“For us, it’s a dangerous precedent to set,” said state police spokesman Sgt. Kern Swoboda. [More]For us too, Sgt. Swoboda.
For us too.
Especially when we've seen the "Only Ones" saving money and living better at such a high cost to the rest of us.
[Via Declan]
"The contract also includes language that absolves Walmart of any liability over negligence caused by the police, and vice versa."
ReplyDeleteNO liability, for anyone sounds like a license to kill.
How convenient.
Not much different from the common practice of "only ones" using their tax payer supplied uniforms, weapons, and cars to provide security when they are off duty. Lots of business like to hire them since, at least in Kentucky, they always have the power to arrest on or off duty.
ReplyDeleteIf they are acting as "private contractors" in their "off-duty capacity", then they are not police officers and do not have police powers. Yes, they can still, if state law permits, use "citizen's arrest", but they are then subject to the same liability laws and risk that non-LEO's are. If they make incorrect decisions, use unnecessary force, etc, etc, then SUE ! Oh, and since this has the blessing of city officials and Walmart corporate officials, sue them, also.
ReplyDeleteThis should not be legal- the government should be prohibited from using tax dollars to compete against private sector, but that would mean that the post office, GM, Amtrack, and a host of other businesses (as well as moonlighting cops)would have to go. That will never happen.
ReplyDeleteFor example, the cops here all get take home cars, even those that live outside their jurisdiction. The cops love it because apartment complexes give them a free apartment in exchange for parking the car out front.