Difference between line cops and politican cops (Cheifs etc)

[grunz]

Hi all,

Is there really that big of a difference on views of civilian gun ownership between regular line cops and their bosses - the Chiefs of police and other cops on TV press conferences or the guys who appear on TV news anti-gun hit pieces? Can you serving or retired LEO's please give me some feedback on that. Is there a difference or are gun owners deciveing themselves?

I know I might get a biased self-selected response here be
cause we are after all on a pro gun forum - but it's the best I can do today.

[bubbagump]

What I observed at two departments here in Southern California...

Most of the patrol officers and shift Sergeants were pro-gun. Most had either been in the military or were hunters/recreational shooters.

A few of the patrol officers didn't care about the subject. A few had the "Only Cops Should Have Guns" mentality.

It gets confusing once you get passed the Sergeants. The LT's seemed to be split 50/50. I met at least one Captain who was Pro-Gun. One of the chiefs appeared to be anti-gun.

[gumby]

I have to agree with bubbagump, that's been my experience with the OCSD and APD.

[ilbob]

I suspect you will find that cops are basically human, and have the same range of views on most things as the rest of the humans in the area. Except for those at the top of the pecking order. They mostly get to the top of the pecking order by saying what their political masters want to hear.

[BT JUSTICE]

As an ordinary beat cop, I agree with ilbob on this one. Many cops are gun enthusiasts to some extent, but the higher the rank, the more they keep it on the down low. Chiefs work directly for the city council/city manager, and seem to turn into "yes" men. If the city is run by leftist hopolophobes, then the Chief of Police tends to act like an anti, i.e. no CCW permits, conservative (scaredy-cat) departmental weapons policy, etc.

Just look at the difference between legislation supported by Police Chief's associations vs. legislation by Police Officer's associations. The Chief's associations tend to be anti gun, spreading the BS that the police will protect you and they're the only ones who can be trusted with guns. The Police Officer's associations are more in touch with reality, with the beat cops seeing first hand how dangerous people are and how limited they are to make a difference.

[yzErnie]

I guess I am in the minority on this topic. The Executive Staff and Station Commanders of my department are generally very pro-gun. This must be a benifit of being outside of the Los Angeles influence of haters!!

[fullrearview]

Politicians...not cops...they will be what ever gets them higher in the department and or government.

[sf1973]

Most higher ranking officers have more in common with the Mayor than the beat Cop.

Just be glad they don't respond when you dial 9-1-1