I am a Chicago Police Officer. I've been an officer for 5 years. My father served 22 years in the Marines, my uncle in Korea, my grandfather landed at Utah Beach. I come from a family whose tradition is service. Is duty. I was raised to believe that I owe America my blood. I take my oath seriously.
I have sworn to protect not only America and the Constitution, but the citizens of Chicago as well. Though I have not served in the military, I have taken fire in defense of my oath. Though Chicago is notorious for it's anti-gun laws, my duty as an American and my lawful use of discretion allows me to enforce laws as I see necessary.
[NOTE: this means he has used his discretion to NOT confiscate the firearms of citizens he has found to be armed, and to decline even citing them at all]
I, too, fear the development of a police state. That is why I feel an organization such as Oath Keepers is so vital for law enforcement. The first steps towards that police state have been taken - in the form of laws. It is we - the police - who are the tip of that enforcement spear. The erosion of Liberty is slow but deliberate, and it is law enforcement who is expected to be the noose.
I have, and continue, to endeavor to make other officers aware of the Constitution and the Liberty it grants. This may seem like an easy thing to do, but consider who we are: Officers sworn to uphold the Law. We are taught to enforce law, not examine it's foundations. I am working to change that.
I routinely tell them that walking down the street at 0200 and being black are NOT sufficient grounds to stop someone. Will I miss some drug and "felon with a gun" pinches because of that refusal? Sure, but it's the exchange I'm willing to make for not living in a fascist police state. And I tell them - you start making those arbitrary stops - you ARE a fascist.
That's a line I will not cross.
I am an Oath Keeper
Message from Stewart Rhodes: This officer uses his discretion as a peace officer, such as by NOT taking guns off of citizens when he had found them because it was obvious they were no threat to anyone but the bad guys. An officer has discretion for a reason, and however screwed up the laws may be, he should use that discretion to respect the rights of the citizens he has sworn to protect. That's what being a peace officer is all about - keeping the peace, not merely "enforcing" every stupid law that stupid, corrupt, or downright evil politicians pass.
Last year I wrote an article about an officer's discretion. I will repost that article here within the next couple of days, and will also ask Sheriff Mack to add his comments on the use of an officer's discretion. - Stewart Rhodes
USMC Woman Marine;
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