Summary
Dr. Robert Higgs argues that the concept of "good cops" is invalid because all cops agree to enforce unjust laws as part of their job.
Abstract
In the article "All Cops Are Bad People" by Dr. Robert Higgs, the author dismisses the debate over whether there are good or bad cops. Higgs posits that the morality of individual police officers is irrelevant because the fundamental issue lies in the nature of the laws they enforce. He presents a logical argument stating that every police officer has agreed to enforce all laws, including those that are unjust or even cruel and wicked. Consequently, Higgs concludes that by their very occupation, all cops are complicit in upholding injustice, thus negating the possibility of any of them being considered good.
Opinions
- The author believes that the moral standing of individual cops is overshadowed by the inherent injustice of some laws they enforce.
- Higgs suggests that the act of agreeing to enforce all laws, including unjust ones, is an implicit endorsement of those laws' injustices.
- The article implies that the system of law enforcement is flawed because it requires officers to act as enforcers of laws that may be unjust or immoral.
- Higgs' perspective is that the existence of unjust laws invalidates the notion of a "good cop" because all cops are obligated to enforce these laws.
