Re: More realistic "take your gun" question...
I think, or I will try to, answer this very broad question.
As law enforcement officers we took an oath to uphold the law.
We, as law enforcement officers can't pick and choose which laws we are going to enforce. When a Government body (Fed, State, County, etc) passes a law in is incumbent for their "Law ENFORCEMNT" officers to do what they took an oath to do, and enforce the law. If a department puts into official policy a "you will do" list, that is an order and "IF IT IS A LAWFUL ORDER" each LEO has an obligation to follow that policy or he in fact is in violation of policy and procedures and risks disciplinary measures. In other words, a lawful policy enacted by a LE agency is like a law to it's officers.
If the shit hits the fan like down in New Orleans it's up to the individual officer's and their supervisors to question their orders if they believe it to be unlawful and then take the appropriate action. If you still don't agree with the law you are asked to enforce, give up your gun and badged and join the unemployment line, like a lot of officer's did down south.
Do Law Enforcement Officers enjoy upholding some laws??? NO!
Do Law Enforcement Officers agree with all of the laws? NO!
Are those LEOs in a position to change those laws? NO!
I will put it back to those of you that were military. If the Government declares "Marshal Law" and move the military in to assist local Law Enforcement to uphold the law, do you think you would be in a position to pick and choose the laws you would enforce, or would you follow your lawfully given orders like your training and OATH have taught you too?
Here's the oath of allegiance that is required by law that immigrants take before they become citizens. It is what is expected, and we would expect no less from our new citizens. Please note the words in bold:
The United States Oath of Citizenship is an oath that must be taken by all immigrants who wish to become United States citizens.
The current oath is as follows:
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
Here's an example of the oath taken by our Law Enforcement Officers everywhere:
Oath of Office for Law Enforcement Officers
"I, __________________________do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will be alert and vigilant to
enforce the criminal laws of this State; that I will not be influenced in any matter on account of
personal bias or prejudice; that I will faithfully and impartially execute the duties of my office as a
law enforcement officer according to the best of my skill, abilities, and judgment; so help me, God."
I would say that's pretty clear. I wont even put up the oath taken my our military as it's all along the same lines.
What am I trying to say? If you don't like it, you are in the wrong job so get out now while the going is good!
If anyone else has anything to add, please feel free but I think that covers it? Having been in public service for OVER 26 years in law enforcement, this is just my honest opinion. Have I questioned orders? Yes. Have I ever not obeyed a lawfully given order? Well I'm still in law enforcement, so theres your answer! Burn me if you must, but I'm the one that has to eventually answer to the "Highest Power" after taking an OATH.
