[autoexec]

This seems to imply that voters elected someone because they campaigned on violating civil rights or breaking the law. That's rarely the case (Joe Arpaio is one exception). If an elected official breaks the law and/or violates the constitution they are still the one responsible for their actions, not the voters. If voters continue to elect someone with a record of breaking the law and ignoring people's rights that's a problem too, but not one that higher taxes due to fines and settlements is going to fix.

[anigbrowl]

I fully agree, but you will never hear a candidate for sheriff call out an incumbent for being a shitty person. They're cops first, and public officials second, so both candidates will say they'll bring down crime more, but they will never betray the tribe by suggesting that law enforcment institutions can harbor criminal behavior.

[autoexec]

It would be nice if someone ran against Sheriff Nick Weems using this case in their ads and speeches as an example of why Weems is unfit for the job and a liability for tax payers, but if someone did they'd have to be prepared to move away if they lost the election because otherwise they risk being retaliated against by someone who has already proven that they don't care about people's rights.

It'd be better for law enforcement to be a licensed position and for civil rights violations like this to result in loss of their license which would strip them of their ability to work in the field anywhere in the US.

That'd solve the whole resign->move over one town/county->repeat cycle for officers too

[MisterTea]

> but if someone did they'd have to be prepared to move away if they lost the election because otherwise they risk being retaliated against by someone who has already proven that they don't care about people's rights.

This is the big problem. A cop friend once told me that even he will not report abuse because he, and his family will be targeted by his fellow officers. They will do everything to make your life hell if you mess with them. One example is your license plate ends up in a database that gets you pulled over frequently and other forms of passive harassment.

The cops are just another gang, one that we call "the good guys." But honestly, not that many are good at all. Most are just ass holes looking for a power trip and carrying a gun is boner material for these cretins. The few decent or good people either leave or keep their head down and tow the line.

[JoshTriplett]

> One example is your license plate ends up in a database that gets you pulled over frequently and other forms of passive harassment.

And then, if institutions are functioning as they should, you sue them in a higher court above their jurisdiction to make them stop.

[MisterTea]

You make it sound easy but the fact is you have to be repeatedly harassed first before making any claims. Then you have to document that. So you have to eat, or at least take a few good bites from that shit sandwich before you can get the ball rolling.

[JoshTriplett]

I'm not at all suggesting it is easy. I'm advocating that such abuse should be heavily and punitively punished.

[Der_Einzige]

The real red pill is to accept that everything you just said also applies to teachers.