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View Poll Results: How many of you respect the law enforcement of today?
Generally I do. I've never had a run in with any law enforcement. 41 47.67%
I don't. I don't trust any cops. 10 11.63%
I use to but not anymore. I'm not sure if there are many "good" law enforcement around. 15 17.44%
I have no opinion at the moment. I generally think they are doing their jobs. 20 23.26%
Voters: 86. You may not vote on this poll

 
 
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Old 09-24-2006, 10:56 AM   #1 (permalink)
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Repect for Law Enforcement; Public Opinion

How many of you respect law enforcement today?

AND if I could CHANGE these options AFTER posting it, I would! Jeeze folks, I didn't think they were all negative!!

For what it's worth (and since NO ONE READS MANY POSTS that follow the poll), I have the utmost respect for the law enforcement. I always have and unless this country changes drastically, I always will.

However, I do know that some folks have experiences that are not always "positive" and I have learned that the justice system has it flaws. It's just a simple poll folks. Just choose the poll that best fits you. I chose #1, however, I have had two traffic tickets, which I don't even consider that as being a "run in" with the law. But, I'm sure you can all find an option that fits you.

Last edited by SugahBritches; 09-24-2006 at 12:29 PM..
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Old 09-24-2006, 10:57 AM   #2 (permalink)
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I know they do a lot of good, but in my own personal life, not so much.
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Old 09-24-2006, 11:09 AM   #3 (permalink)
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My biggest problem with them is they don't seem to do enough to weed out their own bad apples. In fact, by their silence, they appear to protect even the cops they know should be dismissed.
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Old 09-24-2006, 11:22 AM   #4 (permalink)
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I'm a little confused by the options. There doesn't really seem to be a positive response; if I say they're doing their jobs, it's attached to "I have no opinion". And if I say "I generally do", I seem to also be saying that I don't know what I'm talking about since I've "never had a run in" with law enforcement, I've had no contact with them.
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Old 09-24-2006, 11:25 AM   #5 (permalink)
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I've been pulled over once or twice and been at the scene of a few other incidences... As far as I can tell it just seems to be people doing a job, some are better at it than others, and some are just plain asses.
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Old 09-24-2006, 11:38 AM   #6 (permalink)
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It so depends on the individual. Some are amazing, some completely stink. Through their position and power each can bring about significant good or ill.

Averages don't apply when you're dealing with the individual. They're human, so assume your attitude can provoke a response. My youthful disposition was very negative. Always assuming I was about to help fill a quota. I was often correct. Attitude can go a long way toward knocking down defenses, negative reactions, and their consequences.
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Old 09-24-2006, 11:45 AM   #7 (permalink)
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@ Hiredgun

Sorry. And it just struck me as funny because I'm a "positive" person.

So, #1 is not positive and neither is #4, eh? Heh. So, there should be an option that says, "I believe ALL law enforcement are doing their jobs and earn my deepest respect" ?

And, by your username................are you a cop for hire? OKAY! Just so you know and everyone else here, I do respect the law and I have never had a run in with them. Except for a traffic ticket when I was 18 and then another one when I was around 25. The first cop was a jackass and the second one was very pleasant.

So, my option was the first one. **shrugs her shoulders and grins**

SPECIAL NOTE: I have to laugh. This board is GREAT!! I've never gotten so many comments to threads that I start like I do here! LOL! Either I need to do a POLL or I do one and it isn't still up to par! Oh jeeze. This is really cracking me up.
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Old 09-24-2006, 11:45 AM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MageB420666
I've been pulled over once or twice and been at the scene of a few other incidences... As far as I can tell it just seems to be people doing a job, some are better at it than others, and some are just plain asses.
I agree with this.

Remember if your in trouble who are you going to call?

If you come and find your front door kicked in or are in a car accident who are you going to call?

These people are under paid and they're there to protect us.
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Old 09-24-2006, 11:46 AM   #9 (permalink)
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Good guys in blue or black is what we were taught in school. Until that is a drug dealer and rapist moved in across the street from my parents when I was 8 years old.

We didnt know about his record right away. Until he drove his truck into my parents car that was parked in our driveway while we were eating dinner. Even with 4 witnesses it wasnt ehough because his daddy knew a judge. He could mow his lawn at 3am and no one would do a thing. He raped a teenage girl in front of a window, he peed out his front door on a regular basis, sold pot, had underage drinking parties that ended in bloody brawls and he cooked crystal meth.

The longest he spent in jail was 9 months. That was before he killed a kid on an overdose. For that he only got probation....

Yeah my trust in cops and the justive system has died. He still lives across the street from my family. Selling drugs and collecting disability because hes got bad hearing. When my mom nearly died from heart disease she couldnt get disability.

I have never had a run in with the law but I still hate the crock they have become.
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Old 09-24-2006, 12:20 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Why are the poll options are stacked against cops?
There are two negative choices and one positive one.

It's still possible to think positive of LEOs even if you have had run ins with the law. I've had experiences with bad/dumb/incorrect/unprofessional cops before - but I don't think that applies to the whole bunch. Most cops I know and have met are some of the most responsible, reliable and kind folks you could ever meet. Overall I think they have a tough, thankless and important job. It's a shame that the public and press like to piss on them at every opportunity.
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Old 09-24-2006, 12:35 PM   #11 (permalink)
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I have never had any reason to complain and I have high praise for a couple of homocide detectives from some years back. We live in a very rural county and only two police officers are assigned to the Northern half of the county that I live in. The county certainly doesn't attract the "finest" with it's low wages but they do the best they can with what they have.
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Old 09-24-2006, 12:48 PM   #12 (permalink)
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Apart from when they get mired down by beurocracy and procedure i like them, and even then its usually not their fault.

Bump to what brewmaniac said.
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Old 09-24-2006, 12:52 PM   #13 (permalink)
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I've had to deal with cops on many, many ocassions, due to my jobs and during traffic stops (mostly with me as a passenger), when I had crazy as hell neighbors, and when my brother died. Some of them were assholes; most of them were helpful, kind, and took their jobs seriously...pretty much like any other profession out there. I was pulled over for the first time about a month ago (for a broken headlight, no less), and the officer apologized for making me late for work. There are no correct options for me, because I respect them but I have had "run ins" with them as well.
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Old 09-24-2006, 05:38 PM   #14 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MageB420666
I've been pulled over once or twice and been at the scene of a few other incidences... As far as I can tell it just seems to be people doing a job, some are better at it than others, and some are just plain asses.
Exactly. It's like any other job, there will be good and bad. Unfortunately, the few that are bad usually end up getting more press than the good ones. Whenever I've dealt with any, they've always been nice and respectful, and I've always responded in the same way.
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Old 09-24-2006, 05:47 PM   #15 (permalink)
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After getting arrested I hated the police... but right now, I could care less... I have a job to do and so do they
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Old 09-24-2006, 05:50 PM   #16 (permalink)
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When I was 12 I was alone one night watching TV. A hard banging at the door woke me from a light nap, so I answered it. Two cops flashed their bright ass light in my eyes and demanded to come in. I asked why, they said they got a report of a party and a noise complaint. I told him to leave me alone, that no one was here. He threatened me with resisting arrest if I did not comply, I got pissed and asked for a warrant to enter, they threatened me again. So I slammed the door on them and ignored their knocking for the next 30min.

Then Freshman year in college I was walking back from the library at 3am and a cop asked to see my ID (flashing that fucking light in my eyes again). I asked why and he said there were reports of strange people on campus. I asked him what's strange about a kid in college with a backpack walking out of a library. He warns me to comply, so I get pissed. I told him he was College Police, not a real cop. I called him SPAM, immitation pig (turns out he was a real cop, just off duty on a second job). So he calls in his pig friends and they surround me as I keep walking back to my dorm. They tell me to stop or face resisting arrest, I tell them they have no right to arrest me. Then I warn them that if they arrest me it's legally abduction and I'd sue. So they let me go.

Then two weeks later I was walking with my friend down the street (2pm), and a cop stops us. He says my friend matches the description of a car theif in the area (he was black, surprise...). So I then told the cop he matches the description of a dick, and told my friend to keep walking. The cop warned us that we were interfering with an investigation, so my friend stops. So I point out that he was wearing slacks and a button up collared shirt with a tie... that not many car theives wear such an outfit. So he got pissed and drove away.

So yeah, I voted used to, but not anymore.
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Old 09-24-2006, 06:00 PM   #17 (permalink)
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The few I've had personal interaction with haven't done me so good... but I appreciate them and the job they do in general. It's like what was said above, they do their jobs like every other profession because they're people like everybody else; that is, some people are just assholes and they ruin it for the rest.

If I'm not mistaken, some users on TFP are/were officers... but don't advertise the fact due to the general negative attitude towards police.
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Old 09-24-2006, 06:29 PM   #18 (permalink)
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I know that there are good cops, i just think that most cops can be complete dicks, depending on who they're dealing with. Couple that with the fact that they get to carry guns, and can in reality quite easily get away with killing people doesn't really wash with me. I've heard the "few bad apples" argument, but it seems silly to me to chalk things up to just a few bad apples, when every other apple in the barrel failed to call the bad apples on their shit.

I trust cops as much as i trust anyone with a gun and a de facto license to kill and detain. That doesn't mean that i don't understand the necessity of their existence. It's just that when it comes down to it, they're people just like everyone else.
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Old 09-24-2006, 07:16 PM   #19 (permalink)
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Cops have a tough job. The majority of the people they deal with aren't exactly the upper echelon of society, so I would think that over time, cops must get a little jaded.

I've done ride-alongs with the police, and can honestly say they have one tough ass job to do. Most of the shit rats they deal with have Seaver's attitude... I can honestly say there is NO way I could do that job without beating the hell out of half the people I would be dealing with.

So yeah - I respect them. That's not to say there aren't bad ones out there who abuse their authority... because there are. The same can be said for Doctors... lawyers... politicians.. janitors, etc.
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Old 09-24-2006, 07:45 PM   #20 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swirlie
... Most of the shit rats they deal with have Seaver's attitude...
No direct offense, streak_56, but isn't it possible that your antagonistic response to police generates an equally negative response from the them?

Just asking... in case Bernadette still believes I am a "Pig".
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Old 09-24-2006, 08:13 PM   #21 (permalink)
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Quote:
I've done ride-alongs with the police, and can honestly say they have one tough ass job to do. Most of the shit rats they deal with have Seaver's attitude... I can honestly say there is NO way I could do that job without beating the hell out of half the people I would be dealing with.
I treat every cop with respect until they lie and/or assume authority that is not granted by their position. I don't like shitrat cops threatening me with resisting arrest when I have not given any justification for said arrest. I dont like those who have a rule by fear mentality, who assume that because they have a badge and a high school diploma they can ignore the law and threaten us into subjection.

I dont doubt they have a tough job, I know I could not be one because I would not hesitate to shoot suspects if I felt my life was in danger. This would get me in big trouble quickly, so I avoid the lifestyle and job. However, as I said I have no respect for any cop who's duty it is to uphold the law knowingly ignores it to make their job easier. What harm does a guy leaving the library during midterms offer when anyone can see the homeless people blocks away openly doing heroine? What kind description have you ever heard of that says a man in slacks and a tie was robbing a car at 2pm? What kind of cop threatens a 12 year old with interfering with an investigation while alone in a house?

I am not antagonistic... I TURN antagonistic when said police lie, threaten, and attempt to inimidate.
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Old 09-24-2006, 08:56 PM   #22 (permalink)
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Not gonna vote as none of those really fit my view.

I have respect for most, but sadly there are to many (even if its a few) that are WAY WAY to over zealous with their duties.

Then theres the road-side questioning tactics they do that are just outright unconsititutional. No i dont want you to search my car, and no its not suspicious that I want to protect my constitutitional rights. There are so few left in this country I gotta hold onto what I have left.
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Old 09-24-2006, 09:22 PM   #23 (permalink)
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The first was closest, though I have had contact with police before, specifically a group of sex crimes detectives, all of whom were kind and supportive. One I consider a personal hero and I know I'm not the only one who does.

The problem police have is that when they interact with the public, it's almost always in a negative way, either through giving a citation, question someone doing something suspicious, or talking to complainants/victims. Police tend to interact with people having a bad day, and people tend to interact with police only when having a bad day. The nature of the job makes positive interactions difficult, so I tend to give a little slack.

It's also fairly easy for me to do this, as I'm part of the demographic group least likely to have negative interactions with the police, a white, upper middle class, usually well-dressed, professional woman. In a decade I'll be middle-aged, and you can add in another demographic that will reduce my chance of negative interaction with police. I tend to get automatic respect in situations that others, especially young males and minorities, might not.

Seaver: You might want to consider that less hostility might produce a more positive result. That you had a ready insult for the security guard seems to me to indicate some pre-existing animosity. You might make things better off for yourself by being a little more cooperative. I'm not telling you what to do, just suggesting that you consider your part in the interaction and how you might be able to improve it the next time one occurs.

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Old 09-24-2006, 09:32 PM   #24 (permalink)
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Quote:
Seaver: You might want to consider that less hostility might produce a more positive result. That you had a ready insult for the security guard seems to me to indicate some pre-existing animosity. You might make things better off for yourself by being a little more cooperative. I'm not telling you what to do, just suggesting that you consider your part in the interaction and how you might be able to improve it the next time one occurs.
I know this, however at the time it was 3am and I had just spent a good 9 hours straight studying for tests and writing a report. I was stressed, tired, hungry, and this guy for no reason was preventing me from alleviating any of those problems.

The incident before two cops were trying to enter a house in which a young 12 year old child was clearly the only occupant, and then attempted intimidation as a means.

Then the final incident it was clearly generated by nothing more than racism.

While I fully admit I was a dick in all three situations, I fully believe I was justified in all three. In any of these situations if the cops had shown less hostility it definately would have produced more positive results. I have had numerous neutral experiences (not positive, but not negative) with cops who treated me respectfully and I recipricated in return.
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Old 09-25-2006, 04:30 AM   #25 (permalink)
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Law Enforcement has a mostly thankless job. 90% of the LEOs I've had contact with have been polite and courteous. The other 10% have been unprofessional elitists. The dowside to that is that the 10% reflect very poorly upon the 90%. Overall, i'll respect Law Enforcement if they respect me.
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Old 09-25-2006, 08:07 AM   #26 (permalink)
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I have had no negative experiences with police in my adult years. When I was 18 though I got a traffic ticket in which the patrolman outright lied on the citation. I guess he needed to fill his quota for the day and teenagers are easy targets.

I know 2 guys from highschool who went on to become policemen and neither one was trustworthy. One was a bully who was always picking on smaller kids and the other was some kind of sick dude who used to abuse some of the neighborhood pets and torture frogs and stuff like that. I cringe to think what they must be like in a position of authority. I wonder about the mentality of those who aspire to be police.
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Old 09-25-2006, 08:27 AM   #27 (permalink)
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There are a lot of good police officers, and a few bad ones. I think some people become and want to become police officers for the wrong reasons. My personal experience has been good. At this time Red and I are participating in a citizens police academy in our area. I am becoming enlightened about a lot of things.
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Old 09-25-2006, 03:54 PM   #28 (permalink)
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I've had two interactions with police officers. One was a speeding ticket which was legally correct, since I was going 48 in a 35. That officer was professional and courteous. Even though I didn't feel the ticket was just, (they lowered the limit from 40 mph right before that, plus I was clocked at the bottom of one hill right before I coasted up the next hill) the officers professionalism was good. No verbal abuse, no negative condescending tone, he just explained what I did wrong, how much the ticket was going to cost and handed me the paperwork.
The other time I dealt with a police officer that was the very definition of a pig. Pulls me over because his buddy didn't know how to direct traffic, and directed me to go the wrong route. Then when he walks up to my car before he even tells me what I've done wrong (and believe me I had no clue at that point why I had been pulled over because I had done nothing wrong) he just started yelling at me about how I was blind and I wasnt paying attention. Then gives me a lecture about how I almost ran him over (he was standing 20 feet to the left of the lane of traffic I was in, yet another lie). Gave me a seven point ticket, then he lied under oath in court. The ticket was reduced to three pints but the ticket never should have been written. Pigs like that make it difficult for me to have respect for the good cops.

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Old 09-25-2006, 06:23 PM   #29 (permalink)
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I had a "run in", with the local police.

I'd just finished paintballing, so I was decked out in camoflauge, ect. Apparently someone thought me and my friend we're carrying shotguns, and about to rob a bank (saw that typed on the screen inside the police car later).
Five police cars come up, hit the "E" brake (slightly drifting), about eight officers armed with shotguns, and hand guns, and start shouting at us: "Drop the weapon!", "Put your hands behind your head!", ect. After we comply, at gunpoint, four of them run up and kick our paintball guns about 10 feet across the ground, shake us down, and handcuff us. Then a police hellocopter flew over, almost making me laugh out loud.
Two of them started messing around with my paintball gun, playing around with it. Most were at ease, save for the classic dick cop, who lectured us for 20 minutes in a harsh tone.
Sitting on the police car watching them "handle" the situation made me realize that they are completely normal people, which is scary.
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Old 09-25-2006, 06:49 PM   #30 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaver
I know this, however at the time it was 3am and I had just spent a good 9 hours straight studying for tests and writing a report. I was stressed, tired, hungry, and this guy for no reason was preventing me from alleviating any of those problems.
Chances are the cops might have been 8 hours into a 12 hour shift, and "stressed, tired, and hungry" as well... people tend to forget they are real people doing a real shitty job.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaver
The incident before two cops were trying to enter a house in which a young 12 year old child was clearly the only occupant, and then attempted intimidation as a means.
How do they clearly know you were the only occupant? I'll give you the benfit of the doubt though... they were probably idiots.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaver
Then the final incident it was clearly generated by nothing more than racism.
I always love this one. The race card. Maybe it's just me, but typically, when I was younger and out on the street at 2 AM, they cops probably would have had a good reason to check me out. And even if I wasn't up to mischief, knowing they were there, and had checked my ID would cetainly make me think twice about DOING any mischief. Policing is as much about prevention as it is about responding to calls and assisting the public.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaver
While I fully admit I was a dick in all three situations, I fully believe I was justified in all three. In any of these situations if the cops had shown less hostility it definately would have produced more positive results. I have had numerous neutral experiences (not positive, but not negative) with cops who treated me respectfully and I recipricated in return.
I love how it's OK for you to have been a dick, but the cops were wrong to show any type of hostility. You rail against the cops when you have a negative experience... but the time when you were treated with respect, it was only a "neutral" experience. What would a positive experience be? They buy you ice cream after stopping you to tell you you were a model citizen by obeying the speed limit and making their job easier?

You get what you give. If you posture up, it puts the cops in defensive mode immediately. When you start mouthing off, it gets worth.

Bottom line, like in any situation - if you show respect, normally you will get respect. I know that's not a hard and fast rule, but it holds true most of the time.
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Old 09-25-2006, 07:03 PM   #31 (permalink)
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Quote:
I always love this one. The race card. Maybe it's just me, but typically, when I was younger and out on the street at 2 AM, they cops probably would have had a good reason to check me out. And even if I wasn't up to mischief, knowing they were there, and had checked my ID would cetainly make me think twice about DOING any mischief. Policing is as much about prevention as it is about responding to calls and assisting the public.
Did you read what went on? He was in a suit and tie walking down the street at 2 PM, as in shortly after lunch. There were THOUSANDS of people walking by, just happens to be one black guy and he's suspected. I for one hate when people pull out the race card, but this one is just blatent.

Quote:
I love how it's OK for you to have been a dick, but the cops were wrong to show any type of hostility. You rail against the cops when you have a negative experience... but the time when you were treated with respect, it was only a "neutral" experience. What would a positive experience be? They buy you ice cream after stopping you to tell you you were a model citizen by obeying the speed limit and making their job easier?
A positive experience would be the cops actually answering to a call when I had my car vandalized. A positive experience would be the cops actually arriving within 4 hours after a gun was pulled at my friend's party. A positive experience would be a cop stopping the guy who robbed my girlfriend at gunpoint (she saw the policecar drive right by without noticing). Instead the only positive experience I've had with robbers/thieves/etc is when I grabbed my kitchen knife to stop 4 guys from beating up a foreign exchange student. The cops arrived speedily 2 hours later to determine that "everyone should just go home."

And yes, it IS wrong for a cop to show any type of hostility to a man who is doing no wrong. Being a dick is not illegal, if I'm not doing anything illegal I expect to be left alone. I dont turn into a dick until they lie and abuse their positions. They took the position which puts pressure and responsibility on their shoulders, if they can not handle it without abusing the privlages they should get out of the uniform.

It sounds like I'm making this stuff up, but the gun/knife/etc stories are what happened after our city took in the refugees from Katrina. The guy with the gun actually had a Red Cross t-shirt on while doing it.
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Old 09-26-2006, 05:01 AM   #32 (permalink)
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Location: Upper Michigan
We have very little crime in our town. Half the police reports are either minor vandalism or critters in people's yards or basements. But in our area it does make for too little to keep our officers occupied. This means that there are times when they'll stop you for the tiniest question. Hubby has been stopped for burned out lights on his car when there were NONE burned out. He's been stopped for exhibitionism because his tires squawked at a stop when he was sitting on the paint in the rain. Ridiculous issues but usually it's not a problem. I'm satisfied with the job they've done in town and I've never heard of a case of our local police using excessive force.
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Old 09-26-2006, 06:16 AM   #33 (permalink)
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Location: Ontario, Canada
I've never had a negative interaction with the police. Now, I spent years as a PI and in security, so A) I met hundreds of cops, B) many of the younger guys I worked with went on to become police officers, and C) I approach dealing with officers in a positive way, even if they initially (as happened a couple of times on the job when I was in plain clothes) may have been looking at me with some suspicion.

I agree that police officers react strongly to attitude, positive or negative, as virtually every human being does. When a police officer approaches you and says "we have reports of suspicious activity in the area", you want to say "Really? How can I help?" rather than "Go away, I know my rights, Nazi!"
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Old 09-26-2006, 07:41 AM   #34 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raeanna74
We have very little crime in our town. Half the police reports are either minor vandalism or critters in people's yards or basements. But in our area it does make for too little to keep our officers occupied. This means that there are times when they'll stop you for the tiniest question. Hubby has been stopped for burned out lights on his car when there were NONE burned out. He's been stopped for exhibitionism because his tires squawked at a stop when he was sitting on the paint in the rain. Ridiculous issues but usually it's not a problem. I'm satisfied with the job they've done in town and I've never heard of a case of our local police using excessive force.
I know what you mean. When I lived in Seattle my wife and I were stopped while riding my Harley to the local highschool football game for deliberately missing a speedbump. There was about a 2 foot gap between the bump and the edge of the road so I just went around it. It wasn't so bad though, the cop mostly wanted to talk about my Harley and where the best prices are so that he could buy one. I was amazed to learn that missing speedbumps was against the law even on a bike when you stay on your side of the road.
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Old 09-26-2006, 08:17 AM   #35 (permalink)
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I'd have to say I've had mostly positive experiences. The most interesting time was when I was picking up my drycleaning in what had become a seedy part of town (Note: across the street from where I used to live. I stay loyal to those good businesses who can't move away as easily as I). As I tried to pull out of the parking lot, there was a guy in a car blocking the only exit. I honked at him lightly and briefly and politely gestured for him to please move (hey, you gotta be extra polite in the bad part of town, that's my mo. But I'm very polite 99% of the time anyways). The guy stares at me mad-dog style, then slowly moves his car. I pull away and go down the road...and notice he's following me! Crap!!

As I tried to decide what to do next, I see a blue light flashing from inside his car. He's an undercover cop--or at least, trying to look like one. Hmmm. Well, I pull over in a church parking lot, and roll the window down about an inch. The guy gets out of his car and starts yelling at me about how he saw me mouthing "F*ck you" at him, etc. Very unprofessional. I saw that he had a bunch of id cards and badges around his neck. I stayed very calm, but ready to run (drive). The guy was practically foaming at the mouth--there was NO WAY I was getting out of the car. I didn't know what to say, I didn't want to provoke him any further, but as of yet he had no legal reason to detain me.

Just then, a Black and White pulled up, thank god! I was never so happy to see a uniformed officer in my life. He got out of the car, and talked to the other guy for a second, turned to me and asked me what was going on. I answered truthfully "I don't really know, this guy pulled me over...", and I'm sure he could see I was frightened and confused and wary. The uniformed officer pulled the other guy off to the side where he continued to rage angrily. The uniformed officer was very calm. After waiting about 10 minutes I ventured to ask if I could leave, and the uniformed officer nodded and waved me off. And away I drove!

The next day I called the local police station and asked to speak to the Watch Commander, and told him everything that happened. He seemed rather surprised, but asked for all kinds of details and was responsive and respectful, which went a long ways in restoring my faith in the local officers, at least. He said that it must have been a detective from out of the area, as local non-uniformed officers never wore anything on lanyards around their necks, for safety purposes.

Anyways, that's my story. The only other real interaction I've had with local officers is when someone tried to break into my house (they were gone when I got home), stuff like that. The only complaint I'd have is that it took many hours to get an officer to the house for the report. When they finally got there, they were very professional and all. I overheard radio calls (for other units) for reports of a 3-year-old being burned, a domestic violence problem, reports of gunshots--all within a 20-minute investigation. It kinda helped to put my troubles into perspective, and gave me the briefest insight of what one single shift was like.
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Old 09-26-2006, 02:21 PM   #36 (permalink)
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Location: Lowerainland BC
Generally, I think they do an ok job, but I still don't respect them too much. I realize they are just human and all that, but most that I've delt with (when I was younger) tended to power trip and ruin any good feelings I had for them.
Now that I'm older my dealings with them have been much better, so I may change my opinion....one day.
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Old 09-26-2006, 10:42 PM   #37 (permalink)
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Location: Queens
I don't trust them. At all.

Admittedly, cops are people too but they're part of a corrupt system that works to the detriment of most of the people it was created to serve. So while the individual behind the badge may be a decent person, there is no middle-ground, corruption flows top to bottom and through every aspect of the judicial system.

As for those of you that support the cop-out (ha) that they have a "tough job" - that's beside the point. Mathematicians are paid to be accurate, therapists are paid to be compassionate and the police are paid to serve - any deviation from their responsibility to serve and protect is unacceptable.

And to make it understood that my opinions stem simply from what I observe and not from any particular bias: My father was an officer for the NYPD for 10 years, when forced to deal with the police I always do so in a courteous and respectful manner, despite the many negative experiences I've had - I have had positive experiences with the NYPD, I am under the employ of an armored car company which makes me an officer of the law...
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Old 09-27-2006, 04:08 AM   #38 (permalink)
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Location: Ontario, Canada
So, for all those who hate the police, do you propose eliminating them? Replacing them with the Army or private security or Guardian Angels or Neighbourhood Watch or what?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Manic_Skafe
I don't trust them. At all.

Admittedly, cops are people too but they're part of a corrupt system that works to the detriment of most of the people it was created to serve. So while the individual behind the badge may be a decent person, there is no middle-ground, corruption flows top to bottom and through every aspect of the judicial system.

As for those of you that support the cop-out (ha) that they have a "tough job" - that's beside the point. Mathematicians are paid to be accurate, therapists are paid to be compassionate and the police are paid to serve - any deviation from their responsibility to serve and protect is unacceptable.

And to make it understood that my opinions stem simply from what I observe and not from any particular bias: My father was an officer for the NYPD for 10 years, when forced to deal with the police I always do so in a courteous and respectful manner, despite the many negative experiences I've had - I have had positive experiences with the NYPD, I am under the employ of an armored car company which makes me an officer of the law...
Ever apply to join the department?
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Last edited by highthief; 09-27-2006 at 04:09 AM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Old 09-27-2006, 05:49 AM   #39 (permalink)
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Location: USA
When I have an opportunity to come in contact with a Law Enforcement Officer, I take the time to tell him or her that I appreciate his or her service.

Period.

I do the same with Firemen and Soldiers.

These people get up in the morning and take a stand stand between the rest of us and total anarchy and chaos.
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Old 09-27-2006, 09:16 AM   #40 (permalink)
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Location: Moscow on the Ohio
Quote:
Originally Posted by highthief
So, for all those who hate the police, do you propose eliminating them? Replacing them with the Army or private security or Guardian Angels or Neighbourhood Watch or what?
Hating the police and not trusting them are two different things. I don't trust the legal system in general but it has nothing to do with hate. My distrust generally stems from unjust treatment of some friends and aquaintances I am aware of. I don't have any answers but trust is mostly earned and not demanded. Respect comes with the job but trust is something else.

I try to be civil and show proper respect to law officers while at the same time realize that their agenda is not necessarily one of justice.
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