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"Ultimately, the only people watching the watchers are those realistic enough to admit that it's necessary."
Years ago, members of my extended family were gangsters connected with the Genovese crime family. They had the ability, which they used, to place people in favored positions within the New York City Police Department. I know this, because my father was offered one of those slots.
The more you give the watchmen to do, the more tempting it becomes to corrupt them, and for them to let themselves be corrupted. And the more temptation for corruption, the more the likelihood that such temptation is the main attraction for people who want to be watchmen.
Not that the NYPD should be singled out. Baltimore cops have been accused of working as muscle for drug dealers. Cops elsewhere have been drug dealers, taking advantage of the opportunity afforded by their badges to shut down competitors in the illegal but highly profitable trade and keep the opportunities for themselves
And then there are the FBI agents who got tight with Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger.
Asking police officers to suppress highly profitable activities where there's money to be had just for looking the other way is just begging for trouble.
That's enough reason to give extra thought to every job, tool, power, legal protection, and consideration given to police officers. And it's reason to turn a skeptical eye on the people we've hired to keep the peace. Because, in the end, the only people watching the watchers are those realistic enough to admit that it's necessary.
Treespeaker
reply to post by UxoriousMagnus
In over 40 some odd years I have yet to meet an honest police officer, I've met and known more than a few.
Some were drug dealers, some could talk about nothing other than the "guy/girl" they knocked the stuffing out of and how bad they were, some can't deal honestly with another no matter how hard they try.
When I was a youngster trying to buy my first car, I thought I could trust the cop I was buying from, had so many issues it couldn't be fixed not to mention illegal safety sticker installed....
Never met a police or RCMP that had money issues either as they all appear to live beyond what the salary would provide...go figure...just another "club/gang"....like our military here..
Cheers
Raivan31
There needs to be a police Force who's only job and authority is to police the police.
Make sure they have no police powers outside of dealing with cops and give then unquestioned access to all and any police business. Also the Authority to arrest and terminate if nessecary.
Add to this laws that state that the conventional police have absolutely no power over the other police force and are not even allowed to argue with them.
Then give various community groups the power to oversee the force that polices the police.
So what you end up with is an effective and well behaved police force, a force watching them. And us watching the watchers.
everyone has a bit of power. everyone has to answer to someone.