Don't Talk to the Cops?

[mtmind]

@roycroftmom

I guess that you do not want any witness to talk to the police

Please don’t put words in my mouth. I’ve no issue with helping LEO, but any help I (or someone else) can give them can be done through an attorney. People need to protect their rights, because the police aren’t on their side.

[ucbalumnus]

@ClassicMom98

Hanging air fresher in a car? (Thanks H!! That was his thing until I got pulled). That did scare me because it was a plain clothed cop in an unmarked car and I didn’t recognize him, and he wasn’t particularly nice. But I was scared to ask for anything because I didn’t want to tick him off. But at the same time I was like ??? I knew I wasn’t speeding. I had no idea the air freshener thing was illegal. He was obviously trying to look in my car for something else, but fortunately I keep an empty car. He let me go.

It is also bad policy for police to use unmarked cars and plain clothes officers for minor traffic enforcement and such, since that makes it easier for criminals to pretend to be police officers.

Are you sure it was a real police officer?

[roycroftmom]

The vast majority of violent crimes are not committed in the physical presence of law enforcement officers who witness them. If everyone adopts the speaking through an attorney position, nothing will ever be solved, and crimes are essentially unpenalized. That sounds like the case in some places.

Glad I do not live there.

[mtmind]

If police aren’t getting the cooperation they would like, then maybe the police ought to consider reforming their approach to gain back the trust they have lost.

[ClassicMom98]

Yes. when I got back, I asked one of the policemen I often worked with. He confirmed it was.

[roycroftmom]

Why? They aren’t the ones suffering from unsolved crimes; that falls on the general public. They get paid the same whether the solve them/ arrest someone or not. So more are choosing not to, which is a rational response.

[mtmind]

@roycroftmom

If everyone adopts the speaking through an attorney position, nothing will ever be solved, and crimes are essentially unpenalized.

Also, this isn’t really true. Lots of crimes are solved with cooperation deals between DAs and the attorney’s of witnesses. Or with the help of other attorneys who report crimes. I’ve been involved in more than a few such situations myself.

[MarylandJOE]

If police aren’t getting the cooperation they like, the police aren’t actually the ones that suffer, the members of the community suffer.

[mtmind]

Do they ever. All the more reason for police reform.

[MarylandJOE]

Seems a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy.

[mtmind]

I love what is being revealed in this thread about how staunch advocates really view LEOs. Seems like the “supporters” view LEOs as a bunch of thin skinned, power hungry children who aren’t all that interested in doing their jobs.

[roycroftmom]

Nope, not in my community. We are all on the same team here, working together to live in a safe environment which we all value. Love that.

[mtmind]

Fortunately for you, there is no knee on your neck, so I’m not surprised you see it that way.

[roycroftmom]

People of color are well represented in my town. Fortunately, they feel the same way I do-they like safe streets and support the police, per local polls.

[Sweetgum]

@MADad

Sheriff Andy Taylor, where are you???

I think in my town. Although she’s a woman.

@ucbalumnus

It is also bad policy for police to use unmarked cars and plain clothes officers for minor traffic enforcement and such, since that makes it easier for criminals to pretend to be police officers.

The police department in my town announces when they will be doing speed enforcement and pedestrian safety initiatives which is every week or two. They often give the streets where they will be too.

[GKUnion]

@mtmind

Seems like the “supporters” view LEOs as a bunch of thin skinned, power hungry children who aren’t all that interested in doing their jobs.

Talk about putting words in people’s mouths.

[mtmind]

Not at all. Read the posts offering reasons why LEO might not do their jobs. It is all pretty insulting to their perceived level of professionalism. Or do you agree that, unless citizens give up their rights, then officers should treat citizens with “cold indifference to (their) wellbeing?"

[ucbalumnus]

@Sweetgum

The police department in my town announces when they will be doing speed enforcement and pedestrian safety initiatives which is every week or two. They often give the streets where they will be too.

Wouldn’t that best be done by officers in uniform so that there is no question that the person is a police officer, as opposed to someone impersonating a police officer?

[GKUnion]

@mtmind

Read the posts offering reasons why LEO might not do their jobs.

If you’re referring to the posts I think you are, the person stated the police would do the job they were contracted to do. Not going above and beyond is much different than not doing their job.

@mtmind

Or do you agree that, unless citizens give up their rights, then officers should treat citizens with “cold indifference to (their) wellbeing?"

People that have a conversation with a law enforcement officer are not necessarily giving up their rights.

I have to believe citizens that automatically default to vociferous declarations of their perceived rights, when approached by law enforcement, are difficult to warm up to. Certainly, if they walk away when not being detained, indifference on the part of the law enforcement officer might be expected because the citizen has removed themself from the situation.

[mtmind]

The advice in question was sound. But even if it wasn’t, it is better than asking the cop what to do, that’s for sure. Their interests are not our interests.

And if one needs an “ABA-accredited” lawyer to know what to do, then all more reason to not talk to the LEO.