Should law enforcement be able to hide their identity? Refuse to give name / rank / badge #? Who does this serve? Is it safe? Constitutional? Moral?

Question

This is all presuming that undercover is not a factor & they are operating in a public setting. EVERY LEO organization & it's union & it's civilian complaint review board (if they even HAVE one) has a professional, publicly negotiated code of conduct that prohibits this but it's NEVER prosecuted or even raised as an internal personnel matter. They're gods among men after all...

Courts have ruled REPEATEDLY FOREVER that without compelling reasons, to obfuscate that you are an LEO is severe danger to public safety & undermines the judicial system.

If you claim they'll be doxed then your right! We ALL risk being doxed when in public and yes it can be a safety issue but this is a matter of balancing competing public goods and again, courts have ruled REPEATEDLY FOREVER that there is no right to privacy in public so you can stuff that argument.

Amy10223 · Accepted Answer

There are lawyers in CA who tell yo what to if law enforcement attempts to arrest you for protesting, for anything without there being a reason. We should be able to protest here in this country peacefully without them spraying tear gas on people who are protesting for any reason. First, you should ask them their name and to identify themselves. Then they can show you their badge, and finally you should be able to ask what are you being arrested for. Have someone video tape if they can. What they do otherwise--is against the Constitution and ILLEGAL. And they themselves are being asked to do something illegal, they don't have to. They have a right to say to their person in charge, "Do you want me to ----" (whatever action it is)"? without any concern about the law and it being illegal to do so--they have a right to refuse to do this.

It is Constitutional, it is safer, and it is morally correct to follow the rules that are in the Constitution and in the written rights officers hav , than to operate without them.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

LEO are employees of local authorities, state and federal government and as such like any such their employer has a responsibility towards their safety. Being doxed is a problem which puts a LEO & their families at risk from criminal gangs like MI13 or even ISIS. In Mexico federal officers have to wear masks and live in special gated communities because the criminals would murder them and their families or apply pressure on them to look thd other way or work for them. France has this problem too where muslims were stabbing police officers. Unless you want to end up with a corrupt law system like Mexico or south American countries protecting LEO personal is of great importance.

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

A uniformed police officer has their name and badge clearly visible on their uniform. They have no reason to not identify themselves. An off-duty officer should identify themselves as a police office and show their badge if acting in official capacity. Undercover officers do not need to identify themselves, nor should they.

The reverse question is interesting. Do you have to identify yourself if asked by a police officer? If the officer has probable cause or reasonable suspicion that you have committed, or are about to commit, a crime, you must identify yourself when asked. Otherwise, you do not have to identify yourself. When pulled over for a traffic violation, for example, the officer has probable cause, which is why you must show your license and insurance when asked.

Shiprex · Accepted Answer

It's part of the moral contract citizens give to the state that they are identifiable and recognisable as agents of the state. The covenant that ALSO requires citizens to facilitate the lawful pursuit of their duty to IDENTIFY and query individuals who may be suspected or aware of things going on. The dumb ass behaviour of a lot of "content creator" types who hinder and misuse the media for clicks and likes by goading authorities is a sickness that makes real law abiding members want to break those cameras and the like and stop the time wasting eye rolling bullshit from being allowed

goaded · Answer

There's a lovely one-liner in a book I read recently, something like "walked past the riot police busily re-attaching their badge numbers".

ICE aren't just hiding their faces, they're denying Congress members their legal right to conduct oversight at ICE facilities.

Should law enforcement be able to hide their identity? Refuse to give name / rank / badge #? Who does this serve? Is it safe? Constitutional? Moral?

The New York governor got the Comptroller who was illegally arrested released without charge.

msmissydc · Answer

If they need to hide, they have an unlawful reason to hide. Every lawful reason that could warrant hiding identity should need direct and specific judical permission.(undercover stuff or counterterrorism for excample) Otherwise they can hide from the law and no one, especially not law enforcement should be able to do that.

jshm2 · Answer

LOL, it's why they are kidnapping (there is nothing else to call it) these people and deporting them without court process.

They know they are illegal agents doing illegal things. But as long as they keep the courts out, they can do as they please.

abc3643 · Answer

It is constitutional for law enforcement to use deceptive tactics. So there are times when it's appropriate for law enforcement to do that. For example, when a cop is hiding on the side of a road and catches a speeder, that's a form of deception. Going undercover is a form of deception. So deception is ok, but entrapment is not.

Anonymous · Answer

I will never forget about the time when the moronic leaders of San Francisco were trying anything they could to get people from around the country to come and be cops in San francisco. Why do you suppose that was? Couldn't they find local people who wanted to be cops in San francisco?
San Francisco advertised in red cities and states for potential cops. San Francisco offered a generous financial package for those candidates, but the red city and state potential cops knew they would be totally shit on by the liberals in San francisco. I'll let you connect the dots.

blackeagle007 · Answer

No. If they demand citizens to identify, then why can’t law enforcement do the same? Sorry but I’m sick and tired of. Police having special access privileges, like they are allowed to violate the law in some cases. It’s why the public is being resentful towards law enforcement

DJB72 · Answer

Given the number of officers recently "doxed" whose families have been threatened and attacked simply for doing far fewer deportations than Obama ordered by the hypocrat party donkeys they should definitely have the option to remain anonymous from people whose idea of a "peaceful protest" involves "peacefully" petrol bombing law enforcement vehicles with the officers still inside them...

exitseven · Answer

They only need to be able to identify themselves as police officers. Cops that worked undercover never identify themselves as either police officers or their true identity and nobody says a peep. It is only when the future voting base of the democrat party will be deported is it all of a sudden an issue

lightbulb27 · Answer

I've seen videos on this and think they have to be identifiable such that others believe they are authority. without that, can have roving gangs kidnapping people and that's a bad day, our society will deteriorate. it won't take much.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

It keeps them and their family safe from psychotic nutjobs that want revenge for being arrested by him. Why is it okay for the rioters to wear masks but not the cops?

dustybiker2 · Answer

I think we reconfirmed this past few days (and months with trumps version of "ICE") just why not. No.

Likes2drive · Answer

There’s no reason for them to hide that unless they’re doing an undercover operation,

msc545 · Answer

No, but now they do it anyway and get away with it.

Should law enforcement be able to hide their identity? Refuse to give name / rank / badge #? Who does this serve? Is it safe? Constitutional? Moral?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Should law enforcement be able to hide their identity? Refuse to give name / rank / badge #? Who does this serve? Is it safe? Constitutional? Moral?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.