Why do cops seem to not Know the constitution even though they all take a oath to uphold it?

Bob

I can only speak for myself.
I am a cop and very interested in the constitution and believe I have a good understanding of it.
I am not a constitutional lawyer by any means...

The problem is that police are action oriented people. For most- reading, analyzing, interpreting, and discussing some 200+ year old legal document is quite boring. They do thier jobs and leave it to the lawyers to hash out the boring stuff later.

Citicop

I know the parts of the Constitution and Bill of RIghts that are relevant to Law Enforcement much better than you do, I guarantee it.

mikeysco

We take an oath to uphold the Constitution, yes.

However, what you may not be aware of is that the Constitution is the basis for law, but it is not the law as interpreted by courts. It is FAR more important for law enforcement to have a working knowledge of this "case law" than it is for us to be able to quote the US Constitution to you.

You might very well know more about the Constitution as a document than I do. Bully for you. But I'm fairly certain I, and most other law enforcement officers, know more about what matters most - case law (the Constitution as interpreted by courts) than you do.

ya_staff_sux

"I have had numerous dealings with the police"

All criminals think they know the law better than the cops.

If you did you wouldnt have "numerous dealings"

xplane

Did you ever consider just following God's Law & you'll automatically comply with of man's laws......& be part of the solution instead of the problem? ~~~~
`~ try some work within you.....

joseph b

You listen only to God's Law? Didn't JC say Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's....? God's law doesn't change? Why did he allow divorce in Moses's time but Christ said that divorce was no longer legal? Sounds like he changed that law.

And whose interpretation of God's law is correct? Is it Thou shall not Kill or is it Thou shall not murder? Is it adultery if you marry two women?

California Street Cop

You must realize that statutory laws, and case law, have a lot to do with your police encounters. I would bet a paycheck that we know a hell of a lot more about them than you do.

You can reap the rewards or punishments based on God's laws when your dead. Right now, you need to play by man's laws.

*****

Lack of proper training.

gomanyes562

What parts of the constitution are you talking about?

iamct01

Just remember the constitution only limits the powers of government and does not give you rights. I like how we have laws set up by all of us collectively instead of a father figure that knows best.

Paul K

Well, the long and short of it is they do not know the Constitution like lawyers do. Police take Criminal Justice courses, but that is not an in depth study ot the inner workings of the US Constitution. Caveat: Never take a cop's advice when it comes to legal matters- they are almost always wrong. Cops are not licensed to dispense legal advice and as far as I am concerned they never should. They are not lawyers, they get paid to put people in jail and help the D. A. secure a conviction. This was so true in the OJ case where you had a cop perjuring himself , under oath, in a murder case. If you wish to listen to cops for legal advice do it at your own peril, then suffer the consequences for bad advice later while they go unscathed for practicing law without a license. that is my take on it.

tallerfella

You're an idiot. What part of your god's laws did you break so that you would have contact with the police.

Grow the hell up and be a man..............

mebe1042

We know the Constitution very well as well as the Bill of Rights and all court decisions that apply to as as Law Enforcement Officers.

What appears to be the problem is that no one understands YOUR interperetation of the Constitution and the law. Not agreeing with it does not justify you breaking it.

I call trolling on this one.

Coolnickname.

First answer summed it up.

It is always those who have "numerous dealings" with police who yarp on about Constitutional rights....as if you even knew what they were.

Will -

You have to accept one thing; we need cops to make our society work, but we also have to understand that to be a cop one has to have some mental problems.
Try to deal with it. They are like our lap dogs. We need them, but sometimes they are annoying.

Robert

I know what you mean, most cops feel they know the law better than everyone else although they do not get the constitution. Putting people in trouble with the law is what most of them think is their job. They do not realize the implications on their actions to the innocent and slack off by just arresting whoever they feel makes the job easy, letting the courts do the work they should be. The police are just that! Think it would be better in this country but it is the same all over this planet. Cops do not feel like they are a part of the general public and they get more separated with their attitudes. They need to be more in touch with the general public.
Simple laws in religion is an understatement...Religion is the hardest subject on this earth.If you think in this country religion is above everything...get a grip. That was just what will make this country obsolete. When we realize the constitution is just for Christians we will have to start over.
If you want comments. I guess you think we have freedom of speech too....not if you do not want to be persecuted. So get your stuff together and get ready to run! You have now opened a whole can of worms with your question and you will soon see the cops against the public and it will cause a whole new Revolution!

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