I have been reading so many accounts of ...

[1StrongBlackMan]

police officers in Ferguson saying and doing stupid stuff that is bound to get them fired ... from social media rants to pointing weapons at protesters to just a generally inappropriately aggressive approach to their "peace-keeping" mission.

But what really scares me is what happens to these idiots after they get fired? Will they self-reflect and conclude, "Yeah! That was pretty stupid of me."? And take that lesson forward with them in what will likely be a pretty sh!tty future (i.e., from relatively well paid police officer to slightly above minimum wage mall cop).

Or, will they become the military/militant arm of the local chapter of "white victims of reverse discrimination" league?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

1. Threatening someone with a gun when there is no danger is aggravated assault.

A felony conviction would strip them of the right to possess and carry firearms.

The question is: Who watches the watchmen?

[1StrongBlackMan]

3. Phew ...

I can rest easily because very few convicted felons illegally possess firearms ... especially, those that believe they are only felons because ... "the Black guys made me ..."

They are likely to become the military/militant arm of the local chapter of "white victims of reverse discrimination" league.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

9. At this point a conviction for agg assault is the strongest prosecution possible, I would think.

You're not going to be able to have them summarily shot so I'm not sure what you imagine should be done beyond grousing.

[1StrongBlackMan]

15. I don't know ...

that's why I asked the question.

It would seem that we need to keep an eye on these folks.

[raven mad]

29. I think the SPLC probably will.

I just hope the idiots are not the start of yet another idiotic militia group. I fully understand the question, and I wonder as well if they'll just head up here to the "wilderness". I hope they do; they wouldn't survive the first winter!

[1StrongBlackMan]

17. Back in my Civil Rights days ...

After we caught a rental agent/hiring manager discriminating, I always argued against requiring that the perpetrator be fired. Why? Because I wanted to know where the perpetrator was so he/she could be continually monitored.

My philosophy has always been, "I don't care what you think; I only care what you do."

[Nuclear Unicorn]

23. Honest question: Was this post an additional comment or did you intend to reply to a different post?

As for doing vs. thinking as relates to my post: I think agg assault by an officer of the law qualifies as deserving of being denied the badge and gun. That officer has no right to speak in the name of the law. The line must be drawn and held. As it has been said in the past, to be kind to the cruel is to be cruel to the kind.

[1StrongBlackMan]

24. It was an additional thought. eom.

[Enrique]

2. are you sure they're getting fired?

the one I heard about I think they just took him out of that particular situation.

[1StrongBlackMan]

8. I'm pretty sure a firing is in the near future ...

the instance I believe you are referring to is "Officer F#$k You" who was on video pointing the firearm.

Well that (soon to be former) officer is on "Leave without Pay pending investigation" ... which is government speak for "You're a Done Deal!" FWIW, "Leave with Pay pending investigation" means the person is likely to be "disciplined, but not fired."

[BlueCaliDem]

4. It *is* frightening, isn't it? But unfortunately for us, their ego is too big for them to reflect on

their horrendous mistakes against their fellow American just because they have a different pigmentation.

These bullies are blinded by their prejudices (which at the same time makes them feel superior - just the way they like it) which renders them incapable of understanding that the color of one's skin shouldn't matter, and that people are people no matter what ethnicity they happen to have.

So my guess would be, they'll join themselves to some militant White Supremacist group - of which there are surprisingly many in this country, although they'd rather you focus on a defunct Black Panthers group - and use taxpayer funded training to become more aggressive, vocal, and proud of their White supremacist views. Because the alternative would have them see just how stupid, how counter-productive, and how immature they really are inside and their over-bloated pride would not be able to take it.

[Kalidurga]

5. I think they will become militant

I just don't get this whole situation. The people of Ferguson protest police brutality, petty arrests, and other mistreatment by the police and then the police very publically show that this is all true. If someone accused me of bad behavior and started filming my career as an angel would begin as soon as the film started rolling, but that's just me I guess.

[tblue37]

20. They are so used to doing these things and getting away with them that they

cannot even wrap their minds around the possibility that anyone who matters might find their behavior unacceptable.

These are not deep-thinking, self-reflective people. They operate pretty much on autopilot, and they simply do what they have always done--which is to abuse their authority to violate the rights of citizens, especially black and brown citizens.

[Kalidurga]

22. Well they are more honest than I am I suppose

then on the other hand I wouldn't be inclined to commit civil rights violations on a daily basis. I just can't believe they are doing it for the cameras.

[Bjorn Against]

6. They should be fired, but I doubt they will be

I think they are more likely to receive awards and promotions. That is certainly not what I want to see happen, but sadly there is virtually no accountability when it comes to police abuses of power.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. outside the system they are much less of a threat. inside the system, the system protects them

so no, do not care what these cops turn themselves into

[1StrongBlackMan]

13. Since we know that white supremacists are joining police forces and the military ...

why do we not care that it is likely to work the other way, too?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

14. no, i totally believe you that they are likely to join white supremacists

but i think white supremacists get less protection from the government, than the police/military do.

that was my point.

[1StrongBlackMan]

16. Okay ...

we're on the same page.

[VanGoghRocks]

10. It really is scary. This is the apotheosis of 30 years of Reagan-Bush "government

is the problem" ideology and it does not bode well. However (and you might accuse me of wearing rose-colored glasses), I have faith in the righteousness of the cause of the Ferguson masses. And I have faith that righteousness usually prevails. I just wish I didn't have this vague worry that Mike Brown was only going to be the first martyr.

[csziggy]

11. Thye'd probably do what the Jenning MO officers did

When their department was closed down due to corruption - get jobs in other jurisdictions. Darren Wilson worked for the Jennings PD until 2010, by the way.

Much more information in this thread with links:
Why isn't anyone talking about the CORRUPT police officer?
http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/10025411848

[stage left]

12. I don't think these guys are capable of any kind of insight into themselves.

There are people like that, you know. I'd love to see some of them get arrested and go to jail. I really would.

[tblue37]

18. Unfortunately, those things are NOT "bound to get them fired."

In fact, except in that one case, in which the cop was caught on videotape yelling, "I will f***ing kill you!" and "F*** off!" none of the cops who have done such things have suffered any repercussions.

One cope was caught on videotape saying, "Bring it, all you f***ing animals. Bring it!" I saw that video on several sites, and John Oliver even used it on his show last Sunday. Yet as far as we can tell, that cop has suffered no consequences.

Another cop told a reporter that he had "4,000 animals" that he had to "control." Again, no punishment.

Then there is the one who told one of Don Lemon's producers that you can never know what "Ferguson n****rs" will do.

Even the "I will f***ing kill you!" one has not been fired, just "indefinitely suspended" and sent to sensitivity training classes. As soon as his bosses think it is safe, he will be back on duty, abusing the rights of citizens, especially if they happen to be black or brown.

And even if, by some unlikely set of circumstances, attention remains focused enough to pressure the St. Ann's police department to actually fire him, he will keep his police license and, probably with excellent recommendations from his former bosses (who no doubt consider him an excellent officer and a victim of unfair media pressure), simply get another job with a nearby police department.

[1StrongBlackMan]

19. None of the cops ...

who have done such things have suffered any repercussions ... YET.

[tblue37]

21. Well, I keep my fingers crossed, but I have to be honest--I don't

really think they are likely to. Even if something happens to any of them right now, while the spotlight is shining on them, it will be just for show, and as soon as the focus moves to another story, even the wrist-slapping will cease.

[sabrina 1]

25. They'll sign up with one of the 'Security Contractors', like Blackwater, Caci or any of the

numerous Mercenary orgs that are now so prevalent in the US.

They'll be paid three times what they earned as a cop, but not too many benefits.

Remember Katrina? That is my first recollection of reports of Mercs on our city streets protecting the wealthy.

It IS something to worry about.

Eg, who were those badge free thugs on top of the tanks, who refused to provide their names in Ferguson?

Are they using these 'Security Contractors' on US streets now and if so, since when?

[valerief]

26. Who says they're not the militants already? nt

[lunasun]

27. Didn't Wilson the shooter come from a disbanded police force somewhere else?

[Boom Sound 416]

28. It's doubtful any of them get fired.

"We were just following orders"