Entirely true. Most cops *I* know and work with would turn in thier badges if given an unlawful order.As a matter of course they wouldn't enforce it as THEY are citizens as the Posse Commtatus ACT has prohibited Military from turning on citizens...by force.A small piece of input as a former cop: I'd say 90% of cops are fairly disgruntled with the city/county government they work for, as most folks are about their own jobs. Most cops think a lot of laws are simpy stupid and dont enforce them.
So if anyone is worried that a "Police State" will evolve where local cops are beating down your door to take your guns or money or gold.......or whatever "police state" ideals one has, I think there is 0% chance of that. Cops have DESCRETION. They MUST disobey an order if it is unlawful. Further, they can simply CHOOSE not to enforce a law they feel is petty or improper for the situation. This ability to make the individual choice is the biggest difference between domestic cops and our military, or to a foreign "police" which is basically that nation's military. Cops dont go to jail for disobeying orders. They probably wont even get fired. They can quit any day they want with no consequence other than not getting paid anymore.
So.....it's fair to say, with our law enforcement arrangement, the only laws that will be truly enforced are ones that 95% of cops agree are good. And try getting 95% of cops to agree on anything.....good luck! The ONLY way a true police state would happen here is if martial law were declared, and it was the military as they have the option of jailing their people who don't obey orders. And even then.....I believe the majority of the military would disobey a tyrannical order on their own people.
WHich is why some radical lefties want a UN force of foreign troops to be the globes only ruling force.
But a Stalin-like police state being implemented with our current local cops? No chance. They'd never do it. They already CHOOSE not to enforce dumbass petty laws that mayors and governors pass on a daily basis. A law is nothing but ink on paper without people to enforce it.
I Think if it came to it? They'd turn on Governmnemnt itself.
100% right. I know for fact most cops think their host government (being just the politicians of that city or county) is mostly out of touch morons. They do the job anyway, and try to ignore the political BS day to day.
But in the end, if City Hall or the State gov'ts issued a tyrannical law or order, the cops would say "Screw that" and either quit or just refuse to do it. I mean what would the mayors do, "Call the cops" on the cops?
The United States is BLESSED beyond belief with two things: A police force, and a military.....whose morals are such that neither could fathom turning on it's own people. Thats what seperates us from the rest of the world.
THEY are Citizens as well.