• Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      Let’s not stigmatize people who get a lot of ink. And I say that as someone who has no tattoos.

      It’s not about the fact that he has tattoos or even that he has tattoos that you think make him look like a gang member.

      It’s about what those tattoos show about him. Tattoos are an expensive and painful form of expression. You generally don’t get them unless it’s something important to you. Tattoos that say things like “punish the deserving” are going to look really fucking bad when you’re a cop that committed murder.

    • EtherWhack@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      There’s actually a large portion of really good officers that are all tatted up. It all depends on the content, how they get presented, and how the person carries themselves.

      They could be from from the military and the officer is an experienced veteran. Law enforcement tends to be a common occupation after discharge, especially as they’re usually immune to acorns.

      They could also be someone who grew up on the “wrong” side and eventually found their way out. Now, they want to improve their old stomping grounds and help other at-risk kids find their own path.

      • Ookami38@sh.itjust.works
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        5 months ago

        Found their way out to… What, a more official gang? He’s not doing anything good here. None of them are.

        • EtherWhack@lemmy.world
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          5 months ago

          So, what you are implying is that anyone who was ever affiliated with gang activity is a lost cause. And, who could never provide invaluable moral guidance to help improve a city in a much less aggressive, mentor-like capacity.

          Do you also think that the idea of reform while under lock up (where the majority of tattooing comes from) isn’t possible? Maybe we should execute all criminals, right?

          Sounds like you’ve lived a very sheltered life and have no idea what really goes on, aside from what is on the news. Sometimes people get involved with gangs (incl. in incarceration) as it may be one of the only methods of survival available to them. You just can’t judge by appearance alone.

          Oh, and heads up. The comment about tattoos was indeed what Maggoty mentioned, and about the generality of them, and not specifically about the guy from the OP.

          • Ookami38@sh.itjust.works
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            5 months ago

            No, I’m saying the police are no better, arguably worse, than a gang. They’re pretty much a state run gang. They left a life of being a gangster, to be a state run gangster.

      • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        It never ceases to amaze me what kind of mental contortions people will perform to rationalize obvious malfeasance. Do you think the job of the police is to punish people?

      • Maggoty@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        I died at “immune to acorns”.

        But seriously, we aren’t super human. And police departments are very oppressive with their expected outcomes. I knew guys that came back to the military because police departments fired them for de-escalation. I also knew guys that got fired for using their weapons too much. Veterans run the gamut and there’s plenty who are happy to settle right into a bad department.