How do we deal with corrupt law enforcement?

I didn't really know where to put this, but here it goes...

Link-

www.youtube.com...

(Don't know how to embed video,sorry)


Anyway this is a link to a video of cops in Cookeville,Tennessee using hand signals to tell one another to plant drugs on this person. Which leads me to my question...

There is no doubt about it in my mind that nothing serious will happen to these cops even though what they are doing is seriously affecting peoples lives. You know how hard it is for some people to get a job with a drug charge on their record?

We all know that power corrupts.

So my question is why do we allow these people to continuely abuse their power with no consequences and repercussions?

I've always held to my idea that anyone in that wields any form of authority or power, power that directly delves into a mass of people, should be chosen by the people they are supposed to represent. I feel police are no different. I feel that people should be chosen by their community not only to "serve and protect" but to represent their community. If a place is corrupt than that should be represented in the people that represent them. I feel with the current structure of things you find that there are good people in good communities that are imposed upon by corrupt officials . And on the opposite end you have good people working in corrupt places that could be better used elsewhere.

These are just my thoughts...

Feel free to share some of your own.

Edited to add..
-This isn't really funny but, I did laugh when the guy said"you're dog just ate my leg off".

[edit on 3-8-2009 by AgnosticX]

In a way, I agree with you. Well, in more than a way, I suppose.

In the old days, the sheriff, was either chosen, or he was the only one dumb enough to volunteer. In my community, it's still the same, he is elected. The trouble, is that no one else is. The city cops, the county's deputies, they are all hired and don't even have to have any history in the area.

We get a lot of cops from other states and cities come here to cut their teeth and then move on to bigger places. I feel really fortunate that we don't seem to have the problems that other places do, yet. (well, except for that one school cop who was sending porn)

They have really nice guns....and armor...and a lots of cops. We have what is usually one person's word against that of a trusted officer. Who is the judge going to believe? What happens when the judge is corrupt as well? That happens more than I want to know about. Like the one that was in bed with the camp, so he kept sending kids their way for a kickback...the one using the pump behind the bench, you know the ones.

It's too much. What are we supposed to do? There are only about a hundred cops and deputies here, in a community of about thirty thousand, but it only takes one person with a gun to control a whole bunch without. They can't get us all, but who wants to be first?

Corruption in law enforcement is as old as law enforcement. I don't think it will ever be eliminated...at least until robots take over....then we have corrupt programmers to worry about...give me corrupt cops any day.

Hmmmm....Seems like noone is interested in discussing this, oh well.

I don't think there is any greater level of corruption in law enforcement than in any other profession. The very nature of the role of law enforcement in our society magnifies what corruption there is.

The best way to combat this kind of corruption, along with most others is through public sunshine. It is no secret that in many cases the press is no fan of law enforcement and most news outlets have anon tip lines. My sense is that is the best and safest way to attempt to do something about it.

What can we do to them ?? really ?? a citizens arrest ??? we would only end up getting charged with assaulting an officer or some other bogus charge, .... especialy when they coroberate eachothers story's. lying pigs.

reply to post by dolphinfan




True, I agree with you that law enforcements large role in some facets of society leads to their actions being magnified, but the police are looked upon in a good light by most people leaving it hard for someone that has been part of this to be heard. Also, whereas corruption is likely everywhere corruption in this field has, in my opinion, the most profound reach on the normal man.

Anyway, yes an anonomous tip might work for an isolated situation but it hardly gets to the root of the problem, it merely places a band-aid on a severed limb. I was trying to think in a way the entire system could be reworked to make these kinds of things less frequent.

But you do have a point, if they were scrutinized they way they should be for acts of corruption that would probably help the situation a lot. Or if they actually started firing people instead of putting them on paid leave till everything blows over.

Also, when I say "we" I meant collectively as a society not "we" as individuals. Just for future reference. Not directed at you.

[edit on 7-8-2009 by AgnosticX]