I’ve never been a police officer, but I am a veteran. From the minute I arrived at MEPS (Military Entry Processing Station) to the time I signed my DD214 (discharge papers), I was taught to follow orders … but not just any orders … lawful orders and lawful orders ONLY! The UCMJ states …
“Any person subject to this chapter who—
(1) violates or fails to obey any lawful general order or regulation;
(2) having knowledge of any other lawful order issued by a member of the armed forces, which it is his duty to obey, fails to obey the order; or
(3) is derelict in the performance of his duties; shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”
Article 92 of the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice)
As the Abu Ghraib incident attests, the defense of “I was ordered to do it” does not stand up in a Court Martial and it certainly does not remove ANY of the personal responsibility that a service member much accept when deciding to follow an order. If an unlawful order is given by a superior and carried out by a subordinate, they are both at fault both under the UCMJ and under the universal laws of decent behavior and morality that govern human interaction and transcend nationality.
Considering this, it amazes me that police officers CONTINUE to use brutality and harsh tactics on the Occupy Movements across this country. It further amazes me that Lt. John Pike of the UC Davis police force ruthlessly pepper sprayed innocent and non-voilent protesters DESPITE the fact that he was a Marine sergeant and therefore very familiar with the concept that following unlawful orders is not a sufficient defense!
To the police officers that read this, I know that the situation you are now in is a classic case of “a few bad apples” and that the majority of you are honorable, upright, honest, and even supportive of the Occupy Movements. Please help me to understand why this continues to happen and what is being done to prevent it.
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