--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Either we need to redefine what probable…" description: "\"Either we need to redefine what probable cause means and say that police are not subject to it, or we arrest officers right away just as we would with ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/al-sharpton-2091_accused_either-we-need-to-redefine-what-probable_1848224.png" --- # Either we need to redefine what probable cause means and… ![“Either we need to redefine what probable cause means and say that police are not subject to it, or we arrest officers right away just as we would with any other person accused of committing a crime. Either we write new laws or enforce existing ones; we cannot have it both ways.” quote by Al Sharpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/al-sharpton-2091_accused_either-we-need-to-redefine-what-probable_1848224.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/al-sharpton-2091_accused_either-we-need-to-redefine-what-probable_1848224.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80d/al-sharpton-2091_accused_either-we-need-to-redefine-what-probable_1848224.png) > “Either we need to redefine what probable cause means and say that police are not subject to it, or we arrest officers right away just as we would with any other person accused of committing a crime. Either we write new laws or enforce existing ones; we cannot have it both ways.” [Al Sharpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-sharpton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that police accountability must be consistent with the law, either by redefining probable cause or by treating officers like any other accused individual. **In simple terms:** Police must be held to the same legal standards as everyone else. Key Takeaway Demand equal legal treatment for law enforcement. Themes justice accountability law enforcement policy reform Mood critical urgent Type policy advocacy When to use this quote - courtroom proceedings - legislative hearings - community oversight meetings - police training sessions Key Concepts probable cause legal equality systemic bias Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure police are subject to the same legal standards as civilians? - What obstacles exist to redefining probable cause? A Different Perspective Legal reforms may face resistance from entrenched interests and political pushback. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws/) [Officers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/officers/) [Police](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/police/) [Probable cause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/probable-cause/) ## Related quotes > [In Ferguson, there are witnesses who say Brown had his hands up when he was shot. 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