Michael Malice took some flack a few years ago on Fox Business’ “The Independents” when he stated that he thought police were “louts”. Recently he addressed this incident and asked why prison guards weren’t held in the same high regard as police. Let’s look at the prison guard and see what their function is.
Prison Guards
This made me think. What does a prison guard do? from Wikipedia:
Corrections Officers are responsible for the care, custody, and control of individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial while on remand or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a prison or jail. They are also responsible for the safety and security of the facility itself. Most officers are employed by the government of the jurisdiction in which they operate, though some are employed by private companies.
If I am reading this correctly there is nothing in here about keeping humans being held in cages safe. Knowing that the job of most law enforcement is to keep the “public” safe (Here is where you need to consult a good law dictionary to find out what public actually means. Hint: it ain’t people) this makes sense. So it appears that prison guards job is to keep these multimillion dollar facilities up and running so the cash can keep flowing.
Now let’s compare.
Police Officer –
In the majority of Western legal systems, the major role of the police is to maintain order, keeping the peace through surveillance of the public, and the subsequent reporting and apprehension of suspected violators of the law. They also function to discourage crimes through high-visibility policing, and most police forces have an investigative capability. Police have the legal authority to arrest and detain, usually granted by magistrates. Police officers also respond to emergency calls, along with routine community.
If you reside in the United States and are a thinking individual the first word that should pop into your mind after reading this is “propaganda”.
Questions:
Are police maintaining order? Do criminals shy away from crime because of police? Would we need prison guards if this were true?
Are they surveilling the public to keep the peace and does this work? Why is the only surveillance witnessed by the citizen upon him as he is going lawfully about his day? Again, is this meant to keep the prisons full?
I could go on but I believe the point is made. The reason that we are taught from a ridiculously young age to hold police in such high regard is propaganda. They are not to be questioned. They are here for our own protection and if they deem that you have done something wrong, need to be detained for any reason, or that you look suspicious and may need a “pat-down”, it is your DUTY to obey every word.
We have been taught that this hero, along with military personnel and teachers are beyond reproach, heroes to be worshipped and to do otherwise is to be a bad citizen in need of rehabilitation.
Proceed with caution! Your life may depend on it!
Required reading:
Three Felonies a Day by Harvey Silverglate
-MR
