Quote Originally Posted by cstone View Post
Actually for the six officers the only thing that is now over is the criminal portion of their ordeal. They may be subject to civil action by Gray's family and several of the six officers will be subject to administrative disciplinary action. I predict that a few of the officers will skip disciplinary action, up to and including termination, as they will just resign.

I've heard many times over the years how there just isn't any accountability for law enforcement or that cops aren't subjected to the same rules as everyone else. That is partially true. Most jobs don't have internal affairs along with civil liability for: not doing your job, and doing your job incorrectly, on top of criminal penalties for exceeding your authority. The same DA you depend on to prosecute your cases may one day be prosecuting you.

It is a hard profession to enter because of the competition and standards. It is an easy profession to lose your job. Are there bad cops? Yes, absolutely. The biggest victims of bad cops is other cops because bad cops make a tough job just about unbearable. Lots of pressures and temptations to take the easy way, but those are the ways to lose your job and maybe your freedom.

Lots of tough jobs out there. Law enforcement is not for everyone. If you've had a bad encounter with law enforcement, I apologize. Most of us try to provide good service with a humane attitude toward others. It isn't a popularity contest and if we are doing our job correctly there will be unhappy customers. We don't get dispatched to birthday parties and bar mitzvahs, at least not for the happy ones. Most of us are as happy to clear a scene, no report, as you are happy to see us go.

Be safe.
Well said, brother! The news stated yesterday that while all the criminal cases have either resulted in acquittal or dismissed, there are still internal investigations ongoing. Like cstone said, you may skate on the criminal charges, but internal matters are completely different. Just because you didn't break the law, doesn't mean you didn't violate policy. I'll be curious to see how many resign. Even if they're all cleared of any policy violations or misconduct, their reputations are still completely screwed because the media dragged their names through the mud before any facts came out to a jury or judge. Similar to what happened to Off. Wilson in Ferguson.