Hello:

In the world, there are two kinds of people. People who love cops, and people who've had a run in with them.

I'm interested in your opinion. When cops look out upon society, do they see citizens going about their business - or do they see law breakers that just haven't been caught yet?

excon

excon I have had many feelings for cops.
When I was a younger woman I was smitten by the uniform. Yummy. Yes, I dated a few cops :)
As a young mother dropping her kids off at school and parking in the wrong spot... I hated them.
As a aunt-in-law for a young Arabic man I learned that they could be quite prejudiced.. he got a ticket for not having his dog in a seat belt, among other instances. Pretty lily white community that I live in.. although it is beginning to change.

As a citizen where I live as an adult, I really have respect for the police force esp. with some of the crazys that they have to deal with. Are all of them great? No. But by the same token not all are rotten either.

Oh, to answer your question I think for the most part they see citizens going about their daily business unless they are shown otherwise.*edit I guess I'm sitting on the fence, depending on the situation I could fall either way.

I have seen good cops some that go out of their way to cut people a break even when they really shouldn't. I can count them on my fingers, but I appreciate them for being an example of what cops SHOULD be.

And I have seen cops that have a scum of the earth attitude towards others and I have seen cops that think they are above the law and treat people like they are criminals.
I think it is getting worse because the newer cops seem to have a chip on their shoulder and think they have to act the way they do in order to prove themselves.
Like I have said before I have heard of cops slamming kids having asthma attacks on the floor and elderly with health conditions against the wall and they were innocent bystanders

I have also seen cops get away with murder because of who they are

Sgt. Vojtas' return to Brentwood streets is a crime (http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/20031210sally1210ap2.asp) Voitas *killing* of Steelers Ray Seals cousin Johnny Gammage and Voitas' fiancée *supposed suicide 2 years before.

I've had many friends who were cops. DEA agents, FBI agents, US Marshals, State Troopers, County Deputies and city cops. My uncle was the Chief of Police. My father in law was a US Federal Marshal in charge of 7 states. My husband worked for "the company". It all depends on just how burnt out the officer is what his attitude towards society is. I've had hardnosed cops come to my door that have the amazing ability to see through walls and around corners falsely accusing my family of wrongdoing. I've been stopped going 96 MPH and given a verbal warning by a Fla Trooper. I've seen a lot of jerks wear a uniform. I've seen many men and women cry when in uniform. Sometimes the job just gets to them and they either quit and go on doing something else or they become jaded and mean and remain on the force.

Excon
I had my far share of working with cops in my line of work. I have worked with the police in NorFolk, Va US. I have worked with a few in NB, Canada as well. I will say that I have never seen cops be judge mental to any normal person doing there normal things. But I will add that when you are costing a place and you noticed others going to that location you start to wonder. Plus you always have to have your guard up. It comes with the training.
Don't get me wrong when I was a kid I did a few things I am ashamed to adamite and at that time I always thought cops where just looking for an excuse to bother you.
What I am hinting at is they look at people as normal people just going at there normal day.
This is a good question I would like to see more replies on this matter.

"Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely" police officers are human and I believe that saying applies. It may be small corruption, like taking care of their Grandma's parking ticket, or taking care of drug dealers for a price. It's still corruption.

For the record id like to state that I've been arrested 5 times and dislike cops in general. That being said this is my opinion on the topic. Some cops are very respectful, even when they have you cuffed in the back of their squad car. They act like just about anyone else you could meet, they are friendly and treat you with respect. Unfortunately, cops like that are few and far between. What is even more unfortunate is that people in general like that in this world are few and far between. I don't think its being a cop that makes some cops such unpleasant individuals. Its being a human that does that.

Oh but I found out this neat magic trick to quit getting arrested... I quit committing crimes and haven't seen a cell in a very long time!

1) I LOVE cops... (and not for the uniform... ). Whenever we had to call an ambulance for a loved one the police were right there to help. I have only witnessed good things and I consider myself lucky as I am not so closed minded to think there are bad apples in that group as well.

When I see the police partrolling the streets... I think THANK YOU, and please continue to try and keep these streets safe and the roads free of those who had one too many.

When they see us? As long as we are doing nothing out of the ordianary, they probably don't even see us. I think there eyes are so trained to zero in on things going on that should not be.

Now with all that said, I have always told my husband, if I was ever pulled over... I think I would run the car right off the road from sheer nerves... not sure why that is...

But I am very grateful to them and when I see them I do feel safer. I wouldn't want their job for nothing.

Ok, I live in wonderland, excon, and believe that the police are looking out for the better good of the community and look upon people as citizens they have sworn to protect. On the average, that is. For the most part. That is...

Until you happen to be one of the unfortunate who have had a run-in with the law and become the target for every piece of dirt that happens. That happened to my oldest brother. Now I know he had his share of scrapes and deserved jail time (he sold drugs and bought booze for minors, as well as DUI). But the police came after him for everything that happened, no matter. Once they went to arrest him for a robbery of the local Greyhound depot (in my hometown). A witness even said it was my brother. Funny thing, he was 135 miles away, visiting his sister (me) and my husband and brand new son. He had come down that Thursday evening and stayed until Sunday after dinner. The robbery took place on a Friday night at 9:30 p.m. As Sgt. Schulz used to say, "I wasn't thereeeeeee." And he wasn't.

If a tree falls in the woods on shcrodengers cat and no one is around to observe it, is the cat alive or dead?
Interinfinity two things, 1 who is shcrodengers? 2. congrats on staying out of trouble.

Just for you, bushg.


6137

I love them when I need them, hate them, when they show up, UNINVITED!

I love em when I need em, hate em, when they show up, UNINVITED!!


Well said Tal.

I would loose my heart if ever pulled over... I have to get over that somehow. Even when they are behind me, my heart picks up speed (better then my car I guess :p )

I think it's because I just got my license a couple of years ago (bit of a late bloomer)

Don't know if this has been said, but I think the simple answer to this questions is... cops are people (human) and each one is unique. You cannot ask such a general question, to put any body in that broad of a group is stereotyping. No different than asking what your opinion of doctors, or teachers, or white people for that matter.

You like some people... you don't like others.

Don't know if this has been said, but I think the simple answer to this questions is...cops are people (human) and each one is unique. You cannot ask such a general question, to put any body in that broad of a group is stereotyping. No different than asking what your opinion of doctors, or teachers, or white people for that matter.

You like some people...you don't like others.


Actually excon's original question was:

I'm interested in your opinion. When cops look out upon society, do they see citizens going about their business - or do they see law breakers that just haven't been caught yet?

So I fear I may have answered in the wrong direction. I actually love this topic and find the different experiences very interesting.

So, Ex was just asking for our opinion... as stated above.

Thanks Allheart...

In that case, I think once again they are human. They know that there are very few people out there who never break a law... just as we all know that. Whether that affects how they view society as a whole... I don't know.

I guess it is no different than a photographer walking through the world and stopping because they see a photo opp.

I think our professions predispose us all to certain thought processes and preconceptions.

For the most part I think a lot of cops can leave their work at work.

I bet they see a lot of things that stays with them a long time though, so they have to be a little above normal to handle that crap. I couldn't be one, for sure. I mean, how do you go home and act normal, after a car collision, with a lot of fatalities, or a bloody murder scene, yuck. These guys have to be special somehow.

Exactly Tal,

In some ways there in a war zone everyday. Not pretty, not fun and have no idea how they turn the switch off when they go home.

I guess I will reply to the above post... schrodenger is a theoretical physicist and is famous for his "schrodengers cat" experiment. The experiment states that observation is key to any state of being. And basically that line is a play on the phrase "if a tree falls in the woods and now one is around, does it make a sound". But that has absolutely nothing to do with cops. (u could have just googled it lol)

Cops, doctors, janitors, teachers... Good and Bad people!. My fiancé goes about doing his business while on duty... arresting the bad people and protecting the victims. Sometimes innocent people are accused, if one builds a bad reputation as a drug dealer, they'll blame it on that person, easier to justify I guess. That is not fair, but just like any human, cops make mistakes or take advantage of their position. Some don't. My relationship has been deeply affected by criminals. For instance, one day my fiancé got bitten by a criminal resisting arrest. When taken to the hospital, the individual gave a false name and said he had hepatitis. My sweety thought he had it and he was very sad, he didn't want to touch me. We cried together. In about a week the results from that criminal were in-testing negative. That was an awful week. My sweety gets kicked in the face and it hurts to see his face like that. But, he loves his job and he always does what's right, he goes by the book and of course the cops that don't hate him.

I respect the police force they take a lot of crap off people just for doing there job yeah some take advantage of there job but people do that all the time.
We have a community cop who often pops in for a cuppa and he is a great bloke lots of respect

I respect the police and the services that they provide but they are just people too, who may abuse their power sometimes, some are honest and mean well, some are bullies, it's just an issue of the person doing the job.

So ex con what are your views on the police if you do not like them is it because you are an ex con

I agree with some of the people here. My dad was a cop, most of his friends were too. In all sorts of service, sheriffs, marshal, Hiway patrol,I grew up with these men at our house often. I have received preferential treatment sometimes, and other times I think I was treated unfairly.
I have never been arrested, but yelled at by a woman hating cop when I was making a theft report. It is all to do with the people involved and the predjudices they carry or don't carry on both sides.

I have had some real good experiances with cops. A couple of real bad experiances with crooked cops.

Every day joes trying to make a living in a tough job. I have nothing but repect for them. Well most of them!

If they are good and honest, I have complete respect. The ones that are not.. they should look like excon's avatar.

Hello again:

This should inspire confidence in your local fuzz.

FlashoverTV - Cop arrests firefighter (http://tinyurl.com/2t7huz)

excon

I believe most cops are in it to be heroes. They don't make enough to put up with all of the scum they have to run into on a daily basis. Some of them will turn into scum themselves for being on the job. While others will be able to maintain a sense of themselves and the true reasoning why they became police officers. I believe most of them demand respect, because they feel that they have earned it. Alas, I even know one cop whose mother told him to become a cop before she died. He did. The only problem is, now he hates it and feels stuck. I know another one that if his grandmother ran a light, he would still write her a ticket. Even if it cost him his cookies and milk upon his next visit to her! Hehe It is my belief that most cops become cops for the glory of it. It is definitely not the money! Whereas, I think most crooks become crooks for the money. Just wanted to through out the stew and see if the cats lick it up!

I believe a few of you commenting on excon's topic probably know of my recent dealings with the police and law (un) enforcement. Before I was assaulted I had a lot of respect for the police and believed they were working to protect the citizens and keep the "bad guys" off the streets and at bay.

I don't have the same respect for the police as I once did. I was the victim of a serious crime, and many times I was treated like I was the offender. The police issued a restraining order with conditions, that they did not enforce. I was made to feel like a pain in the A$$ every time I called the police to report a breach of conditions. I was told by 3 different officers that I was wasting their time, when I called to make a report. I was also told by several officers in not so many words that I was a woman out for revenge, when they were the ones who issued the order and I also had to abide by the conditions in that order of restrainment.

The police without checking into the file also came and harassed me in front of several people while attending a birthday party because they received a false report that I had broken conditions that were never in place for me... only for the accused. I never got an apology, and the accused was never charged for making a false complaint, even while he was breaching his conditions at the same moment the police were questioning me. All because they didn't have time to bring up the file and inform themselves of the situation and the order and conditions involved. I, in fact, overheard 2 rookies telling the accused, who is ex military, that they would turn a blind eye if he just left and went to a different location. Incidentally, the restriction on the restraining order was non-consumption, and he was highly intoxicated.

It has certainly changed my opinion of the boys/girls in blue that I once counted on to serve and protect. I do think many look at people as guilty until proven innocent now. I know there must be some out there that became a police officer to better their own communities, and to protect the safety of others, but I also believe a lot of them do it just for the glory and the title.

I realise that they have a tough job, but when they are put in a position of authority, I think they need more training and compassion when dealing with normal everyday people. They should be brought up for review more often to ensure they are doing their jobs, and for the right reasons. I've never been arrested, and haven't had so much as a parking ticket in over 15 yrs, so I believe I was treated very unfairly by the police all the way around.

I may have gotten a little bit off the original question here, but my opinion is that a lot of the police are jaded, and they do look at ordinary people on the street as possible criminals instead of focusing on the people that really need their attention.

This was an interesting topic to read, and I am actually in training to become a law enforcement officer. I have been on the other side of the law, and have seen that some police officers focus on petty things such as; not using a turn signal when there were no cars for 30-40 ft around. Although, I believe without them America would be a crime ridden playground.. so they are an big part of what makes America what it is. I feel that we are put here to make people feel safe, and take the people that are doing wrong away from society.It is a problem when we get a criminal and risk our lives doing so, to see him let go.. A lot of people accuse the police of racism or things of that nature, but you will find that in any large group of people. And while it may happen sometimes, it can't be all the time. Not every black or arab, or what ever the case may be, is innocent. The race card is way to over played in society, its become the joker everyone just needs to take it out of the deck, until there is a good reason to play it... Officer B.

America is already a crime ridden playground. Yes, I agree a lot of people like to play the race card. You know what, there is a lot of hatred out there and believe it or not a lot of it is on the force. You need to treat everybody the same no matter what. If your going to be on the force then you need to be objective. Some of the crime ridden playgrounds in the states are there because of the cops.

This is the second time now that I have ever had to have personal dealings with law (un)enforcement. As some of you know, my dog was severely attacked 3 weeks ago today, by a dangerous breed. She went into convulsions, and I had to take her in to the emerg vet and she ended up with 86 stitches, and hasn't been the same dog ever since.


I have called the police a total of 13 times now, and each time they said an officer was on his way. I've been shuffled around from person to person, and was put on hold for over 45 minutes at one point. I called at 3pm one afternoon, and they again said an officer would be around shortly. When he hadn't showed up by 7pm, I called again, and then again at 9, and once again at midnite. Only to be told that I should've called during the day! I have gotten one phone call from dispatch, saying that she was calling for an officer who has been trying repeatedly to get a hold of me.

That is just not possibly true. Except for vet visits, since I work from home, I have been here 24/7 taking care of my dog, and I do have voicemail. They also in fact, have my email address on file. I asked the dispatcher to give me the times of the visits. She said she could not tell me that. I have since left messages for the above mentioned officer on his voicemail. I have not heard a peep. You would think 21 days would be long enough for them to get out of the coffee shop, to come and make a report!

I have over a thousand dollars in vet bills, and I may need to take this to small claims court. The judge is going to want know why there was never a report filed in this case. Who do you think the judge will believe, when I say I called over a dozen times and nobody showed up? Me or the cops?

Maybe the police will pay attn. when that dog attacks a child?

Again, I got a bit off topic, but you get my point. When you want them around, they don't show, and when you don't, the whole dept. shows up.

America is already a crime ridden playground. Yes, I agree a lot of people like to play the race card. You know what, there is a lot of hatred out there and believe it or not a lot of it is on the force. You need to treat everybody the same no matter what. If your going to be on the force then you need to be objective. Some of the crime ridden playgrounds in the states are there because of the cops.


I am objective, and I am Native American myself, so I could even have a problem with white people but I don't, I believe that God created us all, and we should live at peace with one another, but worldly opinion, statistics, and political cancer ruins what should be peace with each other. I think the world would be a much better place, if the ten commandments were the only laws that were at state, along with minor traffic violations. When I am on duty I am completely bias to the persons nationality, it is the issue that is my purpose for justice. I can only solve things temporarily, not forever, but all will have a court order to be judged at the end.

To be fair I think it is bit like everyone else you get good ones and bad ones, but in the whole I think they are there to serve and protect smiles depend on the person

I won't lie I dislike cops but there just doing there job.

I wont lie i dislike cops but there just doing there job.

The point is, they do not always do their "jobs" Some are on a power trip! Don't get me wrong... cops are people, and just like any other human being, have their own set of morals and values.

I have a good friend who is a cop, and he is thinking about quitting the force because of the power seeking and corrupt members. It's unfortunate, but it is true. My friend has been on the force for almost 30 yrs. and told me just recently that he is ashamed of many of his fellow officers.

Many of his senior fellow officers have taken early retirement, because they went into law enforcement to serve and protect, with compassion and empathy. They quit the force because they could no longer support the politics, training, and lack of screening being done by our local force.

I know there are some real hero's out there, and God Bless them! But we really need to get back to basics! Just because you are a cop, doesn't give you a free pass, or make you any better than the average citizen!

I think there are good and bad, in my opinion the magority are looking for the next booking to make up their daily quota.

I ran from the cops once. Don't try that. I find them good. Look, everyone has opininons but I say this as a fact! If you do soemthing wrong your likely to get caught by them! They help our neightborhoods.