The Killing of Rachel Hoffman and the Tragedy That Is Pot Prohibition

Plain and simple logic. You are not cut out to be a police officer if you can't follow the rules.

These folks simply should be looking for other work.

Sad sad place, this so called America.

obi

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

#1- it's Florida. #2 - It's Northern Florida. #3 - The cops should be taken out and horsewhipped and then thrown in jail.
#4 - It's Florida.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

what about the poor ladies choice to go ahead and posess marijuana, full knowing the potential results of doing so? She was in fact on probation when this happened! The laws may be full of crap, useless, and out of date, but the fact of the matter is that those are the laws and punishments for that stated crime whether they are right or wrong.

If you want to make a statement against the lousy law then DO NOT run from your responsibility. When segregation was legal in the US people did not break the law and then cut deals with rotten cops. They took the charges and then made a public spectacle of them. Eventually it made a difference.

If you choose to break a law you should also be ready to pay the penalty, not work out some bullcrap deal with a corrupt cop to save your own butt from a lousy decision. How in the hell do you ever make a difference when you run and hide instead of standing up for what you believe in. Take the charge and the time or don't bother in the first place.

I have NEVER turned anyone else in when caught for my indiscretions. As callous as this sounds I am still alive and doing just fine. Someone once told me RATS get what they deserve, but in this case I would say they are wrong. Noone deserves to die but DO NOT lay all the blame on the system. She made a very very bad decision and you say little to nothing about her lousy choices. Blame it all on everyone else sounds like a GW Bush strategy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I lived in Tallahassee about 25 years of my total adult life. Four yrs in the late '50s at Florida State University, close to three in the mid-60s & two in the latter part, then nearly 20 ending in '98. Mostly loved it! It's a typical, lovely college town hosting FSU and Florida A&M, a separate nursing school, plus friendly residents and 'scads' of live oaks, dogwoods, & azaleas make it an almost magical place to live! But, most of the city is like an island of educated progressive liberals in sea of redneck religious conservatives and, for whatever reason, most of the police department (& especially the County Sheriff's office)have adhered to the intolerant views of the ridiculous fundamentalist Christian values. They are also smart enough to have taken advantage of harmless pot smokers to make arrests records look better and as an additional source of income & increased budget for equipment.
The officers involved should be fired and the chief replaced! It is so sad when America's stupid "War on Drugs" is, once again, the cause of an innocent youth's death. They haven't had the "Serve And Protect" mentality for decades!!!
Paul, retired in Thailand

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I will say first, this is why you should never be a rat. You are putting someone else in harm's way to save your own hide. That is incredibly low. This girl didn't deserve to die though.


That said, this is why I have absolutely no respect for police officers and hate them (which makes it difficult to have friends who became cops).

They make a living off of sending nonviolent drug offenders to jail, denying them their freedom.

The moment they turn a blind eye to a drug sale or possession they risk losing their job, pension, and 401K retirement plan. How many cops are willing to take that risk? This just goes to show you its about the money.

Your freedom or his paycheck, what does the cop choose?

They often use the excuse that they are just doing their job, which is really an extension of 'gotta pay the mortgage' what Nick Nailer in "Thank You for Smoking" referred to as the "Yuppie Nuremberg Defense"


In every secular society that has ever existed, if there has been any tyranny at all by the government, who were the agents who imposed that tyranny on the population at large?

The police, the military, and the taxman.


This is why I have no respect for any of those professions nor the people who work in them.

You can say society would not function without these people. Maybe, maybe you would be right. But there are a hell of a lot of Jews who would have been very alive if Germany did not have a functional police force.

The following is taken from "The Authoritarians"

Reserve Police Battalion 101 provides an example. Part of the “Order Police”
formed in Germany to maintain control in occupied countries, it had eleven officers
and nearly 500 men--nearly all of them from Hamburg. Their commander, Major
Wilhelm Trapp, was a World War I veteran who had risen in the police service after
that war. He was not a member of the S.S., but two of his company commanders were,
and the third was a “Nazi by conviction.” The rank and file were about 40 years old
on the average, too old to be drafted into the Wermacht. They had worked on the
docks, driven trucks, and moved things around warehouses for the most part prior to
being drafted. Although a quarter of them were members of the Nazi Party, they had
grown up before Hitler came to power. They were given basic military training and
in June 1942, sent to Poland.

I have posted the rest of the excerpt as a reply to this comment to reduce space.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

There can be no good outcome when we have this prohibition on the law books.
This tragedy was senseless.
Of course the young woman should NEVER have agreed to be a rat, as this is what happens. That said, there is no way she should have been encouraged to do this to save her ass. Poor decision, and it cost her life.
Smoking pot is NOT a crime, just against the law.
Such a tragic outcome.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

As long as you keep falling for the rightwing frametrap on "pot", nothing will change. Discuss the 26000 industrial benefits of Cannabis and more people will be convinced of removing the prohibition !

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Tallahassee's Rachel Hoffman and Nicole Bush cases reveal how fundamentally off-based our value system has become. Dennis Jones' squirming under the 20/20 interview camera just shows us how out of control and disconnected our criminal justice system has turned out. It would be short-sighted for the rest of the country to go South-bashing and say it is only North Florida when statistics reveal the same trend accross the country for incarceration of this age group for drugs, alcohol and driving. The same statistics also talk to the divide in campus towns between the university community and the local police, which overwhelmingly treats the student body as a group of second class citizens while the underclass of that city continues to prey on them.

Our current policy to build more jails and less schools, our inability to connect schooling and training to now lost jobs from outsourcing and privatization, and most of all, the faulty framework that somehow organized religion can cure everything that ails society just underscores the conflict that looms ahead with the collapse of the middle class. More young people will end up like Rachel Hoffman and it is sad that even after two terms, Governor Jeb Bush , despite all his "big, bold, hairy plans", has made little difference in the lives of children like his daughter Nicole.

Finally, it tells us that this self-promoting church talk of values is just that. It's skin deep. Rush Limbaugh still pops pills when he condemns all addicts to execution, Bill O'Reilly still pays off the people he sexually harasses, and William Bennett still manages to somehow sell his values as a television commentator despite his addictions.

It is time for us to move beyond the immorality of our own hypocrisy. It is time for us to be real again, and save the next generation of Americans from the insanity and disconnection of our so called "values" with what we hold to be true and good.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The citizen who continue to elect representatives who make drug use a criminal offense are the responsible group.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Or did I mis it? The names of the two police officers who used Ms. Hoffman that way?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This is yet another example of our rotten system.

Government is way too big and way too powerful.

Her main mistake was to play ball. They knew that she was in harm's way when she went to the people to buy hard drugs and a gun. The police did not want to send one of their own because of the danger caused by the illegality of drugs.

In a free country, drugs and guns are legal and individuals must be responsible for themselves. Were this a free country, *none* of that would have happened.

If you think we are living in a free country, I am having a one-cent sale on some prime beach property in Kansas and am giving priority to those who still believe this is a free country.

When government officials think they are *better* than the rest of us, and they do as evidenced by the fact that they do not have to follow the same rules (or *any* rules!), then you have no freedom; you are a serf or slave.

See my blog at http://www.alicelillieandher.blogspot.com

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

not respecting/believing/trusting these types of inhuman/unfeeling/dishonest cops?

By continually~DAILY~doing these things to people, they demonstrate that we have legitimate reasons for distrusting them.

And, the worst of all, the DAILY occerances of tazering which has actually killed human beings.

It is NOT those of use decent citizens who are in the wrong here.
It is all brought about by their inhumane treatment of human beings which causes so many of us to see them for the way they are.
THAT does NOT make us in the wrong here.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I only hope that this girls friends and family deal with the cops that set her up for this on a "personal" basis. If that were my girlfriend or wife they got killed, the legal "system" would be the LEAST of their worries. they should be made to feel what its like to lose a loved one!

JT
Ultimate Anonymity

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Someone sent me a petition the other day to outlaw both cigarettes and all alcoholic beverages. OMG! I do not smoke and I do not drink but I am sick & tired of everyone deciding what is / and is not good for me and passing legislation to save me from myself! I am 47 years old and the ONLY reason I do not smoke pot is because it is illegal. I am afraid that I would go to jail if I got caught with it. Pot is less harmful than cigarettes and pot is less harmful > to others < than alcohol! Legalize pot for medical use AND recreational use and then go away and leave me alone! This poor lady wound up dead all because of stupid legislation and stupid enforcement of that legislation. I am so very sorry for her and her family.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What does the next President think about medical marjuana?

Obama is now for it.

McCain is against it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

it wouldn't be so bad if they could admit they're human and apologized...
but i'd certainly prefer it if they didn't tend to be such douche bags to begin with.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Ms Hoffman fell victim to the oldest game in Copville,'Be a snitch and we'll protect you.'
The truth is cops think snitches are lower than the assholes they're getting you to snitch on. Fact is,some of those pigs probably smoke pot themselves,and do harder stuff too.
All the while hiding behind a badge acting like they are above the laws the are supposed to uphold...or should I say 'enforce'.
If we ever needed something to show us just how useless the police are,this is one of millions. Cops exist to protect the intrests of the wealthy,that's all. If you think the wealthy don't do drugs of all kinds you're mistaken. They just have the money too pay any fine or bankroll the cops. When you're that rich,you don't get made a snitch...you pay your way out of it. This incident proves the police are indeed the enemy of the people, an instrument of terror used against the people or at least the people that don't have six or seven zeros behind their names.
The cops think this way....'If you're a snitch,you're scum. Usable to what ever ends they need and when you're done being jerked around,you get nailed for the crime they told you they'd forget about if you helped them.'
It's time we took a serious look at the laws,the police and just what it means to be Free and why we're sent off to die for something we don't have. The war for Freedom and Liberty is not over there,it's right here!!!! If you live in America...you're a suspect. There is no innocent until 'proven guilty'. You're guilty from birth and you 'prove' your worth by getting educated,owning property,and being a asskissing droid for a corrupt system that outlived it's constitution.
My friends it's time to reinstitute Freedom and Liberty!! We do it by disarming the government,the armies,the cops and finally the people. We put teeth back into Maranda. We reexamine the rules of engagement the police use and reject all their power to make people snitches and do illegal serches for broken taillights. Cops lost all decency as humans as soon as they were given guns to shoot striking workers and union organizers back in the early 1900's. They have abused their power ever since and will continue to do so until their job discription gets changed, That's OUR job. We better get to it before there's another Ms Hoffman on a slab
surrounded by laughing pigs.
Elect jeffrey7 for Prez, for your Freedom

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It shouldn't be illegal in the first place and now the cops got a girl killed trying to buy crack and ecstasy and then have the nerve to have press conference in which they blame it all on her? Are you kidding?!

I particularly love the part in the press conference when the cop intones in a oh-so-serious-voice that she was a criminal in possession of "over 20 grams of marijuana" like that was a lot. 20 grams of marijuana is under 3/4 of an ounce for god's sake, it's not she was hiding and selling pounds of pot.

It's sickening, seriously sickening...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The cops who flagrantly put her in harms way should be charged as accessories to murder. They knew the danger they were about to subject a YOUNG DEFENSELESS FEMALE to and yet deliberatly put her in a situation where she could have been raped, tortured, and ultimately murdered. There's absolutely no excuse for it. They used her as a DISPOSABLE MEAT SHIELD.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Dennis Jones, the chief of police, needs to be charged with 2nd-degree murder or something close to that because it really is his fault for pressuring her into such a horrible situation.

What ever happened to police that had morals? Do police of today just follow the law blindly and hope that the government will fix everything?

We need educated police officers that have morals and can make decisions that won't put people in dangerous situations like this for no reason whatsoever (so far to this day I have not heard a real reason as to why marijuana should be illegal).

As for Rachel, she was stupid for choosing to snitch on those dealers. She should have been responsible for herself and not tried to take others down with her. But still, she definitely did not deserve death, and someone needs to pay for this wrongdoing.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

look what happened to people when alcohol was prohibited. Many innocents died. Al Capone was public enemy #1 according to the police state of the time, yet it was Capone not the government who got milk for children and widows allowance. Alcohol was legalized and is now the drug of choice for most politians and police.They're keeping you busy working more and more so you won't have time to pursue injustice. If you want to see your gas money at work, check out Dubai.26000 industrial uses should be enough to storm the bastille. How about selecting officials by IQ not who they were in the movies or who their daddy is.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

you all with your bright ideas should quit blogging and commenting websites and start going out and doing something about the things that bother and frustrate you about our country. This article was extremely hard to read, both as a citizen of this nation and as an avid marijuana supporter. Knowing that there are people out there who can literally get away with murder (or at least being an accesory to it) disgusts me. In these respects, I agree with most everything everyone has had to say.

But here is the real problem-the internet. I know what you're thinking, and I'm sure I already sound crazy but stick with me here. The internet has spawned a generation of complainers and whiners. All anyone does when they have a problem about anything is sit on their laptops in some comfortable place and rant on and on about stupid and horrible and corrupt everything is. This is getting us no where but farther and farther behind. I'm guilty of it, too, so don't think I'm trying to point the finger at everyone else.

The 1950's-60's saw some of the greatest movements by activists in written history. Women's Lib, Equal Rights for all Races, Gay/Lesbian rights, and countless other issues were addressed and fought over by people who were disgusted and tired of blatant inadequacies in our governmental policy. These people literally got off their asses and headed for the streets where they gathered and organized with each other for the greater common good of mankind. I do not see this happening, instead all I see is, "whaaa!! whoa is me! America sucks, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah!" DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

You all have made very valid points, and obviously whoever read this article and posted their thoughts on it has at least half of brain. But quit burning that brain out on the blog-o-sphere, myspace, youtube, facebook, etc. Stand up, be heard. Your real voice sounds a lot more intimidating to politicians than your online voice does.

I hope that along the words of this little rant you've realized what must happen. If you don't want another Rachel Hofman incident to happen, you should do everything that you can to help make the change. Leave your comfort zone, get off your couch, depart from your starbucks, and head for the streets, sidewalks and local politician's offices to let your real voice be heard!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It was 1982 and Ronald Reagan was reliving the 60's with his War On Drugs when a close friend's 19 year old brother was caught with pot in Evansville, Indiana. The cops started leaning on him hard to become an informant. They would show up unexpectedly and tell him tales about what happened to pretty little boys like him in prison. Eventually my friend's brother killed himself by driving out into the woods and hooking a hose to his car's exhaust pipe. Just another casulty of the War on Drugs.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

This is another example of police brutality to the extreme-- Forget excessive tasering, suicide by cop, etc. This is cold blooded premeditated murder whether the cops considered this possibility or not. They certainly did know about likely negative consequences with an unproven "undercover civilian agent". These cops were wanting to further their own careers and that is the bottom line. They did not follow procedures but what really matters here is they are not going to face the consequences of their own illegal behavior. This having no fear of consequences is right out of the Bush Administration handbook. More and more the police departments have crossed the line, have protected their own and we as civilians are paying the price with their unchecked excessive conduct.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I live in a state(California) with a compassionate use law so people who are ill can use marijuana as a medicine and are also allowed to grow several plants legally. However many police departments consider the law bullshit and regard patients as "druggies" In my county(Sacramento) if armed home invaders stalk and attack you to steal legal plants from your garden and home you have no right to defend yourself. Do so and end up charged with felony assault. The thief becomes the victim, gets paid, sues you,gets paid, gets disability as the victim of a violent crime and gets paid again with your tax dollars and mine. You go to jail with a felony strike. Do crime against medical marijuana patients and the police reward you. Nice message this sends to the gang bangers who are committing nightly armed home invasions and over-running my city. Guess how they are financing their Mac10's and Parabellums?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

In San Antonio Texas, two years ago a young man lost his mother. Literally. She was busted for a minor drug charge, cohersed into being a snitch undercover with no protection or back up. She left for a party one night and her car was found a month later. She was never found. She left behind four kids, all under age. The oldest is 18 and takes care of the siblings. They can not even access her bank account. She is not declared dead because they never found her and are not looking either. Really sad for this kid who had to quit school to work two jobs.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The only question for America is, "Are you terminal'? Pity we never studied how the Nazi's got in power, we might have learned something.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It's amazing that this story has such a long shelf life.This kind of thing has been happening for the 40 years I've been involved as an advocate for drug reform and it's still going on as we speak.Drug users are just cannon fodder in the war on drugs.That they finally killed someone with family that is white,well off and cares has gotten this folly some well deserved media exposure.Where have all these people been for the last 40 years?This is an old story and it has untold numbers of chapters filling the pages.This is SOP for the innumerable drug squads that run riot through the country turning people one against the other with the use of fear and exaggeration that scares people into selling out their mother to save themselves.Welcome to my world.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Decriminalization Bill

Call your reps 202-224-3121

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Ryan Pender

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Money talks. If the pro pot lobby gets enough cash and overall public support, the laws will change. Spreading the FACT that alcohol and tobacco use kills hundreds of thousands of Americans every year while pot kills nobody is also a good start.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Rachael Hoffman RIP

"Narcotics police are an enormous, corrupt international bureaucracy ... and now fund a coterie of researchers who provide them with 'scientific support' ... fanatics who distort the legitimate research of others. ...
-- William F. Buckley, RIP

It's back... Florida Reinfested With McKillum

Lock 'em all up, for Crist's sake!

"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger."
-- Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering,
Nazi Air Force (Luftwaffe) commander, the Nuremberg Trials

DeJaVu 1930's

Nazism or Drug Cops

SCAPEGOATING
Blaming social problems on a cultural, racial, or behaviorial group.

PREJUDICE
Selling the public on the idea that all members of the targeted group are 'bad' people.

LIES
'Facts', which cannot be verified, and pseudo scientific studies are used as propaganda against the targeted group. History is rewritten.

NO PUBLIC DEBATE
"These people have no right to have their viewpoiunt aired." and " Anyone who disagrees or questions us must be one of them!"

DEHUMANIZATION
Characterizing all members of a targeted group as subhuman
and typically capable of monstrous deeds and/or crimes.

PROTECT OUR CHILDREN
"They corrupt, seduce and or destroy our children."

CIVIL LIBERTIES SACRIFICED
"We must give up some of our freedoms, liberties, and rights
in order to combat this menace to society."

LEGAL DESCRIMINATION
Laws criminalize members of targeted group and they may be denied jobs, the right to own property and/or be restricted as to where they may live or go.

INFORMERS
Citizens are urged to 'turn in' friends, neighbors, co- workers and family members.

SECRET POLICE
Non-uniformed police squads set up to wage war on targeted groups utilizing deception, infiltration, espionage and entrapment.

CONFISCATION OF PROPERTY
Property and assets are seized from members of targeted group. Property may be divided between the informer and the state.

REMOVAL FROM SOCIETY
Prisons, rehabilitation camps, 'hospitals', executions and genocide...
("Kill †hem All" "Zero Tolerance")

"Arbitrary and capricious" is legal language that was used by DEA Administrative Law Judge Francis Young in 1988 to conclude that DEA was obligated under the Controlled Substances Act to reschedule marijuana as a prescription medicine.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Anyone interested in this subject will be pleased to listen to an internet radio program dealing with legalizing mj. It was taped outside the U.S. The interview is with Dr. Lester Grinspoon, renown psychiatrist and scientist, Dean of Harvard Medical School of Psychiatry, Emeritus.

To wit:

http://www.rabble.ca/rpn/podcast.php?id=lop

Enjoy and learn the truth,
Rich Goscicki
(Author of Mirror Reversal, 2007)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

One can sense the hostiligy on this board against the brainwashing police-state propaganda. Sounds like the '60s again. I sense Abbie's voice pleading, "Gnuck, Gnuck." (Pardon my Yiddish misspelling, Enough,Enough)

http://www.rabble.ca/rpn/podcast.php?id=lop

This above interview is informative and scholarly by the former dean of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

To support the cause you can pick up my book, "Mirror Reversal," which is dedicated to Lester and other reformers, George Carlin, Terence McKenna, et al.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The police force in the US is ridiculous and it is inherently corrupt in nature. Cops have a great authority over civilians yet are usually held less accountable for their mistakes and actions on or off duty. Patrol cops make about that of a waiter or a bartender annually, yet need a gun at work. The requirements are basic, a diploma and a clean record. Meet these standards, go through the accademy, and then you are granted absolute authority. Minimal education is all thats needed for a job that requires use of a gun. Most cops became a so because of their desire for power and respect. That and the individuals lack of useful skills, education, and any self-respect or independent thought. Even if someone becomes a cop due to a positive and righteous desire to protect and serve, it will not last when they realize they are doing nothing more than blindly following someone elses moral ideals not serving the wellbeing of the people. The fact is people who truly want to help others without bias usually become firefighters or emergency personel. Cops just want to have the power and 'respect' that come with the badge, oh, and of course the given authority to decide anothers fate at the end of the barrel of a gun. But there really is no reason for patrol cops to carry a firearm. If cops didn't carry a gun, it would be a safer job. People shoot others when they feel threatened and out of options other than extreme violene. Introducing a gun into any situation will almost always escalate the problem. For example, if a clerk being robbed pulls out a gun he is much more likely to get shot than if he just complies with any demands until the immediate threat is gone and the situation has become safe to rationally assess. There is no reason to fire while holding an unarmed man at gunpoint unless murder is the desired outcome. An unarmed cop is not perceived as great a threat as if armed, yet is just as effective in apprehending the suspect, often times more so. Patrol cops aren't trained to the same level or even close to that of an elite unit like SWAT, nor are they trained under the same guidelines. Elite units, like SWAT, rarely fire their weapons in the course of action, because they're trained to resolve dangerous situations in a logical and methodical manner to avoid hurting anybody, including the suspect. Dangerous shootouts occur when a cop is fired upon in public and then returns fire (in public) often in excess of appropriate or necessary force. Fact is, in such a desperate situation most regular cops, likely in fear for their life, will instinctively react without rationally considering all factors and variables of the situation. There really is no logical reason for regular patrol cops to carry a gun. For example, in the UK firearms are not legal for civilians to own as they are here in the states. Does this mean less people with guns for the cops to worry about? Nope. All of the criminals who want guns can just as easily get them as the criminals in the US. Truth is, lmost all of the guns used in crimes here in the states are illegally bought on the black market despite being available legally. In the UK only elite units of law enforcement carry guns. In turn, 'bobbies' dont get shot at very often, and if they are shot at, it probably would have been unavoidable. Theres no reason to shoot an unarmed cop. Ordering him to the ground will neutralise him just as well. Its just safer for everybody when we choose not to return fire, but instead get down. Then, if necessary call in the armed unit and put their advanced skills to use to resolve the situation with minimal force. Cops in the US are under-paid and over-empowered. Many are practicality children, barely 20 yrs old, and it doesn't seem wrong to put them into a position requiring a gun along with sacrifice of ones personal wellfare, and authority to decide anothers fate, as well as responsibility for societies safety and order.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

since marijuana is illegal, then people should leave it alone. I think it's horrible that this this young woman died and I think the officers who put her in that position should rot in prison forever. However, she could have just served her time in jail or not touch an illegal substance. I am an extremely liberal person but why use illegal drugs when you know they are illegal and have been for quite some time? Marijuana has been illegal from the time that young woman was born until she died. All you do is fund the CIA's black ops projects when you buy that crap. If our government were really opposed to drugs they wouldn't be readily available so why do you think they are? I suspect that is how we fund our wars since there really isn't enough tax money in circulation to fund them.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]