Good Cop vs Bad Cop – Two Videos

Published November 10, 2013 - 4 Comments

Last month I had an encounter in Boise  Police that made pretty big news in the area and beyond. I’m still meeting random people that know about the story hundreds of miles from where it occurred. It illustrated a growing problem in America where we’re allowing police forces to become belligerent and Statist in mindset. This dangerous premise is leading us down the road of tyranny and I feel it’s critical we stand against it. Below is the video and you can read the whole story here.

But I want to present a contrast today: Last week I encountered another officer. It was a different situation, but the tone he took from the first moment was the opposite. Unlike Sperry in Boise, Officer Leslie of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Department was cordial and easy going. Yes, I imagine he was checking up on me. I was a random dude far out in the woods. But he did it with grace, not pressure and was even helpful. As such I offered his the same cordiality. Take a look.

What’s commendable here is that he did his job without invading my liberty. He did not harass me for having my hands in pockets. He did not ask for ID. He did not ask where I was going. More importantly, he did not try to intimidate me. Bottom line, he did not act like the proverbial mall cop.

The actions and behavior of an officer have meaning and tell a lot about their character and the leadership in that area. Treating someone like they are a criminal for existing is a bad thing. But this man did not do that. I was a human being. Not a subject. It could be just him, but I would also guess you could trace this back to the leadership of this office as well.

We should stand against bad behavior firmly, but we should applaud good behavior. I don’t want to always look for the negative even though that’s normally what I have to see. And while I know this video will not get near the attention of the others, I think it’s important that we consider the positive side of the law.

I for one plan to call the Klamath Sheriff’s office on Monday and commend this action – 541-883-5130

How can we make this the norm in law enforcement? Your thoughts are welcome… Gav

4 comments

Gal Spunes - November 11, 2013 Reply

I live on the opposite side of the country, but it warms my heart to see good people like you “walking the talk”.

Well done, and be assured of my heartiest support…for whatever that is worth over such a distance 🙂

I wish you every success.

Your friend,

Gal

highlander - November 16, 2013 Reply

As a former resident of Ephrata I give you a great big BRAVO.
I can imagine the adrenaline flow during that contact.
You handled it very well.

I’ll be watching for a donate page as your candidacy ensues.

    gavinseim - November 16, 2013 Reply

    Thanks. It does indeed. But the fruits of liberty are worth standing up for.

    Also check out the newsletter to stay up to date.

    — Gav

Sam - July 31, 2015 Reply

I love what you are doing.
However in this instance you are not giving an apples to apples comparison
The officer in the first video may have been dealing with a very violent person, drug addict or what have you. You could tell that she was already “worked up” from the traffic stop.
The second officer was out in nature, possibly even on his way home, when he stops by just to say hi. As you mentioned in the video, he may have not even known he was being filmed.
As you well know, police are not robots and do have emotions, as we witnessed in the first video, then again in the second video when the officer saw a mild mannered family out on vacation.

Keep up the good fight. You don’t need to post videos comparisons that are skewed to get your point across. Your doing a great job already.
Sam

Leave a Reply: