Should individual police officers be given more leeway as to whether or not they HAVE to make arrests and should body cams be removed?

[Anonymous]

Maybe forcing police to follow the letter of the law in every instance isn't necessary.

[Astarlessnightsky]

Thats the exact opposite of what i think its needed.

If even police officers don't follow the law, who will?

After that discussion about police brutality, violence, shootings, ... it would be in everyones best interest to wear body cams. Espcially for police officers to show whats really happend.

[Asker]

I watch police bodycams on you tube sometimes and many arrests are seemingly unnecessary, I think they could and probably would just let people go on with their business if they didn't feel forced to make every arrest. Part of the reason they probably do that is b/c they feel watched all the time. Or maybe they get promotions if they make a lot of arrests. Im not really sure.

[Anonymous]

Why do you think that police do not already have that discretion?

I was arrested for domestic violence because of a supposed "confession" I made to the arresting officer but that was his lie to justify arresting me. When the bodycam footage showed that I had never made such a confession, the charge was dropped with an apology from the court. No, body cams facilitate acountability.

[Asker]

okay maybe the body cams make sense but maybe they shouldn't be allowed to go on the news and be public footage for everyone to make opinions on and should be reserved for court only.

[Opinion Owner]

Secrecy breeds suspicion and contempt.

[boggboss]

No they should have clear cut rules they should follow because their job gives them powers over others that can be abused

[boggboss]

Not sure how removing body cam footage would do anything but allow corrupt police to get away with abuse of power

[Asker]

well they could let you go on a potential motor vehicle infraction if they personally think you are alright. Instead of dragging everyone in for DUI's that probably would have been just fine. Also they might be less worried about using force when its needed and could handle dangerous armed criminals easier without worrying about their jobs and the media backlash after police involved shootings or forceful arrests. No more George Floyd video's to make the news every few months etc etc, less stress on them might mean less stressful policing and sure maybe that would give the corrupt one's a way to abuse the badge but the benefits I could see from this might out weigh the cons. I would also add that maybe the police should be less trusted in court as well. There testimony shouldn't be gospel.

[boggboss]

They shouldn't be worried about using force if again its in reason as for constant videos coming up I don't think hiding the interactions is the fix for this it would be like saying don't watch the news for a less stressful life

[Asker]

They can't even punch people in the face anymore for resisting arrest. This lady got 325 thousand dollars. That used to be standard operating procedure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkr0cJw1pSQ&t=431s

[boggboss]

If punching someone thats resisting arrested is not set in the rules then they shouldn't be allowed to do so not sure why that's surprising to you

[boggboss]

What used to be standerd procedure also allowed police to just beat people up for any excuse or reason they wanted too

[boggboss]

I just watched the video he wanted to arrest her for suspicion of underage drinking then when arresting her she resisted which lead to him hiding her and it later comes out that she had no alcohol in her system he made the mistake with his original arrest he was the issue here not her

[Asker]

I agree and that would have came out in court but in my opinion resisting arrest and getting socked in the face is on her.

[boggboss]

Which is fair enough in your opinion but law and order don't work on our opinion u see it as justified I see it as excessive force and clearly the courts did also

[Asker]

Okay well perhaps that's not a good example of what I'm talking about. What are you gonna do if instead of four foot ten skinny beach chick you got a division one college football player resisting arrest. No way your taking that guy down without using some unorthodox tactics.

[boggboss]

In cases like that they would be allowed to use pepper spray or tazors not punch him in the head till he gives up or doesn't respond

[boggboss]

And even then if he was punching I self defence the courts wpuld loom at it differently then him already in having a women to the ground and deciding to then hit her

[boggboss]

Basic example the 6 cops that pleaded guilty and when by the name goon squad that tortured 2 men and got away with having a crazy reputation because they never reported

[boggboss]

And the only reason they got caught is because 1 of the offercers felt bad and snitiched

[Asker]

yeah I just looked that up. Those guys were pure evil. Not sure how they ever got through the screening process to become cops. Also you'd think the other black cops in the department would have done something about them sooner. Like aren't their police officers that oversee these guys wtf.

[Asker]

to avoid these kind of problems in the South particularly in black neighborhoods, they should probably be patrolled by black cops.

[boggboss]

Doesn't help tho as even black vops end up abusing power

[boggboss]

And this isn't all cops but the issue is many departments have gang like cultures