Massive Police Layoffs Coming in US

[billy_56081]

Bye yellowtail, its been fun.

[Dee]

A police dept. or sheriff's dept, or state police agency SHOULD NEVER BE SELF SUFFICIENT. If it is, its crooked. A quota system is corruption.

I'm wondering... maybe there's more money to be had in siezing peoples' property under 'forfiture' laws, than writing tickets?

In my county I've seen LE cars that say "Paid for with Drug Money" - which I take to mean, property seized by police?

No doubt about it! In Oklahoma if you get caught with any amount of marijuana they can seize your car. Is it right? Hell no it's not right, and many times if they can wrangle it around that you were dealing from your house they'll seize that too, providing the property or vehicle has a lien less than what it's worth. It's state approved theft. Here in Texas, if you seize a car or house, the dept, DA, and State of Texas all get a cut. Texas gives large grants to and weaponry to small depts, with one of the stipulations that they enforce the seat belt law. REVENUE! Most depts take the grants, and go blind on seat belts. Some don't. The Feds and the States are promoting corruption, and it's working.
The worst thing that ever happened to law enforcement was for the states and the feds to be allowed to seize property.
Arrest the dealer, seize the drugs and money that's in his possession at the time, and put the puke in jail for a long time if he's sellin to kids, or better still take him out and head shoot him. If he's sellin to adults, let'em od, and be done with it.
I personally NEVER PARTICPATED in these seizures, and refused to several times, catching a lot of heat on arrests that I personally made. I never wrote a seat belt ticket, and let my officers know why I felt that way. Most followed my lead on the issue. I do not miss it. It is not what it once was.

[gypsyman]

I believe the whole point of this post, is when it comes to lay offs, the govt., being city,state or county, ALWAYS, goes to where it hurts the people first. There is a alot more ways of getting more for your money, but the govt. wants the people to feel the hit. Lets see some of these politicians and civil servants pay for there own medical, or even half. Last time they talked about that around here, you thought they had just hooked up the alligator clips to the crown jewels and flipped the switch. All the union people for the county and city sounded like a pack of bellowing cows. All the paid vacation time, medical leave. BULLCRAP!! Guess what buckaroos, all the folks living off the govt. teat, well the cow is dieing. Join the rest of us that have to pay for medical, don't get paid leave or vacations, and we'ld better be smart enough to save for retirement, or there won't be any when you get there.  gypsyman

[yellowtail3]

Here in Texas, if you seize a car or house, the dept, DA, and State of Texas all get a cut. Texas gives large grants to and weaponry to small depts, with one of the stipulations that they enforce the seat belt law. REVENUE!

that's just wrong. Where in TX? I used to live in Austin; family is still here.

Most depts take the grants, and go blind on seat belts. Some don't. The Feds and the States are promoting corruption, and it's working.

This is distressing

The worst thing that ever happened to law enforcement was for the states and the feds to be allowed to seize property.

that's a serious problem; one of the reasons I view the state as more akin to the mafia - but with a veneer of respectability? - more than a democratic institution.

If he's sellin to adults, let'em od, and be done with it.

I understand the sentiment, though disagree with it...I've never heard of anyone OD'ing on grass. I'd phrase it as... it's none of the gubmint's damned bidness what a man drinks or smokes. NONE.

I personally NEVER PARTICPATED in these seizures, and refused to several times, catching a lot of heat on arrests that I personally made. I never wrote a seat belt ticket, and let my officers know why I felt that way. Most followed my lead on the issue. I do not miss it. It is not what it once was.

Well, you should have stayed... perhaps could have had a positive influence. I'm guessing not, since you decided otherwise.

[bearmgc]

I for one am a firm supporter of our police departments. They have a tough job to do, and regardless of the city or town, they are paid to put their lives on the line every day.

[yellowtail3]

I for one am a firm supporter of our police departments. They have a tough job to do, and regardless of the city or town, they are paid to put their lives on the line every day.

You uncritical support is no doubt appreciated. But since most on-the-job fatalities for police are wrecking their own cars, one might say we all put our lives on the line every day we get on the road... right?

and we won't get called a hero after we wrap our cars around a tree

[bearmgc]

Ah....no. It aint something to argue about.  I'm not into pi**ing contests today. Find somebody else.  

[yellowtail3]

Ah....no. It aint something to argue about.  

Ah... a sacred cow, beyond examination. Lots of those, these days.

No pissin' intended, here.

[slim rem 7]

well having recent experience with the citys finest.. it seemed theres a different orentation between older law officers an the young ones.. the young officer i was talking to,said mr. marks theres never a reason to fight..i don t hold with that an told him quote..so if i see some big guy running over or pushing around a helpless elderly person ,,im suppose to not do anything..i said ,,if it was your grandma ..then that wouldn t be reason, for you to stop the sorry worthless expletive.. he said ..mr marks ,theres never a reason to fight..
 .. i could see the wonder in his younger officer partners eyes as the words came out his mouth.. you could tell he wasn t raised that way an was confused that his superior was saying that..slim

[gypsyman]

It's called brain washing slim. Instead of looking at whats right or wrong, they are being taught whats P.C. gypsyman

[searlock]

the way to fix corrupt police is to hold them to a higher standard in the system of justice. when one gets caught (rarely) breaking the law then stick them in prison with the general population so the other criminals can stick a shiv in them. after all they hold us to a higher standard when they stop us with guns dwawn and their license to kill. yes you would lose a lot of worthless cops, but the ones that stayed would be better cops. as far as layoff is concerned, couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

[Dee]

the way to fix corrupt police is to hold them to a higher standard in the system of justice. when one gets caught (rarely) breaking the law then stick them in prison with the general population so the other criminals can stick a shiv in them. after all they hold us to a higher standard when they stop us with guns dwawn and their license to kill. yes you would lose a lot of worthless cops, but the ones that stayed would be better cops. as far as layoff is concerned, couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

Well there's obviously an ax to grind there some where. searlock, I would not hold anyone to a higher standard than what I myself was incapable of meeting, although I occasionally do so unintentionally. With your criteria, one would be a fool to pick up a badge. I always like guys like you, that uses the "guns drawn, license to kill" remark. It is as timeless as, "I only had 2 beers officer, and was on my way home".
I am all for guys like you cleaning up your own mess. It's why I don't anymore.


yellowtail, the grants, and attitudes are State wide. Some don't take the buy outs, some do.
I have seen speed zone signs changed by the State, on highways thru small towns because, the small town didn't give the state it's cut of TRAFFIC FINES. This is not just Texas. It's every where.
Police cut backs nation wide is about failing city economies. When their gone, the same one's attacking the police, will be screaming for them for help.
I've seen cop haters, beg cops not to let them die at accidents, and some changed their minds about cops. Some didn't.

[billy_56081]

My favorite is the "it's not mine" defence.

[Dixie Dude]

One police department in a town near me went to 12 hour shifts, with the cops working three 12 hour days, then off 3.  Cuts down on the number of cops and still have the same coverage.  Makes for some tired cops at the end of the day.  Also, our state is considering working 4 day weeks and not paying the workers for the one day a week until the economy improves.  When we used to have cotton mills in the area, when the economy was bad, they went on 4 days or even 3 day weeks some weeks, until sales were up.  Allowed them to keep their trained workers without layoffs.

[Questor]

There's a lot of value in running a jail in such a way that prisoners there will not want to come back. You either straighten them out or they go make trouble someplace else.

[jimster]

I think Dee hit it on the head about how the State will always "threaten" the people with police, fireman, and schools going down if we don't cough up more money...it's a scare tactic, and if people would bother to look into where the millions of dollars are really going, it would be amazing at what they won't stop spending...I mean hey...we have all the the threats here in Michigan for a long time now.

But somehow there is money to build a bronze statue of Rosa Parks....if you get what I mean.  And hundeds of things like that every day.  Well, they can't scare money out of us anymore...it's all gone.  When it's gone it's gone. 

[beerbelly]

We got way to many cops! They are revenue raisers for their town, city or county. As far as having any effect on crime, let me ask the cops on here like Dee. How many felony arrest did you make in 20 years?
  I am talking about robbers, killers. burglars, dope dealers and such. Not some kid with a joint. Mostly just wrote tickets, I'll bet.
                                  Beerbnelly

[Dee]

We got way to many cops! They are revenue raisers for their town, city or county. As far as having any effect on crime, let me ask the cops on here like Dee. How many felony arrest did you make in 20 years?
  I am talking about robbers, killers. burglars, dope dealers and such. Not some kid with a joint. Mostly just wrote tickets, I'll bet.
                                  Beerbnelly

Well "BEERBNELLY", you have no right to ask me anything, and to do so, as you have, is quite TYPICALLY HYPOCRITICAL, and also, typically asininely sarcastic.
YOU HAVE ME ON IGNORE "GENIUS"! Your supposed to be ignoring me.

BUT! Since I don't have you on ignore, I CAN ask you this. Is the "alias" listed on your DUI and Public Drunk arrest sheets BEERBELLY, or BEERBNELLY, or just NELLY? Or did you even drive, or are you just a plain ole drunk? I'm not talking about "jay walkin" tickets, or mouthin off to the arrestin officer. Just the DUI's and Public Drunk arrests. How many arrests. I'll bet there's a bunch of'em. I bet you've been "in the jail" as a payin customer, more than I was, as an employee.

Go back to ignoring me beerstooper. It's been nice.

[billy_56081]

Dee did you ever notice in your years of police work that a lot of the criminals that got caught were very dumb? Where I live and used to work, there are a lot of people that have commited serious crimes and we all knew it, we just can't prove it. Now the ones that were in jail most of them were down right stupid. Let me give all you cop haters a fact, speeders and drunk drivers kill ten times the people that murderers and drugs do every year.

If you are being "picked on" by a cop you deserve it. Only problem is you are not smart enough to know why. I have often thought a lot of criminals should try mental disability as a defense. From what I have seen in the local jail I think it would work.

[yellowtail3]

Let me give all you cop haters a fact, speeders and drunk drivers kill ten times the people that murderers and drugs do every year.

Thanks for that info - you've given me a whole new insight to the speedtrap, and to the condescending lecture.

Now maybe you can help me with the professional courtesy bit - you know, where laws apply to the people, but don't apply to LEO? Example: the NJ troopers (and other LEOs) cruising at 90mph, with impunity. Was the trooper driving Gov. Corzine at 95mph stoopid, or just... corrupt, safe in the assurance that laws are for thee, and not for me!

I was working in NJ when that happened; the whole troopers/LEO/state apparatus is corrupt, and ducked, dodged, weaved, and lied.

If you are being "picked on" by a cop you deserve it. Only problem is you are not smart enough to know why.

well, if we're all lucky, we'll match you for wits one day!

[billy_56081]

Bye yellowtail its been fun.

[yellowtail3]

Bye yellowtail its been fun.

TRANSLATION: I don't have clue, it's showing, and I can't think of anything better to say!

[searlock]

well dee perhaps you should look at the ax you are grinding, maybe i should have said "get their gun off" like they did with amadou diallo fired at 41 times hit 19 times, or what was done to randy weaver, or what was done at waco texas or here in brunswick county nc where brett hobbs lealand police dept. got convicted of running a cocain ring gets 4 months in a martha stewart style hotel, google it. po po don't get held to the same standard i would, much less a higher one. how did you like the way they stood outside the school at columbine  waiting for the shooters to finish their ammo before they put their butt in their. and yes i would like to take care of my own affairs without the help of the badges. if i ever want to turn to a life of crime i will join the brotherhood so i can get away with it or get just a slap on the wrist like all thesae afore mentioned criminals. my ax i am grinding is just as good as yours. i always like guys like you who think the police are the greatest people on the planet. now grind that ax and get it a little sharper so you can come back at me with renewed vigor.   searlock

[Dee]

searlock, you obviously have not read all my posts on this thread, concerning some aspects of L.E. If you had you would have to render most of what you said as meaningless when directed at me.
As far as Waco, I had friends with a badge there, and they testified AGAINST the ATF and the FBI. Even the Sheriff of that county, and the Texas Rangers, condemned the operation from the git go.
 I am also fully aware of Ruby Ridge, but once again these were feds, not local L.E. or even State troopers. I helped clean up a county years ago, after the sheriff rightly went to the pen.
There is good and bad on both sides, but many group them all in one pile. The abuse comes from both directions but, everyone skips that conversation.
Your solution is to, don't call 911 if you need help. Call you neighbor, and see if he will help ya. Works for me. I'm done with L.E. and have said as much. I met asses on both sides of the badge. 
I wasn't at Waco, Ruby Ridge, Brunswick County N.C. and I never heard of Brett Hobbs.
You are like many. You pick PARTS of my posts that you take issue with, and ignore the rest that actually agrees with you. It's easier to point that finger if you don't read the entire statement. Just for fun, why don't you go back and actually read ALL OF MY POSTS on this subject? With that said, I will back out of this thread, and let you continue to condemn them all.

[searlock]

hold on there dee, remember you picked the part of my post that you didn't like. i never said anything to you or about you. you jumped into my post with your ax to grind. it is kind of like the police commiting an act while their own car cameras are running.

[Old Fart]

Well back to the orinial post they just laid off a bunch of police and firefighters in tulsa.
A town of around 350,000 people. I think originally it was a scare tactic for higher taxes.
The citizens called thier bluff. Now the peckerheads in office are going through with it.
Talk about a pizzing contest....

[dukkillr]

hold on there dee, remember you picked the part of my post that you didn't like. i never said anything to you or about you. you jumped into my post with your ax to grind. it is kind of like the police commiting an act while their own car cameras are running.

Now that's a topic I can speak with a great deal of experience on.  What you will find is that the dash cam was always, "Out of film" or "Not working" when they are beating someone up.  When someone attacks a cop there will be 26 different angles to choose from with closeups and audio.  Always amazed me how that worked out.

[lgm270]

I'm very ambivalent about police.  I was raised to regard them as heros, but in my professional life I've had many negative experiences with them  based on their lying and abuse of power.  I've been active in the anti-immigration movement in California and have been harassed by  cops. (My crime: standing on a public sidewalk holding an American flag.)

I often thought it would be interesting to have a society where the citizens had guns and the police were disarmed.  I used to say this to inflame liberals.  Then I was talking with a friend who was heavily into pro-2nd Amendment politics and he pointed out that there were no gun control laws in Great Britain until 1920 and the police in that country have not, until very recently, carried firearms.  In fact, until very recently,  Great Britain was a country where the citizens had guns and the cops did not!  Whoa!  Sounds good to me! 

Moreover, at the time the Constitution was written, there were no police departments and no police chiefs to sermonize about the dangers of guns in private hands.  Think about that. A  country where everyone owned guns with no police departments.  There were county sheriffs,  and town constables, but no police forces in the modern sense.

[45-70.gov]

the  highest  crime  rates  are

where  they   enforce  stiff  gun  laws

so  they  ought  to repeal  the  gun  laws  first

then  the  police  won't be needed  any way

[lgm270]

the  highest  crime  rates  are

where  they   enforce  stiff  gun  laws

so  they  ought  to repeal  the  gun  laws  first

then  the  police  won't be needed  any way

Well said, 45-70.