What are your experiences of your local police force and officers ???

Question

I have just joined the Metropolitan Police force here in London and I am interested in your views the good, the bad and the downright ugly ??

I simply want to make a difference to my community and that starts by listening to peoples points of view

Answer 1

cops get off on power. they are a-holes.

Answer 2

Well, I have had a few good experiences--such as one time I went off the road in the snow and a police officer helped to push me out--he didn't even give me a ticket for driving too fast for conditions or anything--maybe because he saw how slowly I was going! Also, when my sister-in-law died in a house fire, she had to be taken 100 miles away for an autopsy. The police officer said that he was going with her the whole way, that he would stay and come back with her. I know it probably sounds silly because she was deceased, but it meant a lot that she wouldn't be "alone." There are other stories too--police officers being very caring when dealing with my mentally ill brother who had a psychotic episode, etc. I guess all in all, what I like is when the police are there to HELP, to show compassion, etc.

The things that bother me the most is when a police officer is overzealous (for instance, one pepper sprayed some children at a parade for shooting people with water guns) and the fact that where I live, it seems like you can get away with murder--literally. They lose evidence, mishandle witnesses, chalk everything up to suicides...

Answer 3

Good luck. I think your completely barking but good luck.
The Police up here seem over stretched and under resourced but that must be the same everywhere.
The funniest thing is the "Bobby Van" they tootle around in. It's supposed to get the kids used to seeing the police and become more approachable/accessible.
Unfortunately the kids like to use it as target practice and lob stones at it from behind the hedges.
Even better was the mountain bikes they took to riding. That was a really good idea, But the should have put the lock on before leaving them outside the local paper shop.
Like I said good luck and stay safe. Most of us are on your side really.

Answer 4

When I had a car accident (I was tail-gated at 50mph) in Ayrshire the police man could not have been more helpful. He took the time to make sure I was ok and waited with me until my parents arrived.

Conversely, a year later in Dumfries and Galloway I was run off the road by a driver who was driving round a bend on the wrong side of the road. Even though the other driver stopped, the police woman tried to say it was my fault because I should have been paying more attention, I pointed out that I can't see round bends, but she still insisted it was my fault. She even did a breath test and told me that she knew I would fail before I took it. I am tee-totalled. Please do not treat innocent victims like this.

Answer 5

I think NWA said it best when they sang: "F*ck the Police."

Too many cops are power hungry small manhood equipped mindless jack-booted thugs.

There are good cops though and I know many of the good ones, usually they have been on the force for a while. New recruits are the worst cause they think they have to go out and kick @$$ to get respect from the community.

Most of the local cops around here are good, but that's because I'm from a small town, a lot of big town forces are plagued with miscreants. The state highway patrol are the cops you need to avoid, they're soulless crops raised on a farm in southern Ohio.

Answer 6

I have never met a cop I could say I truly liked, either as an officer or as a human being. I've never been arrested, and my only brushes with the law were as a young person and only because of the company I kept. That being said, I'm not in London and nothing in your posts has ever given me cause for dislike. In fact, I think you're one of the cooler people on here :o)

Answer 7

well, my brother-in-law was in the met for several years . he joined at 18 3/4 back in the 80's. when he joined he had the same view that you do. i think they all do. the main thing he found was how much it has changed over the years. it's not a job to be taken lightly. i wish u success and i hope u can make a difference. who knows, i may join you one day as it's a career choice i've thought about more then once. good luck and stay safe. p.s. nothing better then a helpful, friendly p.c.

Answer 8

I've discovered that they are scared of Romany Gypsies. I'm unfortunate enough to have them as neighbours and neither the local council or the police do anything when any of the residents in the street complain. They light fires, play V. loud music 24/7 and nothing is done. If it was me doing these things, i'd have an ASBO by now

Answer 9

Honestly, I think that it's very regional. I used to live in a small town in Texas and the police were great. They were kind and helpful. I was always glad to see them.

Now, I've moved to the San Francisco bay area. The cops are terrible. They don't help at all. They get off on power and control. They love to hassle people. Now if I see a cop, I cringe.

Answer 10

All the cops that I have encountered here in san diego are a-holes. I was pulled over when I didnt break any laws and verbally harrassed by a cop. My dad got fined for a headlight that was out when he was on his way to the store to get a new one in an area that is known for hookers and drugs. there are far worse things the cop should have been hunting down. they are just out to give tickets and make money and scare innocent people.

Answer 11

Carlisle Police are fine. On the whole the officers on the ground are like yourself, honest, hard-working and people who want to make a difference. Unfortunately the higher up you go, the more like politicians they become until eventually they aren't interested in law and order, just their own careers.