4 ms·

Unfortunately, criminals aren't going to have higher standards of conduct, even if they "should". That's why we call them criminals. And the police have to de

Unfortunately, criminals aren't going to have higher standards of conduct, even if they "should". That's why we call them criminals. And the police have to deal with these people all day long--there's no easy comparison to other jobs.

hobs 6y ago
Peaceful protestors are by definition not criminals. People whose rights are violated by the police? Often not criminals as well! In fact, you cant really call someone a criminal until they've been convicted of a crime - cue the video of the cops being called by the black store owner, punching him in the face and breaking his jaw while the white thief leaves.
- vorpalhex 6y ago
  Right but when you start throwing rocks and glass bottles, when you start blocking ambulances and firetrucks on highways, well then you aren't a peaceful protestor anymore.
  - hobs 6y ago
    How about this child shot in the face with a mace canister? Peaceful or violent protestor? https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/15/outrage-video-police-mace-child-seattle-protest https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/15/outrage-vide... It is extremely hard to react with anything but EXTREME vitriol to comments like yours - police are using excessive force deliberately, and then arresting people with no cause who post videos of their crimes.
    - downerending 6y ago
      Yeah, that sucks. Your description makes it sound like their face was impacted by a metal canister, but looking at the picture, they seem to have simply been maced. Without more context, I'm guessing their parents took them to a protest and acted illegally. If so, I think that's rather poor parenting. There doesn't seem to be a link to the full video (or any video), so take that with a grain of salt.
- downerending 6y ago
  > you cant really call someone a criminal until they've been convicted of a crime This is a technical nicety not available to a policeman in a real situation. If someone points a gun at them, that someone is a criminal, even if they are "technically" not.
baddox 6y ago
Again, we have data on that. Police do not have to deal with violent or dangerous criminals very much, especially during traffic stops.
- downerending 6y ago
  The problem is that only occasionally getting killed during a traffic stop isn't enough. No sane person would take such a job.

hobs 6y ago

Peaceful protestors are by definition not criminals. People whose rights are violated by the police? Often not criminals as well! In fact, you cant really call someone a criminal until they've been convicted of a crime - cue the video of the cops being called by the black store owner, punching him in the face and breaking his jaw while the white thief leaves.

vorpalhex 6y ago
Right but when you start throwing rocks and glass bottles, when you start blocking ambulances and firetrucks on highways, well then you aren't a peaceful protestor anymore.
- hobs 6y ago
  How about this child shot in the face with a mace canister? Peaceful or violent protestor? https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/15/outrage-video-police-mace-child-seattle-protest https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/15/outrage-vide... It is extremely hard to react with anything but EXTREME vitriol to comments like yours - police are using excessive force deliberately, and then arresting people with no cause who post videos of their crimes.
  - downerending 6y ago
    Yeah, that sucks. Your description makes it sound like their face was impacted by a metal canister, but looking at the picture, they seem to have simply been maced. Without more context, I'm guessing their parents took them to a protest and acted illegally. If so, I think that's rather poor parenting. There doesn't seem to be a link to the full video (or any video), so take that with a grain of salt.
downerending 6y ago
> you cant really call someone a criminal until they've been convicted of a crime This is a technical nicety not available to a policeman in a real situation. If someone points a gun at them, that someone is a criminal, even if they are "technically" not.

baddox 6y ago

Again, we have data on that. Police do not have to deal with violent or dangerous criminals very much, especially during traffic stops.

downerending 6y ago
The problem is that only occasionally getting killed during a traffic stop isn't enough. No sane person would take such a job.