Rogue Officers

Posted on August 21, 2011 by ylukovsky

What makes good police officers turn bad? Some people may not even say that they are bad, some may say that they are just doing there jobs to the full extent.  When I read the Voice article on NYPD the main thing that stood out was the rapist who eluded arrest for so long because his case was being mishandled. As far as all the tickets and all of the summons and extra arrests go that’s their not necessarily doing anything illegal, they are just following the rules to the full extent. Its up to the police officer whether he wants to let someone go, write them a ticket, or arrest them and I feel that as citizens we are in no position to pass judgment onto them.  In blatant cases of police abuse, like taking bribes or planting evidence, that is obviously wrong and illegal. A lot of people say the cops are just thugs with guns and things of that nature, but my response to them is what is your alternative? What other better and more effective solution do you have for catching murderers and rapist? The fact of the matter is that these people put their lives on the line day in and day for lousy pay and no respect. What do they get in return, accusations and threats, when someone breaks into your house at 3 a.m. I’d like to see who the first person you call is. The clip I provide is by Officer Schoolcraft and his recordings. I don’t condone everything the cops did, but I admit they have a very difficult occupation and need some slack. NYPD Corruption

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17 Responses to Rogue Officers

  1. howard.jeanlouis says:
    August 21, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    I definitely agree with you the cops have dangerous job and they are trying their best to make good of bad situation. When you mention good cop or bad cop I can’t really say that there are how the fit one description more of the other because as you mention with the example with officers writing or dismissing tickets. This shows how human nature will always supersede authority that we have been given, for the satisfaction of our own desires. The police department is plague heavily by the influence of politics because if you watch the news and see how some issues are resolved you can tell that some cases given priority. If you can you should see a film called Superheroes, this could be a replacement for our current law enforcement agencies.

  2. Justice says:
    August 21, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    Hi Ylukovsky,

    I agree with your comment that being a police officer is a difficult occupation; however, I am not so sure about giving them some slack. In what instances should we give slack? This is the job that they signed up for. Those that are interested in being officers become officers on their own free will. I agree that when an officer is forced to write up tickets, issue summons, reclassify crime and make false arrests to meet quotas is wrong absolutely unlawful. These officers are put in a difficult situation: having to choose between their paycheck and integrity.

    However, we must remember that police officers are supposed to protect and to serve. I think the honorable thing to do is what Schoolcraft and Polanco did: expose the corruption within the New York City Police Department. Corrupt cops add to the detriment of society on a whole. And, I can definitely understand why people believe that active/constant policing of neighborhoods should be eliminated. In other words the Broken Windows theory approach to eradicating crime does not work- it promotes fear and distrust particularly in communities consisting of minorities.

    Police officers that have gone rouge is an issue that must be addressed. These officers should be terminated. A zero tolerance policy should be implemented in cases where it is evident that an officer has used excessive force when dealing with individuals. There are two video links that I have posted below. Yes, I would agree that I would not opt for policing of neighborhoods if theses were the types of cops that would be patrolling my neighborhood.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzYNhE460Aw&feature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PmfuAZ815U&feature=related

    -Cepeda

  3. Kelly Reznick says:
    August 22, 2011 at 2:43 pm

    I do agree and try to symathize with the fact that officers have a very tough job. I also understand and kind of feel bad that people can falsely accuse them of things and disrespect them. I feel pain for anyone in that situation. If I was doing my job and was being disrespected just because of my position and looked at with hate by the citizens, I would feel utterly depressed, sad, and hopeless.

    At the same time, I tend to be very prejudiced against police officers. So that can get in the way of my sympathy for them sometimes. Part of the reason for my prejudice is that I personally know a white cop who is a White supremacist, and he is open about his views with everyone except his superiors. You are right that it is up to officers how far they go in enforcing the law, and you say they shouldn’t be judged for that, but shouldn’t they? You don’t have to take legal action against the cop, but you can certainly disagree with their selective enforcement of the law. It hurts to be targeted because of your race, age, gender, and other factors for any reason. Why should the fact that it’s a cop targeting you for one of these things make it any better?

    I hate to bash cops on a public forum, but some of them do not face up the tough crimes. Some are cowards, and shy away from the scary guys and instead find easier targets. That way they can say they targeted more people and feel really good about themselves and try to look good to others, but I see the truth. Do you know how many cops have been cracking down on lemonade stands lately? Why not go stop a home invasion or a robbery? I think cops need to re-evaluate their priorities.

    – Kelly Reznick

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