which one is more respectable?

Question

Who do you think is more respectable, a police officer or fire fighters? I'm just wondering because my husband is a fire fighter and he doesn't get treated like the officers do. We both did volenteer work the other weekend for the community for about 8 hours along with the rest of the fire fighters, when my husband and I went to Arby's to grab lunch, they said that fire fighters don't get discounts there (okay, unstandable) but officers get 50% off! Whats up with that? I think that they all are great including EMT's, they all give their lives to help you but how come officers seem to get more respect

Answer 1

I believe that the motives of people who become firefighters are more noble and honourable than those of people who become law enforcement officers.

A lot of people become cops because they are bullies, and like to order people around (and, unfortunately, also pound on them as well). There are good ones, of course. But there are a lot of bad ones, too.

But people become firefighters because they want to help people, and for that reason i have more respect for them than i do for the police.

Answer 2

Actually firefighters are more popular and seen as the "boy scouts" of america. They risk their lives fighting fires and if one is crooked or bad it never shows up. When's the last time you remember a fire fighter making headlines for not using his hose correctly or messing up putting out a fire.... never..... police officers on the other hand don't deal with fires... they deal with other people and it's easy to get caught in the crosshairs of news organizations and the public. They are in the limelight even if they don't want to be and when a cop goes bad then the public sees that and "all cops are bad." I have been a police officer for 6 years and when a cop in Los Angeles messes up we all get punished. As for your question, I think all emergency services employees are respectable, the money isn't worth the risk, the hours make families and friends suffer, and the stress is pretty high but we all do it because somewhere inside us we want to help and care. A friend of mine owned a restaraunt and would offer police discounts. If anyone he didn't know asked him why cops got discounts he'd say "because they put their life on the line and deal with the scum in the community making our town a safer place to be" but the real reason was that he liked having patrol cars in his parking lot at various times... what better way to deter people from spray painting his building or robbing his clerks.....

Answer 3

I know that both jobs are equally respectable. The only difference is that one is never sorry to see a firefighter. They are only at your house or business to do you a service that you need. If you have a fire, wiring sparking, etc. you are glad to see them. On the other hand, a police officer responds to problems. Often these problems are fights, robberies, speeding violations, etc. The person that breaks the law, and even some that do not, fear police officers. By giving a police officer a discount in a store, whether it is a free cup of coffee, a meal, etc. that business hopes that if he violates the law, the cop will remember how he was treated by this individual or business thus avoiding being cited. This is wrong and always has been. The problem is there have been incidents of dishonest cops, and they make the news, big news. It is reprehensible for anyone to break the law, and more so for someone that is suppose to be an example to those that are breaking it. Power, it is said, often corrupts. Police Officers have power and some may abuse it. This has given an honest cop a really difficult job. Firefighters have never had to deal with this kind of image. I know in NYC each Mayor that has come along has tried to solve this problem, but human nature, comes into play. Some people are drawn to powerful type jobs and are not there for the right reasons. Hopefully, this is only a small percentage of each State,s Police Dept. Abuse of power such as beating prisoners, as in the Rodney King case that brought National Attention is a message that one hates to hear about. The average police officer, I believe, is an honest, hardworking man, that only wants to do his job, go home, and relax. He may have to dodge bullets, listen to people,s swearing at him for writing a traffic citation, etc., but knows that this is part of his job. If businesses stopped giving cops discounts or "freebies" that may help the public,s view about them. After all both professions risk their lives every day, and need the respect of the public to do their job properly. God bless both Departments, and keep them safe. Also, keep those who become corrupt off the streets. My husband is a retired Police Officer and served honorably for 21 yrs. and it disgusts him to hear about corruption on "the job". Shame on those who discredit fine men who are only trying to serve a public need.

Answer 4

Any public servant is one to be respected.

It's a shame that all public servants don't get discounts at artery clogging fast food restaurants but the only reason I can some up with as to why fire fighters don't get it is becuase police officers are seen more often than not.

And the discount is not a matter of respect. It's just a matter of policy. The little nit wit behind the counter that made it a point to tell you that police officers get a discount probably can't count past super size, so I wouldn't take much offense to it.

Thanks to you and your husband for volunteering your time to the public.

Answer 5

I think if you are going to offer a discount to city or county employees it should be across the board - not limited to just one profession or the other - perhaps in this case they have had an occassion where the police came in and saved the day - if their kitchen ever catches fire then the fire fighters will probably start receiving a discount too!

Answer 6

I think police get the discounts because restaurant owners think having law enforcement officers there keeps crime and disturbances away from their establishments. Fire fighters don't have the same secondary benefit.

I think fire fighters are eminently respected. I don't think the discounts are about respect.

Answer 7

Both risk their lives everyday. But I have more respect for firefighters because you don't ever see a video recording of firefighters beating up some guy.

Answer 8

I'm a cop. Its sad they we are not treated equal. We both save lives.
I have a 3 year old. I've told him many times if ever he gets lost or needs help to find a policemen or firemen, they will help him.

Answer 9

firefighter because alot of people don't like police officer

Answer 10

Both