The cops should sign up with the IWW -- that way, they could have a no-strike clause. 
Police unions
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is there any hope that some sort of socialist thought might enter their heads
There are plenty of socialist cops, quite a number quit after the miners' strike but in the last 10 years or so the social-worker-mentality types have drifted back to some extent. Like socialists in general, it'll take more than sentiments to save their skins.
There is actually an interesting history to this in the US. In the late 1800's during periods of labor unrest, local cops would come in, know and often sympathize with the strikers, and refuse to suppress strikes and sometimes even defend them (this was certainly not always the case). This, amongst other factors, actually led to the creation of the national guard in many states, which was used to put down labor disturbances and precluded the possibility of any of the state agents knowing the workers.
yoshomon wrote:
You think cops can advance the class struggle?
no, but their absence can. looting only improves the (short-term) material wealth of the working class, gets a hell of alot of people arrested, injured(killed sometimes), and alot of damage towards working class property/residence. not to mention the media and state back lash against the working class without actually advancing the struggle.
Carousel wrote:
There are plenty of socialist cops, quite a number quit after the miners' strike but in the last 10 years or so the social-worker-mentality types have drifted back to some extent.
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Are you sure about that?
Your mileage may vary. I work with a couple of types whose husband and wife are coppers, plus I’ve chatted on occasion to plumbers and chippies who used to be coppers. One of ‘em teaches up the local college as it happens, and is full of the slightly Scout Master perspective I allude to. Then there’s the C.S.O’s, I don’t even know what to make of them. I’ve just walked past a copper in the high street very cordially advising a rough sleeper on their options. Either way, like I say, it won’t help them. They’re going down regardless.
sum-one wrote:
And acting as scabs is another option
what exactly would 'acting as scabs' for a police strike involve lol
Quote:
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- A police strike has wrecked the Dutch league program this weekend, forcing the postponement of involving the top three teams of Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord.Leaders Ajax were due to play second placed PSV on Sunday while third-placed Feyenoord were due to play AZ Alkmaar.
The mayors of Amsterdam and Rotterdam said public safety could not be guaranteed without a police presence.
The games have not yet been rescheduled.
"Of course, we understand the mayor's decision," Feyenoord spokesman Onno Jacobs said on the club's Web site. "It's unusually sad that the police unions are fighting out their battle over the backs of the clubs and supporters."
Police had planned to demonstrate before, during and after the matches to draw attention to their demand for a pay raise up to 15 percent. The police won a court ruling in Amsterdam on Friday affirming their right to strike.
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/SPORT/football/12/15/dutch.strike/index.html
carousel says "coppers"...
Anyway an interesting point: cops are members of the working class performing an anti-working class role. This applies to the military as well and I think the military offers some very interesting of what can happen when this social realization occurs in its ranks--Russia in 1917 and 'fragging' in Vietnam are the first two examples that come to mind.
Also during the general in Seattle in 1919 didn't the cops go on strike as well (or just didn't react) and overall crime decreased?
Funnily enough, I have a cop who is in the New Jersey Police Benevolence Society and I just got my yearly "get out of jail free card" today. If I get pulled over, i just whip out that bad boy and i'm off scott free...
Cops in Edmonton in the 20's blew up a judges house because he ordered them back to work.
Still though I think there is A LOT more potential for agitation in the military than the police. Cops have a much more professional mentality, and exist to policy society on a day to day basis.
The NJ PBA is, incidentally, a policeman's union (pretty damn reactionary tho, they stand fully against Mumia), but the card states: "The bearer of this Safety Card has been cited as a safe and courteous driver of motor vehicles and is pledged to cooperate with Policemen's Benevolent Association in their safe and courteous driving campaign."
x357997 wrote:
OliverTwister wrote:
so how would you advance the struggle during a police strike?depends on the situation but there are all sorts of things workers could do with the absence of police
like, for example: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rCm3lq4SaX4
So far I've not been able to think seriously on this issue for more than say 60 seconds without it going really silly, like images of Police D-locking themselves and volunteers to the station gates, or thinking, 'Which side would I support?', or better yet getting arrested for abusing one side or another, or both.
But seriously, is there any hope that some sort of socialist thought might enter their heads, and stay there?
And whats the potential that they may deliberately strike on days when such things as Protest Camps / Demos are happening?
And I'd welcome any other silly thoughts on the unionising of police too.
One guy I met last night suggested that as Anarchists, we should act as Police scabs and beat the crap out of the strikers.