Aren't the police slow and cumbersome?

Question

Do police really care about helping people? Isn't it just an excuse for people with authoritarian personalities to exercise their need to have authority over others?

Answer 1

First of all, I don't have an authoritarian personality or an ego for that matter. Each and every call I've ever responded to was given my utmost attention and the caller was provided with every appropriate resource I had available to assist them with their issue. In 19 years, I've not mistreated one person verbally let alone physically. And I'm not sure exactly what you mean by slow and cumbersome. If you wonder whether or not someone like me could catch you when you run; the answer is yes. I'm 42 and would run you down in minutes. While I'm chasing you, I'll constantly remind you I'm right behind you and only getting closer.

I don't know where you're from but come to Chicago and see for yourself how most police departments and their officers should work. Your perceptions of police officers and the departments who employ them is way off.

Answer 2

I believe the majority do want to help and do something about crime on the streets. The nature of the job encourages confident people but I feel this constant 'authority complex' that is bandied around is unjustified.
The job done by Police is massively complex and so multi faceted now that the old idea of the no brain officer is just not the case. They need an array of information with life altering choices having to be made every day in an instance.
I will say, as with any cross section of people,you will encounter the inevitable 'bell-curve' and officers will be at either end of whichever spectrum you are discussing. But on the whole they are there to keep the peace and help and protect those that truly need it.

Answer 3

Slow and cumbersome? In what respect? Please be clear.

Do we care? I do and so do the majority of officers I work with.

Authoritarian? No not really, however the nature of the job is to enforce laws.

What exactly are your experiences with the Police. Too often people are quick to criticise without knowing or looking at the bigger picture. The bigger picture is that the vast majority of coppers have no control over how the individual forces are run. They have to accept what the government and the forces hierarchy introduce. Often this impacts on the service we provide, which at present is frankly not good enough. The downside is that it is the officer on the beat who gets the flack.

Answer 4

For pack leader 22 - 19 years and never said a bad word to anyone or had to be physical with anyone. Well in my book that is a sign of a bad Police Officer who is not doing a very good job. You must be policing LA LA LAND

Answer 5

In what context are you referring?

If you're talking about the speed in which we move then you know we can drive fast and I was told by a colleagues last week, who's not a slow runner, that I was too fast for him when we were involved in a foot chase and he couldn't keep up with me when I ran after the criminal.

If you're referring to the length of time taken for an investigation to be conducted then I would have to say that it takes as long as it takes. We aren't allowed to 'drag our heels' for the sake of it and things have to be dealt with in a timely fashion. However, yours isn't the only crime the relevant officer is dealing with and unless you know what's involved in your average investigation then you really have know cause to complain.

As for wanting to help people, I do or I wouldn't be in the job. It does get difficult to care though sometimes when you are constantly criticised by the people you are trying to help who really have no idea what it's all about.

Answer 6

I must be lucky I can only think of one incident when a policeman was not helpful and actually placed me in a dangerous situation. Other than that even when in the wrong I have never found them less than formally couteous.

Perhaps it is the way yopu react to them, i find politness goes a long way

Answer 7

I agree, like traffic wardens.

You just have to have a cetain personality...

The police are clones.. all have the same personality after brain transplants at hendon training camp.

Answer 8

Slow and cumbersome is correct also you could truthfully say ,they are like slugs with cramp !

Answer 9

I think you got it exactly right. It's a difficult job and attracts people who either really want to help or want to kick some butt. I'd say the latter are probably in the majority.

Answer 10

When I see an abandoned car with a sign on it saying "Police Aware", I always want to add, "But are they sentient?!"