NorthernGent
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Joined: 7/10/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Zonie63
quote:
ORIGINAL: NorthernGent
quote:
ORIGINAL: eulero83
I have the suspect you want to live in a police state where obbedience and discipline are more important than life and freedom, mostly because you think it's somebody else's problem, you feel above that, because you fit in that kind of society, and probably because you've been lucky enough to never experience those kind of power abuse. I wish you good luck and be glad those who wrote your bill of rights where not like you.
Does it necessarily follow that the use of a Taser or arresting someone for non-compliance equates to living in a 'police state'?
Not necessarily, although it would depend on what the courts and the political leadership choose to allow. Obviously, the police are not allowed to do whatever they want, since there is a chain of command and a political/legal hierarchy they have to operate under. If that hierarchy operates fairly and transparently, then that would not be an indication of a police state. Riots don't happen just because police get out of line; they happen when police get out of line and the proper authorities don't do anything about it.
There's also an attitude shared by more than a few people who believe the police are incapable of doing any wrong whatsoever. Or, at the very least, it's an attitude which believes that the police are somehow "above" the rest of society, particularly those who live in poor or disadvantaged areas. It coincides with an irrational belief that if the police don't come down hard on each and every instance of disrespect, defiance, and/or non-compliance, it will lead to "anarchy." These are the kinds of attitudes which could lead us into a police state, if we're not careful.
Zonie,
There have to be rules and regulations so that we all know where we stand. This concept is inseparable from the Rule of Law.
As has been pointed out in this thread, the lady was causing a problem at a crime scene and in effect hampering the efforts of the polis to undertake their duties, and as such she needed to be reprimanded.
Where I do agree with you is that we have a situation over here whereby people can be stopped and detained at airports and the like, and have their property confiscated for this period of time, I think it's up to 10 hours; and the polis can do this without holding any reasonable suspicion of guilt (all to do with 'security'). In effect, they can stop and detain anyone. Accusations of a 'police state' could quite justifiably be levelled at our government and associates in this scenario.
It's the age old question of how order and liberty can be balanced.
And, in my opinion, the balance was struck with this lady in the US and I don't think she can have any complaints, whereas what is happening over here with detaining people in the interests of 'security' is another matter.
_____________________________
I have the courage to be a coward - but not beyond my limits.
Sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.
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RE: Cop put on leave after tasing 61-year-old woman - 
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