quote:

ORIGINAL: joether
No one has a problem that a private firm hired this guy? That he had all the abilities and powers of his normal 'day job'? That we allow a non-government entity to have the same arresting powers as those in the government, yet, held to not even the same limitations and degrees of accountability that those in government are held too? Its one thing to hire an off duty police officer to handle a road work issue. Its quite different when they are hired to perform their 'day job', but work for the company as a private army. If those police officers found the company that was paying them had done wrong; would they have a duty to report it? In government, the answer is 'hell yes'. So if the company pays these officers a high level of money, would they be tempted to overlook things that serve their company's interests?
There is an old RPG game called 'Shawdowrun'. The game's backdrop is Seattle in 2070. That government is not what it used to be, and the corporations basically do most of the controlling interests. One particular company, called 'Lone Star' handles the security and policing for the city. Its basically individuals with arresting and police powers, but with less accountability and responsibility than modern day police officers. Where race problems has nothing to do with skin color, but really, one's race (dwarf, orc, troll, elf, human). And there has been more than one 'Runner' (what players are called in the game's fictional background) that has encountered damaging evidence that someone within Lone Star did something horrible, but the 'police' simply turn a blind eye to it; since they know where their meal ticket comes from.
Should we as a society be concern when private companies have the same powers to police and arrest as government, without the burden of accountability and responsibility with power? An we are not talking just small companies, but large multi-national conglomerates that are held only to whims of the most upper crust of management authority. Tyranny by a corporation(s) was not a problem to the founding fathers back in the 18th century; should we be foolish to ignore this possible reality?

• A Conservative interpretation of the US Constitution
  
• Personal Responsibility
  
• Help for the truly needy
  
• Limited Government
  
• Consumption Tax (non-profit charities and food exempt)
  

quote:

ORIGINAL: DesideriScuri

quote:

ORIGINAL: joether
No one has a problem that a private firm hired this guy? That he had all the abilities and powers of his normal 'day job'? That we allow a non-government entity to have the same arresting powers as those in the government, yet, held to not even the same limitations and degrees of accountability that those in government are held too? Its one thing to hire an off duty police officer to handle a road work issue. Its quite different when they are hired to perform their 'day job', but work for the company as a private army. If those police officers found the company that was paying them had done wrong; would they have a duty to report it? In government, the answer is 'hell yes'. So if the company pays these officers a high level of money, would they be tempted to overlook things that serve their company's interests?
There is an old RPG game called 'Shawdowrun'. The game's backdrop is Seattle in 2070. That government is not what it used to be, and the corporations basically do most of the controlling interests. One particular company, called 'Lone Star' handles the security and policing for the city. Its basically individuals with arresting and police powers, but with less accountability and responsibility than modern day police officers. Where race problems has nothing to do with skin color, but really, one's race (dwarf, orc, troll, elf, human). And there has been more than one 'Runner' (what players are called in the game's fictional background) that has encountered damaging evidence that someone within Lone Star did something horrible, but the 'police' simply turn a blind eye to it; since they know where their meal ticket comes from.
Should we as a society be concern when private companies have the same powers to police and arrest as government, without the burden of accountability and responsibility with power? An we are not talking just small companies, but large multi-national conglomerates that are held only to whims of the most upper crust of management authority. Tyranny by a corporation(s) was not a problem to the founding fathers back in the 18th century; should we be foolish to ignore this possible reality?

The officer still gets his authority from the StL Police Department. If a cop is off-duty, sitting in his yard, sipping a lemonade and there is a robbery next door, is he powerless to act as a police officer? Apparently, there are security companies, businesses and sporting events that seem to think hiring trained police officers is a good idea when they are in need of, or want to provide policing services. Crazy, innit?

quote:

ORIGINAL: eulero83

The problem is not for him acting or having the power to when off duty, it is for him accepting two paychecks one to protect public interests the other one to pursuit a private interest while acting as public officer, that's borderline to birbery.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gauge

quote:

ORIGINAL: eulero83

The problem is not for him acting or having the power to when off duty, it is for him accepting two paychecks one to protect public interests the other one to pursuit a private interest while acting as public officer, that's borderline to birbery.

No, it is what is common practice for police officers. It is what they refer to as an Extra Job. It is completely allowed for them to participate in working for a private security company or local establishment as security. They are not officially working for their department but are still allowed to make arrests and yes, even enforce the law if need be. Perfectly above board, legal, common knowledge amongst the civilians and not unethical.

Before commenting on something, please try to understand what it is you are commenting on.

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ORIGINAL: DaNewAgeViking

Come on, Otter, this is Sanity you're arguing with. Don't bother trying to reason with or shame him, it just gets him off.

quote:

ORIGINAL: eulero83

quote:

ORIGINAL: Gauge

quote:

ORIGINAL: eulero83

The problem is not for him acting or having the power to when off duty, it is for him accepting two paychecks one to protect public interests the other one to pursuit a private interest while acting as public officer, that's borderline to birbery.

No, it is what is common practice for police officers. It is what they refer to as an Extra Job. It is completely allowed for them to participate in working for a private security company or local establishment as security. They are not officially working for their department but are still allowed to make arrests and yes, even enforce the law if need be. Perfectly above board, legal, common knowledge amongst the civilians and not unethical.

Before commenting on something, please try to understand what it is you are commenting on.

It is legal so they do it, but it's not ethical to let them do it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi

quote:

ORIGINAL: eulero83

It is legal so they do it, but it's not ethical to let them do it.

You may feel it's unethical but it's acceptable over here and that's what the discussion is about. When we went to Black Rose (which is a weekend long kinky event held at a hotel) they had off duty cops working security. They did the job they were hired to do and went home. It wasn't a big deal and it didn't effect their first job at all. I find it really amusing that you have such a problem with this but seem to think it's just fine and dandy when someone ignores a cop and does whatever the fuck they please. But I guess it's possible that you just have a problem with cops in general. You wouldn't be the first one.

quote:

ORIGINAL: thishereboi

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaNewAgeViking

Come on, Otter, this is Sanity you're arguing with. Don't bother trying to reason with or shame him, it just gets him off.

Give the dancing man a break. Sanity is the ying to his yang and this gives him a chance to use all those cutesy little insults he thinks make him look so mature and clever.

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ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

It's sad that's what it takes to get your "following."

But I suppose that's one way. We all start from where we are.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sanity


How about we get back on topic, professor

Why is it that the knee-jerk rioters in the St Lois area have never heard, or at least taken to heart, the dream spoken of by MLK

While most of the rest of us have a very long time ago

quote:

ORIGINAL: Musicmystery

And he doesn't get that black people don't speak with one voice. After all, they're all black, right? So of course, they all think alike, just like all white people do.

Good thing he's so open-minded and aware.