Arlington Police Blur Line Between Paul Blart and Southland
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Posted by Blake the Megalomaniac (Follow Me)- Blake the Megalomaniac is a graduate of Virginia Tech and now lives the Adams Morgan section of Washington DC. - To see more posts by this author click here |
The only people that like cops are rich people. I know that’s a blanket generalization but sometimes it’s better to shoot from the hip, as they say, than to beat around the bush. Many times though having money isn’t even enough to ensure that the law givers are going to fairly distribute justice — just ask Ryan Moats.
Mall security guards get no respect at all. At least with a real police officer, “most people respect the badge (even if they don’t particularly like cops) but everyone respects the gun (Righteous Kill).” The sidearm more than the baton or pepper spray brings a sense of finality to most people. You have to act slow and rational when you take into account that the likes of LAPD or Metro Police are more than willing to exert necessary force to subdue you.
Well Arlington, Virginia’s Auxiliary Police Unit, apparently has been blurring the line between Paul Blart: Mall Cop or Observe & Report and Southland. Have a look see at this from the trusty Washington Times:
“The Auxiliary Police Unit, formed in 1942, serves as a supplemental unit to the paid police officers in the county. The auxiliary officers are trained and equipped by the police department to assist with patrolling parks and roads, controlling traffic, enforcing parking regulations, assisting motorists, helping with funeral processions and providing added security to malls. The auxiliaries also aid in handling crowds and other duties at special events that include community festivals, parades, street fairs and concerts.”
These real cops are volunteers who have to put in at least 180 hours a year. Some volunteer 60 hours a week while working their full-time jobs. That’s admirable, although:
“Auxiliary officers do not carry guns or Tasers, but they are equipped with handcuffs, an expandable baton, pepper spray and a police radio. Their arrest authority applies only when they are authorized to be in service and used only when exigent circumstances exist, no sworn officer is available, and they have briefed and sought approval of the on-duty watch commander.”
So to recap, these good samaritans do all the drudge work of a normal cop without any of the benefits, namely getting paid and being able to shoot unarmed black men (for the record, I can’t recall any instance of police brutality in Arlington)??? I guess it’s alright b/c the Auxiliary Police fill some assignments that would require an officer working overtime to fill. Can we say, innovative monetary management during a recession? Big Ups to the Arlington Police.
Washington Times Article for you.
udothedishes….
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Now if only Arlington’s auxiliary program had some adult supervision. Pres ently there are two Americans With Disabilities grievances pending againt the program. One is with the Arlington EEO office; the other is with the Department of Justice. Both allege failure to provide reasonable accomodation after the program terminated an auxiliary police officer for medical reasons after he suffered a concussion while coming back from a police fundraising event.
Do you live in Arlington? If so, what are your personal experiences with these Auxiliary Police?
I served in the program for several years. The full-time, paid officers are great, and most of the auxiliary officers are cool, but the leadership in the program is mercurial, plays favorites, and likes to yell. Not the way to treat volunteers.