Would you rather be Miafa head or police chief?
By scheng1
@scheng1 (24649)
Singapore
September 19, 2009 10:00pm CST
Many people say that there is little difference between a policeman and a gangster. I think it's also true that there is not too much difference between a chief of police and miafa head.
Both are powerful and have powerful connectons. both have to work their ways up the rank. Once they are on top, they enjoy many privileges. Both look respectable in society.
In some countries where bribery is a normal business practice, the gap between police commissioner and gangster head narrows.
Probably the only difference is that police chief has retirement age and retirement benefits, the gangster head does not have official retirement age, he or she most likely retires in violent death.
If you have a choice, would you rather be miafa head or police chief? why?
3 people like this
7 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 Sep 09
I would rather be the police chief and have gotten there through honest means. If you are corrupt you will suffer in this life or the next, often worse than the pain you inflicted on others. I would rather be homeless and destitute than a corrupt official or business owner/mafia.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Then what is the point of having the police if they are under control of the gangsters? Just have the gangsters control things, if that's what it really is. What an awful way to live.
Of course, if I knew who really controlled my own country I'd probably be appalled.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
20 Sep 09
Hi Dragon, in many countries, the Police Commissioner position is a policical appointment.
It's very hard, almost impossible for the police officer to reach the post without powerful connections, and without playing politics. Somehow he or she has to support one party or another, and hopefully support the winning party.
In many countries, it's impossible to avoid bribery and corruption at high level. When bribery and corruption is the norm, sometimes the police chiefs are under the employment of gangsters.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
20 Sep 09
Hi Dragon, I bet if you look into the history of Las Vegas and the casinos, you will find that many casinos were started by gangsters.
When they made so much money out of casinos, they were even able to float the casinos in the stock market. I bet many of them also contributed to the political funds or whatever funds to support the candidates running for political appointments. It's not bribery and corruption, just "monetary support".
In some countries where the government is corrupt, and the civil servants are underpaid, bribery and corruption become a way to survive, otherwise the civil servants will die of hunger.
@ruperto (1552)
• Philippines
20 Sep 09
hmmm more interesting than usual...
There is a saying: "If I go out cleaning the mud on the street, I usually end up mud all over me."
Perhaps it is a necessary evil that selected people have to bear with.
Perhaps the world of crime is an extremely diverse and dynamic man-made system.
Is it true that those who know about crime most are best candidates to stop crime? I think so... But in the process, do they choose to become criminals? NO. they don't.
"Like the mud on the street, I never chose to have it on me"...
Your thoughts please
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
20 Sep 09
Hi Ruperto, I dont know about the situation in your country.
I'm glad that the policemen in my country are honest and hardworking. It is rare for a policeman to accept bribe. Some police officers even report the offer of bribes to their superiors.
The thing is that police commissioner is often a political appointment. They need support to run campaign, and they take part in political campaign. At that level, money and power can corrupt.
1 person likes this
@david2005 (798)
• Canada
23 Sep 09
I would rather be the head of mafia because they enjoy a lot more perks than a police chief does.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
24 Sep 09
Hi David, I agree that head of mafia probably enjoy life more than the police chief. And the best thing is that their families can enjoy the wealth and the power of controlling the whole gang.
Stanley Ho is a very famous gangster in Asia. The fact that he opened the casino in Macau way back when he was still a gangster paved way for his success. Now he's old and rich.
@satan88 (584)
• United States Minor Outlying Islands
20 Sep 09
there is a lot of difference. although there are many crooked and corrupt cops out there there are also many who really do want to help citizens. i used to want to be a cop and make a real and active difference in the world. but then my unathleticness got in the way. i hate being scrawny.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
20 Sep 09
Hi Satan88, actually that will depend on where you stay.
We are quite fortunate to have a clean and capable police force to protect us in Singapore. Many of our neighboring countries are quite different.
I met with one Bangladeshi in the course of work, and he asked, "why isn't the police chief rich? The police chief in our country is very rich."
I guess many cops at the lower levels are honest and hardworking. However, if they want to accept political appointment, they have to play the games of politics. It's possible to be clean but not that easy.
