Wikipedia:There are no cops on Wikipedia
This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
On Wikipedia, there are no cops. Everyone is an editor. While editors may possess different abilities before they edit Wikipedia, and editors may be granted different abilities after they edit Wikipedia, that does not mean they are better than other editors.
Administrators, like all editors, have a responsibility to protect content and editors, to improve articles and interactions between editors. They do not have the responsibility to proactively patrol other editors. When wikicrimes occur, further negative behavior is prevented through page protection and editor blocks after the crime occurs. Wikicrimes are not prevented by discouragement created through an atmosphere of surveillance. Editors should feel safe, not scrutinized.