How can the police demand respect when they don't know how to show it?

Question

How can the British police demand respect from the public when they don't know how to respect the public they serve.
It seems that the police are obviously the cause of many of their own problems.
Having just watched Street Wars on Sky TV, it seems that the Police go out of their way to provoke some situations to massage their own arrest figures.
One episode had a drunk person walking away from a scene at the request of the police, only to be shoved in the back by a copper so hard that he almost stumbles and falls.
When he turns to confront the person who shoved him, the police officer promtly arrests him.
Another episode shows a police officer clearly squaring up to a drunk bloke who is then arrested.
Is this the behavior we should be expecting the tax payers to pay for or are the police getting out of hand when dealing with simple problems instead of concentrating on real crimes such as rape, assult and robbery.

Answer 1

If you are basing your opinions on a television show, then you need to know that the simple everyday duties and behaviors of the police are not represented there; only the more sensational and uncommon are newsworthy.
Additionally, if people didn't present so many "simple" problems, such as drunk driving, disturbing the peace, and calling when they can't get their 9-year-old to attend school; then the Police might have the ability to concentrate on "real crimes," such as rape, assault and robbery.

Answer 2

While people need to be aware to care for the planet and community, the use of police time in the cases that are described here is pathetic and seems to define the term 'jobsworth' to the highest degree. I suspect that the courts should throw out such matters with the same contempt that they were brought and that would perhaps give all those involved in such enforcement a clear message that the court will not have it's time wasted. Yes, I agree, people who litter our country without the slightest concern need to be made aware that it is an offence .. being approached and cautioned should always be enough, unless there is clear and aggressive contempt shown for the situation. What is described here means that I can live a long and honest, community caring life but drop a crisp by accident and I can be manacled and subsequently shat upon from a great height? The public need to unite on this one ... civil enforcement will soon mean that you won't be able to wear a striped shirt in public as it may cause epilepsy in some people ......!

Answer 3

Generally I respect the work the police do and we would be in a state of total anarchy if they didn't exist. However, I agree with you that, in particular the younger generation of coppers, are arrogant, impolite and dispassionate. In many cases I believe that their attitude can border on objectionable. The problem is that they think themselves as superior beings and can behave as they please.

I recall being in the United States when serving in the Royal Navy and getting caught out in a hire car by the very low speed limits in California. The traffic cop that pulled us over was so polite and respectful and when he found out we were visitors to his country, he gave us a friendly warning and wished us well on the rest of our journey. We met another cop and his female partner in Palm Springs when a bar owner called them to stop some of the local oiks from having a go at the "limey sailors". Again, absolutely brilliant. they had a quiet word with the oiks and then came over and sat down with us, had a chat and then recommended a few better bars we should use. They then invited us to the police social club the following evening and we had a great time and met a bunch of local police. They were clearly intelligent, well trained and loved the job they did. What a differnece between them and the shower we have over here.

Answer 4

There are good and bad in every profession. You can't base opinions on TV shows who edit what they want to make for better viewing. Most Police Officers treat the public with great respect especially if they have been the victim of a crime.

Answer 5

The English police are target driven. They get Christmas bonuses based on arrest rates.

The questioner is sadly correct. I have personnally suffered from this. I was the victim of an attack, suffering from shock when an attending officer came up behind me after entering my home without knocking. I turned to defend myself and was arrested.

I hope the officer suffers as I did! I'm still not working. That's how I can waste my life on Yahoo answers!

Answer 6

Oh hello, Mr 'I'm going to tell you how to do your job'.

5 things.

1. I'm a tax payer too.

2. Dealing with drunk people is not as easy as it looks on TV, they don't often listen to reason and a shove is sometimes the only thing they understand.

3. Don't tar us all with the same brush. I always start on a low level when dealing with potential violence. They escalate, I escalate. Its called the conflict management model.

4. Let me know what you do for a living and I'll advise you how to do that.

5. I don't demand respect from anyone. Respect has to be earned and is a mutual thing.

Answer 7

Police should Command Respect ,not demand it. So should the rest of the population. Do you think that the Police should go up to drunken yobs and tap them sweetly on the shoulder and politely request the yob to stop behaving badly? What sort of a response is that going to get? An odd incident by an erring Policeman is certainly possible and should be investigated,but by and large they deserve our support,Yours too.

Answer 8

i read your question and 1st think that popped into my mind was the lyrics of rock n roll deviant g g Allin
"kill the police/smash the system/destroy the courts/before we're all robots"
i pay the cops wages i demand some civil courtesy like when i go into a store and talk to a clerk. treat people with respect and you just might get some in return.

Answer 9

Most forces run an insight programme. You can spend some time out on Patrol with real officers and see what they do. Or are you a piece of scum of a council estate?

Not nice when someone judges you all from a tiny piece of bias information is it...

Walk a mile in their shoes,then judge.

Answer 10

look at it this way.. you don't know WHO or what the person is up to . if they are carrying a weapon etc.. or off their face on something. It's tricky, so can't blame them.

I wouldn't blame them exactly , it's all them idiots who get lashed up binge drinking wasting police time, instead they could be catching other more prolific criminals. Or crims that do worse crims.

it's a tricky one.. It's like I drive.. I pay road tax/insurance/MOT for the car , totally legal.. and I have to pay out extra money for idiots who joy ride/steal cars or drive around with no insurance etc.

People moan about being stopped, but I'd rather have their cars crushed if they felt they were above paying for it, like normal people. Also same with drunk drivers, if it stops em injuring an innocent person. .thats good surely ?

over the years i've been stopped a few times while driving, I didn't mind.. I had done nothing wrong and was totally legal.

it's a job I wouldn't like to do.. but someone has to.

Answer 11

Yes I to watch that show, but it actually shows the Police in a very human light. If I had to put up with some of the provocation and smart ar-ses they have to contend with I do not think I would be able to keep my temper. So with the very greatest of respect
may I suggest you get of your high horse and acknowledge that you like me are incapable of doing that job.