Police Leniency: A Personal Account of Field Experience

While many presume that law enforcement officers adhere strictly to legal procedures, the reality is often more nuanced. In my career as a police officer in Nevada, I found myself employing leniency in situations where the strict application of laws could have potential negative consequences.

Marijuana Possession and Legal Leniency

During my time as a police officer, I often dealt with marijuana possession cases. The law categorized simple possession as a 1-6 felony, but my experiences showed that the district attorney's office was not overly eager to prosecute individuals with small quantities.

“The Chief Deputy we worked under told us that the district attorney’s office was less than enthusiastic about prosecuting weed cases involving personal use amounts. They were of the opinion that ‘Don’t bother the district attorney’s office with less than five pounds.’”

This knowledge led me to encourage those I encountered with small amounts to "put it into the wind." In many cases, I would let them go, ensuring they understood the potential risks of possession while avoiding the hassle of prosecution and a record.

Handling Juveniles and Public Safety

Another aspect of my role involved handling juveniles at outdoor parties where underage drinking was a common issue. The local high schools had a habit of organizing keggers and bonfires during football season, a practice that often led to dangerous rollover accidents.

“We deployed a couple of units on Friday and Saturday nights to discourage the kids from partying in the area. The goal was to keep them safe, and we believed that carrying them to juvenile hall would be counterproductive.”

During such encounters, I engaged with the juveniles in a way that emphasized their safety over legal consequences. Below is a real conversation I had:

“Dammit, now I have to write everyone a citation for minor in possession and haul those kegs off as evidence. And call the fire department to put out the fire. Of course, if something happened to the evidence, I couldn’t write any citations.”

“You want us to pour out the beer,” they replied.

“I didn’t say that, but... As long as you’re pouring that out, why don’t you pour it on the fire? That way we don’t have to bother the fire department.”

These interactions allowed the youths to learn a lesson about their behavior while ensuring their safety and avoiding legal entanglements. The win-win situation was beneficial for all involved.

Public Perception and Criticism

Despite my best efforts to prioritize safety and practical outcomes, I faced criticism from the public. One parent called to complain that a cop had compelled their child to discard their marijuana, leading me to question my own judgment:

“I always wondered about that guy’s parenting skills.”

These experiences highlight the complex nature of law enforcement, where ethical and practical considerations often come into play.