should police officers be given more power to carry out their mandates?
486375
I think if you(we) expect law enforcement to be able to do a certain job, then they should be duly empowered in writing to take the necessary actions, including use of force, to carry out the duties of that job. \n\nI also think that citizens should be more involved in community policing. Neighborhood watch is a great program, if there were more people out there doing it, there'd be less demand for police etc.
851220
Deciet is not limited to just elected officials, ever see a criminal trial, as soon as a police fficer takes the stand the lies begin, its common practice, they lie to get elected, they lie to increase their power and usurp our constitutional rights, lie when they get caught, if poligraphs were reliable, I'd say give them all one every time they speak
862999
Interesting. \n\nCommon good? \n\nFear of retribution? \n\nSometimes policy is not in our realm to alter 'on the street', so to speak. Motivating one individual through the 'proper channels' perhaps is one method some authority figures may choose to aide someone whom policy has hindered. \n\nSometimes stopping someone from acting on a strong believe can in the end move that believe to higher channels, and in the end form stronger opinion for it. (i.e. violent acts do move public to abhore a group based solely on thier actions and not motivations).  A police officer (I use this example as per your question) may see this in a perspective the protestor does not, and while understanding the motivations behind the act, knows to stop the act itself will in fact further the resolution in favour of common good will and understanding and therefore possible policy changes become more likely. \n\nAnother example is a peaceful 'march' gains more public notoriety simply by having a police task force on hand. Whether they believe in the marchers motivations or not they are required to offer protection regardless of thier own beliefs. \n\nOne of the main stands in joining the police force, I believe is that they have to stand forward unbiased, and work to the society's set laws regardless of thier own belief system. Protect and serve regardless of whether they like or dislike the citizen. \n\nIt is in fact a double edged sword. \n\n..with early retirement common I'm sure, simply because of this moral requirement in a lot of cases.
522055
It really depends on the structure of government of the state you're referring to. In a democratic set up, all of the branches of government - executive, legislative and judicial - exercise police power to a certain extent.  The extent of the power is legislated by the Senate and Congress. The Judiciary makes sure that the executive and the legislative branches do not abuse or step out of the bounds of the limits of that power.
597729
Yes and they should be accountable to their citizens
457385
What? to have them follow the law?
92489
Partly because of interference from the civic officials who oversee them - law and order is a lot of what elected politicians make their stock in trade, and so interfere a lot to be seen doing something.\n\nAnd also because police unions tend to be quite powerful and influential with the public.
997876
Depends on where you are.  Police are generally local departments governed by local politics.
434238
YES! THE LAW IS THE LAW!We all are citizens and should be treated and respected equally.police officers are people too and must abide by all rules.
660894
I think it is because power and authority corrupts some people. Police officers have a lot of power over citizens and citizens have little recourse if you have no witnesses if a cop does something wrong to you. Many other people have power and authority that abuse it. Politicians, doctors, teachers, military personnel, supervisors, managers, big company CEO's, etc. Just to name a few. That's just the way it is.\n\nThe only way we can protect ourselves, is to protect our rights. Particularly the right to keep and bear arms, the 2nd amendment, ensures that we as Americans can protect the other rights that we have.
1077824
Yes, police are given a certain amount of discretion in circumstances where it benefits the "greater good" to do so. Sometimes it just isn't worth it to use time and energy to enforce laws that are relatively less important than other, more pressing ones. For example, police in areas with high rates of violent and drug-related crimes will not waste their time arresting someone for littering.  \n\nThis is used by other members of law enforcement such as Distirict Attorneys and prosecutors, who use their discretion to "grease" the wheels of justice and reduce court costs for taxpayers. For example, prosecutors are allowed to give passes to certain criminals in exchange for information and testimony leading to the conviction of larger, more dangerous criminals.
1187338
here is an idea, how about you organize the people in your city to police themselves.\n\nIf you can stop the "blackmen" from doing things that make the police come to their area, then there could be no police "abuse"\n\nI live in a very diverse part of town, the only time I see a police officer is when I am driving past the police station, this is due to the fact that everybody in this area works, we pay our bills and raise our children, nobody beats their wives or children, nobody robs other people or steals from others, and nobody murders another.\nThere is no reason for the police to come to our area.\n\nThis may seem like a pollyanna sort of answer but it does work, life CAN be that easy. The only problem is, you have to get everybody on the same page, everybody has to want a better life for their family.
161506
Yes.\n\n  There is a 1981 Pennsylvania law banning the practice of "directly or indirectly" suggesting that an individual police officer should issue "a certain number of traffic citations." \n\n  However, there has been an ongoing investigation in Pennsylvania for the past few years about the Pennsylvania State Police issuing quotas for their troopers to meet.  The only reason they are getting away with it is that they are calling them "averages" and "standards" to hide the fact that it is a quota.
985589
Local police have the first say in dictating everything. Rule of thumb is be subordinate to official demands by first responders.Hold these people accountable for they're actions at all costs.Track they're actions and reactions up the chain of command to hold them liable. Then you might have a legitamate claim if you've been harmed(physically or monitarally).Time and patience will reveal the truth.
109538
Because it would take the whole point out of having more power than other people.
1080626
I don't think the cop could enter or interfere.  Maybe the best he could do is radio it in and wait for an answer.
1039443
If you mean more patrols by law enforcement officials, are you willing to pay higher taxes? Because that's what it's going to come down to.