Having having had to dealt with the beloved cops of B.C. Canada in the place that I work. How do you deal with rhem without feeling like the most stupid person on earth?
2007-03-08 23:46:51 · 19 answers · asked by ophelia2004_6 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
First, seek to understand. If you are not in law enforcement, you should look into this area to see what we must deal with on a daily basis. Arrogance comes from having to deal with 5% of the population 95% of the time and hearing the same old excuses over and over compiled with having to listen about how these people know their rights and the dozen threats of having my badge daily. My best citizen contact comes from those that can articulate the fact that they are nervous about the contact, their papers are in order, they are respectful, and they understand if they get a ticket, it's nothing personal, it's a job.
2007-03-08 23:59:03 · answer #1 · answered by spag 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Arrogance is the negative side of ego. Ego is the main ingredient required to have confidence. Confidence is required to do extremely difficult jobs, in this case, to walk alone into potentially explosive and life-taking situations multiple times a day. It's a mindset you must maintain for when the traffic stop or domestic dispute turns ugly.
Arrogance is hard to keep in check. I know first hand. But, here's the situation.
People have a problem and they pray to Jesus and don't get any help so they call you.
You have to walk in there, listen to both sides and make a judgment call on the spot, that requires that you know more about statutory law and current case law than the attorney who may later have weeks or months to pick apart your arrest.
You have to make a fair decision your conscience can live with, which affects the financial future, liberty and sometimes the life of people.
And the whole time, you are a facade of calm but truly in combat mode and 1.5 seconds from putting two shots center of mass in someone to save yourself.
It's not a fun job. It's tough but rewarding if you can solve someone's problem without taking anyone to jail, shooting or being shot. Again, first hand experience.
If you doubt my explanation on arrogance, ego, confidence and doing a difficult job, go talk to a neuro-surgeon.
2007-03-09 08:18:07 · answer #2 · answered by seattleogre 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Arrogance in simply a perception. I've been a police officer for 30years and it is used as a defence mechanism. When I deal with someone who I don't know.. I need to do a threat assessment and this needs to be done regardless of age of the person, sex of the person or circumstances. What is seen as arrogance is taking control of the situation until I feel that it is safe to drop my guard. As in any profession there are those who perhaps abuse the position.. but this is rare and not unique to policing.
2007-03-09 10:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I used to waitress where a lot of cops ate (no it WAS NOT Dunkin Donuts!!), and they would come in talking about this drunk that they've dealt with ten times in a week, or the woman who keeps calling them on a domestic violence charge against her husband, but stays with him. ALL police are not arrogant. I know several that have an easy way about them, a sense of humor, and lots of charm. Come to the South, and see what our guys are about before you make the comment that policemen are so arrogant.
Besides, they don't make enough for the **** they have to put up with. If I were a cop, I'd be a raving *****, too.
2007-03-09 09:18:58 · answer #4 · answered by tinkerbell24 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This is a common misperception, probably because you don't have any contact with police other than under negative (to you) circumstances.
The fact is, anyone who finds confidence, competence, and authorative bearing intimidating will likely find cops 'arrogant'. Understand that we get some to the stupidest things asked of us on a regular basis merely because people see us wearing the uniform. Like any other mere mortals, we get tired of dealing with stupid people and their problems... and NO that's not our job!
2007-03-09 08:10:35 · answer #5 · answered by Tough Love 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
To answer your question. I would suggest that you go on a ride along with your local PD. When you are constantly dealing with the dregs of society on a daily basis it wears on your nerves.
I've been at it for 5 years its a great job, but somethings get old fast. It's also frustrating to see people make dumb choices and have to be a bad guy sometimes.
2007-03-09 11:16:55 · answer #6 · answered by evil_paul 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SPAG hits the nail on the head! Also, as an officer for over 30 years, I've heard many times where officers appear to be "arrogant."
I think a more appropriate term would be "over cautious." As stated by SPAG...police most often deal with the 5% "bad guys" 95% of the time. As such we are more geared to deal with bad circumstances than good!
On occasion one of the "good guys" makes a small error yet is stopped by police. Police are in their "caution mode" no matter who they deal with because the police have no idea who is holding the ability to bring them harm!
In this forum, listen to those from law enforcement, and listen to how they convey their thoughts to see if those words seem to bear any "arrogance." Most likely not because there is no "immediate threat" here.
In contrast...look at some of those comments about "bad marriages, cheating wives"....etc! When I hear these types of comments my first impression is that they had an unfortunate experience with the police or were in jail themselves. It is typical to hear some blame the police, or anybody BUT themselves, when they break the law!
The BEST way to deal with those who appear "arrogant" or "over cautious" is to be polite as they are to you and communicate your intentions! "Is it ok to get my wallet out of my pants pocket?" "Is it ok to reach into my glovebox for my papers?" This type of communication tells the officer you know he's concerned about everybodys safety and you are cooperating!
As an officer for over 30 years, I've always attempted to treat everyone I've stopped in a manner I would expect them to treat me. No matter how hard we try, there is ALWAYS somebody who wants to be verbal or physical against the police. Please don't take our demeanors to heart....we just want to go home....too!
Best wishes!
2007-03-09 09:43:23 · answer #7 · answered by KC V ™ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Arrogance is one of the protective measures for policemen and they have too. It has to be coupled with patience and understanding so that their arrogance as "men in uniform" might be changed as people noticed them. Arrogance has a psychological meaning for policemen. We give trust to policemen and patience too.
2007-03-09 08:37:05 · answer #8 · answered by lui 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've delt with cops in North Carolina (as a victim) and the ones I was working with were decent enough... they started talking to other cops and the younger ones were VERY cocky. One of the two I was working with, I overheard, was in the Gulf War. One of the older ones he was talking to had a daughter in college at UNC (I was there earlier, so I understood some of the complaints... haha), but one of the younger guys was talking about how it didn't matter if someone was stealing to feed a starving family, that he was going to bust them. I think that the younger one was just trying to impress the other guys by that attitude, really. A lot of people who are trying to join the force have notions of what an officer should behave like and they try to act accordingly. Being there for a while (much like soldiers in war) will most likely straighten them out because when someone's shooting at you, it changes you and oftentimes makes you evaluate what's really important in life.
2007-03-09 07:59:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think it goes with the job,they are that used to dealing with low lives that they assume everyone to be the same.It's like with teachers,they talk to everyone like they were an errant 5 yr old. Have you noticed as well,all police look like police? If you were in a crowded bar and someone said "point out the police party" I bet you could!
2007-03-09 07:59:31 · answer #10 · answered by New Boots. 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋