Do cops generally have a certain level of disdain and contempt for civilians and the general public?

Question

I ask this, because several years ago I saw a cop's (LAPD) personal website, and he basically talked about the life of a cop, he posted pictures of his friends, family, cop buddies, etc... had a blog, etc. Usually he talked about the general public with disdain. And then he posted this story called "Why Cops Hate You." I thought it was written by him, but apparently it had been circulated around the internet for a few years.

Here is the story:

http://www.totse.com/en/law/justice_for_all/copshate.html

So if anyone, police officers especially, could give their own insight/opinions on the matter, that'd be greatly appreciated and will probably be interesting to read. Do you generally dislike the general public, and why?

let me just add that i'm not a cop, but i joined the military right after high school, and just got out recently after a 4 year stint, and am now a civilian (college student). i've stood guard and done patrols just like a cop. i'm trained in the usage of a 9mm, M14 rifle, 12-gauge shotgun, and 50 caliber machine gun. still, i'm just a civilian like anyone else and i feel like i'm viewed with contempt by jaded cops like anyone else.

Answer 1

Sometimes when I read some of the answers on this site, especially some of the negative ones above mine, I really feel like shouting "fine, then we will all quit our jobs at once and then see where you'll be!"
But then I remember how easy it is to anonymously post negative things like this on the net and that the huge vast majority of people are supportive of the police. I meet many,many everyday. I have lost track of the number of times that people have approached me in public and have told me that they appreciate what I do everyday.

It is true that sometimes I do feel that some members of the public are clueless. Once I was dealing with a total jerk driver on the side of the road I thought I was going to arrest and a woman came out of her house (happened to be parked in front of her house) with her five year old so he could meet the police officer. I've also had to stop people trying to go up over the sidewalk with their cars because I was blocking the road with my cruiser (on purpose because of live sparking wires on the roadway).

I don't feel contempt for them though, I understand that most people are very law abiding and decent and they just don't know about the dark side of life. Many are very naive and are genuinely surprised if someone steals the wallet they left in the glove box of the car. They wouldn't steal someone's stuff so why should people steal theirs?

Lots of what the story you linked to said is true about some members of the public not understanding what we do everyday, but it is not fair to say that cops "generally" have disdain and contempt for civilians.

Answer 2

I haven't read the story, but I think I still get the jist. I am the wife of a cop. I don't think all cops think of the general public with disdain, but they do become very jaded over time. Remember that they have to get up everyday, go to work, and generally deal with the very worst of society. When you are surrounded all the time with the worst that "man" can do to each other and themselves, you tend to look at everyone with the same eye. It changes you.

Answer 3

It's easy to get the "Us against them attitude". As most people make all Police Officers look alike, they do the same to the general public. If you want that to stop, stop doing it to them. Treat each Officer you encounter as an individual and not just another badge and they may do the same to you. I have found that every once in awhile you deal with a person who is just great, takes responsibilty for their actions and gives the respect an officer should have and they are like a breath of fresh air, they re-charge an Officers batteries "so to speak" and the "Us against them" attitude dims just a little. Everyone should be like those people. Of course for every one thats like that, there are 25 others who just love to piss us off, but thats not the point. It all starts with one. Be that one.

Answer 4

I am not a police officer but I have been dating and living with one for two years. We live in Chicago, so he is a pretty busy man. I don't think that cops hate people at all, what it seems like to me is they see the same sad and depressing stuff day in and day out, so eventually they will become thick skined. To us when we get pulled over or call the police it's not an every day occurrence for us, but to them it's their job. Nothing phases them, so it may seem like they are coming off rude but they just want to get off work and go home, just like we do. If you had to see quite possibly the most heart breaking things all day, you would become that way too, I guess it's part of the job description!

Answer 5

I think for the most part there are enough sensible souls out ther to sift out the garbage and determine what is worth digesting. We've seen it happen with Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie, Madonna etc etc. You have to take them as what they are.....misled and in search of the lost chord....

Answer 6

sorry im not a cop, but i do know that cops travel within their own circles. and they see the worst the world has to offer. so, they have a pretty low opinion of the general public.

its the same for those in the armed services. not only are the pretty much limited to those in the same field, they are responsible for the safety-so theyre very separated from "us". to cops and soldiers we are merely civilians and they are trained professionals here to babysit us.

im not dissing them-i respect anyone who puts their lives on the line for others...but thats how the world works. its them against us.

Answer 7

I think it takes a certain kind of person to do a cops job. Power corrupts. Watch the movie "Crash", not the one from the 90's...the new movie named "Crash". I kind of just sums up everything you wrote about in a movie.

Answer 8

I'm not a cop - but I am sure - just like in the 'regular' world there are a few that believe that almost everyone is a crook in some way.

Most are hardworking, caring people.

Answer 9

Muffy and Chip and Biffy....LOL. That was funny.

Personally I don't like 90% of cops. 90% of them get off on the power trip and think they are better than everybody else. Just a tip: You don't have to be arrogant and condescending to do your job!

I have seen few cops in my life that could exercise authority without being an ***hole.

I think someone should write an essay entitled "Why the general public hates cops".

Answer 10

Some cops care. I think most just want power. I am sorry to the good cops who are out there, but I hate cops. The bad ones have ruined everything. I have no respect for them nor do I trust them. I will not hold a door for them. I will not smile, I will not talk and I will not even look their direction. I hate them.