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| Source: Sodahead.com |
Sunday, July 20, 2014
In the wake of a tragedy in New York where five police officers took down Eric Garner, a citizen who was surrounded by police after breaking up a fight, it leaves citizens from all states wondering what is going on with the increase in excessive force by law enforcement officers.
If you would like to read more on the
story regarding the death of Eric Garner and to see the video, please visit the
following link: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/staten-island-da-man-death-nypd-chokehold-article-1.1871946
Looking into crimes committed by law
enforcement, most complaints or reports that are filed against officers are
violent crimes, while financial crimes are the least, yet most charged and
convicted.*
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| Source: The CATO Inst.'s Police Misconduct Reporting Project |
Most reported violent crimes committed
by police officers occur while they are on duty. David Packman’s report on police
misconduct shows that “on-duty violence is only prosecuted 9.6% of the time
while off-duty violence is prosecuted 66.7% of the time”. Out of the violent
crime rates, over 90% are head of law enforcement (sheriffs and chiefs).*
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| Source: The CATO Inst.'s Police Misconduct Reporting Project |
According to Packman’s report, the reported
financial charges have the most success in convictions, while drug related
crimes has the least. His explanation is as follows:
“The reason
for difficulties in the drugs/alcohol category appears to be with DUI type
cases as police officers tend to be very proficient on how best to defend
against that type of case. Law enforcement officers tend to refuse to take BAC
tests and, as in the news recently, officers tend to be unwilling to charge
fellow officers in traffic stop situations due to the stigmas attached to
“ratting out” fellow offices.”*
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| Source: The CATO Inst.'s Police Misconduct Reporting Project |
So while implied consent laws require
citizens to give chemical testing on command, regardless of its
unconstitutionality, officers seem to be above the law. While almost 70% of the
general population get convicted after being charged with a crime, while only a
mere 30% of law enforcement get the same treatment. The incarceration rate, or the
rate for those who get jail time, is also 10% higher among civilians than officers.
Out of those become incarcerated, civilians are more than three times likely to
serve the average sentence or higher.*
It is the responsibility of every
citizen to speak out when they see misconduct by police, and do not tolerate
favoritism of law “enforcement” officers over civilians. If the law applies to
one, it applies to all. Period.
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