Do police officers often have an “Us vs Them” mentality? Yeah, but frankly it’s justified. My own dealings with the police (and I live in a Big City) have not been many, but I’ve got no cause to complain about any of them.
One time I was stopped for a moving violation, an illegal left turn (it was safe to do so, but it was within the posted time limits when it was forbidden). I acknowledged that I was wrong, I took the ticket and I paid it. Another time, I had been working well past midnight, and was walking home from the bus stop at about 2:00 AM. A patrol car shined a spotlight on me, and they told me through their speaker to show my ID, keeping my hands where they could see them. I did so, and the officers told me that there had been a report of a break-in (or attempted break-in; I forget), and I loosely fit the description. They asked me why I was out so late, accepted my explanation, thanked me for my cooperation, and I continued home.
If, in either of these cases, I had given them attitude, claiming that they were picking on me and they should be out catching REAL criminals instead of trying to fill their quota, I’m sure they would have been much less courteous. I see no need to be intimidated by the police, but I respect that they DO have means and permission to deal with “unfriendlies” with a great deal of lattitude. Too many “routine” traffic stops have ended with an officer down for them to give ANYONE the benefit of the doubt before they’ve demonstrated that they deserve it.
riley05 almost 15 years ago
Halloween? Swine flu may well be forgotten by then.
Unless it turns virulent.
Motivemagus almost 15 years ago
No, ANandy, it isn’t.
Motivemagus almost 15 years ago
Respect, fear, and reverence? Does anyone take Homeland Security seriously? After seven years of dealing with airport security, I sure don’t.
fritzoid Premium Member almost 15 years ago
A cop who has been killed in the line of duty deserves all the honors and respect that can be bestowed.
fritzoid Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Do police officers often have an “Us vs Them” mentality? Yeah, but frankly it’s justified. My own dealings with the police (and I live in a Big City) have not been many, but I’ve got no cause to complain about any of them.
One time I was stopped for a moving violation, an illegal left turn (it was safe to do so, but it was within the posted time limits when it was forbidden). I acknowledged that I was wrong, I took the ticket and I paid it. Another time, I had been working well past midnight, and was walking home from the bus stop at about 2:00 AM. A patrol car shined a spotlight on me, and they told me through their speaker to show my ID, keeping my hands where they could see them. I did so, and the officers told me that there had been a report of a break-in (or attempted break-in; I forget), and I loosely fit the description. They asked me why I was out so late, accepted my explanation, thanked me for my cooperation, and I continued home.
If, in either of these cases, I had given them attitude, claiming that they were picking on me and they should be out catching REAL criminals instead of trying to fill their quota, I’m sure they would have been much less courteous. I see no need to be intimidated by the police, but I respect that they DO have means and permission to deal with “unfriendlies” with a great deal of lattitude. Too many “routine” traffic stops have ended with an officer down for them to give ANYONE the benefit of the doubt before they’ve demonstrated that they deserve it.