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by tom_ 2185 days ago
The police are civilians.
2 comments
SigmundA 2185 days ago
The common definition of civilian is "a person who is not a member of the police, the armed forces, or a fire department".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilian

So sworn police officers are not normally considered civilians, while non-sworn personel are:

https://www.discoverpolicing.org/explore-the-field/types-of-...

https://www.discoverpolicing.org/explore-the-field/civilian-...

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.-...

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A4ET8a8uTh0 2185 days ago
True. But when you hear cops talk about non cops, they will call non cops civilians.
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MrZongle2 2185 days ago
As a veteran, my blood boils when I hear that.

As I am no longer a member of the military, I am a civilian. My neighbors are civilians. And regardless of a badge or uniform or firearm or SWAT teams or Pentagon-surplus armored vehicles, cops are civilians.

Feeling otherwise merely reinforces the "us-versus-them" mentality that leads to the current crisis.

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goliatone 2185 days ago
This [1] gave me an idea of how some police might see their role.

[1] http://mwkworks.com/onsheepwolvesandsheepdogs.html

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A4ET8a8uTh0 2185 days ago
That is definitely an interesting perspective. It seems somewhat idealized, but if we accept the premise of the author, then sheepdogs that hurt lambs are not removed in US making sheep go 'Baa'.

Still, a worthwhile read.

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