Considering the apparent approval by the voting public for decriminalization. Would you still put people through all the grief that is involved. Court costs, Drug testing and treatment. And probation. Not to mention it remaining on your record. Is it OK to just say "Its not my rules I just enforce it" As a fellow American isn't that just a cop out. No pun intended.

__________________
Talking about music is like dancing about architecture

As a law enforcement officer, it would be my responsibility to enforce the law. As long as the law required me to arrest pot smokers, I would do it without question and without fail. Officers don't have the luxury to say "I don't like that law so I'm just not going to enforce it."

You want law enforcement officers to stop arresting those who smoke pot, then change the law, until then, don't be pissed off at them for doing their job.

__________________

__________________
Right now America spends $700 billion every year on foreign oil. That's our money going overseas when it could be staying here. We have to stop this.
That's why I support the Pickens Plan. Check out the website at www.pickensplan.com. If you like what you see, please join me as a Pickens Plan supporter.

If a certain course of action makes the mouth-breathers furious, then that’s a good policy. – The Practical Environmentalist

Debateman pretty much summed up my thoughts to the question. It isn't about whether or not an officer agrees with a law, but that it's their duty to enforce the law despite their personal feelings.

Do you believe that officers don't use discretion when making that sort of assesment.

__________________
Talking about music is like dancing about architecture

I don't think that they should. A question of how backed up the system is shouldn't be their concern. A question of how much they like the law shouldn't be their concern. If the person is caught performing an illegal act they should be arrested.

I've known officers to use discretion when it fits them. Pouring out the beer belonging to the mayors son when they pull him over for a tail light issue. Selective enforcement is bad.

__________________

I think officers always use discretion. I wouldn't let a pot seller off the hook. Or a minor with some pot. But an adult with a small amount and no other serious violation would probably 90% of the time get ignored by me.

__________________
Talking about music is like dancing about architecture

And thus you would make a poor law enforcement officer as you are not enforcing the laws. A lack of proper law enforcement is the primary reason our laws become ineffective.

__________________

I don't agree that discretion is bad. Though I do agree that the example that you give is not the way it should be applied.

I just don't want every police officer in town to be at the station booking potheads when somebody decides to break into my house late one Friday night or when I call to report some drunken fool swerving all over a main thoroughfare.

__________________
Right now America spends $700 billion every year on foreign oil. That's our money going overseas when it could be staying here. We have to stop this.
That's why I support the Pickens Plan. Check out the website at www.pickensplan.com. If you like what you see, please join me as a Pickens Plan supporter.

If a certain course of action makes the mouth-breathers furious, then that’s a good policy. – The Practical Environmentalist

What if the judge lets them off?

__________________
Talking about music is like dancing about architecture