Should I get this cop fired?

[11 Bravo]

I live in a blue enclave in a very red state (VA). My bumper sticker reads: "GW Bush, How dumb is too dumb?" I exited the local grocery store yesterday morning, and found my sticker partially peeled away, and my car keyed. Apparently it had just happened, and a witness not only told me that she saw the kid who did it, but she knew who he was. I live in a very small town and it turns out that I know the boy's dad, so we'll take care of that later. But there was also a city cop cruising the parking lot. I called him over and pointed out the damage, and his response was, in so many words, that my bumper sticker was inflammatory and maybe I had it coming. This cop doesn't know that the sheriff has been one of my best friends for almost 30 years; we play poker regularly; and we go hunting together every deer season. I called my friend this morning and I hit him with a hypothetical, and he made it clear that he would not accept that kind of response from one of his uniformed officers. However, unlike many who came of age in the 60's and 70's, I have no real animus toward policemen. Some of the finest men and women I know are cops. I'm inclined to let this go, but I wonder what my DU cohorts think.

[ClassWarrior]

1. If your friend feels that strongly about his own staff...

...don't you owe it to him to inform him?

NGU.

[Dem Agog]

absolutely

show no mercy.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

59. Agreed. Show no mercy. Those who abuse power should get harshet penalties.

[readmoreoften]

2. No problem with cops, but...

Well if those with liberal bumper stickers 'have it coming', what about women wearing skirts above the knee or gay people who don't live in the closet?

Turn this guy in. It's not for him to judge 'who has it coming'.

[Rowdyboy]

3. I am close to your age and have had several officers as friends in the

past. If you're a true friend to the sheriff, let him know what his men are doing. As a former manager, I knew I had a few screw-ups working for me, but if the public didn't let me know when they acted like asses, I couldn't correct their behavior.

As a manager, he'll appreciate your input.

[Boomer]

4. If he did it to you...

...he'll do it to someone else.

He ignored an act of vandalism this time, but what more would he be willing to ignore if he doesn't happen to like the politics of the victim? Will he dismiss theft, assault, rape?

Do you want that on your conscience?

[fishnfla]

5. I would be more worried about the kid than the cop

I would file a police report. Put the fear of the law into this kid, how old is he?

[11 Bravo]

14. He appeared to be in his early 20's

[Divernan]

84. How old was the kid, not the cop?

nt

[Fridays Child]

6. I'd let it go. I'd be angry about the cops comment but...

The price he'd have to pay for his mistake might be too high.

[Obamanaut]

23. I disagree. In order to maintain control, the supervisor needs to

know what his/her people are doing. This was not a mistake. This was a conscious decision to overlook vandalism. A mistake is getting mismatched socks or cuff links, or picking up the wrong fork at a formal dinner. This is more of "ya buys your ticket, ya takes the ride"

[friesianrider]

49. I agree with you 100%

A mistake is a mistake - as you said, it would unintentional. Clearly this cop knew what he was saying, and overlooking vandalism that will cost the OP hundreds of dollars is unacceptable.

If you're in a position like a policeman, you need to check your political leanings when you put on your uniform. It is one thing to make a comment but another to overlook a crime because of your on personal political leanings.

[Murdock]

7. Ultimately...

The decision is up to you.. Personally I'd pursue it, I think the attitude that cop exhibited was dangerous. Cops have an obligation to be non partisan while on duty, to protect and serve all Americans

[nodehopper]

8. I think regardless of your feelings about cops

this one's behavior was completely unprofessional. What is this blame the victim crap? I think you should tell the sheriff and let him deal with it. He probably won't be fired, but the sheriff will probably inform him that this in unacceptable, thus hopefully improving his professional conduct in the future.

[ultraist]

9. Get him fired for what?

For expressing his own political views, as twisted as they may be?

I would let it go. The cop probably has a family, children to take care of.

[MountainLaurel]

11. For not doing his job

And dealing with a crime.

And who cares if he has a family? So did the BTK killer.

[ultraist]

21. What was he supposed to do? The guy didn't report the kid

who did it, and doesn't want to.

The OP was NOT filing an official report. He doesn't want to press charges against the kid who did it.

It was a small vandalism act, committed by a child, not murder or rape. How seriously should this cop take such a petty crime? Get real.

[Mandate My Ass]

27. "How seriously should this cop take such a petty crime?"

Unlike politics, the law is pretty much black and white. It's not up to the officer to press charges against the kid but to determine if a crime has been committed and whether the victim wants to press charges against a culprit when a witness who was present can testify that a crime has been committed.

[ultraist]

39. I don't really consider keying a car a "crime"

Should we lock kids up for keying cars or breaking a window? Whatever. It's was a trivial incident. I'm sure the cop has more serious matters to be concerned with, like rape and murder. Being a cop is a shitty job, but somebody has to do it. They are overworked and underpaid.

I don't give a fuck if minor vandalism is technically a "crime." When a young kid does something stupid, he made a mistake or has a behavior issue but he is not a criminal.

[kikiek]

40. Sounds like he is well on his way to being one. Should pay for any

damage he did or his parents should. The cop should be writing up a report.

[Mandate My Ass]

43. Funny but cops don't have a problem busting kids for fighting in school

or smoking a joint or shoplifting. None of these are on the level of rape or murder either but are still crimes according to the criminal code and thereby not issues for the officer to dither over as to their "stupidity." Likewise, whatever you give a fuck about or not is not germane to the discussion at hand.

[ultraist]

53. LMAO!

whatever you give a fuck about or not is not germane to the discussion at hand. :rofl:

I believe it is. Everyone is expressing their opinion on what the OP should do, based on their personal beliefs. Frankly, I'm surprised at that "hell ya, get his ass fired" mentality. Aren't we liberals? The cop didn't really do anything wrong. So what if he expressed his personal political views. Are we THAT uptight and rigid that we would try to get someone fired over that? His remarks did NO HARM.

I stand with, leave the Repuke cop alone.

[Mandate My Ass]

62. LMAO too. Stand with the repuke cop and reap what you sow.

I was referring to you saying you didn't think keying a car is a crime. Well guess what, sparky? It is a crime. That is the only determination a police officer is to make is whether what has been done is a crime or not, not how much he thinks the victim deserved what they got.

Maybe burning down your house because you have an anti-war sign on your lawn is the next thing a cop shouldn't give a fuck about, as long as it's your house. :rofl:

[ultraist]

75. Arson, burning down a house, is equivalent to keying a car?

Get real.

[Mandate My Ass]

87. Crime is crime. Vandalism is a crime. Arson is a crime. No officer is

entitled to decide whether the commission of a crime was deserved or not. Destruction of property is a crime whether it's vandalism or arson, it's just a matter of degree.

Quite frankly, since I'm putting my personal safety on the line every time I attend a protest, I think those that openly break the law to make a political point should be at least as at risk to the consequences of law enforcement as I am.

[Name removed]

102. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[friesianrider]

106. What does that matter?

That's an absurd "point" to make and very hurtful to suggest such a thing.

Again I ask: where then do you draw the line? If a kid intentionally vandalizing a car is a-ok with you, what about a kid beating up another kid? What about a kid breaking into a house...and what about a kid breaking into a house and stealing something?

A crime is a crime, period. It is about right and wrong. I don't care if it is a kid or not.

[Mandate My Ass]

107. Thanks for your concern. My kid grew up just fine not destroying anybody

else's property because I taught him better than than. He knows the proper methods to express discontent without breaking any laws and he's quite the rebel.

I feel for yours, quite frankly. In addition to those college funds I'm sure bail, fines, legal fees and reparations must be quite a burden to you. ;-)

On edit: You never answered my question as to why those who openly break the law should get a pass while those like myself to peacefully protest should be at risk for both politically motivated brutality and criminal prosecution and a criminal record.

[ultraist]

117. Where did I say it shouldn't be handled?

I didn't say that the child shouldn't be disciplined and taught right from wrong, did I? I said, keep it out of the system.

BTW, both of my children (11 and 14) are exceptionally well behaved and we've never used any form harsh punishment on either child. ;) I don't anticipate any legal costs down the road. They are both bleeding heart, non violent liberals. But thanks for your concern. :P

[Name removed]

119. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[friesianrider]

126. I wish I could have put it so eloquently...

You hit the nail on the head, you puritan, you! :P

You are absolutely right though. It's a matter of right and wrong, and being accountable for one's actions. I think it behooves society and the child himself to learn this valuable life lesson sooner rather than later.

It really doesn't matter if "all kids" vandalize and do things like this. That doesn't make it right. Period, end of discussion.

[Mandate My Ass]

140. I would say the exact same thing to any dem who suggested

vandalism is excusable as long as it's against a Republican, or that law enforcement's response to it should be politically motivated. The difference between right and wrong is not fluid and must be instilled at every level, and can be, without being overly punitive.

BTW, I love your Donovan/TO pic.

Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory.
Fight Eagles fight, score a touchdown 1-2-3.

Hit 'em low,
Hit 'em high,
And we'll watch our Eagles fly.

Fly Eagles fly on the road to victory.

Go EAGLES!

[friesianrider]

145. You're exactly right...

There were many incidents of vandalism of Bush-Cheney signs during the election and these incidents were universally condemned by DU. I just don't see any logic in "letting it slide" because "it's a small crime" or whatever. No one gets to decide what crime is "worthy" of discipline - if it is a crime, it is a crime for a reason. It is simply unfair to expect a responsible, hard-working adult to eat the costs of a child being irresponsible...just because it's a child. This is the real world, and people work hard for their money. Just because supposedly "all kids do things like this" (although I sure as hell never did) doesn't make it RIGHT.

And thanks for the Eagles thing! Some game today, huh!?

[ultraist]

137. You said my kid would end up in jail!

Get real.

guess your bigoted and ugly supposition that it would be otherwise with my children is based on some wild crackpot theory that you haven't yet posited in this thread.

A little harsh doncha think? Geez. I obviously have a different parenting philosophy than you do. I don't believe in punishing children for the sake of punishment, but disciplining and teaching them. Nor do I think, "a crime is a crime." There is a big diff between a kid egging a house and killing a small animal. BIG. Or, tping someone's yard and beating up another kid.

[friesianrider]

141. So where do you draw the line then?

At which point, or at which crime...according to YOU...is one "justified" to call the cops? (I almost fell out of my chair laughing as I was typing that) I mean, honestly...when is it okay for us poor-parenting folks to actually hold a person responsible for a crime?

You say you don't believe in punishing a child for the sake of punishment but in disciplining. Newsflash! THAT'S WHY YOU WOULD REPORT A CRIME, NO MATTER HOW SMALL IT IS. You commit a crime (even a minor crime) and you are disciplined for it. Is it that hard to understand?

[Mandate My Ass]

147. You're the one who brought kids into a conversation that had nothing

to do with parenting. You openly opined that my child was somehow to be pitied because I stated that an officer of the law was remiss in dismissing an obvious crime because he thought the political motiviation behind it excused it.

Your supposition that my child should be pitied is both ugly, bigoted and harsh and certainly not based on anything I said about how children should be raised. There is a difference in types of crimes but the point I made, which you so obviously missed, is that the difference between right and wrong is clearly marked.

Get real yourself.

[friesianrider]

125. LOL why are you obsessed with "harsh punishment"?

If a child inflicts hundreds of dollars worth of damage onto SOMEONE ELSE, holding that child and/or that child's parents responsible is NOT "harsh punishment"!! I just cannot, for the life of me, understand what kind of logic it is you are using.

If you think it's okey-dokey to look the other way, then go right ahead. But I'll bet that you're on the receiving end of some malicious behavior of some little brat and maybe then you'll better understand.

I guess if it was some poor elderly couple should just STFU because "it's a child." :eyes:

[ultraist]

143. Twisting my words again. I never said, STFU, did I?

I said, there are more humane and compassionate ways to deal with a child than pressing charges for minor vandalism.

Do you realize how fucked up our juvenile justice system is?

This is way off topic from the OP and I'm bored with reading your ad hominem attacks.

Adios. :hi:

[friesianrider]

146. No, I'm taking exactly what you said...

And applying your twisted logic to a similar scenario. You keep repeating the same nonsense over and over and NO ONE has agreed with you even a little bit.

Don't get mad at me - you're the one whose so-called "logic" can't hold up by any stretch of the imagination. With all due respect you're completely off base here and apparently you know it.

[Mandate My Ass]

150. You nailed it. This person has made numerous ad hominem attacks

against anybody who disagrees but bitterly complains when anybody uses his/her convoluted arguments against him/her. :cry: me a river for chrissakes. :eyes:

[11 Bravo]

64. I'm leaning your way.

I know that by offering up a "hypothetical" to my buddy, he can figure out who the young freep-in-training is. Knowing my friend, the young cop will be "counseled" severely. I would rather have a 20+ year old get one chance to get his shit in one sock, than to be resppnsible for having him get canned.

[Mandate My Ass]

69. It's highly doubtful you could get this officer fired if you really wanted

but those higher in the food chain need to know he is acting as judge and jury rather than police officer.

[11 Bravo]

79. I think if I formally told the sheriff ...

the boy would be toast. By keeping it "informal" my buddy will rip him a new one, but not actually fire him. I'm trying to figure out if I did the right thing by playing it that way.

[Mandate My Ass]

98. That's not what you asked in your OP, but OK

I agree with bringing it to the sheriff's attention in whichever way will teach the kid and the cop a lesson they both so desperately need in the least punitive way.

[Rowdyboy]

89. On the job, a police officer has no business expressing his personal

beliefs. He represents the law, which is supposed to be unbiased and evenly applied. Vandalism is a crime and should be punished appropriately, not overlooked because "its just a kid" who happens to share the cops political prejudice...

[Cronus Protagonist]

51. Great! Where is your car parked?

Maybe some of us can see if we might make you change your mind....

[ultraist]

61. Nope, you wouldn't. I would not press charges against a child for that

When a neighbor kid threw rocks at our house and broke a window, I did not press charges against him. I did however, have a long chat with him and his mother.

I don't think dragging kids into the judicial system, for petty actions helps the child, in anyway. The point is to teach the child, not punish the child. Petty vandalism is very common among young boys. It's not criminal type behavior.

[Straight Shooter]

88. A "child"? The vandal was in his twenties, according to OP.

I don't know where you draw the line as to what is a crime and what isn't. Someone f*cks up my property that I've paid for, that I take care of, that I have to pay god-knows-what to have repainted because I don't dare file an insurance claim because it makes my rates go up, and you think it's on a level with littering in a parking lot, apparently.

Damn, I've heard it all.

[ultraist]

104. "she saw the kid who did it" I assumed it was a kid not an adult

I didn't realize the guy was in his 20s until it was pointed out late in the thread. But I still agree with the OP, to handle it outside the system. He knows the family of this young guy.

[Straight Shooter]

108. The vandal should make reparations, immediately.

And he should of his own accord volunteer for community service, just as if he'd been tried and sentenced.

The cop, however, I steadfastly maintain needs to keep his politics out of his uniform. bush never did a damn thing for cops, anyway, except make their jobs more dangerous.

[friesianrider]

57. Yeah, today's he's keying a car, 10 years from now he's raping someone.

You think rapists start out raping other kids at 7 years old? No, they start off stealing, abusing animals, and keying cars. And it's people who don't think it is "a big deal" that reinforce this behavior.

A crime is a crime. Even petty crimes are still crimes. We punish even small crimes to discourage bad behavior.

[ultraist]

63. LOL! There is NO LINK between petty vandalism and rape

There IS a link between injuring and killing small animals and rape and murder. Your really mixing up your facts.

Petty vandalism is NOT a violent crime. It's a typical behavior of young boys. Is this a Puritanical/fundie thread or what?

[friesianrider]

70. Oh really? Show me some proof.

I'd love to see where there is proof "no link" exists between criminals starting off with petty crime and it leading to more serious crimes.

Do you actually think people who commit armed robbery and rape and murder start off murdering people and holding up stores with guns at the age of 7? Of course not! They start off doing little things people don't seem "important" enough to worry about. "boys will be boys" so just let it go, right?

That's absolutely absurd. It's about right and wrong, not being a fundie. It's really not that hard to understand.

[ultraist]

86. I didn't say, just let it go, did I?

I said, handle it outside of the fucked up judicial and penal system, in a more humane, compassionate manner.

CHILDREN do throw rocks, key cars, egg houses, etc. These behaviors are not necessarily indicative of a violent criminal.

Did you not ever throw a rock at a house, egg cars, throw iceballs at cars or engage in any behaviors that could be considered vandalism as a kid? I know very few children that didn't experiement with those things. MOST children do that type of thing at some point and MOST children DO NOT end up violent criminals.

Look up typical behaviors of children yourself.

[friesianrider]

92. No, I never vandalized anything as a child.

Ever. I don't know any child in my family who did, either.

And yes, you are saying just let it go. What good will talking to the parents do? Half the time, parents of kids like this just excuse the behavior like you do as "kids being kids." That doesn't teach the child much now does it?

No one is saying take the kid and beat him with a rusty nail stuck in a board, or haul him off to jail. But he and his parents should be reported, and held responsible (hello-where were the parents of this kid?) and should pay for the repairs. That is only fair.

[dweller]

77. and the same cop (or any cop with the same attitude) could say

'her apparel was enticing, guess she had it coming' ...

Now, how many of you would accept that coming from a police officer?

dp

[Lochloosa]

58. So you intend to front the 4 to 6 hundred dollars to repaint the car....

not a crime my ass....minor vandalism. I paid 21K for my car. Key it and see how fast you are lock up.

On Edit:...this just pisses me off. It's only keying a car. Bull Shit, It's a crime. Oh, he only broke into the house, no one was home. And the next time....I didn't think anyone was home...I sorry I killed her/him....why weren't they at school....they should not have been there.....

Get a grip.

[ultraist]

68. The OP is not pressing charges against the kid

I'm a 41 year old woman, I don't key cars. ;) Nor do I advocate pressing charges against children for petty vandalism and dragging them into a fucked up judicial and penal system.

[friesianrider]

74. Bullshit.

I don't give a shit if a 5 year old keys my car. Just because YOU would eat the $500 cost for a new paintjob doesn't mean *I* should be expected to also. You want to eat a couple hundred bucks just because it's a kid you go right ahead but please stop acting like other people who don't want to do that are being irrational.

[ultraist]

93. You'd press charges against a five year old? n/t

And yes, I think it's cruel to needlessly drag a child into a very screwed up judicial and penal system, at a young age, for such a petty behavior.

[friesianrider]

94. You're damn skippy I would.

No one would arrest the kid for heaven's sake - they'd go after the parents which is what should happen. But you're absolutely right I would file a report and do whatever I had to to get compensated for the vandalism that occured - whether it be a 5 year old or a 50 year old. You're insane if you think *I* will eat a $500 repair bill just because it was a kid being a brat.

[Lochloosa]

114. The "kids" were in their early 20's....sure hope you don't show up home

early when they are breaking into your house. I have had some "stern" conversations with the 12 to 14 year old kids in my neighborhood. And played street football with the same kids. But, there becomes a time when they must atone for their actions. There are "bad" people in this world.

[CBGLuthier]

80. priced a paint job lately?

To call keying a minor crime is, well, honestly, stupid.

[dickthegrouch]

99. You should. It cost me over $2000 to get my car repainted

after it was keyed by some moran. Granted they did the whole car, including the roof, but even a window costs $400 to replace these days.

I say nail both the kid and the cop.

[BikeWriter]

101. Ignoring vandalism leads to more serious crimes.

[personman]

105. Can I key your car?

This kid is 20 if I'm not mistaken, it's not like he is 6 or something, and even if he was, shouldn't his parents then be held accountable?

You must have a shitbox of a car or something, some people care about this stuff.

It's a good thing your not a cop.
Personally I'd hope most cops wouldn't decide that their opinion of what qualifies as a crime or not should take precedence over the entire legislative process that we have for that very purpose.

If it's not a crime when they key my car, then it better not be a crime when they eat teeth for it. Is this the kind of justice we want?

[davsand]

122. You ever pay for a paint job?

Having your car keyed is NOT a minor problem and it is not cheap to fix. Plus, I have got to say that even as a teen I knew the difference between damage to property and leave it the F*&k alone if it isn't yours. In fact, I'd probably hazard a guess that my 8 year old could tell you that keying a car is a BAD thing to do...

Was it stupid? Yep, sure as hell was a dumb thing to do. Should the kid go to jail? Lord no. The kid needs to be taught, however, (a bit late, I'd say) that you don't mess with other people's stuff. He needs a visit from the cops to realize that he screwed up. Maybe the parents need to foot the bill for a paint job so they realize THEY screwed up by not teaching the kid to respect stuff that isn't his.

Should the cop have blown it off? No. His job, like it or not, is to deal with ALL criminal activity, and keying a car or damage to private property IS a crime. It maybe isn't life or death, but it could be if somebody gets screaming crazy about it the next time the kid does it.

Just my two cents.



Laura

On edit:

The one that keyed the car was 20? I take back anything I said about teens. This is an adult with no concept of illegality and no respect for property. SCREW that noise. Nail hm with the law...

Hell, where I live, there are guys that'd just go take it out in blood. I call those guys rednecks--but I'm just saying...

[readmoreoften]

128. No. You fine them for the damages.

If a kid causes hundreds or thousands of dollars of INTENTIONAL damage to a car's paint job, then they make restitution. Call it want you want-- if you destroy someone's property, you better make up for it.

[U4ikLefty]

129. So what if he keyed "nigger" on the car..would that be a crime???

It was an act of intimidation & should be taken seriously even if the cop was a Rethug.

[dionysus]

133. someone fucks up my car (and it isn't a good one BTW)

damn fucking straight they get busted for it. Early 20's = not a kid. May someone key your car and then let us see you pooh-pooh it.

[brentspeak]

134. I don't get it

Vandelizing a car isn't a harmless prank. Those keyed scratches on the OP's car could diminish the value of the vehicle hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Maybe you wouldn't mind, but I should would. Unless there's some kind of serious family situation which would make them unable to afford it, I would make absolutely sure the kid or the kid's family paid for the damage.

I don't think the cop should be fired, but it should be brought up to his supervisor. It would be pretty ridiculous to allow a cop to pick and choose which people he's willing to help and which he isn't.

[Warren DeMontague]

136. So... where do you live?

Because where I live, vandalism is considered a VERY serious crime, and a real problem.

[friesianrider]

55. If it was YOUR car that got hundreds of $$ worth of damage...

Would you call it a "petty crime" and take nicely to people telling you to "get over it"?

Come on. What's right is right and what's wrong is wrong. It was wrong for that kid to do what he did and it was wrong for the cop to say what he did. He should be reported and the chief can do whatever he sees fit.

[ultraist]

73. I feel differently when it comes to CHILDREN

If it were an adult who damaged my property, I may press charges, it depends on the circumstances.

[friesianrider]

82. Oh puh-lease.

"But it's a CHILD! It's a CHILD!" Since when does this kid become more important than the OP? You're expecting the OP to just shell out $500 for a new paintjob because "it's a kid"?

:eyes:

WTF does that matter? Where do you draw the line then? If "petty" crimes are a-ok with you, where do you hold the kid responsible for DOING DAMAGE to another? When he breaks into a house? When he robs someone? When he kills someone?

Come on, I mean honestly. A crime is a crime for a reason. It's about right and wrong. What if this kid broke a window in the car of some elderly lady who can barely take care of herself financially? I guess that old lady should just bite the bullet because "it's a child."

My God...you cannot be serious.

[dweller]

85. the OP has stated upthread, the "kid" was maybe early 20's

well past childhood.

dp

[ultraist]

95. I didn't realize the kid was 20 but the OP did say...

that he was going to handle it OUTSIDE of the fucked up judicial system.

I was under the impression that the kid was a minor although, I agree with the OP about handling this outside of the system, since he knows the parents.

[dweller]

112. and i'd agree with you about the kid

but not the cop.
He should have taken a report. With the report in hand the OP has the opportunity to confront the parents and the kid with the crime, and the consequences that follow, from the kid's behavior. I'll refer to him as kid b/c OP answered the age question about the kid but may have been referring to the cop's age. Clarification has been asked for upthread.

But as for the cop ... he's sworn to do his duty without his prejudice entering into the fact. That's up to a judge to determine what punishment to mete the offender, not the cop's.

dp

[kestrel91316]

32. He's not allowed to have his personal political views while in the

process of doing his job. He is simply required to DO HIS JOB. Like the pharmacists who don't want to dispense birth control pills, if he doesn't like doing his job, he is free to find another one.

[friesianrider]

52. Except he wasn't just "expressing his views"

He was essentially expecting the OP to take the financial hit of a vandalized car because he had it coming. :wtf: is that nonsense?

I'll bet the OP has a family to care for. Obviously the cop knew what he was saying when he said it.

[dsc]

131. Imagine I decided to give your kid a lower grade due to not liking

his or your political beliefs. I would assume you would find that a problem. The cop here did the equivalent. He has no business deciding who to enforce the law for based on political beliefs. Just like I have no right grading kids on theirs.

[MountainLaurel]

10. Yes.

Protect and serve applies to all citizens, not just the ones he agrees with politically. Does this guy apply the "had it coming" logic to 16-year-old rape victims who got drunk at a party?

[ClayZ]

12. Strange! We caught three kids....

Kicking our car today because they read our bumperstickers. I ran out and said ..."HEY HEY HEY, Those bumperstickers represent 35 years of working for PEACE on this planet. What in the world would make you kick my car? Think about making the world a BETTER PLACE, by what you do!" The little brats... then I thought about the parents they must have and what brainwashing they get at home. YUCK! My own parents are Republican, but they never shoved it down our throats. They are not neo-con parents like these kids must have.

They have become what they fear most! MERCY!

Perhaps a thoughtful letter to this policeman would do more "GOOD" than getting him fired. We have created enough terrorists!

Just my thoughts! Each one Teach one!

[ultraist]

28. A kid egged our car because of our Kerry-Edwards sticker

My son found out on the bus who it was (he war bragging) and I called his mom and had a few words with her, but there is no way, I would have filed a police report against a young kid for something of this nature. No kid, needs a record that young for something so trivial.

IF I had reported it to the police, I wouldn't expect the police to take it all that seriously.

[ClayZ]

35. Speaking of eggs...

Here is my egg story: Snowflakes and Eggs

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0501-12.htm

[ultraist]

45. Wow! What a beautiful piece.

Did you write that? Very nice.

[ClayZ]

56. Yep, thank you... We have become

protesting partners with the lovely folks across the street and stand every Friday, in solidarity with their Vets for Peace group.

I LOVE THEM!

[ultraist]

100. That is so very cool.

I recently went to a local peace rally and learned they meet every month at the same location. I really should start going regularly. I loved it and it was a great experience for my kids.

[Divernan]

54. The cops would have spoken with his parents & that's MUCH

more effective than getting a phone call from you. What kind of response did you get from the kid's mother. Was the kid made to apologize personally to you, and maybe wash and wax your car? Given ANY punishment? Or did his mother refuse to believe you. As part of my job, I occasionally had to deal with parents - usually mothers, crying about how their babies should be given immediate parole, because they were GOOD boys, and they were wrongly convicted, and somebody else planted the drugs on them, yadda, yadda, yadda. These mothers had been in denial about their sons' violent or otherwise criminal tendencies for up to 30 years. I say, put the fear of god/ jail in them at the first opportunity, when the crime is a minor one, and they are still kids, and their juvenile record is going to be sealed, or the judge expunges their conviction if they stay out of trouble for a set period of time.

[Name removed]

138. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Solon]

148. Record's expunged at the age of 18 anyways...

at least in most states. Vandalism is not something to be scoffed at, when I was a kid, I broke windows, that was about the worse of it, but by accident, that's what you get for playing baseball in the parking lot. I paid for it to, worked it off. But when my parent's car was smashed by baseball bats, those kids spent 6 months in juvey, just like they deserved.

[newsguyatl]

13. absolutely

u should try and get his freeper ass fired!

[sandnsea]

15. Go visit your friend at the office

Make sure the cop in question is on duty and in the station. Go in and make sure the cop in question sees you. Maybe take in a box of donuts or something. Make him just a bit queasy.

Because the cop doesn't have the right to decide who deserves to be a victim of crime and who doesn't. And he needs to know that his boss doesn't think politics is the defining factor of who is and isn't a good or deserving citizen.

[Kingofalldems]

34. Great idea and I would add to that

by confronting the cop in question and giving him another chance to do his job properly.

[Catherine Vincent]

16. I don't think he should be fired but I do think you should inform the

sheriff of what this cop said. And I also wonder if this cop would have said that if this happened when Bill Clinton was in office. Probably not.

[nashville_brook]

17. i would file a complaint and talk this up with the sheriff

property damage okay'd by the local police. that's not right. would your attitude be the same if it were a racist attack? it might as well be. you were singled out for your beliefs. told by the police officer who is there to protect the property, that YOUR property doesn't matter.

[lcordero2]

18. fry him

[niallmac]

19. His job is to enforce the law.

It's O'Lielys' job to be a bigot.

[yardwork]

20. Maybe you already solved it by calling the police chief

If your town is very small, I'm guessing that the police force is small. The chief will probably read the riot act to his staff tomorrow morning. Maybe that will take care of the problem.

The chief probably has a good idea who it was anyway.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

22. to serve and protect. ALL OF US.

damned straight you complain.

[Ediacara]

24. I would tell your sheriff buddy two things

1) That said cop was an ass, and he should be written up (but not canned) and
2) The name of the kid who keyed your car... that was the reason you called the cop over in the first place, to report a crime.

[Orrex]

25. You were asking for it

You're lucky that you weren't wearing a sexy dress, or the cop might have assaulted you.

In any case, it's bullshit; whether or not your bumpersticker is inflammatory is irrelevant to the fact that your car was vandalized. The miscreant-kid committed a crime in front of a witness and should be prosecuted.

If I have one criticism, it's that your bumpersticker isn't inflammatory enough! Try to get one that says, in big letters: "Bush is the dumbest motherfucker ever to snort coke while AWOL."

Of course, you might need a wider bumper.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. Bust him

His behavior was inprofessional. He needs to be reprimanded for this.

[personman]

29. If you do nothing, you are enabling him.

Reasonable people could argue that would make you as bad as him.
It's kind of surprising to me you'd even have to ask.

-personman

[11 Bravo]

41. I haven't "done nothing"

My conversation with my friend this morning, even without naming names, alerted him to what had gone on. By not making a formal copmplaint, my hope is that he can take the young hot dog aside and straighten him out. I don't particularly want to see a twenty-something get shit-canned for this.

[personman]

76. That's cool...

Long as he knows I guess.

Has spider-man's Uncle Ben taught us nothing??!? Power is responsibility.

Twenty something isn't an excuse for abuse of power.

You don't have to be a power-tripping fuck-up for 20 years to do real damage to real people. One day could be enough.

If you can't count on this cop for something this petty and stupid, who do you turn to when something important comes up?

I'll quit ranting, I just hate that shit.

-personman

[Llewlladdwr]

96. And yet you're willing to take that chance.

Bravo. What, did the officer refuse to take a report? Deny you an opportunity to press charges? All I'm getting from your story is that you didn't like his attitude.

[jedr]

30. One's political views does not justify vandalism of your personal .

property...this one is worth a good lawyer. It would make a wonderful test case. Contact your local ACLU....I , for one , am tired of having my car vandalized because I speak the truth.....If this happened to anyone with a religious sticker on their car the sh*t would fly.

[Divernan]

31. This cop is poison and poison spreads - get him off the force!

And I would file a complaint against the kid too. The kid was raised to believe he could destroy private property and that Americans don't have freedom of speech. This is evidenly his father's opinion also. His father's done a piss poor job so far, and your talking with his father is highly unlikely to have any positive effect on this young man. How many other cars has he done this tol or may do this to in the future? And the people who own these cars don't know who did it and/or don't know his family to speak to them privately. And they will have to pay their deductibles to get their cars repaired.

As to the cop, any policeman who refuses to enforce laws when he doesn't like the victim's political believs is a monster, as far as I'm concerned. And if he gets in trouble for it, whether reprimanded or fired, it will also be a valuable lesson for the rest of the cops on the force. You are in a rare position, with the sheriff for a friend, to defend yourself against both the cop and the kid, without personal risk. If you don't, they will both continue to break laws and the future victims will be on your conscience.

[kikiek]

33. Sounds like someone who is inclined to abuse their power. That only

grows with time. I would turn him in. Even if they aren't fired there would be a history started for people who might have even bigger problems with him in the future. As with any profession some are in it for the service they provide. Others for the power it gives them. These are the ones who don't do anyone including their fellow officers any good. It only smears the good cops name too.

[China_cat]

36. Don't let it go.

His attitude toward a sticker is only an indication of what he'd do if you were injured by some idiot because you had the 'nerve' to say that you think the administration is wrong.

It would be the same...you were inflamatory and deserved what you got.

So no, don't let it go.

[Taxloss]

37. Let it go.

Why ruin a man's career over a minor grievance?

[Divernan]

81. Because the core of a PO's career is to enforce law uniformly.

Our police officers exercise extraordinary powers over the rest of us - and even have the power of life and death. This cop's carrying weapons and under some circumstances, can shoot to kill. I want him to exercise his power without indulging his personal political beliefs. Just as the kid will become more destructive if he gets by with this, the cop will become more biased in his application of the law - unless they are stopped early on.

And I don't agree this is a minor grievance. For every keyed car, there's the $300 deductible for the owner, and the $700 cost to the auto insurer, who just passes that on to all the other insureds - that's you and me, kiddo!

And this is not like some kids toiletpapering a neighbor's tree or tossing eggs on halloween. This is a prime example of the political hatred fostered by the current GOP leadership. They don't want to debate political issues - just attack and destroy.

[jody]

38. "play poker regularly"? You admit to criminal behavior and want to

charge a kid who was just being a kid?


I was just kidding. Press charges against the kid and report the officer.

[omahajim]

50. getting your car keyed is NOT funny.

i used to work at a car dealership. the loaner car i had for the weekend got keyed. bad. the cost to get it repaired was over $1000.00 and i had to pay the 300 deductible out of my own pocket. get this cop to go somewhere else. he is in violation of the oath he took when he became an officer of the law. it is not his place to decide who deserves what.

[jody]

72. Lighten up and read my entire post.

Have a nice evening. :hi:

[Lochloosa]

42. Read the side of his car. It should say "To Serve and Protect"

It does not say "To Serve and Protect Repubs". This is one of the biggest problems w/ law enforcement today. They forget what their job is.

[friesianrider]

44. Whatever you do, press charges against the kid.

And get compensated from the family for your damages.

As for the cop, that is really your call. I personally would probably tell the police chief. Apparently he feels strongly that that kind of behavior is unacceptable, and he would be right. I do not think that that kind of response is acceptable, and would tell the chief and let him deal with it the way he sees fit. I personally would certainly tell the chief what happened though. Repairing a keyed car isn't exactly cheap - that cop had no right to say what he did.

[jobycom]

46. It's a tough job. I'd report him to your friend and ask that he not be

fired. If you don't report him, who knows where his bias will reoccur. If you do, it's up to the authorities to judge the man's record and decide his punishment. I'd report it but make it clear you aren't going to go to the press, you aren't out for revenge, you just thought that was a bad attitude for a cop. That way they can judge the officer on his actions, past and present, and not on the PR it would bring the department. The cop may need a bit of a refresher course on manners and proper perspective of his own importance, and might otherwise be a good cop. On the other hand, he might have a record of such attitudes towards all of his biases, and not reporting him could lead to something worse. A beaten suspect. An ignored crime against a woman he thinks is less than respectable. Something worse, even.

Put it on the record. It isn't just about the cop.

To defend the cop, they do a hard job, are literally targets for everything from murderous criminals to upstanding citizens who want to vent their anger on him. We need cops who are super human but of course we can never get them. Let his boss know, make him a better cop. Youu might help the cop AND society.

[LeftyMom]

47. I'd report it, but ask your firend to write him up rather than shitcan him

unless he makes a habit of this sort of thing, which he probably does, then all he deserves is bus fare and a map to the unemployment office.

Because we have utterly useless cops here, I have a pretty good idea of what happens when the minor shit doesn't get nipped in the bud- you really don't want to let that happen to your town.

[democracyindanger]

48. Not being acceptable doesn't mean firing

More likely the sheriff would dress him down--which the cop certainly deserves.

[0007]

60. His unethical remarks were uncalled for, he is just a cop not

a judge. I'd call a meeting and rip him a new exit hole. If he felt like staying a cop after the meeting would be up to him.

[Fescue4u]

65. Unlikely that you'll get him fired imo

Cops get complaints all the time. Of course if yours is on the tail end of a series of complaints, some action might occur.

If the cop has an otherwise clean record, it'll be spun by the cop and the union as him trying to give you constructive advice. Even if the Sheriff personally believes you, he has the added burden of being impartial which puts him in a difficult position given your relationship with him.

If this cop has a decent union to protect him, it'll go nowhere.

FWIW, when we put bumper stickers on our cars, they *ARE* there to solicit a reaction. Sometimes that reaction isnt welcome, nor legal for that matter, but its still a reaction nonethless.

[azureblue]

66. You won't get him fired- just put on hard duty

First- the cop was hired to enforce the law, without prejudice, and find and arrest the vandals who damaged your car. He refused his sworn duty, so his superiors should know of his dereliction of duty. Most likely, he will not be fired, but a reprimand will be put on his record, & he will be assigned to "hard duty" like rotating night shift, for three months, as punishment. May get told to take a retraining class, too.

Second- what happened was vandalism, and it is wrong to let a twenty + year old kid get away with it. He will go on thinking he can get away with this another time, if he sees he can escape punishment, and if he sees that the cop will turn his back on illegal behavior. He damaged you car, make him pay for it, court costs, and car rental while your car is being fixed.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

67. I think you should get that asshat fired.

Fuck him. Property destruction is property destruction. Do you think he would have been as flippant if it was a bush supporter? what an asshat!

[Stephanie]

71. get him *warned* - not fired

Make sure he knows that he doesn't get away with that crap. Liberals are not doormats, despite what he thinks.

[KitchenWitch]

78. Definitely report him

Politics should not color the way he does his job.

[Redstone]

83. Get him the ass-kicking he so richly deserves.

And don't be shy about it.

Redstone

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

90. your bumper sticker was "inflammatory" and you had it coming

Well, that there is yer'all problem. you had yer sheriff decidin' that was jest a little too far. I bet they red about that furst amendment stuff and all, but shee-it, you want to go posten' stuff like that on yer car - then you might just catch what-all.

now, if you had a bumper sticker that said "Come the rapture this car will be empty" and if the sticker-remover-keyer was a punk-ass liberull, well then we might follow up on that sum bitch.

[LittleClarkie]

111. Not fair, really, when the Sheriff sounds ready to follow up.

Btw, speaking for my old home state, Virginia is not that far South. We actually had to think about it when asked "North or South?" during the Civil War.

Y'all have been watching too much Beverly Hillbillies.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

113. my point was - who was that cop to ascertain what was "inflammatory"

and then to excuse the behavior of the vandalizer. There is an obvious issue here. You can't rip off bumper stickers and key the cars of people who express opinions different than your own. End of story. The public servant (cop) is not the arbitrator of what is "acceptable" expression.

[LittleClarkie]

115. Gotcha. Your point got lost in the middle of your fake accent. Thanks.

And had me a touch hot under the collar, since I come from there.

We do have teeth and all, you know.

[cynatnite]

91. Don't expect the cop to get fired...

but it definitely needs reported. He was unprofessional and refused to do his job. At the least, the guy will be disciplined.

[John Q. Citizen]

97. Don't get him fired, get him help. You were the victim of the

crime of vandalism. The officer has a duty to take a report, if only so you can file an insurance claim.

The officer needs to be reminded that whether he agrees with your politics or not isn't the issue.

He has a duty to take a report. He failed in that duty.

[Synnical]

103. You hunt deer?

Sorry, that's my initial reaction. I trust you eat what you kill and that the deer aren't captive to be hunted.

Other than that, I'd say let your friend know what transpired and let him make the decision. That's his job.

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[11 Bravo]

110. I understand your gut reaction ..

but, yeah, I wouldn't kill it if I wasn't going to eat it. And parts of Virginia are overrun with deer.

[leftofthedial]

109. we should all be committed to getting every repuke on the planet

and every repuke apologist

fired, arrested, imprisoned, harmed in any way we can

this is a class war

and we can't afford to show mercy to the enemy or their stooges

[seabeyond]

116. if you dont want cop fired ask that he not be, BUT for all us, you

need to get this cops ass chewed out. what if it was something bigger. what if i in the store say bush is an ass. a big ole burly man doesnt like me, and hits little ole me, a mere girl in the nose, and the cop says, well, what you said was inflammatory

this cop has to be talked to

[RagingInMiami]

118. Some of the finest men and women I've known are cops

But some of the worse men and women have also been cops. If you can weed the bad ones out, you're doing the others a favor.

[pa28]

120. I'd say give him the name.

I'm not sure the Sheriff would have much say in disciplining a city cop. Couldn't hurt though.

You may be doing the officer a favor as well. It sounds like he could use a little guidance or re-training.

[lateo]

121. Drop the hammer.

[Sydnie]

123. A few points

First, you reported a crime to this officer. A crime, although not life-threatening, will cost you money, out of your pocket, to repair the damage caused due to the commission of this crime. You had a legitimate reason to engage this officer will still at the scene and while a witness was present to identify the perp. He should have, at the very least, have made a report on the spot, gathering and documenting the information that you might need if you were to attempt to gain restitution from the perp.

Secondly, the perp was not a small child acting out of an ignorance of the consequences of their actions. You stated that the perp was approximately 20 years old, well within the age of majority to be responsible both criminally and financially for his own actions. You had an eye witness. Pretty open and shut case in most courts where restitution would be granted. If you were not interested in restitution, you could request that they be given some form of community service, perhaps learning a deeper lesson than an ouch in the wallet can give.

Third, this officer make the choice to dismiss your complaint, even in the face of the evidence and the witness statement because he thought "you deserved it". Your bumper sticker is not unlawful. There are no laws that say that someone can destroy your property just because they couldn't control their emotions and became "inflamed" by a 4 by 8 piece of vinyl displayed on your bumper. Would this officer have said you deserved it if the same perp had run you off the road because of your bumper sticker, causing more damage to your vehicle and possibly to you as well? He chose to be judge and jury and dismissed your case before you had a chance to state your case. That is not his job.

Fourth, this young perp has now been empowered by getting away with this action. Who might be next? Where might they stop? Just what action would be too much for this officer to finally do the job your taxes pay him to do? Would he have dismissed it if it had happened to his sister, mother, wife, daughter ... if the message was one that "inflamed" someone on the other side of the aisle?

If I were you, I would write a formal letter of complaint, requesting that it be placed in his file. I would also request that a police report be filed concerning the incident getting all the facts and the witness statement on the record. I would then contact my insurance company and see if they would assist in obtaining restitution from the perp. If they would not, then I would file with small claims to gain restitution for the repairs.

I live in a small town and sometimes they can be the worst place to live when things like this happen. Because all the players seem to know one another, they often dismiss small signs of trouble because, well, anything else would just mean more paperwork and more complications when they are on the street. But, because you live in a small community, should you be afforded less protection than someone in a larger city or town? Do they all not attend the same academy and learn that their job is to enforce all the laws, for all the people, not just those that they deem worthy? No, that is the job of a judge and a jury.

He took the law into his own hands when he dismissed you. He didn't have the right to do that. He should be made aware so that he never does that again.

Just my 25 cents.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

152. Well considered and well written.

[YouthInAsia]

124. I'd have em fired or reprimanded. Absolutely.

[Mr_Spock]

127. There must be a way to have him "informed" that it's a small world

and let him live with knowing that he is not an island.

Many people will apologize in a situation like that - maybe he'll learn something...

[dsc]

130. The cop can't be permitted to decide who gets the law enforced

and who doesn't. As pointed out below just who would be next on this guy's non enforcement agenda. women, gays, blacks, jews. Either we have laws or we don't. As to the kid, please make sure he, and not his father, takes responsibility for his actions. The worst thing you could do is let him think he can do this and get away scot free. Even if it takes him some time he should pay you every cent of the money he owes you.

[spacelady]

132. The kid committed a crime and the cop compounded it.

The kid is possibly redeemable; the cop is inexcusable. You do not have the authority to get this cop fired, but continue to be a friend to the sheriff & let him know...if the cop gets fired, he cut his own throat by letting his personal politics get in the way of doing his job.

[Warren DeMontague]

135. If he adopts that attitude, why should anyone expect

that he will not let his personal feelings get in the way of taking other crimes seriously, be they gay bashing (say he's a homophobe), lynching (say he's a racist), or simply more serious destruction of property that belongs to people he doesn't agree with?

ABSOLUTELY you should report his behavior, because he's letting his personal beliefs interfere with his ability to do his JOB. "animus towards policemen" has nothing to do with it. I respect cops, but part of that respect comes from the assumption that my political views, color of my skin, or sexual orientation won't alter their commitment to protect me from criminals.

[spacelady]

139. Well said. n/t

[Splatter Phoenix]

155. How do you always say what I want to say so perfectly?

I'm going to get a leash and attach you to my wrist so you can follow me everywhere and help me debate without cussing. ^_^

[FM Arouet666]

142. "Some of the finest men and women I know are cops"

I agree, but this particular officer is not one of the finest. How far will this person mistakenly use his political beliefs on the job. The police are mandated to protect and serve, not protect and serve only those which they agree with.

I would report him to the Sheriff. You are not getting this person fired, his actions are getting him fired.

[Princess Turandot]

144. Have you made a formal complaint abt the vandal?

Or is it only the cop you want to report? Did you tell the cop that you had a witness and wanted to press charges? I'm interpreting your comment that you knew the kid's dad and 'we'll take care of that later' to mean you were just going to talk to his father about it. There seems to be an inconsistency here especially if the kid was in his 20's. (I'm assuming that from some of the other comments.)

[Norwood]

149. Inform your friend

I don't know how bad the damage to your car is, but regardless the kid should foot the repair bill. Unless you're friends with that child's parent you're gonna have a hard time getting them to pay without bringing the authorities involved.

It is the officer's job to take down what happened and his opinion on the matter shouldn't influence whether or not he is obliged to take the report. He didn't do his job so yes if you have connections I say, use them.

[Tsiyu]

151. Make him issue a public apology, and hand him some literature

on how ** has screwed law enforcement all over this country. Then, see that he is fired.

He is supposed to enforce the law, which clearly makes it illegal for a kid to deface your property, and legal for you to have your bumper sticker.

By this bad cop's attitude, I can see that he would say if you were raped or robbed, your bumper sticker/attire/whatever "inflamed" the perp to hurt you.

He will not fairly protect citizens; he should lose his badge.

[1932]

153. Why don't you arrange for the three of you to meet and discuss this issue.

I just heard a story on NPR about an elementary school dealing with bullies. What ultimately worked was not punishment of the bullies but having the bully and the kids and the kids parents meet and talk (in a very polite way) about how it made everyone feel.

Nobody gets fired, but everybody makes their points calmly.

[Splatter Phoenix]

154. that cop's got no business being on the goddamn force.

My father worked in security forces for the air force for a good deal of time during his 20 year service and I'm pretty sure he'd agree with me.

Politics have nothing to do with it where crimes are concerned.

Bust him, and take the kid down too. Little fucker.

[Moderator]

156. Locking.

This thread has turned into a flamewar.