Comment by fountainofage | Hacker News Reader

Comment by fountainofage | Hacker News Reader

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You are aware cops have absolutely no obligation to enforce the law, right?

So you or me entering this woman's home with guns drawn - we have the same obligation to be there as a cop.

This whole "oh but the cops are scared for their life" crap needs to stop. They have no obligation to do anything, so anytime they do, it's their choice. Just as much their choice as you or me busting into a home with guns drawn.

You wouldn't be sitting here sympathizing with how a random burglar is totally justified in entering a home with a weapon drawn because the homeowner could be armed.

Why do you do the same with cops?

Edit: to summarize my point: cops have no obligation to be there, so if their solution is to enter with guns drawn and barking orders, we shouldn't try to sympathize with that behavior. We should tell them to stay at home and cuddle a teddy bear instead. A lot more people would be alive today if we quit making excuses for why cops are so eager to kill people.

> You are aware cops have absolutely no obligation to enforce the law, right?

This is a search warrant situation. Obligations exist in this situation - to the judge, court process, and CO. If you want to debate the obligations to the public or immunity of cops, fine--but this isn't like a random traffic stop. What the police is supposed to do in this situation is very clear--serve warrant, get evidence.

> You wouldn't be sitting here sympathizing with how a random burglar is totally justified in entering a home with a weapon drawn because the homeowner could be armed.

This isn't sympathy but just expectation. You would expect a house invader to be armed for exactly that reason, right? Similarly, why wouldn't you expect a cop to do the same?

They have no legal obligation to be there or do that job. If they refuse, there can be no punishment. This has gone to the federal courts, and even the Supreme Court, several times. Cops have absolutely zero legal obligation to enforce the law. There's no sense in you even trying to disagree with this because the highest court in the land had consistently declared it as the law.

On your second point... I agree? Cops are forcing themselves into people's homes with the express intent of fucking shit up, that's why they enter armed and dangerous, the same as a thief. Is that what you're saying? Because that's what I'm saying. Do you sympathize with the thief? I don't, the same as I don't sympathize with the cop.

Edit: to clarify - the cop could be entering the home as a neighbor and a friend, and that's what everyone would prefer. Unfortunately, cops decided long ago they'd rather hold onto their right to kill with no questions asked, so now they're no better than a methhead busting down a door. It's ultimately their fault for this image, and they're the only ones that can fix it.

> Cops have absolutely zero legal obligation to enforce the law.

Was surprised to learn this is true.

https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/politics/justices-rule-po...

Of course the cops have an obligation to be there. Regardless of whatever legal principle you're referring to states, it will not take long for a police officer to be fired if they refuse to do any work.

Read up on Brian Miller in the Parkland shooting. Let children die because he ran away. Still working as a cop. They tried to fire him but can't.

Laws are enforced at a cop's discretion.

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