BlueSheepdog
10 Years Experience
Around the Way, FL
Male, 40
Cheating death and fighting communism: that is how a fellow officer once described our job. It was meant to be funny, but as time went on it seemed all too true.
I spent more than ten years in law enforcement, all of it on the street in uniform patrol. I've been a patrol officer, instructor, sergeant and lieutenant.
Do not report crimes here. Nothing here should be considered legal advice. All opinions are my own.
An interesting, but loaded, question.
The term "police brutality" is a subjective one that is likely to inflame the conversation. I'll presume that you are referring to the unlawful use of force, which is any time a police officer uses force - regardless of the perceived brutality - when it is not legally permissible.
Police officers are permitted to use that force which is reasonable during the performance of their duties. Many people do not understand what is reasonable because they do not have the training in, or understanding of, the dynamics of a violent encounter. I'd suggest looking at credible sources such as the Force Science Institute ( http://www.forcescience.org/ ) for a better understanding of the application of force. Anything you've seen in the movies is likely crap, by the way.
For a better understanding of when officers may use force, a review of the case law is an excellent starting point. Graham v. Connor [490 U.S. 386 (1989)] is typically cited as being the defining case regarding police use of force. Although the case clarified a number of issues, the court essentially said that things were pretty clearly stated in their earlier decision in Tennessee v. Garner [471 U.S. 1 (1985)]. Both cases offer remarkably insightful opinions, and they should be read in full. Summaries of the cases in Wikipedia and elsewhere fail to give the true scope and color of the opinions.
An additional problem with your question is the unstated assumption that there are frequent incidents of police officers unlawfully using force. I believe the premise is false, and every credible study on police use of force I have seen shows that officers are very hesitant to use force. In fact studies have shown that even when clearly justified, officers still are slow to use force.
Are there times when an officer unlawfully uses force and are not criminally prosecuted? Sure. There are a variety of reasons this may be true. For example, the unlawful use of force may be charged at the federal level if the officer was acting under "color of law," or at the state level for the charge of battery (or similar). Just like any other case, the prosecution must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused officer committed the crime and that he or she intended to commit the crime (mens rea). Lacking the ability to prove those things, the prosecution will not proceed.
Share Answer: 
It can be. Time away from the family, physical danger and dealing with other people's problems are just some of the downsides to the job.
Share Answer: 
No.
Commercial firearms transactions go through a special FBI database. The database used is not one that is available to other law enforcement agencies. Some of the information in the database is available to outside agencies through other files, but not all of it. For example, if a police officer was to run a "normal" criminal history on a person, it would show prior felony convictions but not other things like if you had been adjudicated mentally ill, renounced your citizenship, etc.
Chances are you are the best person to know if you are no longer allowed to own a firearm. If you have a specific question about a possible prohibition, feel free to ask.
Share Answer: 
Fair is a BS concept typically used by people who covet what other people have. Life isn't fair. Life is about choices.
If a person wants to work for NYPD, they know what the job pays going into it. If a potential applicant wants better pay, they will go elsewhere. If the citizens of New York want the best possible people applying to be police officers then they will offer more competitive salaries.
Share Answer: 
School Teacher
How do you feel about the idea of year-round schooling?
Claims Adjuster
What happens when NEITHER driver is at fault?
Chef
Has anyone ever found anything gross in their food on your watch?
It depends on the circumstances.
Share Answer: 
I don't know. I did a lot of things as a cop, but I was never a K9 handler.
Share Answer: 
Ok.
Share Answer: 
-OR-
Login with Facebook (max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
Browse Jobs
Host a Q&A
Search
Submit Your Question
Host a Q&A
Last 7
