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Oath of duty (Police officer's letter to the editor)
Recorder ^ | January 21, 2013

Posted on 01/29/2013 5:35:35 AM PST by IbJensen

As a citizen of the United States, I am proud of the deep-rooted patriotism of my forefathers. Many lives have been sacrificed in order to maintain the liberty which we all enjoy, including those of many of my ancestors.

I was deeply saddened by recent tragedies such as those in Colorado and at Sandy Hook. However, I am troubled by the fact that our legislators are rushing to strip away the constitutional rights of the American people. The media attempts to reinforce a need for more strict gun control, yet anyone who spends any amount of time seeking the truth will quickly see that the vast majority of U.S citizens are adamantly opposed to it. More shocking to me is our president’s willingness to rule the people through executive orders and forced legislation. In light of these recent events, I took some time to think, and really reflect upon my motivations for becoming a police officer. I also spent a great deal of time defining what my oath as a police officer means to me, and more importantly, what it means to the public which I swore to serve. I have come to the following conclusion:

I swore to serve and protect the public, and to uphold the Constitution of the United States, as well as the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. My personal values, beliefs and integrity will not allow me to violate the core meaning of this oath. Because of this, I will refuse to participate in the confiscation of any firearms that are lawfully owned by U.S citizens. I will not enforce any unconstitutional law or executive order which does not respect the rights of citizens in regards to firearms registration, possession, or any other right which is granted by the U.S Constitution.

I ask that my brothers and sisters in law enforcement support me in this. Remember your oath, and please do the right thing.

CHARLES M. RICKO

Charlemont (MA)

------------------------------------------------

Here is his local politician's response to the above letter:

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Just an easy suggestion to Officer Ricko, whom I do not know and have no idea what department or town he works for, the suggestion is this, do not interpret the laws, do not pick the laws that your so-called “oath” set as a standard. The president’s executive orders are law, you don’t get to pick or choose, and some day this order may save you or another officer’s life. Lastly, if you are on Charlemont’s Police Department, I will work to get you dismissed. You have no right choosing what to enforce any more than I have a right to pick and choose what I will abide.

JAMES R. GARIEPY

Charlemont


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: Massachusetts
KEYWORDS: charlemontma; gariepy; guncontrol; ricko; secondamendment
The Recorder has now made it more difficult to access the article. The link now takes you to a sign-in page as apparently they've figured out that Officer Ricko is developing a following.
1 posted on 01/29/2013 5:35:49 AM PST by IbJensen
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To: IbJensen
or any other right which is granted by the U.S Constitution.

First of all, rights aren't GRANTED by the Constitution, they are RECOGNIZED by it. They cannot be taken away, they are INALIENABLE.

Second of all, it is apparent how things are going to go in many municipalities, as all the little leftist apparatchiks (like the local politician who commented on the letter) will seek to destroy those who refuse to enforce Obamao's unconstitutional orders.

2 posted on 01/29/2013 5:57:11 AM PST by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
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To: IbJensen

Ah yes, the Nuremberg defense....


3 posted on 01/29/2013 5:57:19 AM PST by Mechanicos (When did we amend the Constitution for a 2nd Federal Prohibition?)
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To: Sicon

communists like that little martinet are destroyers from the devil


4 posted on 01/29/2013 6:00:17 AM PST by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: IbJensen
You have no right choosing what to enforce any more than I have a right to pick and choose what I will abide.

Tell that to Obama and Eric Holder you piece of poo.

5 posted on 01/29/2013 6:01:41 AM PST by listenhillary (Courts, law enforcement, roads and national defense should be the extent of government)
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To: IbJensen

Hey Gariepy, you jerk,Obama selectively enforces real laws. he set the standard.


6 posted on 01/29/2013 6:03:12 AM PST by King Moonracer (Bad lighting and cheap fabric, that's how you sell clothing.....)
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To: King Moonracer
Typical.

Lastly, if you are on Charlemont’s Police Department, I will work to get you dismissed.

Liberal think: if you don't agree with me I'll get you...some how, some way.

7 posted on 01/29/2013 6:31:09 AM PST by ibytoohi (What the hell has happened to my country?)
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To: IbJensen

Wow, it sounds like Mr. Gariepy just threatened an officer of the law. I hope someone pays him a visit and provides transportation to the jail.


8 posted on 01/29/2013 6:57:10 AM PST by Ratman83
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To: IbJensen

Many cops feel the same way Officer Ricko does. Don’t think we are all in lock step with the IACP and their puppet chiefs.


9 posted on 01/29/2013 7:00:22 AM PST by Cap'n Crunch
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To: IbJensen
do not interpret the laws, do not pick the laws that your so-called “oath” set as a standard...

Gariepy, you piece of dung, tell that to the men whose committed the My Lai massacre under Lt Calley's orders in 1968...

10 posted on 01/29/2013 7:06:36 AM PST by Magnum44 (.45 Caliber - because having to shoot twice is just silly)
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To: IbJensen

“However, I am troubled by the fact that our legislators are rushing to strip away the constitutional rights of the American people.”

The People’s Praesidium are not legislators; we long ago ceased electing legislators.

What we have now are petty tyrants and would-be dictators, all waiting for Obama to begin enforcing his will on the proles.

A declaration of Martial Law on some pretext or other and the ensuing suspension of elections will do very nicely, thank you.


11 posted on 01/29/2013 7:40:45 AM PST by Jack Hammer
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