> This is why the current approach to policing is so awful. We should work on fixing the system so talking to the police is a good thing.
Exactly. Addressing your example, as it's a good one: To be blunt, me risking the legal standing or overall safety of my family just to bring your family some closure is not a trade-off I'm willing to make. I'm genuinely sorry because I would absolutely like to help, but the downside risk is too great.
I am in an incredibly privileged position in our society, and I've gotten grief at the hands of the police while I was being a "good citizen" and offering information. Never again. If they want to know something we will be doing it in full view of the public out on the street or with my lawyer present.
"public out on the street or with my lawyer present."
Isn't a large reason why one shouldn't talk to the police because they may intentionally misconstrue what you say? Being in public won't solve that, hence the lawyer bit.
Completely agreed; I was addressing the concerns of the people who would or wouldn't allow a police officer into their residence.
If I absolutely must speak to an officer without a lawyer present, we will be outside in public, not indoors in private. If that's not acceptable to the officer...well, too bad.
(Though, the hilarity of it is, I am in a position where I can even say no to an officer and the officer will likely respect it. I "look like" I have the resources to push back on police abuse, so police are less likely to abuse me. If I didn't look like that, I probably wouldn't even have the chance to say no, at least not without a lot of pressure.)
They don't even have to misconstrue it. You could unintentionally change some facts in your story from what you had said 5-10 minutes ago, for example. Cops are trained to pick up on little stuff like that, while you might not even realize you did it.
>> To be blunt, me risking the legal standing or overall safety of my family just to bring your family some closure is not a trade-off I'm willing to make. I'm genuinely sorry because I would absolutely like to help, but the downside risk is too great.
And it's probably even more risky if you are a witness or have useful information. Putting yourself at a crime scene - even if you saw nothing - seems like a bad idea these days. "Oh you were there but you did see anything? Reeeealy?"
Getting back to the headline, I think they need to at least be required to tell the truth in court.
Exactly. Addressing your example, as it's a good one: To be blunt, me risking the legal standing or overall safety of my family just to bring your family some closure is not a trade-off I'm willing to make. I'm genuinely sorry because I would absolutely like to help, but the downside risk is too great.
I am in an incredibly privileged position in our society, and I've gotten grief at the hands of the police while I was being a "good citizen" and offering information. Never again. If they want to know something we will be doing it in full view of the public out on the street or with my lawyer present.