Thank you for your dedication and service. You share such a clear and honest perspective. I applaud what you are doing and understand how difficult a decision it must have been. I just hope that all retired law enforcement individuals take this same introspective look and make this same difficult choice. It's not about being Republican or Democrat,L. It's about right vs. wrong and the need to uphold our Constitution.
Bravo! Good for you! We all need to see those whose life path has been altered, or should I say, refined, to courageously stand for law and order, respect for all, call out injustice, and make your beliefs and efforts known. You are one more pillar standing up against fascism. Go brother!
I thank you for making a very important point. You are for protecting a society that is fighting against fascism. Not just against crime which is what you did in your day on the job. These times are not unlike times of war. Where an enemy is trying to subjugate you for their beliefs. The fact that your president is doing this should be taken into consideration. An enemy is an enemy! donnie little dick cites the "enemy from within" constantly. He does it because he IS it! Yes he's your country's official leader but he lies to you, he breaks the promises he made to you and does it openly because he has the power of the Party behind him. He thinks that he can tell people they should have to go hungry, that they should have to die if they can't afford to be healthy. This man does not care for you! That is who the ICEstapo is protecting! Him. For money! Your neighbours aren't the enemy he told you they were, HE is. That this American policeman stands up for you to help you, should open your eyes to the truth. My dad was a British Military Policeman in Indian in 1937. He refused to go along to get along and as hard as they tried, they could not dislodge him. The men he commanded followed him and not the rich men who's money bought their Commissions into the Army. They in many instances backed down. He never told me about these things, his men did. They were proud of him. They were just ordinary people put into extraordinary circumstances and found solace in the fact that my dad stood with them against the officer class. Respect as donnie little dick hasn't learned, has to be earned.
I don't know where you live but thank you for your words and awareness of the fascist regime that is ruling the US. As an American, it gives me some hope to know the rest of the world knows the regime exists. Also know that there are millions of us resisting the sociopathic felon! I pray that our law enforcement and military have the courage and integrity that your father had.
That's so kind of you to say. The rest of the world not only knows, they look upon your dilemma in horror. I also believe that if you support your military in this instance and your civil police also, in spite of your possibly well earned prejudices that you will prevail. Don't be divided. That's the key to a functioning democracy I've found. I want the world to be a place where everybody is treated well not just those in the USA. Equality for ALL citizens on the planet should be the aim of all countries. Then those that hoard their billions because they don't dare spend it will be shown the door.
Americans will always have the worlds respect because of their previous ability to be able to help everyone regardless! I'm hoping they can see that for every dollar they use to help the disadvantaged, it comes back 10 fold. The security of your nation has depended on it. Now I fear that donnie little dick is playing silly buggers because he can! because of him knowing anything about You will never be free from another nation trying to defeat you. I'm sure little dick has made money hand over fist to make sure the time is ripe for upending your democracy. Viva la Resistance! Don't thank me aleithia, thank your resilience that says there's no going back!
Thank you for your service, which now includes this incredibly powerful piece. I hope as many as possible will read this. I certainly will do my part in sharing it.
Thank you for your many years of dedicated service. Your clarity and integrity are appreciated in these insane times. As a concerned citizen, I wonder if law enforcement and the military will turn their guns on us. We have already seen the atrocities done to families and children. It is chilling to have US citizens handcuffed and thrown in prison for no reason. Many knowledgeable people have said that things will probably get worse until the regime is gone. I am an active protestor but what chances do we have if law enforcement and the military don't support us? Your voice is important!
I can see how very little I know about law enforcement from "the other side of the line" when I found myself questioning why it should be a difficult moral choice for police officers to protest against the incredible overreach of the Federal government.
To me it is simple: you are a citizen of the United States before you became a police officer and you are still a citizen of the United States while you are working in law enforcement.
Yes, while you are on duty and in uniform you should be impartial. While you are out of uniform, you should be able to practice the legal rights that are guaranteed to every citizen in the Bill of Rights, no matter what job you do to support your family.
You swore an oath to defend the US and your state's Constitutions when you were sworn in as a law enforcement officer. Did you swear another oath that you were giving up your civil rights at the same time? I don't think so. You still have the obligation, as all US citizens have, to practice your civil rights or we are going to lose them.
Thank you for your service, both as a police officer and a military officer.
"In a democracy the police should always strive to do their job in accordance with the law, peacefully if at all possible, and without bias, political or otherwise. Even the mere appearance of bias on the part of those within society responsible for exercising lawful force against citizens undermines public trust and the rule of law."
The same holds for civil servants and military. The Hatch Act was put in place, IMO, to assure the populace that the civil service and military were, as their oath states, responsible first and foremost to the Constitution, NOT the partisan leaders. That they worked on behalf of the people of the US and the principles on which it is founded first and foremost. Any appearance of bias, as you say, undermines public trust and the rule of law.
To add to this: The duty to not follow illegal orders was established at Nuremberg, made manifest in the Geneva Conventions (to which the US not only lead the development but signed and ratified, making it the law of the US*), and was re-emphasized in the aftermath of My Lai. During my service time, this was emphasized at the mandatory yearly Laws of Armed Conflict training.
* US Constitution, Article VI: "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding." https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-6/
Criminals and thugs wear masks.
I would love to see an analysis of the backgrounds/ education/
felony records/
years unemployed of these ‘instant’ ICE
agents.
Thank you for your dedication and service. You share such a clear and honest perspective. I applaud what you are doing and understand how difficult a decision it must have been. I just hope that all retired law enforcement individuals take this same introspective look and make this same difficult choice. It's not about being Republican or Democrat,L. It's about right vs. wrong and the need to uphold our Constitution.
Well said! ❤
Bravo! Good for you! We all need to see those whose life path has been altered, or should I say, refined, to courageously stand for law and order, respect for all, call out injustice, and make your beliefs and efforts known. You are one more pillar standing up against fascism. Go brother!
And may members of the National Guards join you, in refusing to attack fellow Americans.
I thank you for making a very important point. You are for protecting a society that is fighting against fascism. Not just against crime which is what you did in your day on the job. These times are not unlike times of war. Where an enemy is trying to subjugate you for their beliefs. The fact that your president is doing this should be taken into consideration. An enemy is an enemy! donnie little dick cites the "enemy from within" constantly. He does it because he IS it! Yes he's your country's official leader but he lies to you, he breaks the promises he made to you and does it openly because he has the power of the Party behind him. He thinks that he can tell people they should have to go hungry, that they should have to die if they can't afford to be healthy. This man does not care for you! That is who the ICEstapo is protecting! Him. For money! Your neighbours aren't the enemy he told you they were, HE is. That this American policeman stands up for you to help you, should open your eyes to the truth. My dad was a British Military Policeman in Indian in 1937. He refused to go along to get along and as hard as they tried, they could not dislodge him. The men he commanded followed him and not the rich men who's money bought their Commissions into the Army. They in many instances backed down. He never told me about these things, his men did. They were proud of him. They were just ordinary people put into extraordinary circumstances and found solace in the fact that my dad stood with them against the officer class. Respect as donnie little dick hasn't learned, has to be earned.
I don't know where you live but thank you for your words and awareness of the fascist regime that is ruling the US. As an American, it gives me some hope to know the rest of the world knows the regime exists. Also know that there are millions of us resisting the sociopathic felon! I pray that our law enforcement and military have the courage and integrity that your father had.
That's so kind of you to say. The rest of the world not only knows, they look upon your dilemma in horror. I also believe that if you support your military in this instance and your civil police also, in spite of your possibly well earned prejudices that you will prevail. Don't be divided. That's the key to a functioning democracy I've found. I want the world to be a place where everybody is treated well not just those in the USA. Equality for ALL citizens on the planet should be the aim of all countries. Then those that hoard their billions because they don't dare spend it will be shown the door.
Those of us who are Americans stuck in the USA deeply appreciate the support those outside our country are providing. THANK YOU!
Americans will always have the worlds respect because of their previous ability to be able to help everyone regardless! I'm hoping they can see that for every dollar they use to help the disadvantaged, it comes back 10 fold. The security of your nation has depended on it. Now I fear that donnie little dick is playing silly buggers because he can! because of him knowing anything about You will never be free from another nation trying to defeat you. I'm sure little dick has made money hand over fist to make sure the time is ripe for upending your democracy. Viva la Resistance! Don't thank me aleithia, thank your resilience that says there's no going back!
Thank you! What an important piece in the resistance against fascism and the law enforcement personnel who are supporting it.
I'm very grateful for your ongoing courage, and willingness to share your journey and experience.
Thank you for your service, which now includes this incredibly powerful piece. I hope as many as possible will read this. I certainly will do my part in sharing it.
Me too! The voices of authors writing articles for Home of the Brave are incredibly important.
Thank you for your many years of dedicated service. Your clarity and integrity are appreciated in these insane times. As a concerned citizen, I wonder if law enforcement and the military will turn their guns on us. We have already seen the atrocities done to families and children. It is chilling to have US citizens handcuffed and thrown in prison for no reason. Many knowledgeable people have said that things will probably get worse until the regime is gone. I am an active protestor but what chances do we have if law enforcement and the military don't support us? Your voice is important!
I can see how very little I know about law enforcement from "the other side of the line" when I found myself questioning why it should be a difficult moral choice for police officers to protest against the incredible overreach of the Federal government.
To me it is simple: you are a citizen of the United States before you became a police officer and you are still a citizen of the United States while you are working in law enforcement.
Yes, while you are on duty and in uniform you should be impartial. While you are out of uniform, you should be able to practice the legal rights that are guaranteed to every citizen in the Bill of Rights, no matter what job you do to support your family.
You swore an oath to defend the US and your state's Constitutions when you were sworn in as a law enforcement officer. Did you swear another oath that you were giving up your civil rights at the same time? I don't think so. You still have the obligation, as all US citizens have, to practice your civil rights or we are going to lose them.
Welcome aboard!
Let's hope you are one of a million who take a stand NOW!
Thank you for your service, both as a police officer and a military officer.
"In a democracy the police should always strive to do their job in accordance with the law, peacefully if at all possible, and without bias, political or otherwise. Even the mere appearance of bias on the part of those within society responsible for exercising lawful force against citizens undermines public trust and the rule of law."
The same holds for civil servants and military. The Hatch Act was put in place, IMO, to assure the populace that the civil service and military were, as their oath states, responsible first and foremost to the Constitution, NOT the partisan leaders. That they worked on behalf of the people of the US and the principles on which it is founded first and foremost. Any appearance of bias, as you say, undermines public trust and the rule of law.
To add to this: The duty to not follow illegal orders was established at Nuremberg, made manifest in the Geneva Conventions (to which the US not only lead the development but signed and ratified, making it the law of the US*), and was re-emphasized in the aftermath of My Lai. During my service time, this was emphasized at the mandatory yearly Laws of Armed Conflict training.
From https://legalclarity.org/your-right-to-disobey-an-unlawful-order/ this principle applies to military, law enforcement, and civil service.
* US Constitution, Article VI: "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding." https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-6/
Well said, thank you.
Very well said!! And thank you for your many years of service.
Beautifully said. Thank you.
Thank you for your service and your convictions. Keep it up!
https://open.substack.com/pub/ofthebrave