felons as cops

[bassnleo]

I was gonna post my opinion.......I reconsidered since it was not very favorable regarding some of the opinions I have read here, I don't want to offend anyone or make anyone mad.

I'm one of the few on "the other side of the fence" here being that I work in Law Enforcement.

I will say this, it is highly unlikely that States or Federal agencies will change their laws or requirements that would allow Felons of any kind to be sworn Law Enforcement personnel.

[slomoe]

Bassnleo, I have no problem with you posting how you feel, this is a public forum.

Some people take different paths in life, and have formed opinions based on their own experiences. I am sure your a good guy, I just haven't met an officer, who seemed even slightly interested in my personal safety. Maybe that will change one day.

[Guest avid]

I wonder if most people know what "felon" really means? Can't vote, can't have a gun, can't do a lot of things.

W111 - your understanding of what "felon really means" is incorrect.

It IS common belief, but it is a false generalization.

for example......Not all states automatically bar a convicted felon from voting.

Also the the "no firearms for felons" belief is true, but it leads one to believe that people with misdemeanor violators can obtain firearms.

the law clearly states "convicted of any crime punishable by more than one year in prison....many misdemeanor offenses carry longer than 1 year sentences.  Any one convicted of such a misdemeanor offenses who possesses a firearm faces stiff prison time.

as for the felons becoming cops thing.  As much as I believe that people sometimes do change, the only way society has of guessing someone's future actions is to look at their past.  It's why they want your job history on an employment application.

[bassnleo]

Bassnleo, I have no problem with you posting how you feel, this is a public forum.

Some people take different paths in life, and have formed opinions based on their own experiences. I am sure your a good guy, I just haven't met an officer, who seemed even slightly interested in my personal safety. Maybe that will change one day.

Appreciate the invite to post but I'll refrain. This post has the propensity to turn ugly. I've been in LE for 13 years and I'm very opinionated on this subject, I do not want to be responsible for the ugly turn should it happen.

I will add.......I agree to an extent that some people do sometimes make unintentional mistakes and do deserve the forgiveness our society (and justice system) grants them. The term "convicted felon" is often labled on people whom have committed non violent felonies when many misdemeanor crimes are far more violent. I agree that labeling all "felons" is unfair. It is also equally unfair to label all police officers even though a few do make the rest look bad.

[flechero]

As much as I believe that people sometimes do change, the only way society has of guessing someone's future actions is to look at their past. It's why they want your job history on an employment application.

+1

[slomoe]

It is also equally unfair to label all police officers even though a few do make the rest look bad.

You're absolutly correct. I feel like a complete hypocrite, asking not to be generalized, and then doing it myself. Sometimes I get defensive and let my emotions take over. I apologize.

And Avid you are correct. There are no time machines.

Im outta here, and I thank all for being respectful.

[bassnleo]

It is also equally unfair to label all police officers even though a few do make the rest look bad.

You're absolutly correct. I feel like a complete hypocrite, asking not to be generalized, and then doing it myself. Sometimes I get defensive and let my emotions take over. I apologize.

And Avid you are correct. There are no time machines.

Im outta here, and I thank all for being respectful.

No apologies necessary. You have not had favorable experiences with law enforcement and in spite of that you still maintained your tact in expressing your opinion. I applaued you for that and hope that someday a police officer helps you in some way that offsets (if even so slightly) the negative experiences.

[Guest avid]

Not all felons are bad people, some bad choices, but on a case by case basis I think they could work in law enforcement

working "in law enforcement" and being an agent are two different things.

Using confidential informants, to gain info on criminal activity is an old and successful method of crime control.

To be officially employed as a sworn officer requires/or should require a much higher standard.

[WIII-60]

W111 - your understanding of what "felon really means" is incorrect.

It IS common belief, but it is a false generalization.

I digress sir. I should have been more specific in my post. I intended to include those things as examples of what a felon is. Just as your examples are felons, my examples are also encompassed in the word "felon." There are other cases for sure. I was simply trying to re-inforce a point. You are %100 percent in your extended definition.

Hey bassnleo.......what dept are you on? Or if that's to close to home. City? State? Large? Small? Is it mayberry or new york?

[Dan:]

Seems like basic deductive reasoning to me. Federal law prevents felons from owning firearms. Being a policeman requires the use of firearms: Therefore, felons can't be policemen.

At least as long as the current rules exist.

[ba7ss3in]

working "in law enforcement" and being an agent are two different things.

Using confidential informants, to gain info on criminal activity is an old and successful method of crime control.

To be officially employed as a sworn officer requires/or should require a much higher standard.

agreed, but I have to say that some of our sworn leo's are not that much better. Not speaking of any officers that I work with but that few throughout the US.

[Guest muddy]

The guy who started this informative thread,   10 bucks says he is a cop.

[Tokyo Tony]

No way felons should be allowed to be sworn officers.  That's just a ridiculous idea, and the reasons are self-evident.

As for my opinion on law enforcement, I just think it's such a shame that bad cops, or at least cops who treat you like sh**, give the good cops such a bad name.  Anytime I'm pulled over, I expect the cop to be a d-bag, and honestly, more often than not, he is.  It's such a pleasant surprise when a police officer treats me with respect, even if he writes me a ticket.  That's just fine by me, but there is NO excuse to treat someone like sh** just because you're a cop.  I'm talking about their being sarcastic, condescending, and just very rude.  There's no excuse for that.  The sad thing is that there isn't anything you can say - you just have to take it unless you want to cause yourself more problems.  I've had several bad experiences with police officers, and a couple good ones.  The bad ones just leave such a crappy taste in my mouth that it makes me sick.

[skunked_again]

i heard funkhauser make the quote and although i dont agree with it, the full story is the mayor was brainstorming about the high crime/murder rate in kc,mo and thought that black police would relate better with the black community. hes probably right on the last part. as far as the felons funkhauser was talking about he outlined that as ppl who made a mistake young in life and are now older and more mature.

kc, mo is only the highest murder rate city for blacks, at least hes trying to fix it.

[WIII-60]

Thanks for providing more insight into what he was getting at.

So, what do you think having more of any one particular color of officer is going to solve? I'm curious what you'all think about this. Does this then mean that you send white officers to a call involving white people, and an asian officer to a call with asian people, and a phillipino officer...... etc.? What happened to people being people?

I feel a little like the community itself could be to blame for a lot of these problems.

[roadwarrior]

Memphis ranks near the top in ever category of crime, this is one of the most dangerous cities in America. We need more law enforcement personnel, but felons need not apply. Recruitment of police officer candidates is relatively easy, funding is always the issue.

Memphis and all surrounding communities have mixed race departments. There are occasional issues within departments, but isn't that the case in any organization? From the perps point of view, a cop's a cop.

[ejtaylor822]

I don't have the direct quote, but the mayor of Kansas City MO stated (not verbatim) that there needed to be more minority representation on the police dept. and that people who have a previous non-violent felony should be allowed to be police officers.

seems nieve, since felons can't carry guns, and a little racist.

what do you guys think?

he must be up for re-election - pandering for votes.

[skunked_again]

Thanks for providing more insight into what he was getting at.

So, what do you think having more of any one particular color of officer is going to solve? I'm curious what you'all think about this. Does this then mean that you send white officers to a call involving white people, and an asian officer to a call with asian people, and a phillipino officer...... etc.? What happened to people being people?

I feel a little like the community itself could be to blame for a lot of these problems.

what i took out of what funky said was having more blacks on the police force would hopefully bring some trust back between the police and general public so when theres a crime and 35 ppl see it we wont have that group of ppl saying they didnt see a thing when everyone knows 35 ppl seen the whole thing and who did it. weather or not it works is questionable.

[Guest avid]

Thanks for providing more insight into what he was getting at.

So, what do you think having more of any one particular color of officer is going to solve? I'm curious what you'all think about this. Does this then mean that you send white officers to a call involving white people, and an asian officer to a call with asian people, and a phillipino officer...... etc.? What happened to people being people?

I feel a little like the community itself could be to blame for a lot of these problems.

what i took out of what funky said was having more blacks on the police force would hopefully bring some trust back between the police and general public so when theres a crime and 35 ppl see it we wont have that group of ppl saying they didnt see a thing when everyone knows 35 ppl seen the whole thing and who did it. weather or not it works is questionable.

I think it comes down to having a police force that reflects the racial and cultural diversity of a city......The only problem I see with it is when standards are lowered to bring diversity to a particular department.  I think Affirmative Action in the sense of Aggressive recruiting in minority areas, is good for keeping the peace.  

[WIII-60]

I like roadwarriors train of thought (not because he has a lot of posts, but because he made a good point. If you followed sudden expertisim)

Often, the police are the bearers of bad news. Is this maybe why race is an issue here? Why is this not an issue for paramedics or firefighters of this city? Is there a difference between the trust you need to have for your police force, and the trust you need for someone who is digging for the bullet in your stomach? Or cutting you out of the car you flipped running from the police?  

After reviewing funkhousers statments a little more, he alludes to the fact that "it takes a criminal to catch a criminal." Maybe........but do the police do more than just catch criminals?

This is a good thread and you'all have walked a fine line gracefully.

[fourbizz]

Some guys made a bad decision, some guys are bad people.

I think that is a great point.

I have friends who have served time in prison that are some of the nicest, most generous people I know.

Should "they ^" be allowed to be police officers if they want to? YES! But to make a broad stroke decision to make felons in general police officers is a bad idea. Money laundering, extortion, racketeering, drug dealing, fraud. These are all non-violent crimes and would make for bad traits in an officer of the law IMO.

I have honestly met more good officers than bad, even if the nature of our meeting wasn't very good for me . I start every interaction with a police officer with respect, honesty and humor. They almost always seem surprised! Maybe it is because everyone treats them as if they are a d---heads right off the bat, that they usually respond in kind to that treatment. At the risk of a horrible cliche, the Golden Rule, is... well..., golden! I have only had one ticket in my life and a disorderly conduct charge that stuck. I have been pulled over or somehow "interacted" with the law no fewer than 25 times. If you are wrong, be respectful and honest, take your licks if you get them, and don't be a D!C%!

I am impressed that this thread has maintained such levity!

[5bass]

I am impressed that this thread has maintained such levity!

Me too...nice work fellas!

[WIII-60]

Poll added.

Fourbizz, that was well said.

[ba7ss3in]

Often, the police are the bearers of bad news. Is this maybe why race is an issue here? Why is this not an issue for paramedics or firefighters of this city? Is there a difference between the trust you need to have for your police force, and the trust you need for someone who is digging for the bullet in your stomach? Or cutting you out of the car you flipped running from the police?  

Why? It's because we take peoples freedom.

[Guest avid]

Why? It's because we take peoples freedom.

I think the elegant simplicity of this statement says it all.

The police have tremendous both in statute and in real world practice.

the temptation to abuse that authority turns some them to the dark side.

do we really want to give this power to people who have a previous history of criminal activity?

Not this basser.  

And this from a guy who is not entirely unfamiliar with government issued wrist adronment.