Why Do Cops have such $hi*@y attitudes?

Question

Why do cops always act like they are the next thing to God? I swear 99% of cops I know are total jerks. Why is that?

O.K., to set the record straight...I'm not saying ALL, just most.

No, I'm not a criminal and I do follow the law and rules.

I'm not saying they have attitude just while on duty, the ones w/ an attitude seem to have it all the time.

I understand they put their lives on the line and so on, but also, understand they are not forced to do so & it was their choice to take on that career.

I used to date a cop and he was soooo rude, he bragged about treating people like crap along w/ his fellow cop friends. I've heard many dirty cop stories.

I don't hate cops, but I've lost alot of respect for many of them.

Why get so offended?? I just want to know what's up w/ their attitudes.

Answer 1

I don't believe all of them have shitty attitudes, and your right 1/2
are f**kers. They think because they have a badge on they can
talk to you any way they want. I got pulled over by a rookie for not have a license plate on my car. But wait hold on, I did in fact
have a DMV # on the back of my window, which was visible to
every ones eyes. Any how I'm 47 (Mexican/American) and he
was the first one too speak with an attitude, So I got off my car
to show him the DMV sticker. I swear this rookie cop was young
and a *** hole. The other cop was cool and respectful. I repeated to him the same thing I told the rookie and he was okay
with it. My Daughter was standing next to my car door and
told her to move. Mined you through the whole time he had an
attitude. I kept my cool until he drove off. He act like he was going to arrest me, but for what. So since he decided he
couldn't get me for a stolen car, he said he was going to give
me a ticket for going 28 mile on a 25 mile street. He was just
being an *** hole. I HATE PEOPLE like him. They just think they
are better then every one. I'm only speaking about the *** holes.

Answer 2

I know a lot of Police Officers quite well. In fact, a few are my family members.
There are bad apples in EVERY line of work and they should be removed. But,
for the most part, I must say Police Officers are some of the most kind, most loving and giving people I've ever met.
I know I could not maintain ANYWHERE NEAR the control that they do while they deal with the attitudes they come in contact with on a daily basis. Not too many people are nice to cops while they are being arrested for drunk driving, or robbing the local corner store. Or how about that call for a domestic dispute, where a man is beating the crap out of his wife and kids because he got drunk and used them as punching bags that results in the "cop" being shot dead... I put flowers on THAT cop's grave.. He took the bullets that could have been in the man's wife and children. So, YOU know cops???? Well, lady... I don't think you know the ones that I know.

Answer 3

I was an officer. I've worked with some fine ones and I've worked with some real jerks. Unfortunately, recent training and practice doesn't give officers the basics of courtesy. Oddly enough, I have always found police in the south to be more courteous. You can get your point across without being rude. "Good morning sir. May I see your license and registration, please?" instead of "License and registration."

Unfortunately, we seem to have gone from the attitude "to serve and protect" to "my as_s is getting home safe tonight no matter what." This translates into intimidation tactics in many instances and can make matters in the field worse instead of better. It also leads to police abuse because it assumes that everyone that they deal with is a "low life."

I have noticed recently that police in general get less respect. However, they must realize that they are eroding that respect away little by little everyday by the discourtesies they dispense to the public. You can't expect to get respect unless you give it, earn it. If the police want public respect, and public support, particularly when there is a crisis, then they need to remember to dispense courtesy every day on the job. That doesn't mean letting your guard down, it means using courtesy to help lubricate interaction and make things easier and safer.

Again let me say that I have had the privilege of working with some fine officers, but I have to admit that some I've worked with have made me see that the only difference between them and the pugnacious jerk they were arresting was the side of the badge they happened to be standing on.

Answer 4

What kind of response did you really think to posting a question like this? As far as attitude goes, Little Bo Peep isn't going to cut it as a police officer but I don't disagree with your observation completely. There are those that get the ego thing going on there is no doubt. I once got pulled over by a state trooper, it was 11:30pm and he had his sun glasses on. Being a police officer (and female) I knew this wasn't gonna be pleasant. But I digress, if 99% of the police you have encountered were truly pigs I would urge you to contact your Congressman 'cause your town has serious issues. If you're exaggerating then I suggest you take up fishing, you can tell the fish tales about the big one that got away and everyone will just have a good laugh.

Answer 5

I don't know why others are responding as if you are the problem. They probably haven't even had a conversation with an officer before.

... I have... and there have been really nice people, and average ones... AND ones like you have just described.

The thing is some of them are so used to be right (and supporting what is right) they think they can never be wrong. I once had a cop get pissed off at me because his pain meds weren't ready (even though his doc hadn't called them in yet). Then he got insulted and yelled after I offered a consultation with a pharmacist... stating that he's a cop and knows more about drugs than I do (I've gone to school for it and since when they give police courses on the pharmokinetics and interactions of drugs.. i don't know). I respect his job, why couldn't he do the same for me?

ps- that was just one example of a d!ck cop... i'm not basing my views on one experience like you haters might assume.

to frogger: how about those who live in the ghetto and have to wait for hours before the cops arrive just to blame it all on local gang disputes?

Answer 6

I knew when I read your question that it was going to draw extreme responses from both ends. Mine is more measured. I know the type of officer you speak of. They do exist. You met him and his friends. There are others. Your exposure to the worst is unfortunate and it's tainted your viewpoint. But your observation (I believe) was at least correct in that limited sense. Others will see it differently because they had the pleasure of knowing officers who were the opposite. Or they have friends or family that are police.

I don't try to make excuses. The police environment attracts a variety of personality types and whereas some are exactly what we like to see in that kind of work, others are exactly what we'd like to see 'leave' that kind of work. Keep an open mind if possible and realize that life exposed you to the bottom of the barrel in this case.

Answer 7

Cops come across as jerks b/c they have to deal w/ complete idiots all the time. My dad is a Deputy Sheriff and when My husband and I go up to visit him he can always give us a new story or five of some idiots he had to deal with that day. It just gets old and some just take it out on everyone!

Answer 8

That is not the impression I get. Most of the police officers I know are very jaunty and self assured, but then they have to be to do a very difficult job. Many police officers have been attacked for wearing a uniform. I don't have problems with the police officers, but then I treat them with the respect that they are due.

Answer 9

That's the million dollar question, Most experts theorize that it is caused by hyperpowerosis, defined as ( an acceleration in the amount of control an individual has over his enviornment resulting in displays of hostility, rudeness, verbal and sometimes physical abuse).

I think Roddney kingz put it best. "Stop... No..."Punch", Zap-ZZZZZZZZZ(electric shock), Ouh.... Zap. ZZZZZah (sound of boot stricking chest), ah". Just kiddin.

Why are the bigger kids almost always the school bullies? Its because they can. Their bigger.

Now bear in mind it can also work just the opposite. Its called the Napoleon complex. where a smaller individual makes up for his height by being down right mean. So look out for those really short cops. PS Also, when dealing with our beloved protector of the people, the less you speak, the better off you'll be. Trust me on this one and Good luck in the future.

Answer 10

I've dealt with a few cops. Male cops seem nicer than female cops. State police are meaner than city police, and small town police will arrest you for any minor violation, while NYPD are likely to let you get away with such things as speeding