Cops aren't monsters.

[QUOTE="NEWMAHAY"]you are taking a individual situation and applying it to the word "cops" in general.airshocker

Cops do get a bad rap, in general. Tell me, aside from hearing about a cop doing his job correctly and saving lives, when do we hear anything good about the police?

A fair question. I think it may have something to do with expectations. By default, we expect cops to be good people. So an act of kindness, while comendable, is in accordance with expectations and so not as noteworthy.

On the flip side, because we expect cops to behave in a way, when cases of brutality arise it runs contrary to expections and people probable feel a little more betrayed and fearful. Some people may also feel that highly publicizing cases of brutality serves as a form of check on police.

I'm sure most of us actually do understand that there's good cops out there. It goes without saying really.

Most of us also like ripping into the bad examples as well. And people will always remember the negative things more than the positive. That's just how things go.

Maybe movie/tv execs should stop using cops as protagonists in their stories because obviously we hate them too much...

Obviously, but the corrupt police have power and weapons to make them more scary.guynamedbilly

To be serious for a moment (my last comment wasn't completely serious), that's the real problem. Police have a lot more power than the average person, and so the bad ones really stand out above even the worst criminals outside of law enforcement. There are times when I see cops getting away with things in the name of policy and procedure, and that bothers me enough, but a malicious cop learns how to game that system and act with impunity.

Yes, they aren't monsters. They also aren't heroes.

They are paid public servants. Many let the power get to their heads. Many perform their duties well as a public servant. The frequent stream of negative news abotu police officers simple stems from the fact that police officers are held to higher standards than typical people. It comes with the job.

XaosII

/thread

I think the everyday happenings of the police and their department heads are in line with what we'd expect. The issue you have is that along with a negative reporting of an incident comes fuel to the fire from the department heads. People do NOT GET why an officer who was shown on video assaulting someone is put on leave with PAY. Also I do not think most know about police unions and protocols.

It is just a bit hard for people who don't know to try and see it as anything but cops protecting their own before protecting the people. While not true the majority of the time it really hurts the overall image when, in fact, it is. CreasianDevaili

When an officer is suspended with pay for an incident, it is due to not wanting to have to pay back pay if said officer is exonerated of any wrong doing. It's no different than a teacher being suspended with pay or any other profession. People are innocent until proven guilty no matter what job they do and an employer cannot fire them without cause. Suspending someone without pay is no different than firing someone. Legalities get in the way.

More often than not, those wanting cops fired without investigations or suspended without pay are not fully aware of the whole story, nor are those informed via a YouTube video or a news cast. People love to present just one side of a story. Letting the cop keep his job and pay while an incident is investigated keep the locality from stepping over legal lines that could cost them more than paying the salary.

That's nice of him. Don't know what else I can say.

Love the cops, they always have been cordial with me.

I've come into contact with police officers on multiple occasions and I have never been treated in anything less than a profesional manner. In fact, pretty much every cop I've had to talk too has been quite respectful and lenient when it came to minor offences. To be honest, I find the whole "f*** da police!" attitude to be very childish. To paint everyone with the same brush because you see one cop make a bad call is ridiculous. Applying that logic to other professions would mean I should hate all elementary school teachers beacaue I had a really terrible grade one teacher. Yeah, there are some bad cops, but there are bad people in every profession. Most cops actually do want to make a difference and help, and they put themselves at risk to do it. I have to respect that.

[QUOTE="NEWMAHAY"]you are taking a individual situation and applying it to the word "cops" in general.airshocker

Cops do get a bad rap, in general. Tell me, aside from hearing about a cop doing his job correctly and saving lives, when do we hear anything good about the police?

Yes you are

The police are the standing army of the 1%!

:P

Also love how I've seen you generalise other cultures and except me to not do the same to cops.

Cops are people too, some are asses others are cool. Hey that's just like people!TrainerCeleste

While on duty, they can't just be "people" though

The cops here in FL are monsters. They sit in their cars all day writing traffic citations, eating fast food, and packing on those calories, I'm surprised these deputized monsters can ever fit in the cars anymore its appaling.

The cops here in FL are monsters. They sit in their cars all day writing traffic citations, eating fast food, and packing on those calories, I'm surprised these deputized monsters can ever fit in the cars anymore its appaling.

Legatus_Victix

[QUOTE="Legatus_Victix"]

The cops here in FL are monsters. They sit in their cars all day writing traffic citations, eating fast food, and packing on those calories, I'm surprised these deputized monsters can ever fit in the cars anymore its appaling.

British_Azimio

[QUOTE="British_Azimio"][QUOTE="Legatus_Victix"]

The cops here in FL are monsters. They sit in their cars all day writing traffic citations, eating fast food, and packing on those calories, I'm surprised these deputized monsters can ever fit in the cars anymore its appaling.

Legatus_Victix

Provided, he was a Flagler County cop. I've heard plenty of nasty things about the cops in Volusia, and the jail.

[QUOTE="CreasianDevaili"]I think the everyday happenings of the police and their department heads are in line with what we'd expect. The issue you have is that along with a negative reporting of an incident comes fuel to the fire from the department heads. People do NOT GET why an officer who was shown on video assaulting someone is put on leave with PAY. Also I do not think most know about police unions and protocols.

It is just a bit hard for people who don't know to try and see it as anything but cops protecting their own before protecting the people. While not true the majority of the time it really hurts the overall image when, in fact, it is.

When an officer is suspended with pay for an incident, it is due to not wanting to have to pay back pay if said officer is exonerated of any wrong doing. It's no different than a teacher being suspended with pay or any other profession. People are innocent until proven guilty no matter what job they do and an employer cannot fire them without cause. Suspending someone without pay is no different than firing someone. Legalities get in the way.

More often than not, those wanting cops fired without investigations or suspended without pay are not fully aware of the whole story, nor are those informed via a YouTube video or a news cast. People love to present just one side of a story. Letting the cop keep his job and pay while an incident is investigated keep the locality from stepping over legal lines that could cost them more than paying the salary.

[QUOTE="Legatus_Victix"][QUOTE="British_Azimio"] I live in FL and have had numerous interactions with cops over the years. I've never had a bad experience...sure, a few of them seemed to have a bit of a douche attitude, but nothing major. The vast majority of the cops I've dealt with were very professional. Hell, the cop that picked me up for transport earlier this month offered me some of his cigs to smoke while in the back seat of the car...heh.British_Azimio

Provided, he was a Flagler County cop. I've heard plenty of nasty things about the cops in Volusia, and the jail.

The officer said, I have these size 12 boots for you.

airshocker

Once I read that I was expecting a kick in the face or something.

Disappointed.

[QUOTE="guynamedbilly"]Obviously, but the corrupt police have power and weapons to make them more scary.m0zart

To be serious for a moment (my last comment wasn't completely serious), that's the real problem. Police have a lot more power than the average person, and so the bad ones really stand out above even the worst criminals outside of law enforcement. There are times when I see cops getting away with things in the name of policy and procedure, and that bothers me enough, but a malicious cop learns how to game that system and act with impunity.

[QUOTE="British_Azimio"]

[QUOTE="Legatus_Victix"] Swing by Volusia County, where you come on vacation leave on probation. Cheers!Legatus_Victix

Provided, he was a Flagler County cop. I've heard plenty of nasty things about the cops in Volusia, and the jail.

[QUOTE="Legatus_Victix"][QUOTE="British_Azimio"] Volusia county was exactly where the cop was taking me. :)

Provided, he was a Flagler County cop. I've heard plenty of nasty things about the cops in Volusia, and the jail.

British_Azimio

[QUOTE="guynamedbilly"]Obviously, but the corrupt police have power and weapons to make them more scary.m0zart

To be serious for a moment (my last comment wasn't completely serious), that's the real problem. Police have a lot more power than the average person, and so the bad ones really stand out above even the worst criminals outside of law enforcement. There are times when I see cops getting away with things in the name of policy and procedure, and that bothers me enough, but a malicious cop learns how to game that system and act with impunity.

I'm pretty sure they're all monsters.

For real though I've dealt with the 'good' cops and the 'bad' cops. The latter includes those that find it necessary to snoop around on private property when there was no reason for them to be there otherwise - those are the worst. A run in with a 'good' cop can be refreshing though after reading all the negative media coverage.

cops here are racist, corrupt, slow, stupid, and rudeLonelynight

Where do you reside?

Just because you're a nice guy,doesn't mean all cops are like you.

There's alot of trash out there,you know what i'm saying?

As cops are paid for by tax payers they are a breech of liberties and freedom, people should have the ability to opt out of police and policing and keep the money they earn.

OT seems to be of the mindset that we're monsters who seek only to do harm to others.

airshocker

I actually do not think this. I appreciate the job police like yourself do every day.

That being said I don't think society should look the other way when police abuse their power, and as far as I can tell neither do you so it seems like we are in agreement.

It's his fellow officers, and the department behind him, that says "he was simply following procedure" until video evidence is released. Yes, video evidence against the police. They dont always manage to steal and break people's phones.Nibroc420

And to that point... a few States and several municipalities have either passed or are trying to pass laws making it a felony to take pictures or make videos of police operating in the line of duty. A lot of police unions in particular are pushing this. There have actually been arrests against individuals for taking video of cops in the act of abusing their power on their cell phones, though I don't know if any convictions ever resulted.

I feel pretty certain I know the reason why these laws are pursued. I also think (or rather hope) that when such laws are challenged before Federal Courts, they will be rightly ruled unconstitutional.

[QUOTE="Nibroc420"]It's his fellow officers, and the department behind him, that says "he was simply following procedure" until video evidence is released. Yes, video evidence against the police. They dont always manage to steal and break people's phones.m0zart

And to that point... a few States and several municipalities have either passed or are trying to pass laws making it a felony to take pictures or make videos of police operating in the line of duty. A lot of police unions in particular are pushing this. There have actually been arrests against individuals for taking video of cops in the act of abusing their power on their cell phones, though I don't know if any convictions ever resulted.

I feel pretty certain I know the reason why these laws are pursued. I also think (or rather hope) that when such laws are challenged before Federal Courts, they will be rightly ruled unconstitutional.

The problem is that courts have time and again ruled that it is legal to record officers preforming their duties without worry of being harrassed by officers. Courts side with ACLU on videotaping police shows that if you arrested, charges can be dropped and officers pay punitive damages. Localites need to look at previous cases before trying to enact laws prohibiting such actions by the public as it does go against 1st Amendment rights.

Cops are people, some people are shi**y some people aren't. Though we expect cops to be of higher moral fiber, a lot aren't unfortunately.
But it's nice to see some positive acts coming forward. It's rare for people to share positive experiences, but negative ones will appear in droves.

haha I got moderated. I wonder who ratted me out.GazaAli

What did you say?

[QUOTE="GazaAli"]haha I got moderated. I wonder who ratted me out.OB-47

What did you say?