Poll: How do you feel about cops?

[jpoon]

About 90% of the time they are complete assholes, I consider them nothing but scumbags with special privileges. 10% of the time they act like normal human beings and don't have some kind of God complex, it's rare these days that they aren't steroid pumped dickbags in the states.

 

[Rockatansky]

I'm a police officer, have been for three years. It's the same as anywhere else, some good people, some not so good. I'd like to think people base their opinions on personal experiences, whether they be good or bad. People (understandably) feel strongly about the police because the things we deal with effect their lives, either as victims, witnesses or offenders. I think that as individuals and officers we should give the people (whatever their status) the best service /treatment we can provide, sadly judging by some of the posts in this thread that's not always been the case.

The police hire human beings, no different from any other employer, in the UK there's a lengthy selection process / training period that's in place to try and ascertain that the people hired are right for the work. Not much else they can do, it's down to the people we deal with day to day to make their feelings known to the appropriate ranking officers or independent bodies if they feel they've not had quality service or been treated shabbily. It's the only thing that'll identify problems and get them investigated/resolved.

I'm proud of what I do but I'm a person as well as a police officer, I understand why people feel strongly. If you've got a valid problem with police complain productively to effect a positive change. Frankly, it'd make my job a lot more pleasant if justifiable complaints were voiced to the right authorities, the right people would be investigated and disciplined if appropriate, save the good officers being judged on the actions of the officers who have let the side down.

I can only speak for how things work in the UK, if you've got a problem you can easily complain and your complaint will be investigated. On a professional note, I don't care what people think of me because either way I'll do my best to make sure they get the best service/treatment I can, that's why I joined after all, but that's me, I can't speak for any other officers and wouldn't presume to do so.

Just offering my perspective as a police officer.

 

[Dys]

How do I feel about cops? For the most part, fine. They are good and decent people who at some point decided to pursue a necissary role within society.

That said, I avoid them wherever possible, unfortunately the system is flawed and police officers tend to have a 'quota' (especially in relation to traffic infringements), which shits me no end. They also have a tendancy to be disbeleiving and typecast people. I'm not saying I'd be any different in their situation but it sure as hell isn't fair. Ultimately, the system is far more flawed than the grunts who try and enforce it, what kind of world do we live in where a tax cheat is dealt with more harshly than a serial rapist?

It's worth noting that, given the relatively low pay and less than ideal (read fucking atrocious) working conditions, it's amazing that we have so many intelligent, competent officers...

 

[Xanadu84]

They're like everyone else, but there doing a very necessary job. Certainly there are corrupt ones, but something tells me a criminal on the streets, because there is no one to arrest them when they shoot someone, is a tad more corrupt. It is as illogical to hate cops because of the actions of a few corrupt ones, as it is to hate black people because some are criminals.

 

[FutureHousedad]

I think "fuck the police" would've been a good option.

EDIT: You know...because of the popular culture reference.
OT: Some are jerks some are alright.

 

[ace_of_something]

They're a serious disappointment to me. Held back by too much red tape and they would rather go after simple "criminals" of petty crimes (like not being able to afford counsel tax) rather than chasing robbers and murderers.

Dude, not every single cop is QUALIFIED to be a detective. Someone who is an awesome beat officer might make a horrible detective.

I spend 52+ hours a week tracking, catching, and building cases against Robbers and Burglers. You tell me I'm not spending enough time doing that? This is along with 17 other detectives and detective sgts. And we share our juristictidon with the city police who have a CAP unit twice the size of ours. Most people underestimate the sheer armount of time and manpower a single robbery case can take. You can easily spend 48 hours investigating and building a case. 12 hours on paperwork and God knows how much time dealing with the courts or the DA. Now double that number because it'll probably take two detectives.

That's ONE ROBBERY.

Edit: That would be a red ball case (one that's big in the news)

The particular DA I have to talk to on a regular basis does NOT see eye to eye with me. Which pisses me off to no end that she'll be petty when we're talking about the fact it's really important that these people be prosocuted to the full extent of the law.

The worst part is the red tape though. Nothing is more frusterating when you have proof but for whatever reason it's not admissable proof or the DA is afraid to use it. Or would rather make a plea with a career criminal then pinning their ass to the wall.

 

[Jinx_Dragon]

I have mixed feelings about them myself.

The laws themselves are a big thorn in my side, and the main reason I would never join the police force. I don't agree with most of the laws on the books today. Finding only laws that prosecute someone for harming another person or doing something that could cause direct harm to be just. I do, begrudgingly, extend that to property but even then there is a massive amount of victimless crimes that I couldn't enforce.

As for a few bad grapes... there is more then a few. It isn't just the fact power corrupts, that is a element, but the sense of family that extends to protecting bad cops from criminal prosecution as well. For those who don't know police do a dangerous job and they are trained, and the beat hammers it in, to protect each other which is fine and good. This unfortunately has created a mentality to protect each other from the law itself. Cause of this the police can't even stomach someone, even another cop, scrutinising their actions and will do everything to hinder an investigation into a corrupt cop unless they are so obviously abusing their position that even their friends can't protect them.

For every bad cop there are three good ones covering his arse.

Yet I respect them though, it is a job that can be dangerous and is required to ensure society functions. So I am twisted on the matter. I recognise below that shield there is a person, with the same mentalities and feelings as everyone else. I understand they are doing a job to enforce the law, that the majority won't seriously break, and respect them for it. Till the individual has given me a reason to dislike them I won't just hate them cause of their chosen profession.

But then, being non-American I don't have the fear of the cops that is, sadly, sensible for an American to have. Something in the way police are trained over there is waaaay off if you ask me. Too many cops have the mentality that every person they arrest or even suspect of a crime is going to try and kill them. This has led to a generation of police officers who are terrorised of the people they are meant to protect!

The effect has been police officers who don't just draw their gun to arrest a kid J-walking but who fire those weapon if that kid is holding anything in their hand, even if it isn't even remotely gun shape. It has led to 'no-knock warrants' becoming standard when they where designed for criminals that have a history of blasting a shotgun round through the door at police officers. It has created a whole group of cops who are too scared to wear tags identifying themselves as police cause they think identifying themselves as police is going to get their arses shot.

We are not talking about gang laced septic pools in the bad side of a major city either... this mentality is happening the whole country over and becoming more and more common. I do feel the US police force is slowly becoming a pseudo-military force. It isn't there yet, but it is getting damn close in the more urban areas and spreading in mentality to the rural as well.

If I need to tell you why this is a bad thing you have not been watching enough news.

 

[Lemon Of Life]

It's not them who are making the laws, so if you don't like because of that, then you need to think about what you're saying. There are bad cops and good cops, but without them, we're screwed. So yeah, they're a good thing.

 

[ace_of_something]

The majority of them get into the job because they crave power, but are too thick to get into any other sort of powerful position.
And the type of people who crave power are the ones who really shouldn't have it.

Most people I know got in the job because they either wanted to help people or wanted to do something difficult.

I'd say about 3/5 of the cops I know are college educated. Given that I've worked in three different law enforcement agencies that's a lot of people.
More and more agencies are requiring at least a 2-year degree to be hired. Even more still want you to have some education if you want big promotions. I myself have an MS in Sociology with an Emphasis in Criminology.

I understand there is a differance between common sense and educated. Often times though the two DO run together in the real world.

 

[Flamezdudes]

I never get it to trouble, i'm too much of a goody goody person so they don't bother me.

 

[Agent Larkin]

They have a tough job that warps their judgement. I just take that into account when dealing with the guards.

 

[ribonuge]

Abusers of power. No human being should be rightfully allowed to have control over another.

 

[Ophiuchus]

Two of my cousins are police officers. Last time I saw them, one of them made me a bacon sandwich. I couldn't resist pointing out the irony. Then we got very drunk and good times were had.

Meh, they're fine, I have no reason to dislike them. I've actually considered becoming a police officer if I can't get a job in my field of study when my degree turns out to be as useless as I'm expecting.

 

[sms_117b]

Dude, not every single cop is QUALIFIED to be a detective. Someone who is an awesome beat officer might make a horrible detective.

I spend 52+ hours a week tracking, catching, and building cases against Robbers and Burglers. You tell me I'm not spending enough time doing that? This is along with 17 other detectives and detective sgts. And we share our juristictidon with the city police who have a CAP unit twice the size of ours. Most people underestimate the sheer armount of time and manpower a single robbery case can take. You can easily spend 48 hours investigating and building a case. 12 hours on paperwork and God knows how much time dealing with the courts or the DA. Now double that number because it'll probably take two detectives.

That's ONE ROBBERY.

Edit: That would be a red ball case (one that's big in the news)

The particular DA I have to talk to on a regular basis does NOT see eye to eye with me. Which pisses me off to no end that she'll be petty when we're talking about the fact it's really important that these people be prosocuted to the full extent of the law.

The worst part is the red tape though. Nothing is more frusterating when you have proof but for whatever reason it's not admissable proof or the DA is afraid to use it. Or would rather make a plea with a career criminal then pinning their ass to the wall.

I only complain because I've been robbed twice and they didn't/couldn't do anything either time.

 

[Daniel Cygnus]

There's always the cop who thinks he's above the law, but for the most part, they're just doing their jobs. I'm pretty neutral when it comes to police.

 

[Dexiro]

They're quite nice in my area ^^

I've talked to a few of them and they seem like nice people, and they're pretty generous when i get caught doing something stupid xD

 

[Ocelot GT]

I like cops.... they have handcuffs :3
prrrr

 

[rex922]

I like cops.... they have handcuffs :3
prrrr

lol wut??

But seriously i hate cops because they are never around(none ever patrolling)...maybe its for the best and they have not always been the nicest of people.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

The majority of them get into the job because they crave power, but are too thick to get into any other sort of powerful position.
And the type of people who crave power are the ones who really shouldn't have it.

Most people I know got in the job because they either wanted to help people or wanted to do something difficult.

I'd say about 3/5 of the cops I know are college educated. Given that I've worked in three different law enforcement agencies that's a lot of people.
More and more agencies are requiring at least a 2-year degree to be hired. Even more still want you to have some education if you want big promotions. I myself have an MS in Sociology with an Emphasis in Criminology.

I understand there is a differance between common sense and educated. Often times though the two DO run together in the real world.

All of what you said?
Different in Ireland, it seems.

You don't have to have any degrees, or really be any sort of intelligent to be a police officer over here.
You just have to pass basic training.

I've read stuff you've posted about the job before, though. And to be honest, I admire you greatly.
It's just that, from my experience, the average police officer - in Ireland and Britain, at least - is either not the most savoury of characters or a complete fool.

 

[Frankydee]

I've known and met quite a few cops on both the douchebag and okay spectrum. I don't really have a problem with them personally.