Independence Day 2009

Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com

As we prepare to celebrate our country's Independence Day I think it might be important to take a minute and understand the value of the rights recognized in our Constitution. I often wonder if anyone else (besides lawyers) spends as much of their professional life having to take those rights under consideration as they do their job. Ironically, more often than not, most officers (like myself back in the day) spend as much time cussing the controls of the Constitution as they do appreciating the blessings resulting from the protections of the Constitution. What do I mean? Well, think about it. As a citizen who enjoys my liberty every day, I should be and am thankful for our United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights (not to mention most of the other amendments). I enjoy the fact that probable cause must exist before someone can get a warrant to search my home or person. I enjoy the fact that I can't be forced to testify against myself and that no cruel or unusual punishment can be given. I enjoy the fact that if I am charged with a crime I have a right to a speedy trial - so I can clear my good name as quickly as possible. On the other hand... as a police officer tasked with catching, arresting and helping to prosecute the bad guys, those rights were so often a hinderance that it could be quite frustrating. I can't begin to tell you how many times - and I'm sure my brother and sister cops have all been there - where I just knew that Joe Dirt Bag the Ragman was dealing dope out of XYZ place. I knew it. His neighbors knew it. Every junkie going to his place to buy dope knew it. But he wasn't stupid and it took a bit of work to bring him down. It would have been a lot easier if we didn't have to protect his Constitutional Rights along the way. Looking back I realize just how important it was that we protect Joe Dirtbag's rights. You see, if we take them from him, then we make it easier for someone else to take them from us tomorrow. Pretty soon the Bill of Rights wouldn't mean anything and we'd be living in a police state. (I won't get into the argument with all those who think we already are) It is imperative - for the future of our nation and for the liberty and security of generations of Americans to come - that we, all law enforcement professionals everywhere, appreciate and carefully abide by the rights of every citizen as delineated in our Constitution. So, as you celebrate (or celebrated) the Fourth of July this year, I hope you think about how much of a blessing we enjoy because our forefathers took the time and had the foresight to so carefully delineate our inalienable human rights in the Constitution. Yes, they are a challenge to deal with sometimes as we enforce the law. But our country would be far worse off without them. Happy Independence Day. Stay safe!!

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