Police and Law Enforcement

Thoughts

The self-proclaimed mission of law enforcement is "to protect and serve". I really admire that slogan.

I believe in a strong, well-trained, well-disciplined and fair police force.

I feel good when I see a police officer help people fix a flat tire. Or get assistance for accidents. Or when a police officer makes a joke at a rock concert.

I feel bad when I see teenagers' cars searched at traffic lights, or racial minorities stopped when walking in white neighborhoods, or when I see three police cars outside of a house where teenagers are having a party. Or when I get stopped at 3 am, coming back from work, and ticketed for expired proof of insurance.

By having to enforce shaky laws, law enforcement sometimes creates a bad name for itself. That is why I think a strong, believable system of reasonable laws and fines will eventually benefit law enforcement.

I believe that entrapment creates a bad name for law enforcement. Whether it has to do with speed zones, drugs or prostitution. It is a form of conflict of interest and detracts from the notion of fairness.

Like many conservative Americans, I feel uneasy about the notion of asset forfeitures by law enforcement.

I get very worried when laws and sentences for simple things escalate and escalate and escalate. I feel like one of my nerves gets pinched, every time I hear a legislative body talk about another "zero tolerance" policy.

When it comes to my own kids, I sometimes get the feeling that this is what I should tell them:

• Respect the police.
• Proclaim your undying love for the police.
• But if you ever find yourself in a situation where the police comes by, get out as soon as you can, if you can. If you can't, don't ever open your mouth until you call your parents.

There is no doubt in my mind that having secret police around, would result in a more peaceful society. Unfortunately, people don't like the feeling of constantly being watched by the government.

I find the use of undercover police officers a very bad idea.

• It could get too many ordinary people in trouble
• It can too easily be misused and create a totalitarian society
• It is an indication of not being able to enforce the law in conventional ways, which is probably an indication of a bad law in the firs place (a law people do not really believe in)

I feel it is better to dissuade than to enforce.

I feel it is better to show a police car in a speed zone, than to hide it.

If law enforcement limited itself to fighting violent crime, their reputation with the people would be much better.

Police are ok at festivals, or to help when accidents occur or a car breaks down.

We want police to protect us from theft, mugging and rape. But once we have the police, they end up going after prostitutes, teenagers, and drunk drivers.

There is the general perception in our modern society that a human life is priceless. However, when observing the way law enforcement goes after suspected drug offenders, considerations for human life tend to go out the window rather fast.