I've been pulled over a few times for tickets and that's about it, but whenever I see a cop, i get scared as all get out, when they are supposed to protect me and make me feel safe. Are you supposed to be afraid of these power hungry assholes??

[Edited 11/30/10 9:31am]

Safe ~ nervous/scared ?

none of the above

i luv men in uniform

so my answer is....

horny

physco185 said:

i luv men in uniform

so my answer is....

horny

it's mandatory here to carry an ID on you at all times , which i refuse because i don't see why i'd have to , since i do no wrong

so i wanna avoid them

and since i got fined a few times for drinking beer in the park the little respect i had for them went out the window

these laws here are ridiculous (in the netherlands)

they ought to be embarrassed with themselves

[Edited 11/28/10 19:20pm]

case by case. i've been around officers of the law that definitely gave me a bad vibe. y'know? like, when you meet someone and there's that uneasy edge between you because you can sense they're not on the level? but, i've also met plenty of good law enforcement agents. i dunno if i could assume or group them up into one definition

[Edited 11/28/10 19:55pm]

Bulldog said:

I've been pulled over a few times for tickets and that's about it, but whenever I see a cop, i get scared as all get out, when they are supposed to protect me and make me feel safe. Are you supposed to be afraid of these power hungry assholes??

Cops are human beings just like the rest of us. Some of them are power hungry assholes, but some of them became cops out of a genuine desire to "protect and serve". A couple things to remember is that they have bad days just like the rest of us. That their bad days are usually MUCH worse than ours. That, as I said above, they are all different. And most importantly, they are trained to observe your behavior and respond accordingly while you're interacting with them.

To answer your question, no, they don't make me scared or nervous and they never have. Not when sober or high out of my mind. Not when doing absolutely nothing wrong or when being stone cold guilty. And I've had interactions with them under all of those circumstance. In my experience if you just act like yourself and do what they tell you to do there will be no problems. If you start acting weird, they start acting weird. In all but the most extreme cases (which I will admit do happen) it's a pretty safe bet that they're just doing their jobs. I mean, there's very little reason for us to be interacting with them if we haven't (most times) done something to get their attention (be it illegal or otherwise).

Cerebus said:

Bulldog said:

I've been pulled over a few times for tickets and that's about it, but whenever I see a cop, i get scared as all get out, when they are supposed to protect me and make me feel safe. Are you supposed to be afraid of these power hungry assholes??

Cops are human beings just like the rest of us. Some of them are power hungry assholes, but some of them became cops out of a genuine desire to "protect and serve". A couple things to remember is that they have bad days just like the rest of us. That their bad days are usually MUCH worse than ours. That, as I said above, they are all different. And most importantly, they are trained to observe your behavior and respond accordingly while you're interacting with them.

To answer your question, no, they don't make me scared or nervous and they never have. Not when sober or high out of my mind. Not when doing absolutely nothing wrong or when being stone cold guilty. And I've had interactions with them under all of those circumstance. In my experience if you just act like yourself and do what they tell you to do there will be no problems. If you start acting weird, they start acting weird. In all but the most extreme cases (which I will admit do happen) it's a pretty safe bet that they're just doing their jobs. I mean, there's very little reason for us to be interacting with them if we haven't (most times) done something to get their attention (be it illegal or otherwise).

I know it's hard, if not impossible not to take this the wrong way, but that sounds so "white."

Which isn't to say that I disagree. I agree with you but being a Black male, that's not the norm for my experience.

They make me angry. Stoppin' me and makin' up fake ass laws just to ticket me!

I hate the po-po, hate'em!

SUPRMAN said:

Cerebus said:

Cops are human beings just like the rest of us. Some of them are power hungry assholes, but some of them became cops out of a genuine desire to "protect and serve". A couple things to remember is that they have bad days just like the rest of us. That their bad days are usually MUCH worse than ours. That, as I said above, they are all different. And most importantly, they are trained to observe your behavior and respond accordingly while you're interacting with them.

To answer your question, no, they don't make me scared or nervous and they never have. Not when sober or high out of my mind. Not when doing absolutely nothing wrong or when being stone cold guilty. And I've had interactions with them under all of those circumstance. In my experience if you just act like yourself and do what they tell you to do there will be no problems. If you start acting weird, they start acting weird. In all but the most extreme cases (which I will admit do happen) it's a pretty safe bet that they're just doing their jobs. I mean, there's very little reason for us to be interacting with them if we haven't (most times) done something to get their attention (be it illegal or otherwise).

I know it's hard, if not impossible not to take this the wrong way, but that sounds so "white."

Which isn't to say that I disagree. I agree with you but being a Black male, that's not the norm for my experience.

Well I am white, so I certainly wouldn't try to sound any other way. But I've also lived in Portland, LA and the Bay Area for almost all of my adult life and have many friends of every color, sexual preference, religious belief and any other category you want to box people up in. I'm not denying that there's an ugly side to some officers (just like there is some citizens), particularly in large cities. But the fact that people assume they are all that way and act differently in their presence is part of the problem. I understand full well this is a simplification, but so is saying all cops are evil racists, or power hungry assholes, or whatever else you want to call them. I believe full well that what I said above is the truth as every time I've seen any of my friends have interactions with them, so long as they act respectful and do as their told there has never been a problem. If you treat a cop like an asshole, don't do what they tell you to do (whether you agree with it or not, because it's not a choice), or if you've actually broken a law, they're GOING to do their jobs they way they've been trained to do them.

Cerebus said:

SUPRMAN said:

I know it's hard, if not impossible not to take this the wrong way, but that sounds so "white."

Which isn't to say that I disagree. I agree with you but being a Black male, that's not the norm for my experience.

Well I am white, so I certainly wouldn't try to sound any other way. But I've also lived in Portland, LA and the Bay Area for almost all of my adult life and have many friends of every color, sexual preference, religious belief and any other category you want to box people up in. I'm not denying that there's an ugly side to some officers (just like there is some citizens), particularly in large cities. But the fact that people assume they are all that way and act differently in their presence is part of the problem. I understand full well this is a simplification, but so is saying all cops are evil racists, or power hungry assholes, or whatever else you want to call them. I believe full well that what I said above is the truth as every time I've seen any of my friends have interactions with them, so long as they act respectful and do as their told there has never been a problem. If you treat a cop like an asshole, don't do what they tell you to do (whether you agree with it or not, because it's not a choice), or if you've actually broken a law, they're GOING to do their jobs they way they've been trained to do them.

I did say I agreed with you.

I didn't say anything about all cops at all.

It depends. If they're pulling someone over, I feel safe in speeding for another 5-10 miles.

If not, I stay on alert.

Of course, this doesn't answer the question at large.

SUPRMAN said:

Cerebus said:

Well I am white, so I certainly wouldn't try to sound any other way. But I've also lived in Portland, LA and the Bay Area for almost all of my adult life and have many friends of every color, sexual preference, religious belief and any other category you want to box people up in. I'm not denying that there's an ugly side to some officers (just like there is some citizens), particularly in large cities. But the fact that people assume they are all that way and act differently in their presence is part of the problem. I understand full well this is a simplification, but so is saying all cops are evil racists, or power hungry assholes, or whatever else you want to call them. I believe full well that what I said above is the truth as every time I've seen any of my friends have interactions with them, so long as they act respectful and do as their told there has never been a problem. If you treat a cop like an asshole, don't do what they tell you to do (whether you agree with it or not, because it's not a choice), or if you've actually broken a law, they're GOING to do their jobs they way they've been trained to do them.

I did say I agreed with you.

I didn't say anything about all cops at all.

Apologies. It does read like I was directing that at you and that wasn't my intention. I didn't mean to imply that you had said "all", I was simple using that term as a general example of my feelings on the issue. I've heard a lot of people say it, though. And I've heard a lot of people who have actually done a vast amount of dirt say it, knowing full well they deserved whatever they got in that regard.

You did say that you agreed, but you also said, "that's not the norm from my experience". Hence, my further response.

Edit: Because I apparently forgot how to spell "directing".

[Edited 11/28/10 22:10pm]

I'm fine with them.

One was going into KFC and was trying to push a door which was actually a window, and I said "ah, this is an intelligence test" and he laughed and said he just failed miserably and I opened the door for him. I only get away with stuff like that because I have big boobs I think.

ZombieKitten said:

I'm fine with them.

One was going into KFC and was trying to push a door which was actually a window, and I said "ah, this is an intelligence test" and he laughed and said he just failed miserably and I opened the door for him. I only get away with stuff like that because I have big boobs I think.

Once after getting busted with beer in my trunk while underage, the officer forced us to pour them out. I offered them each one because it seemed wasteful. In hindsight, that could've really been stupid of me. Especially not having boobs and all.

Both.

I actually befriended a few police men in my neighborhood, some of those guys are good people. Nice, warm and easy to talk to. So I have no problems with policemen, I do feel safer if they are hanging around.

It also depends on the situation the officer is in. If he/she is just directing traffic or off duty and around town then I get smiles and nice short covos especially if I have my kids in tow and my son or daughter is like "Hi officer!" .... they usually get all

Now, in potentially dangerous settings while they are on the job, for example overseeing a large crowd from a public gathering like fireworks celebration on the Esplanade, the West Indian festival, or the Puerto Rican parade.. they are usually on high alert, eyes sharp, tense, rude and bossy. No time to be nice or even smile, they are like ... "Move it along, get going!" You'd BETTER do as directed without any fuss.

So to me, it all depends on the situation you find yourself in with a police officer.

[Edited 11/28/10 22:43pm]

they scare me even though I know I do nothing wrong

I don't trust them, and I avoid them unless absolutely necessary.

I'm friends with quite a few in the town where I work.

I have a few friends in other towns who are police officers.

They don't make me nervous, except when I'm in NYC and I see that ticket pad near where I'm parked. I have never been pulled over for speeding, but for a couple of other dumb things and let off with a warning.

I did report a cop one time because he followed me all the way to my house- two towns over, out of his jurisdiction. I had just gotten the purple Camaro in 1995.

• Cop: Why did you stop here?
• Me: I live here.
• Cop: Is this your car?
• Me: Yes. Did I do something wrong?
• Cop: No, we just thought this car looked like one we're looking for.
• Me: Really? A purple car with my name on the plate? And aren't you in the wrong town?
• Cop: Yeah, well....

They never ran my plates, asked to see my license or registration, or anything. They just pulled off. I still believe they just wanted to see who was driving that car in the town where I lived. Jerk.

I don't have a problem with them, and I certainly want one Johnny-on-the-spot if I should ever need one. I've even dated a few, but they both had "issues." One was an alcoholic and the other couldn't control his temper. I had to cuss his ass out good when he went off on me for saying something about his temper.

I think even he was a reformed alcoholic because he absolutely refused to drink anythiing alcoholic and hinted having a problem. I can't deal with alcoholics even though I understand it's a serious illness.

Depends whether they're pulling me over.

I know Sweetie's had issues, though. He's been pulled over for DWB any number of times.

I admit that I'm completely biased when it comes to police officers. My father was the Rangemaster in the next town from here, large Bay Area city, my mother was a matron in this town, and my ex brother in law is still THE top Placer County Sheriff.

They still make me nervous when they're behind me though.

I was very disappointed in one of my childhood friends (my parents friends were all cops) who followed in his dad's footsteps and became a police officer. He pulled my husband over on New Year's Eve and tried to get him for a DUI when he had only one beer in his system. Dude was rude and abusive. Took him down to the station, and they let him go because he was obviously under the limit. Wasted my time, I filed a complaint. I was told by one of the old timers who knew my mother that rookie bitch was always like that, too arrogant and full of himself.

So there are all kinds of different personalities in the police force. I'd rather have them around than not.

Cops are the filth of the earth. I never feel safe around them.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Cops are the filth of the earth. I never feel safe around them.

Interesting perspective

Our oldest son is a K9 officer and an amazing person / officer

I can understand people's blanket statements though ...

Mach said:

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Cops are the filth of the earth. I never feel safe around them.

Interesting perspective

Our oldest son is a K9 officer and an amazing person / officer

I can understand people's blanket statements though ...

There are only about 5 passes. 4 left

I despise cops any and everywhere. THEY are guilty until they prove themselves innocent. Police forces everywhere need to be CHECKED. To protect and serve is the most fraudulent ad campaign ever.

I.m not SCARED of them, but I automatically put my foot on the brake whenever I see them, wether speeding or not.

I know a lot of cops, and I know them very well.

Cops that are truely interested in protecting and serving are wonderful. Very admirable, great people. A good cop is a rare cop though.

A lot of cops are just sick and peverted and on a power trip. It's unfortunate, they give the good ones a bad name.

not as much now that I am not a 16 year old driver, and now that I do not have a half-smoked bowl of weed under my floormat

It's like when the hippies told Don Draper he could not go outside because there were all those cops in the building and he replied "no, YOU can't go outside!"

I've had bad run-ins with cops not only when I've done nothing to bring it on, but when I've found myself in a place -- at the request of crime victims, employers, etc. -- to help them. And while I appreciate they have bad days like the rest of us, the vast majority of "the rest of us" don't have an assortment of deadly toys, a badge, as trusted a word in court and sometimes near-absolute power with which we might live out those days... and make them real bad for others. I do feel for officers, as with any public servant, and moreso in that they put their lives on the line to serve us where many others do not. But I hold them to a higher standard, because they have a higher level of immediate, long-term (often permanent) and undeniable sway in the lives of others -- and none of them was forced to take that position.

That said, I also know some awesome cops, including former classmates, my brother and my late uncle. And I would hate for some jerks with badges to sully the fantastic work that they and other good cops have done. And in some cases, I have been very grateful that a cop was nearby.

My default? They make me uncomfortable, suspicious and defensive. Sorry, but it's a learned condition. When they show themselves to have my welfare at hand alongside any other civilian, though, I've nothing against them. I, in fact, value them then.

[Edited 11/30/10 6:36am]