I’m not arguing with the correctness of what you say but I find this very disheartening.The Annoyed Man wrote:About the lying part, YES, the police can lie to you.
I grew up (some 50 years ago) being taught that the policeman is your friend. He’s there to help you if you need it. There was no indication that this was going to change, when we grew up. That’s the way my kids were taught and now my grandkids.
If my family or I need to ask someone a question about a simple point of legality, why should we be afraid to ask a cop? After all he could be lying. Knowingly and deliberately lying. Just to get you to do what he thinks you should do.
Frankly, it has been my experience with most officers, that they are good decent people. So, it really makes me sad to realize that our system of justice has digressed to this point. Beware; the police are more interested in making arrests than they are in helping you!
What do I tell my grandkids? “Sorry guys, I was wrong. Not all policemen are like your Dad (or Uncle). You must be careful what you tell them. They have no interest in the truth (a concept that is hard to teach children, anyway). They must first believe you to be the victim, before they will help you. Give them only name, rank and serial number.”
I know this sounds extreme. I don’t think there are any cops out there who are trying to arrest children. But it makes a much neater package when, what we were taught growing up, continues through our adult life (as long as we obey the law and are ‘good’ people).
How did we get to this point and, more importantly, how do we get back (or at least better)?
Sorry for the rant. This makes me depressed. Think I’ll go get a beer.
