Ask Freerollin` about 10 years in Law Enforcement - Page 6

GeniusToad · #51 09-13-2006, 01:13 PM

should i feel bad for not taking bicycle cops very seriously? do other police laugh at them behind their backs?

Freerollin` · #52 09-13-2006, 01:14 PM

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As a prosecutor, what percentage of your cases were drug cases?

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Way too many. Probably 30%

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Did you ever feel dirty or immoral about prosecuting someone for a possession charge? Did others in your department feel this way?

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Absolutely. The war on drugs is a catastrophe and a never ending cycle of violence. The middlemen and "bottom of the barrel" members of the drug trade, along with the users, are the one who keep getting tossed in jail while the big ones just keep on raking in the cash.

Prosecuting drug cases is one of the reasons I became disillusioned and left.

Many young prosecutors (under 35) - and a lot of police - feel the same way as I do, and it's frustrating because a lot of the higher ups in most offices are older, set in their ways, and incapable of realizing how futile the war on drugs is.

CamelZoo · #53 09-13-2006, 01:16 PM

thanks for the quick response.

by detail i am not sure what it is really. i know traffic detail is when you are directing traffic b/c of construction or something, but there are other kinds of detail right? as far as security too, is that considered detail? do you sign up to be a on a detail list, so when events need officers you are called? what does it pay/is it worth it?

btw i have a lot of respect for those of pure intention in law enforcement, i guess i have never had a chance to "tell" anyone in your field that before [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

GeniusToad · #54 09-13-2006, 01:16 PM

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Absolutely. The war on drugs is a catastrophe and a never ending cycle of violence. The middlemen and "bottom of the barrel" members of the drug trade, along with the users, are the one who keep getting tossed in jail while the big ones just keep on raking in the cash.

Prosecuting drug cases is one of the reasons I became disillusioned and left.

Many young prosecutors (under 35) - and a lot of police - feel the same way as I do, and it's frustrating because a lot of the higher ups in most offices are older, set in their ways, and incapable of realizing how futile the war on drugs is.

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i think i just found my vote for new mod.

riverdance · #55 09-13-2006, 01:17 PM

what about bookmaking? ever make an arrest? is it looked at more like a victimless crime like drug use?

Freerollin` · #56 09-13-2006, 01:20 PM

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has any defendent tried to harm you after a trial was over or after they were released?

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I've never been physically confronted as a prosecutor, but I've received letters that implicitly contain threats. Once I got a "personalized" reply brief from a pro se defendant (who is obv. crazy for defending himself). He appended my brief as "Defendant's Exhibit B-2" (there was no B-1) and titled it "DA LIES." Over my statement of facts, he wrote "Bad things happen to people who tell lies."

I've taken steps to keep my address out of the public domain as much as possible, but anyone who really wants to find out could.

Freerollin` · #57 09-13-2006, 01:25 PM

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what about bookmaking? ever make an arrest? is it looked at more like a victimless crime like drug use?

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No. Where I'm from, that would probably be taken care of by state troopers who have a division for stuff like that, so I was never involved. I look at it as a victimless crime, but it isn't something I discussed much with coworkers (I bet on sports).

chopstick · #58 09-13-2006, 01:28 PM

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Many young prosecutors (under 35) - and a lot of police - feel the same way as I do, and it's frustrating because a lot of the higher ups in most offices are older, set in their ways, and incapable of realizing how futile the war on drugs is.

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What would you say is the general (if there is one) consensus amongst police regarding drug laws? That they need to be kept? Repealed? That legalization would or would not be a good idea for some or all drugs?

If there is no clear consensus, what are the major opinions, and did you see any division of opinion that looked related to the actual work the officer did? (ie did patrol officers have generally different opinions than traffic officers, etc)

Freerollin` · #59 09-13-2006, 01:29 PM

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by detail i am not sure what it is really. i know traffic detail is when you are directing traffic b/c of construction or something, but there are other kinds of detail right? as far as security too, is that considered detail? do you sign up to be a on a detail list, so when events need officers you are called? what does it pay/is it worth it?

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This is why I asked. Detail (at least where I worked) is pretty much a superfluous word. It is put after the type of work that's being done to make it sound more important. Security Detail, Traffic Detail, WTF? Why not just say security or traffic?

Anyway, some departments allowed officers to dress in uniform and work at outside events. Mine didn't. I wish it did, though, I've heard that there's good money to be made.

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btw i have a lot of respect for those of pure intention in law enforcement, i guess i have never had a chance to "tell" anyone in your field that before [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

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Thanks, appreciate that.

CamelZoo · #60 09-13-2006, 01:31 PM

oh, in addition to my Q above about detail...

my friend in hs's dad was a prosecutor in boston - he was killed on the subway by either the men on trial, or by their friends, not sure exactly - before the trial started. are situations like this common, and addressed in your training as part of as the life you sign up for when you go into this sort of field?

argh, i keep thinking of q's. one more: when i worked in the ER, they said this is the best place to go if you are pulled over for DUI, or other stuff bc officers hate hospitals. is this true, and if so, how is such a well-known strategy able to continue? bonus question, why is DUI or DWI so often let go on probation, when getting smashed and driving a vehicle that could easily kill somebody because you are impaired is such a big deal. all the time you hear about a drunk driver taking out an entire family, but they walk away from the accident. i wuold think think that DUI is a bigger deal and should be treated as such, because ppl who do this are at a very high risk for hurting others.

thanks again [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]