It bears repeating, don't talk to the police....

[Hobie]

I'm going to post this about not talking to the police periodically for the new guys. Everyone needs to pay attention.

As to all you who are LEOs you know that your rep would tell you to shut up as well.

[Gary @ R&G]

I expect to see that from criminal defense attorneys but not from law abiding citizens. Keep in mind if your involved in a good shoot but the evidence is not conclusive the old "dont talk to the police" routine may result in your incarceration, at least temporarily. I am an LEO and I have been involved in a shooting and I did talk to the police. If my rep told me to shut up I would get a new rep.

[c.r.]

much better to be temporarily incarcerated than to screw yourself by opening your mouth. Especially in such a stressfull situation where one may not be thinking clearly.

I've never heard of anybody talking themselves out of an arrest.

[Gary @ R&G]

"I've never heard of anybody talking themselves out of an arrest. "

I have. Not only heard of it but been personally involved in it. Many times. Then again I have only been doing this for 32 years. But you do whatever you feel is in your best interest.

[brettov]

We have had a rash of shootings down in the Spokane area this fall . But it has been citizens shot by leos . I am not condemning this at all . But when a deputy sheriff recently shot a local minister in his own parking lot, he was sent on paid vacation for 72 hours before being questioned . There was of corse public outrage . The sheriff is no doubt happy he is not up for re election at this time .

[blkhawk73]

Don't talk to the one sworn to uphold the law but talk to the paid criminal (aka lawyer) all you want. :rolleyes:

[mnimrod45]

I am tired of seeing the anti-police BS on some of these hunting, firearms, shooting forums. Some I will no longer visit because of the extreme anti-police views.

I work as a police officer in a very high crime rate city. I did not grow up wanting to work as a police officer, I just kind of fell into it. This is my job and I feel I do it well, it is not who I am however. I go home and I am like you are anyone else, most of us are. I am a very strong believer in my and your right to own and carry arms-OF ANY KIND-and to protect yourself any way you need to, and always have been. So are the vast majority of police officers I work with or know, regardless of what the media or democrats may tell you, police officers as a whole are pro-gun, period. We also are very much in support of you are anyone else protecting yourself with your gun and I regularly give advice to citizens on how to do it efficiently and safely. I am a firearms instrucor, SWAT operator, SWAT instructor, Police Trainning Officer, etc-but I also teach civilians firearms training and how to protect themselves. Why would I do this and then try to hang them for doing what I and other officers regularly teach them to do?

I have broken my hand fighting with a gang member to protect citizens, I have killed a man 3 feet away from me that was trying to kill me because I put myself between him and others he was trying to kill, I have climbed through a window of a house with a baby inside to pull that baby out the window because there was a homicide suspect hidden in the house and two very unfriendly pit bulls that did not want me climbing through that window and this is just a very very minor part of what I do every day. I do this for you and everyone else.

I am not looking for a pat on the back or anything other than my paycheck and a little respect. I honestly prefer people now know I am an officer or know the things I have done as I am just like you or anyone else. I would not have ever even mentioned it on this or any site but this has got me riled.

Other than those of you who have served in the military, how many of you have jobs that you literally put your life on the line to help people? I do it so often you would not believe me if I told you. And to those of you who are or were in the military, you are all my heros!

The Spokane shooting where the minister was shot, do you now the complete facts in the case? I do. It was a horrible, awful thing but what is an officer, or anyone else, supposed to do when a firearms is pointed at them? I would expect you as a citizen to do the same thing the officer did when someone points a gun at them-protect yourself as best as you can.

I have been involved in more than one case where citizens have used firearms to protect themselves or someone else and in most cases we will not even take your firearm for evidence if it is the only one you own because we do not want to take away your only means of protecting yourself. On the other hand, I arrested a man just a couple days ago because he ran out on his porch and fired a round into the air and made threats to kill two teenagers who walked by his house. The teenagers were at his house a few days earlier with his brother and several others and something came up missing from his mothers purse. Were they involved, maybe, but was he in danger? He didn't see the problem with what he did because he had a concealed weapons permit... I sure hope anyone reading this sees a problem.

Now after all my ranting, to the point. If you are involved in a shooting and have killed or seriously injured someone while rightfully defending yourself or someone else, what do you have to fear? Do you really think the police are out to get you? If you do you are an idiot, we have enough to do without trying to pin something on good people who are protecting themselves. If you were involved in a shooting and are concerned about talking to the police, then maybe you should be. Obviously you have something to hide.

I'm not saying talk to the police immediately, sure, take a little time to collect your thoughts because I guarantee you, you will be shaken, no matter how prepared or tough you think you are. It isn't like TV where you just blow some fools away and move on to the next like it was no big deal. Your body and mind will probably be doing strange things that you cannot control and you will need some time to get yourself straight. I have been there and have helped many others who have as well. Get yourself an attorney, we will not be offended or think you have something to hide if you do. I did when I got into my first shooting and would recommend anyone do the same. When I did finally "talk to police" my attorney simply sat there and did not say a word while I told the story, he didn't need to because I had done nothing wrong. I also guarantee you that an officer involved in a shooting has a lot more to worry about than a citizen as we are looked at much much more closely by everyone, including other officers and administration.

Then after you have got your head together and an attorney, TALK TO THE POLICE. We will need your input on what occured so we can put the thing to bed if it was a justifiable shooting. If you prefer to take your advise from a criminal defense attorney, good luck to you. While I do know a couple that I would trust with my future, I know very very few I would take advise from in such serious matters.

I will not respond or comment further on this. Just my .02 cents, or maybe that was a couple bucks....

mnimrod45

[J Miller]

This is a touchy situation for both the average citizen and the increasingly hostile police. On another forum I mentioned that I learned at an early age that the old saw; "The police are your friends" was a flat out lie. And that nothing that's happened in my life since then has proven that wrong. I'll say it here as well. The police in general are not your friends.

A citizen in this county cannot blindly trust the police anymore. That is if they ever could which I don't believe.

Yes, eventually you have to tell your side of it, but only with a lawyer present, (they are no more criminals than you are), and only after the adrenalin dump is over and your brain is working again. Notice how many times recently cops are given a day or so to de-stress before they are questioned? Do you as a citizen think you're going to be given that courtesy? Only if you lawyer up. The minute you open your mouth you're screwed.

You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to have a lawyer present during questioning. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Use your rights or loose them.

Joe

[brettov]

Oct 14, 2010 3:08:43 GMT -5 mnimrod45 said:

I am tired of seeing the anti-police BS on some of these hunting, firearms, shooting forums. Some I will no longer visit because of the extreme anti-police views.

I work as a police officer in a very high crime rate city. I did not grow up wanting to work as a police officer, I just kind of fell into it. This is my job and I feel I do it well, it is not who I am however. I go home and I am like you are anyone else, most of us are. I am a very strong believer in my and your right to own and carry arms-OF ANY KIND-and to protect yourself any way you need to, and always have been. So are the vast majority of police officers I work with or know, regardless of what the media or democrats may tell you, police officers as a whole are pro-gun, period. We also are very much in support of you are anyone else protecting yourself with your gun and I regularly give advice to citizens on how to do it efficiently and safely. I am a firearms instrucor, SWAT operator, SWAT instructor, Police Trainning Officer, etc-but I also teach civilians firearms training and how to protect themselves. Why would I do this and then try to hang them for doing what I and other officers regularly teach them to do?

I have broken my hand fighting with a gang member to protect citizens, I have killed a man 3 feet away from me that was trying to kill me because I put myself between him and others he was trying to kill, I have climbed through a window of a house with a baby inside to pull that baby out the window because there was a homicide suspect hidden in the house and two very unfriendly pit bulls that did not want me climbing through that window and this is just a very very minor part of what I do every day. I do this for you and everyone else.

I am not looking for a pat on the back or anything other than my paycheck and a little respect. I honestly prefer people now know I am an officer or know the things I have done as I am just like you or anyone else. I would not have ever even mentioned it on this or any site but this has got me riled.

Other than those of you who have served in the military, how many of you have jobs that you literally put your life on the line to help people? I do it so often you would not believe me if I told you. And to those of you who are or were in the military, you are all my heros!

The Spokane shooting where the minister was shot, do you now the complete facts in the case? I do. It was a horrible, awful thing but what is an officer, or anyone else, supposed to do when a firearms is pointed at them? I would expect you as a citizen to do the same thing the officer did when someone points a gun at them-protect yourself as best as you can.

I have been involved in more than one case where citizens have used firearms to protect themselves or someone else and in most cases we will not even take your firearm for evidence if it is the only one you own because we do not want to take away your only means of protecting yourself. On the other hand, I arrested a man just a couple days ago because he ran out on his porch and fired a round into the air and made threats to kill two teenagers who walked by his house. The teenagers were at his house a few days earlier with his brother and several others and something came up missing from his mothers purse. Were they involved, maybe, but was he in danger? He didn't see the problem with what he did because he had a concealed weapons permit... I sure hope anyone reading this sees a problem.

Now after all my ranting, to the point. If you are involved in a shooting and have killed or seriously injured someone while rightfully defending yourself or someone else, what do you have to fear? Do you really think the police are out to get you? If you do you are an idiot, we have enough to do without trying to pin something on good people who are protecting themselves. If you were involved in a shooting and are concerned about talking to the police, then maybe you should be. Obviously you have something to hide.

I'm not saying talk to the police immediately, sure, take a little time to collect your thoughts because I guarantee you, you will be shaken, no matter how prepared or tough you think you are. It isn't like TV where you just blow some fools away and move on to the next like it was no big deal. Your body and mind will probably be doing strange things that you cannot control and you will need some time to get yourself straight. I have been there and have helped many others who have as well. Get yourself an attorney, we will not be offended or think you have something to hide if you do. I did when I got into my first shooting and would recommend anyone do the same. When I did finally "talk to police" my attorney simply sat there and did not say a word while I told the story, he didn't need to because I had done nothing wrong. I also guarantee you that an officer involved in a shooting has a lot more to worry about than a citizen as we are looked at much much more closely by everyone, including other officers and administration.

Then after you have got your head together and an attorney, TALK TO THE POLICE. We will need your input on what occured so we can put the thing to bed if it was a justifiable shooting. If you prefer to take your advise from a criminal defense attorney, good luck to you. While I do know a couple that I would trust with my future, I know very very few I would take advise from in such serious matters.

I will not respond or comment further on this. Just my .02 cents, or maybe that was a couple bucks....

mnimrod45

My post was not intended to rile you up . As I said , I was not condeming the cop . My entire point was the 72 hour wait before questioning . I personally admire the job that 99% of police officers do . And yes I have herd the facts on that shooting .. And criminal charges may still be filed because the forensic facts don't match the statement that was given 72 hours after the fact .I am friends with several of our local county sheriff deputies and several state patrolmen that cover our area ,and know the top notch job they do .

[Markbo]

Oct 14, 2010 3:08:43 GMT -5 mnimrod45 said:

....Why would I do this and then try to hang them for doing what I and other officers regularly teach them to do?....mnimrod45

Because you are not every cop? Not every policeman, sheriff, constable or anything else are pro-gun, pro-right to carry or even knowledgable about guns. If I am involved in a shooting, how do I know which one I am talking to? I don't. You better believe I will take the advice of my paid attorney over the advice of ANY cop in the world. I have a right to representation and I would by God use it. Why shouldn't I exercise that right just like all my others?

Oct 14, 2010 3:08:43 GMT -5 mnimrod45 said:

....Now after all my ranting, to the point. If you are involved in a shooting and have killed or seriously injured someone while rightfully defending yourself or someone else, what do you have to fear? Do you really think the police are out to get you? If you do you are an idiot, we have enough to do without trying to pin something on good people who are protecting themselves. If you were involved in a shooting and are concerned about talking to the police, then maybe you should be. Obviously you have something to hide.

Wow... you're an idiot if you think the police are out to get you. By all means, tell them everything and damn the consequences, huh? Then you state:

Oct 14, 2010 3:08:43 GMT -5 mnimrod45 said:

....Get yourself an attorney, we will not be offended or think you have something to hide if you do.

So which is it? Spill our guts to you or get an attorney? When I think talk to the police, I think right when they show up at the scene of an incident. You apparently are thinking... ever. Confusing.

Just because I choose to exercise my Constitutional rights, I have something to hide? In my eyes, it would be pure ego that a policeman thinks they ought to be talked to without representation just because they are 'a good guy' whenever I have just been through what may be the most traumatic event of my entire life. They might be a good guy, but pleaseforgive me if I dont' risk the rest of my life on the ego of some person (because you are all just people) that is a completely stranger to me and might think I have something to hide.

It's not personal officer - it's not even about you. It's about my life. Time for an ego check.

[rigby]

Police like any other profession there are good ones and the are bad ones. Fortunately being in the gun businesses I have met mostly the good ones. And overwhelming the consensus has been dont say anything without an attorney. Heck I have met police that dont even want me carrying. Could you imagine if I had to use it how they would react? They might be a straight professional about it, but on the other? I would much rather spend 24 hrs in jail then 24 years.

[Hobie]

Thank you for your comments. My posting is NOT anti-police, it is PRO-freedom.

[erich]

the paid criminal (aka lawyer)

Ahem.

[Cucuy]

He meant every atty. BUT you!

[erich]

Well, then never mind!