Why do people call police the pigs?and why do most people dislike them?

Question

I live in the U.K so i dont think they are called pigs in America.

Answer 1

that is just a television and movie thing.
immature people do copy them but they are a minority.

Answer 2

Usually because they are ignorant and pigs is only one of many insulting terms.They cant see past the uniform to the person underneath! Or the fact that it is just a job they HAVE to do! This attitude is fueled by what they see on TV (very rarely does that sort of person watch True Life Police Shows) They see Bad Cops more than Good and prefer to see the BAD!
I admire our Police!! They do the best they can most of the time! We are glad to see them when we NEED them!
My answer is always 'If you think you can do better go do it!'
Could you! I couldn't! People should think about ALL sides of a Job before blasting the people doing it.
It is the same in every country though not just here! I dont know what the slang terms are but they are equally insulting!

Answer 3

If you thought the term pig arose in the 1960s, you're in for a surprise. The OED cites an 1811 reference to a "pig" as a Bow Street Runner--the early police force, named after the location of their headquarters, before Sir Robert Peel and the Metropolitan Police Force (see above.) Before that, the term "pig" had been used as early as the mid-1500s to refer to a person who is heartily disliked.

The usage was probably confined to the criminal classes until the 1960s, when it was taken up by protestors. False explanations for the term involve the gas masks worn by the riot police in that era, or the pigs in charge of George Orwell's Animal Farm.

While police officers usually don't mind being called "cops," they aren't usually fond of the term "pig." A policeman's lot is not an 'appy one.

Answer 4

Not everyone shows such dis-respect to our Police Officers in America. Our Police Forces have it very difficult here. People from all over are coming on to our American Soil and doing all types of illegal things. Drugs coming across the Southern Borders, Illegal Emmigrants. Robberies, where the Police arrest them and then have to be assulted on top of it. Anyone who calls a Police Officer a pig, is just having NO RESPECT. Speeding cars, and illegal drivers. The only people in America who dislikes our Police and call them pigs are the criminals. The United States Police in every state have their hands full with all the crooks in this country. The Police are not dealing with the nice guys or women anymore, they are dealing with Hard core criminals. There are more good people who have total RESPECT, then the bad.

Answer 5

People started calling them that because they didn't like the fact that the Police enforce the law.
Whether you agree with the law or not, it must be enforced or there will be no society.
Instead of trying to change the laws, the criminals called the Police who were enforcing unpopular laws all kinds of names, including pigs.
Some officers decided to have belt buckles and the like made that said PIG (Pride Intelligence Guts).

If you don't like the Police, next time you need help, call a crook.
How long do you think it will take for them to show up (and loot your house)?

Answer 6

Years ago, during the height of the 60's race and war riots, the police used tear gas to disburse the crowds. For thier protection from the gas they wore gas mask that resembled the face of a pig. Thus the name pig denoted the police at that time.

Answer 7

That's a good question, I have heard police called pigs for years. I have always wondered why. And yes they have been called pigs for longer than I can remember in America.

Answer 8

I don't know. It is a question I have asked myself. I don't understand the pig insult and I think police do the most thankless job in the world. There are good and bad police just as there are good and bad people. As in every profession there is corruption and greed, but that does not mean all police are corrupt and abusive. Thank-you to all the good ones.

Answer 9

I believe it is necessary that police officers act agressively and narrowmindedly. Most people seem to forget that they deal with people who carry weapons, who are violent, who have nothing to lose... I think it is important that they are respected and even feared a little, so situations don't get out of hand.

There ARE police officers who use unnecessary violence at times, but I think the MEDIA has contributed to exaggerate the frequency with which this happens.

So, many people have a very poor opinion about them...

I personally, don't have anything against them, and I'm glad to have them around looking out for everyone else and that there are still people who are insterested in joining police forces, considering...

Answer 10

Its a matter of perspective and personal experience.
In Australia people see the police as government lap dogs. They catch people for jaywalking when they should be tackling more hardcore crime.
And they always seem to exude that sense of authority in the form of arrogance, as though saying "i am better than you".
Dont you get ticked off when you encounter such people.
Not to mention their lack of understanding and flexibility. They do everything by the book. Its as though they lack compassion.
And in some towns, its these arrogant group of people that are afraid of gangs and other groups of people.
In australia they have shown themselves as sucking up to the gov by not exercising equality. They would search muslims in public and humiliate them.
They ARE pigs! I dont respect them (at least those ive encountered)

Answer 11

I was shocked when I heard my sister refer to police as pigs. I had thought she was above that. Certain social circles (mainly working class) call police pigs, maybe because they've had some bad experiences (you get GOOD policemen, and you get BAD policemen). It is a poor reflection on society that the police don't seem to have the same respect the they used to have, maybe we need more community policing - especially for young people.