ANY ACTIVE-DUTY LAW OFFICERS HERE?
If so, as an honorably retired police officer with almost 40 years of service in the public sector, I would beg all current officers to review U.S. Code, title 18, Section §242 (Deprivation of rights under color of law).
I would also implore them to review their Oaths of Office–and reconcile these highly questionable mask, curfew, and quarantine orders against them.
Finally, I would finally ask that you review and KNOW your department policy with regard to obeying unlawful orders.
Do you, your co-workers, your county Sheriff, or your State Department of Justice consider these orders being forced upon your jurisdictions by local politicians and health departments to be unconstitutional (or even potentially so)?
Are those orders "a hill you're willing to die on"?
Have you thought about the consequences for you (and your family), if you're the one who happens to be held accountable for depriving someone of their Constitutional Rights?
How much have you invested in your career?
Your retirement?
Are you willing to put all these things at risk over a dubious mask or curfew order?
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't. But maybe that's just me.
If you have any reservations at all about these issues and have a union or an officers' association, I'd highly encourage you to make sure your representatives address them to your satisfaction. I'd argue it's one of the best ways to protect yourselves in a highly contentious environment and situation like this one.
In a way, I'm grateful that I'm not in the same position so many of you are. But the FTO (Field Training Officer) in me wants to make sure that all of you are 100% behind these orders before you decide to enforce them. Just remember that your Oath and your honor in taking it is what differentiates you from your private sector counterparts. Use it to protect you–just as you have sworn to protect it.
And please…always try to remember that your ultimate duty isn't to those in your chain of command, your local politicians, or even your Governor. Your ultimate allegiance is to the people who pay your salary. The taxpayers. Your community. The people you serve. And to the Constitution of the United States.
Of course, you'll ultimately have to decide for yourself (and those whom you love). You can certainly disregard these thoughts as the ramblings of some old has-been, but please know that they come from someone who loves each of you as a sister or brother officer and really think about it.
As always, please stay safe, look out for one another, and go home safe to your families every single night. We may be a little out-of-practice in a lot of ways, but us old retired folks still have your back.
Always.
https://www.lawenforcementtoday.com/politicians-sheriff-stand-down-to-rioters-but-go-after-law-abiding-citizens/?utm_source=wnd&utm_medium=wnd&utm_campaign=syndicated
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC
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