OK, please tell me that "Mall Cop" and "Observe and Report" were just bad movie flops, and not the prototype for police protection in the Greater St. Louis Metro area!
OK, how 'bout this... If someone tries to pull me over, or detain me:
(a) They'd better be clearly identified as city/county police, not rent-a-cops filling in the gap, as evidenced by a clearly marked SLPD/SLCPD squad car and by official licence plate,
(b) They'd better be in uniform, complete with SLPD/SLCPD/et.al. badge and identification.
Otherwise, I'd be calling 911, asking them to confirm that the folks following me with all the light, sirens and guns are ACTUALLY ON DUTY, honest to God law enforcement officers. Otherwise, I'm not stopping for pretenders, wannabes, or someone on a second job. Isn't that called "impersonation of a law-enforcement official?" Isn't that against the law in Missouri? (Or for that matter, any other state?) Are things sooooo bad that rent-a-cops are required to keep the peace?
(a) They'd better be clearly identified as city/county police, not rent-a-cops filling in the gap, as evidenced by a clearly marked SLPD/SLCPD squad car and by official licence plate,
(b) They'd better be in uniform, complete with SLPD/SLCPD/et.al. badge and identification.
Otherwise, I'd be calling 911, asking them to confirm that the folks following me with all the light, sirens and guns are ACTUALLY ON DUTY, honest to God law enforcement officers. Otherwise, I'm not stopping for pretenders, wannabes, or someone on a second job. Isn't that called "impersonation of a law-enforcement official?" Isn't that against the law in Missouri? (Or for that matter, any other state?) Are things sooooo bad that rent-a-cops are required to keep the peace?
Why not just hire more police? Put it to a vote to raise taxes in a specific, delineated zone to hire dedicated, OFFICIAL police for a particular zone. If it passes, hire the cops needed. If it doesn't, work with what you have.
