What are POLICE officers like outside of their work?

Question

Are they strict and law abiding? I can't imagine a person never commiting any crimes, at all, if not even minor ones.

Do they break teh law, take advantage of their power and what if your best friend is a cop and he knows u are growing weed or you take him driving and speed?

Answer 1

police officers are normal people at the end of the day, many of them are decent individuals, some aren't ... all are subject to the same follies and flaws as everyone else.

in the uk drug culture within the police force is fairly prevalent, the force where i live allegedly has quite a number of cocaine users ... and others aren't averse to the odd toke on a joint now and again. did someone say "random drug testing"? anyone?

as for speeding, that's one of those areas that whilst you can be charged and penalised for it, is difficult for people to perceive as a "crime" as such ... and most police officers will drive over the speed limit when they're off duty, it's just a fact of life.

if you were friends with a police officer they would be unlikely to report you for minor infringements of the law ... however if you were a practising criminal that would be different, as they'd have a moral and professional obligation to take you in hand. more likely, if they felt your behaviour was questionable they'd speak to you quietly first rather than take you in hand officially.

he/she would be unlikely to report you for speeding if you were out in your car unless you were being reckless, and again i think they'd first of all say "cool it" before taking it further.

i've got a couple of cop friends, and off duty they're normal folk, really friendly and nice people.

Answer 2

EVERY officer I know breaks the law more than I do.

For instance my wife and I went to a club with 2 couples who were officers all 4 got completely drunk and drove home. While I had to stay sober because I know if I get pulled over I'm getting the DWI, they don't have that concern.

A good friend wouldn't turn you in for growing weed, now if your a drug dealer that changes things, but remember a friend with weed is a friend indeed.

My best friend is a cop and he has NO worries about getting arrested because time has proven the system by him never being ticketed since becoming an officer even though he has been stopped multiple times for multiple infractions.

P.S. we did the speeding thing with my friend riding shotgun and my officer buddy in the back seat I was clocked driving 103 in a 70 and my buddy flashed the badge and I received no ticket.

Answer 3

Yes there are people that do not commit crimes, even minor ones. There are lots of people like that, me included.

By crimes I mean criminal code stuff, not highway traffic act violations like speeding and rolling a stop sign. It would be difficult to find anyone (including me) who hasn't rolled a stop sign or has driven a bit too fast every once and a while.

I would turn in anyone I knew who was growing weed, but the friends I have are not criminals so this is unlikely to happen.

Would I say anything if the person who was driving me somewhere was speeding? Probably not, unless I felt that I was in some kind of danger. Most people I know, even friends and family, drive carefully with me in the car, because they know I am a police officer. It's kind of like worrying about how your teeth look when speaking to a dentist who is "off duty".

Answer 4

Cops are just regular people. The have bad breath and gas just like everyone else. I'm sure that most speed a little, just like everyone else. I'm sure there are some that have friends who break the law and they let it slide.

I don't know many people, though, that are willing to rush into a domestic argument and try to sort it out. Most people wouldn't work crazy hours and never get weekends off and only get paid $10/hr. Cops are regular people who do extraordinary things for little or no thanks.

Answer 5

The original English definition of a police officer was "a person who is paid to do what is every citizens' duty to do". Police officers (men and women) have kids who go to school with your kids, have debts, apartments to clean, bills to pay, etc just like everyone else and that includes following laws like everyone else.

Sure, sure, like any other job in the world, there are good people and bad people in law enforcement. When I got to my first assignment, there actually was a guy who wore those mirrored sunglasses - I mean he wore them 24/7 - and was SO badge heavy, he stuck out his chest like his shirt weighed 50 pounds with the badge on it. I heard he acted in a similar manner off duty, too. He received complaints on a regular basis and, eventually, it ended his career.

In almost twenty years, I can think of four or five "problem children" (on and off-duty) who went from serving the people to serving time in the hundred plus officers I know and/or work with. Police officers go through the same trials and problems everyday people do: domestic issues, alcoholism, medical disabilities, kids, pets, etc. A lot of us speed or violate a traffic infraction from time to time but a sure way to lose everything you've worked hard for is to be on the wrong side of your authority (use drugs, domestic violence, DUI, etc.). I actually called in a coworker who was arrested for DUI once. Sure, a few folks thought I should have covered for him, but when you've seen an innocent child die from a drunk driver, you'll do everything you can to stop it from EVER happening again; including call in a cop.

Answer 6

Police Officers when outside work are just like ordinary persons. They have choices whether to follow laws or violate them. Nevertheles, most of them are law abiding because it will be a disgrace to their profession if they are caught committing crimes for which they are supposed to stop.

Answer 7

I know police officers who drive drunk, in their patrol vehicle. One guy got drunk and rolled the patrol vehicle an dlost 2 fingers. He is still working and was not reprimanded.

There are some good officers who leave their work at work and have outside interests and families.

There are many more officers who use their titles to get freebies (on duty and off) and abuse their power.

Answer 8

human beings..some good,some bad,most really dont do anything special...I take my kids to ball games and the beach,mow the yard,swim,cook out..hang around with other friends,some cops,some not....dont drink and drive,dont smoke pot,dont eat a lot of doughnuts...what do you think we do?

Answer 9

I don't know any personally, but I know a 'working girl' who sees one on a regular basis.

Answer 10

I knew one policeman that was a pedophile. Does that tell you anything?