da_opposition's Blog

A police officers (PO) primary duty is to serve and protect the public in the community in which he/she is employed. While off duty, it’s the general public that they protect.

Initially a PO approach is proactive – attempting to thwart crime before it happens. This is done by patrolling your community and being involved in public events.

The concealed weapon law in Missouri should have a positive impact on crime. This will cause the soft criminal to think twice before committing a crime against a person. You might even hear it on the news that someone packing turned the tables on a possible armed robber.

Law enforcement in today’s society needs to be ONLY with highly trained PO that have gone through the academy, successfully completed firearms training, and understand the sensitivity issues with law enforcement. Citizens do not have this extensive training therefore need not act like a PO. In your comment you mention it seems like more are getting away with certain crimes; I disagree, we are putting more and more felons in prison because of proactive policing. Bank robbers are getting busted, car thieves including carjackers are getting caught. Automobile burglaries are a whole different ballgame since the usual cause of this is exposed merchandise and it’s usually petty.

Reserve police are not a good idea unless for crowd control. Why? Because a reserve cop is one that doesn’t do this job on a day-to-day basis therefore lacks the above mentioned training. As for volunteer firefighters – firefighters work on a mainly reactive basis therefore volunt

Speedy

Are off duty police encouraged to get involved if they see a crime being committed? What if out of your jurisdiction what liabilty issues arise?

It is my understanding that County Police are only covered if working in County Jursidictions. Would most cops risk liabilty on themselves while off duty.

I hear thats different for city cops, they are covered insured/liabilty anywhere in the state of MO.

Reserves

Reserves, serve no purpose unless they are certified in the duties that aid in prosecution. Liability issues without full certifications. A reservist can't write a speeding ticket unless certified in traffic stops.

I do agree with number of CCTV camera's in our society today, criminals are getting caught. Somewhere somebody will reconize you and that's the end.

Citizens who get involved in trying to stop criminals pose a liability risk to themselves that could cost them all there earnings for the rest of thier lives. Training is key to successful law-enforcement and over that it is experience.

Off duty cops do get involved in crimestopping (off duty female cop kills would be armed robber in St. Louis) events and it's actually quite effective since they are in plain clothes. I do not know certain department policies but it's in their blood. Out of jurisdiction liability usually is avoided since that off duty cop will call 911 also so local authorities can be reached. Let's say they are visiting another state - always better to have the "locals" involved.

Reserves are best for crowd control issues. Seeing more cops (including reserves) in large events (ie: VP Fair/City street picnics/concerts) usually will intimidate would be perps. Citizens should never take the law into their own hands unless it's a total case of self defense and it's the last resort. If you see a drunk driver - call 911 - or BIP call 911 - it's common sense.

As for the insurance issues - that varies per department (city/county/state) and what their carriers guidelines/riders contain.

A police department is not obligated to protect it's citizens. Let's be clear on that. A police department is reactionary, unless involved in revenue generation. More and more instances of loosely-defined "probable cause", marginally-researched "no-knock" warrants, and sitations of harassment are occuring all across the US. More civillian oversight is needed.