Severe mistrust of the police?

Question

Is it normal to have a severe mistrust of the police (e.g. mistrusting them, or that they might make up crimes, etc.)?

Paul

Answer 1

I don't know about the crime part. I think you've been watching a little too much 'Shield'. I agree with you alot about mistrusting them, I don't like cops much. Never did........

Answer 2

It's normal if you have something to hide. If you are just going along and obeying the law, then why worry? How often do you really ever hear cops just stopping some random person and taking them to jail for nothing at all. You don't, if you know the truth. I never, ever ever pull over a car unless I have a reason. It's not worth losing my job over. Besides there are plenty of people who are giving you reasons to stop them. In all honesty pulling over cars is only a small percentage of what a cop actually does. Most of an officer's shift is spent going from one call to another stoping domestic fights, taking theft reports and basically being a social worker with a gun. I often times feel odd telling a man or women old enough to be my parent how to act like an adult, be a parent, calm down, be quite etc. Where I work we have a division soley designated to simply enforce traffic because we are too busy handling calls. I average 12-15 tickets a month, that's less than one a day. Here is another hint: Officers can give you a warning and do so often. Even though I only issue 12-15 tickets per month I probably stop closer to 40-60 a month average 2-3 per shift. As you can see about one third get tickets. If someone is polite, has no warrants, has insurance I let them go with a warning. If they give an attitude despite my politness, have a warrant, have childen in the car with no child seats etc. I give a citation. I honestly do not like writing traffic citations, I like handling calls and I am not alone on this. People who distrust cops are usually up to something or have a guilty conscience..

Answer 3

I think age, gender, race and location have an impact on how we each feel about the police. I remember always being terrified whenever I saw a police car when I was driving for maybe the 1st 10 years after I got my drivers license. I than learned they were people like myself and if I was doing nothing wrong I should not worry. Also they have enough problems w/ real criminals so maybe if I abide the law they would have not interest in me. This also goes with hanging around w/ people of good character. You get what you reap.

So stay away from trouble and trouble will stay away from you. Good luck.

Answer 4

Law Enforcement is like a mini-community. Just like in all communities you have bad people. How do you really know someone when they get hired? How do you know what they will do when they are tempted on a day to day basis or stressed out? You never really know until they are faced with it.

The percentages are far less than people in the normal community. If in our communities 10% are bad not too much is said about that. But if ½% (if that) are bad in law enforcement that is pasted all over tabloid, fish wrap, and TV that you come in contact with.

Law Enforcement is a great job, how often can you say you make an impact in peoples lives everyday. Most of the officers I know serve their comminutes with honesty, integrity, and compassion. Please understand that they are not robots who don’t have fears, pain, hurts, problems, financial debts, martial problems, children crises, etc. I think you get the point. When you add that all into it and you place them in a spontaneous critical incident, a like man with a gun, and they have to make SPLIT second decisions. Sometimes they don’t make the right choices during or after.

Understand I am not justifying bad behavior, if they are bad apples, good ridden to bad rubbish. As naive as it may sound, we always need good officers in our communities to make a difference in people’s lives. My guess is they could use good help, may be yours. Or just ask for a ride along it just may change your perception of those selflessly serve you 24 hours a day.

Answer 5

Remember, that all cops are human! The good, the bad and the ugly! NO ONE is perfect, we all do some dumb stuff. There are some people who should not be cops, but taking an attitude with EVERY cop is not going to help your situation at all! Most cops will be much more open with you if you are honest, and straightforward with them from the get go. Don't try to show respect by saying "Man, I ain't got nothin' against cops" or some dumb stuff like that--- it'll just get their radar up. In other words, be cool, man!

Answer 6

Local authorities are normally everyday people trying to keep neighborhoods safe for themselves and the citizens. They are usually very decent people if you are up front with them.

Federal and sometimes state authorities are sometimes if not always different. They are never to be trusted. You are considered a profit center and a path to promotion.

Always think, and remember the few rights you have left.

Answer 7

I don't think so but I'm in a situation wherein my dad was on the job for 26 years and my brother and many of the friends he's had since childhood are on the force now. Not all of them lack integrity; it's just not possible to know who you're facing until you're confronted with him or her.

Answer 8

I think most have their hands full dealing with real ones. No need to make up crimes.
I've had more issues with the wannabes than police.

Answer 9

Dude why would they make stuff up. When the public brings the police down on themselves.

Answer 10

No.only if you have something to hide,like all walks in life there are bad police like there are bad pilots.