIND OF LIKE STEREO'S SO LOUD THAT THE BASS RATTLES WINDOWS. Drives me nuts!
Till next time...
D
3/31/08 @1930.
How about a guy with 31 arrests on drug charges, sometimes including physically resisting arrest, and yet he is still on the street? I mean, I am not even talking about a user, this guy deals and has been charged over and over again. Deals get cut, names get dropped and on we go. Don't you get tired of people saying cops don't do our jobs when we deal with someone like that. It amazes me how transparent we have become and yet the judicial system is rarely chastised. Maybe in 31 more arrests. Anywhay, on a lighter note. We started a guess the movie quote page. Every week I'll post a movie quote and you can submit your guess and we'll see how many from each occupation get it right and how many are wrong. Plus we'll show how many from each field submit so come on Rescure personnel, firefighters, security and PI's...spread the word. We are seeing way to many cops!! :-)
Thanks for all you do...really.
D
3/30/08 @ 0100 hrs
Working on the weekends is still strange after nearly 18 years. Rotating shifts get tougher as I age. I still like midnight turn the best. We need to take a poll and see everyones favorite shift....
In the meantime.
D
3/29/2008 @1240hrs
Ok. Someone sent us a post and all it said was "a guy in a hat killed the other guy in the hat." It's from a movie...but which one?
Be safe out there.
D
3/28/08 @ 0245hrs
Welcome to my first blog. We are working hard to make this site fun and functional. I'll be adding picture uploads soon so that you can put your picture into your submission. We have been asked why we don't include names and department information. The answer is…I donno. We will start soon. If you enter your name on t he optional name field, we will use it. We have also added a place for you to enter the Department name if you like…
Check back for more.
Be safe out there.
D
3/28/08 @ 1804hrs
