jd1818

I actually have not read it, I should. I am annoyed that this psycho murderer is being propped up as some sort of robin hood because he said the LAPD is corrupt and that feeds right into existing feelings people have, some of which are justified. The department is 10,000 people who have their own morals, backgrounds, and ideas. A mostly hispanic department by the way. Like alot of big cities the history is alot of racism which I think was very reflective of the times. You know who loves the LAPD? The working poor people I would see everyday. The people who worked two jobs to make a life for themselves. Only to get robbed by some "tough gangster" who beats down a 65 yr old lady for the rent money in her pocket. Go talk to the people who actually work in these neighborhoods. The vast majority loved us because, unlike other big cites, we didn't just drive by and wave. We went after these guys. It is frustrating to chase some gangster down a dark alley night holding a gun in his waistband only to catch him and have some other gangster come out of his house and yell "I saw him plant the gun!". Risking not going home to see my newborn baby because I really don't want people to have to live in fear of these punks. Then I would go to West LA to work a special detail. Some white 20 something hipster would yell "Rodney King!" from across the street. Rodney King happened when I barely had pubes. But I had to carry that albatross around my neck, along with the Rampart scandal. Many young people on here like to think of themselves as champions of the little guy and civil rights. Well I put my money where my mouth is. I was risking my life to helping the working poor in the most dangerous neighborhoods.

Sorry for this rant. I am not trying to act like I am some selfless angel. Like everyone else I am self motivated. I did the job because I loved it. But I also think I am doing something to make society better. Looking at a cop, you don't know, and thinking or saying "pig" or "facist" is no different than looking at a black guy you don't know and thinking "nigger" It is the same thing. It is easy and self gratifying to fit people into categories. But real issues are much deeper and more complex. I don't need anyone telling me I am a "hero" or any other patronizing thing. All I ask for is an open mind. I might be a nice guy or an ass but give me a chance.

I don't know all the circumstances, none of us do yet. But it sure smells of panic and contagious firing. In my 7 years there I never heard of such a crappy OIS (officer involved shooting). Despite the widespread belief that "nothing will happen to them" someone is probably getting fired. It is drilled in your head i the academy "shoot at what you know, not what you think." These guys will probably burn and they probably should. Remember though in the dark, a blacked out truck driving up on you, it is easy to be unsure of the color or make of truck. That is not an excuse but an explanation for people who don't understand how you can shoot a different make and color truck.

I think the more people understand about us the less of the crazy "the police are executing innocent people" posts I will see. At least I hope. I was once 19 and thought I knew everything also.

I believe in using discretion. If I pull you over for a red light and you are an honest hard working person. I am probably not going to give you a ticket and hit your pocket for $300. I don't care if you smoke weed, just don't be dumb about it. I treat people with respect until you show me you don't deserve it. It is a strange job and it can change you. When I was a brand new cop at age 23 I had 50 year olds coming up to me and asking me for help in their life, relationship, drug addiction. What the fu*k do I know?! So everyone defers to you and it is easy to start talking down to people without realizing it. You have to constantly check yourself. Most cops are super hardcore fox news republicans. I have become more liberal after 13 years on the job. I used to be semi conservative. I see so much poverty and pain in peoples lives as a cop. Death and addiction. If you aren't hurting anyone I don't care what you do. I really see myself as helping the community as naive as that sounds. Also remember, you probably have a few coworkers at work you hate. So do I. It only takes one cop being an asshole to 10 people he pulls over a day to ruin it for the rest of us.