WHy are people so paranoid?

[SVT-40]

Best for a child is usually making them responsible for their actions.

My son knew quite well if he was to get involved in any criminal matter I would be the one driving him to the station to talk with the police. I always told him he would be responsible for his actions and face the consequences regardless. I also told him I would still love him and support him.

I never had to carry out my promise. He made good choices and was never involved in any criminal matters, and is now a successful responsible adult.

I have seen more kids get deeper into trouble due to parents who would either minimize the child's involvement in a crime or try to shield them from the consequences of their acts.. Children need to learn that there are true consequences to their activities. Having a parent who will not seek the actual truth and let consequences happen. Only embolden a child to repeat their criminal behavior.

LEO's don't need to "protect their jobs" as you put it. They seek the truth. If you don't believe LEO's should seek the truth, well I don't know what you want them to do.

Investigating crimes and determining the truth is the more important than the "feelings" of the suspect or his family. Because it's the suspect who actually caused the incident to occur in the first place.

If you don't want the police investigating you, don't commit crimes.

[OneNcustdy]

Whats interesting is that some people tend to bash on cops all the time until they become a victim or a loved one becomes a victim of a violent crime. By then the tune changes from "know your rights don't ever talk to police" to "Why are they doing this, or doing that, or getting this done." The same rights they want to use are the same rights they want you to violate to help a case.

The scales of justice are blind for a reason and we gather as much information and provide it to courts to hopefully provide the judge and jury enough information to argue a case in the favor of the victim and state. its our job to be fair. "It's just as important to free the innocent as it is to prove someone is guilty."

[SoCalDep]

Some people defend "their" rights with fervent vigor. Some people defend the rights of others. The first group rarely likes the second one.

[chavez27]

I think people are paranoid because they have read of other people getting involved in legal problems when they didnt have to or could have avoided them. Im not against LEO's, im a firefighter and work with them every shift, but im not going to volunteer any extra info that might land me in some trouble if Im being detained or questioned by LEO's. Call me paranoid if you want to but thats what it is.

[Sniper3142]

Many citizens don't trust or like the police for various perceived reasons.

One reason is that almost all interaction with the police is during some kind of negative or bad situation. Either the citizen did something wrong and has been caught or is being questioned about it, or something bad has happened to the citizen or someone they know, and the police are investigating or responding to that event. In either case, the citizen often associates this bad situation with the police and that forms their view of LE.

And then there are the "investigations" or "fishing trips" police often do when encountering a citizen during a minor traffic incident or routine stop. Many people feel it is wrong to have a police officer ask a bunch of questions because they are trying to find something to give them PC to search or take some other action. Of course, these same citizens appauld when these same probes uncover a crime in progress or help catch a dangerous person.

And then there is the BLUE WALL of SILENCE.

While not every police officer is a bad apple, we often see ALL of them Protecting the ones that are. Comradery among LEOs is nature and a good thing. But helping to protect those that do wrong or abuse their positions is part of the problem. Citizens will never trust the police fully when there are so many examples where the police either don't talk or even lie to protect their own. It only makes the whole US versus THEM situation worse.

Knock off the leo bashing

[CSACANNONEER]

LEO's don't need to "protect their jobs" as you put it. They seek the truth. If you don't believe LEO's should seek the truth, well I don't know what you want them to do.

.........

If you don't want the police investigating you, don't commit crimes.

Bad wording on my part. I did not mean protect their employment. I ment "protect their case" or protect the job that they are doing at that moment. But, in the end, many people, DAs, LEOs, sales people, etc. are evaluated on numbers. So yea, many people, in any field, will do what it takes to keep their numbers up even if it means ignoring a fact or bending the rules.

You say any field, but you mean specifically le since this thread is about leos. Knock off the leo bashing.

I'm not sure how to respond to the end of your statement. It appears that you are saying that no LEO will investigate you if you have not committed a crime. We all know that is not correct. Personally, I don't want someone to take my time and pry into my personal bussiness just to find out that I have not committed a crime. I'm still not sure how I can be positive that I will not be investigated even if I have not committed a crime. Do you have any suggestions?

BTW, I am playing Devil's advocate here. I have never had a really negative LEO encounter. In fact, I've had officers comment on how nice I was to them even after they wrote me a traffic citation.

[SVT-40]

Police Officers are evaluated on so many more things than "numbers". The most important of which is preforming complete and through investigations. It matters little if a LEO makes 50 arrests if none of them get filed. In fact any LEO who did slip shod investigations or made bad arrest would in fact be severely chastised on any evaluation. He could also be "PIP'ed" which is a "performance Improvement Plan".

Your assertion that LEO's. "Keep their numbers up even if it means ignoring a fact or bending the rules"

Is in fact insulting, and just plain wrong. With ZERO experience in such matters your opinions are just based only on rumor and innuendo. Not any facts.

"feel " as you like. But that does not make your feelings a reality.

Regarding "not being investigated". My suggestion, since you asked for it is. Live your life. Play by the rules and don't fret over something that has not happened. You will live a much more enjoyable and fulfilling life.

I deal in reality not some fantasy world of "what might happen". I don't "worry" about LEO's bashing in my door. Or any other such silly nonsense.

Having nothing to fear is a liberating feeling. Try it you might like it.

[yzErnie]

And then there is the BLUE WALL of SILENCE.

While not every police officer is a bad apple, we often see ALL of them Protecting the ones that are. Comradery among LEOs is nature and a good thing. But helping to protect those that do wrong or abuse their positions is part of the problem.

The percentage of bad cops among the ranks is miniscule in comparison to the good cops. Yet, being a realist I would never dispute the fact of a couple of bad apples in the bushel. What I will loudly, vocally and vehemently dispute is your comment that ALL protect those doing wrong. I'd be curious to know your factual basis for that comment. To blanketly attack ALL LEOs in a comment is truly assinine.

[Sniper3142]

The percentage of bad cops among the ranks is miniscule in comparison to the good cops. Yet, being a realist I would never dispute the fact of a couple of bad apples in the bushel. What I will loudly, vocally and vehemently dispute is your comment that ALL protect those doing wrong. I'd be curious to know your factual basis for that comment. To blanketly attack ALL LEOs in a comment is truly assinine.

You are totally right.

It was wrong of me to state that ALL police take part in these coverups. Most officers are probably good, hard working folks trying to maintain law and order in an ever increasingly lawless and insane world.

But the Blue Wall is very real. How many officers take part in these events is hard to determine (since that is part of the very nature of a coverup). And it is the existance of this policy of protecting the few "Bad Apples" that has caused many to distrust ALL police. It's not like we can tell the good ones from the bad.

You need to read or reread the rules for this forum before posting anymore. If you continue with your negative leo comments you may not be able to post here anymore.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Code_of_Silence

[Jonathan Doe]

Some people defend "their" rights with fervent vigor. Some people defend the rights of others. The first group rarely likes the second one.

It is not just defending the rights. It seems like there is hatred toward the police/government. That is the problem. Rights usually are associated with responsibilities, also, the way I learned it.

[warbird]

No matter what you say there is no excuse for a good cop to "protect" a bad cop and no excuse for a cop to violate the very laws he would enforce on citizens. Too many examples of various cops in prison today speak to the fact that the cops of today are not the cops most people are used to. As an example ask your county to tell you how much money was spent in the last decade settling lawsuits/claims year by year against police departments/officers and why this is not an open part of the budget each year for citizens to inspect? Why is there a confidentiality clause that most plaintiffs in each case do not want to sign. I will bet this is the first excuse the city or county gives you as to why they cannot give you the amounts. I respect good cops but the sytem is hiding the bad cops and these lawsuits settlements are just the tip of the iceberg. If any cop thinks questioning this amounts to hating them or disrepecting them then why not bring everything out in the open? It is taxpayer money being spent on both sides so why can't we be told? And please do not blame the police unions because you are the union as a cop paying your dues.

[bohoki]

the individuals cost benefit analysis of risk vs reward is low in talking freely to the police

until they offer ccw's and immunity for our help it just isn't worth taking the risk

[fabguy]

As far as these people who don't like LEO's or whatever their problem is, need to walk in LEO's shoes for a few days. See what it is like for them to deal with the general public, I think if they did they would understand what it's like and would have a different view of things. I am NOT an LEO by trade, but have 3 as neighbors. I was in a situation last year that would have changed the average persons view of LEO's for life, but it didn't change mine. I respect these men & women for what they have to deal with everyday. I personally wouldn't do their job, you can't pay me enough for what they deal with on a bad day. As far as my situation last year, most the LEO's know what happened, some had training because of it. (BADLY mistaken identity at a supermarket on a sunday afternoon, lol). So to the LEO's : "Keep up the great work you do, people don't know the way the general public is".

[odysseus]

I think it is clear to distinguish between the individual LEO and the LE system. Most people talking paranoid are talking in regards to the system.

Having friends and family that are LE, I know there are very good people working in that field, some of the best. However even they will admit that the system can be very FUBAR at times. People do get caught up in the machine and spit out, so you can't be naive to that fact. The truth isn't always given its fair due. The system rewards those who can, versus those whom can't.

Saying that, that kid (though 17 nearly an adult) doesn't sound like a great presentation of a scenario where he hasn't already been by his own actions put against the system. Sounds like a border line loser that needs a wake up call in reality.

[Mikeb]

" you have the right to remain silent. If you give up that right anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

I have a lot of respect and appreciation for the police. BUT, if it looks like you might have an issue... shut up.
take care
Mike