Opinions of the British Police?

Question

Of all the people who have a bad view of the police, is this because of your own experiences, third hand information from friends or just ignorance?

Would appreciate an answer to the question if possible as opposed to plain, ignorant "I hate them". Thanks.

Answer 1

I have a positive view of the British Police, it is a tough job, and I have nothing but respect for them.
I am young enough to remember what it was like as a teenager, and I can recall what my peers thought of the police. We seemed to live in our own world, and Police were just there to ruin our fun - we forgot that they have important jobs to do! We just sort of selfishly thought that our actions didn't affect any - building a big fire in the park for example. We thought that the 'pigs' were stupid timewasters picking on us youngsters purely becuase of our age. We were to wrapped up in our own lives to think about the effects our actions had on other people. I'm sure that any worldly, intellegent person would respect the police. In my experience, it is just self-obsessed narrow mindedness that leads to the bad view of the police.

Answer 2

The police in my area are a complete waste of time, 2 months ago I rang 999 to report someone stripping lead from a roof,the police operator said that someone was on their way.This call was made at 7-30 p.m.,the police rolled up at 4-10 p.m. the following day,great efficiency ,eh?On two occasions break ins have been reported at my workplace,all they do is give you a crime number for insurance purposes.I can remember a time,not tolong ago when most people trusted and respected the police,not any more,I think that this is mainly due to the ignorance and arrogance of this generation of police officers

Answer 3

I appreciate that they have a very difficult and dangerous job to do sometimes, however, I feel they are more worried about trapping speeding motorists than anything else. I had a very bad time a few years ago when I had 5 or more cars full of people with bats chasing me in my car, I reported this to the police on many occasions was even beaten up a couple of times and nothing happened - however when they all came round to my house (the bullies not coppers!) and my father had to hit one of them to get them away from me my dad was charged with assault and nothing happened to these people who I lived in fear of for over 4 months? I hardly call this "justice" which is what i thought the police was there for???
Frankly I think they are lazy and more often that not too scared to help victims ;-)

Answer 4

I have mixed views based on my experiences, some good and some not so good

Currently, the police are less corrupt that they were 25 years ago (see Operation Countryman operated by the Met) and are more accountable though PACE

However, they still seem to behave like a closed shop (as the response to the recent illegal killing of the Brazilian electrician demonstrates). And the clear up rate from recorded crime is abysmal

Answer 5

I've been a cop for 7 years in London now. Its a very hard job with no thanks.
To say the cops don't care has an element of truth about it. The one time you call Police you may be afraid for your life, but to me, I see it every day, so its just another day in the office. It becomes routine.
I've lost a lot of my emotions too. Death and hurt is everyday life for me so don't be surprised if I don't seem bothered. I'll still do the job to the very best of my ability but don't expect personal service.
I hate cops and I love them. I hate a lot of people I work with, but on the same hand I have loads of great friends who have put their safety on the line for me.
Generally, cops are good. When we joined it was to "help people and make a difference". We still want that but it's become more routine which is natural.

Answer 6

oh i have seen 1st hand how some cops are and believe me they are the worse but on the other hand i have seen decent upstanding cops
there are always a few that spoil the force and i hate people that say our police force are one of the best
because Ive seen some right nasty cops be OK if the bad cops got thrown out of the force but that will never happen not unless they are front line news and that don't happen very often does it
respect
shaz

Answer 7

I think the british police are better than no police at all.
But they still have a long way to go.

There are good coppers and bad ones.
Good policies and bad ones.

Its not good enough, the service should be perfect... the same way the NHS should be perfect, the education system should be perfect.
But we live in the real world.

Does that make sense?

Answer 8

As in any profession there are good and bad but I don't think anyone can visualise how bad life would become if the police were not around,the real point to be made is that if you live within the boundaries of the law you have nothing to fear

Answer 9

From my own experience, they're pigs. And why yellow uniforms and vehicles? That gives them away and therefore makes crime harder to catch when people are watching and able to see when they can or cannot steal from a shop, or when they can or cannot hurt some innocent on the street. In America, however, it is harder to identify police vehicles, and people get caught more often.

Answer 10

The police are a breed apart, they must clone these "things" in a lab or something. I refuse to believe that these officious, surly, aggressive "individuals" are the product of a loving union between a man and a woman!