Do police officers scare you?

[Tokana]

An unnecessary read:

I was walking on the sidewalk minding my own business when I saw a cruiser going the opposite direction making an abrupt, highspeed U-turn behind me and stop a few metres in front of me. The officer jumps out of the crusier and looks right at me as I continued walking straight towards the cruiser. He then does to the trunk of the car, all while keep constant eye contact with me. He doesn't open the tunk and by this time he's behind me. He then starts walking behind me and I finally say to him, "Is there are reason why you're following me?" He stops, and says, " I just wanted to get some fries" .... there was a store right next to me.

Story ends.

I've always been intimated by someone that's armed, has a bullet resistent vest on, is twice my size and l'm trying to be real here... is also most likely white and bald.

Cruiser
https://mytesla.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Toronto-Police.jpg

What the officer looked like

https://media.zuza.com/0/8/081f57cf-73ae-49a4-a014-2c85962bc8b6/e7c3a2bd4f49820f4b36f3f339a9.jpg

Yes

No

Depends

See Results

[WhiteSteve]

"Scared", kind of. They're a gang like any other gang. I'm not comfortable with the fact that there is a group of armed people running around with license to just Jack you up if they see fit. Are there rules they're bound by? Yes. But don't tell me that doesn't get circumvented. In court, whatever they say becomes fact and whatever you say becomes lies. And it's funny to me how if I were to bind someone's hands and keep them in a cage, that's kidnapping, but they have the right to do it routinely, and all because someone violated a rule that they never signed up and agreed to follow. There's nothing ok about that. I don't allow any other man or woman to make the rules for my life.

And I was actually "kidnapped" when I was all of eight years old. A kid punched me in the face at the bus stop, so I defended myself and tackled him and started punching. A cop happened to be driving by, and he yanked me off him, threw me in the back of his car and drove me around for AT LEAST an hour, telling me I was going to jail and would never see my family again. At EIGHT years old. He finally dropped me off at school and took me to the principal where I got chewed out more. All for defending myself against an attacker. Let me say this loud and clear: FUCK COPS.

[JackKerouac77]

Dude, become a lawyer already. You've broken the system down so well that you need to be makin' $100K a year for filing paperwork

[WhiteSteve]

@JackKerouac77 Your words, too kind as always👊

[Prof_Don]

As a black male, I have to admit that I feel LESS comfort when I see cops around.

When you're stereotyped to be a law-breaker, combined with the history of white supremacist groups (KKK, White Nationalists, etc.), and the police force, working in unison,

ANY African-descent person (especially males), can empathize with me.

-------

However I don't act rude to cops at all. I'm respectful whenever a cop approaches me and I don't act hostile or threatening at all.

History (as well as the present) has proven that as a black guy,

there is more of a "danger factor",

than a "protection factor",

when it comes to the police.

[PT1911]

True, but I'm sure they way you act and talk to them certainly works in your favor

[phillymuralist123]

Good story! You have a great point really. I am biased and afraid of officers because i know too many people who have been wrongly arrested, assulted, and harrassed by officers. Its a shame and you know its the fucked up officers that make us feel this way about all of them. At the same time though we need to to stop judging everyone, we need to look bellow the surface of the uniform, outfit, etc and see everyone as an individual instead of a label that signyfies something that person may not believe or take part in.

Umm i hope that makea sense lol im on my shitty cracked phone

[Tokana]

You made sense.. and I agree. The real question is why do I feel that way.

[phillymuralist123]

Well why wouldn't you feel that way? Look at the news, look at what has been going on for the past couple of decades. Police officers profiling, patroling, takong advantage of power. Its wrong and it causes real fear. Just on the news today i saw that a young college kid was beaten brutally and he didn't do anything he was just asked to leave a pub and the cops brawled him. Its because cops are profiling. Things need to change man

[Redstang88]

Police need to profile people, it how they stay alive. If a cop had the assumption that everyone was a good guy, they would not have a very long life span.

[Tokana]

@Redstang88

that's until they start profiling you.

[phillymuralist123]

^^^yup.

[Redstang88]

I never said its a good thing, thats just the way it has to be. Dont forget who cops deal with their entire career- idiots, assholes and criminals. It impossible for most people to understand why police do what they do.

[phillymuralist123]

Thats understandablebut things can change and really have to now because now cops are the bad guys. If want to have a good relationship with the public theu are going to have to work with the public not against them. you really dont have to profile, i mean im not an expert but seriously common sense and attentiveness will help you find the person whos concealing a weapon. Profiling will help you find someone who looks like their up to no good based on preconcieved notions and experiences.

[Redstang88]

Plenty of cops have been hurt or killed by good natured, law abiding citizens who have snapped from stress, grief, etc. And almost anything can be a weapon. Numerous cops have been killed by pens or even their own handcuffs, among other things.
As long as there are criminals and people that hate cops, they will be jaded and distrustful.

[BeHappyLiveWell]

Not where I live currently but where I use to live I can't walk outside without being killed by one. A police officer ran a college girl off the road and into the Mississippi river and waited until dawn to call the other authorities to pull the vehicle out of the below zero water. He got off the hook and is still roaming around in the small town I use to live in. When my uncle walks from and to work they pull over and beat the shit out of him in the alleys and whatnot. I guess you can say I'm afraid of them somewhat.

[zombiebabe]

hell nope!! tbh i don't like them at all!! they think that they're superior when in fact they're the worst !! damn!!
s2.quickmeme.com/.../...59c19cdb6d4ccd6e05e239.jpg

[PeterPan11]

they are people with lives and families just like you are and they risk their lives to protect you.

[snuggle_bunny88]

You're stereotyping. Not all cops are like that.

[PT1911]

I'm not scared of police, and I live in the US.

US Media always makes a big deal when a cop shoots someone, yet never address daily crime. Fact is, it sucks to be a cop.

People will either hate you or be scared of you, yet expect you to show up when there is trouble.

This guy sums it up perfectly. He's a police chief in the largest city of my state. I know that you're from Toronto, and I know really nothing about Toronto Police.

Fact is, I never escalate, never. Also, if you act nervous around cops, they are going to suspect something. Simple as that. You being nervous acts like you have something to hide, giving them probable cause.

Obviously there are bad cops out there. Madison Police (my hometwon in Wiscosin) recently fired an officer for excessive force, after being warned two other times that he would be fired on the thrid instance.

Finally, there is the isse of race, which I beleive this chief address and answers perfectly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7MAO7McNKE

[PT1911]

I should also mention, do I get nervous when I'm driving and see a cruiser behind me, infront of me, sitting on the side etc?

Fuck yes

Speeding tickets, parking tickets etc are how many US police make money, they have a quota to fill, which I do believe is wrong.

But in your situation, (even though I'm white lol) I'm not going to freak out or be nervous lol

[Redstang88]

Finally someone with some common sense.

[PT1911]

@Redstang88 I know.

One of my old martial arts instructors (he's gone now) works for the county sheriff. I know cops and all say the same thing: "If you escalate, we escalate"

[ObscuredBeyond]

There are ones with everyone's best interests in mind, and there are jackasses. I can say I've met both. They know what they symbolize, and they know that most have a guilty conscience even if they haven't broken any man-made laws. The healthy conscience convicts the tiniest of sins, enforced laws of the land or otherwise. So they all know the power they symbolize.

The difference is in the respect they have for that symbolism. However, even a good cop can turn cruel, if an irrational fear of something takes hold.

[oldanddecrepid]

Lol sometimes. Most of the Provincial Police are pretty good, just dry and not intimidating. Predominantly friendly.

However, the one time I got pulled over down in Florida by a state trooper when I was on vacation, that was a little more intimidating.

The officer walked up with his hand on his pistol. It was nighttime and I suppose they get all kinds, but just the same... I was not used to that! I just find it a little bit overboard. I guess they look for nervousness and suspicious behavior... well who wouldn't come off as being nervous when he has the button undone and his hand on the butt of the gun while he asks questions?

I have no criminal background whatsoever. He was pretty good after... but I think some of these guys get off on being the law, or above the law, and use it to be a bad ass.

[Tokana]

the gun thing is overboard for me... no need for that.

[bomba78]

I know the feeling... thedailyblog.co.nz/.../...55569460_376766013_n.jpg

[Tokana]

LOL.. I love it. I have that feeling too. Except when I get pulled over I'm thinking.. what if he decides to shoot through my window and I slowly put my head down.

[epiman94]

Exactly!!!

[CHARismatic110]

They don't make me nervous, but I don't trust most of them. Almost every officer I've ever come in contact with has been unnecessarily rude and nasty. They think that they can talk to people any kind of way and expect them not to react. I'm hotheaded and don't like being yelled at. Especially by males. So I usually just try to keep my distance from them.

[menina]

Yes and no. Yes because I know they have guns and anyone who has a real gun scares me.
And no because the police officers here are clowns. They just pose with their uniforms and do nothing. When you need them they're not there. The only thing they do is chasing , beating and killing black people and gypsies.

[musicbrain5]

I'm not scared of cops in general, no. But I don't trust the Toronto Police to help me properly if I ever need it, especially if one day I'm ever sexually assaulted or raped. They have a history of blaming victims for what happened to them. And just last month, three of them were charged with gang raping a female colleague, and because they're cops they'll probably get away with it in the end because that's what happens.

[Tokana]

anyone with a handgun would make me worry. Notice how no black folks were arrested during the G20... I wasn't surprised by the police reaction.

[musicbrain5]

The whole G20 thing just showed us all how the cops love to abuse their power. They were standing guard to prevent people from exercising their right to protest the summit and just being assholes. news.nationalpost.com/.../

Then they blocked in regular bystanders at Queen & Spadina because they apparently thought it was another protest group, when it was just mostly people walking down the street minding their own business. "To Serve and Protect" - lmfao, really.

And they don't know how to treat people who have special needs either, especially kids. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muX4CE4MPwk

[PT1911]

sounds like Toronto Police is one of the worst out there...

[musicbrain5]

@PT1911: I actually don't think so, based on the stories I hear about police in the US and even around the world.

[PT1911]

Don't let US media fool you lol

Watch the video clip I posted :)

[PT1911]

Obviously there will be bad officers etc

But the bad ones always overshadow the good ones

[Anonymous]

Iv'e been arrested for self defense, had witnesses. So the cops come to my house, where I was attacked... trick me into going outside so they can '' Ask me some questions'' I have nothing to hide or fear, so I go outside and comply with them.

So they're all, '' Put your hands behind your back''.

Yes I fear cops now. I think in today's time it's far too easy to become a cop. I also think people become cops for all the wrong reasons, power, prestigious job. If you think about it, that kind of job almost always attracts someone seeking power.

[Entrieton]

I'm not scared of them but I don't trust them, I'm sure theirs a lot of decent cops but theirs also a lot of asshats, if one talks to you just cooperate fully and be absolutely level headed, do not get angry, cuss, yell at them it gets you nowhere and just makes them agitated, even when dealing with the asshats kill them with kindness so to speak. I've never had to interact with one though, I could have been in trouble with the law a couple of times, I've encountered some asswipes that genuinely deserved to be taught a "lesson", but those two times I've seriously considered assault, I'm not an aggressive person but on rare occasion, I decided that I didn't feel like spending the night in a cold damp cell. It should be against the law to an asshole lol

[electromagnetic]

LOL. Funny read you got there.

Toronto police ain't shiznics. All the do is stroll around and hand j walking tickets which I've avoided 9 times now since I never carry I. D.

[Tokana]

" never carry I. D."

and you've never been arrested for that?

[electromagnetic]

I didn't even know one could be arrested for not having an I. D. 😕

[Tokana]

more like detained, until they find out who you are. Apparently they're allowed to detain you for 48 hours while they do an investigation.

[electromagnetic]

I didn't even know that.
The police here are pretty flex I guess but I've never gotten I. D ed before. They just let me off with a warning. And tell me to get my wallet together.
Interesting. Thank you for the info.

[5k1nny]

No I'm not afraid of police officers, I respect them and what they do as I have a cousin who is a police officer. But given the story you told I'd be a little nervous too if I was you.

[5k1nny]

Well not you, particularly, but in that situation

[Tokana]

yeah.. who knows folks here may of skipped over the question.

[cjmtherfcker]

As a black man in america. I'm freaking terrified of police. While there are some cool cops. A lot of the ones I have met have been downright nasty arrogant sons of bitchez. I want nothing to do with them under any circumstances

[Tokana]

i hear you.. this guy has no emotion. I thought i was fit some sort of description or some chit and he was about to get his revenge. I was shook.

[Anonymous]

I feel you 100%
I can be waking to the store down the street and when I see a police cruiser I don't get a feeling of joy. I get tensed and scared I don't fuck with the police. Unless he's cool and the only way that can happen is if he is from your city so he knows how to communicate with but other than that fuck em I been harassed by em since I was 13 years old. I use to get held up on walls, randomly checked. My face on hot cars just because me and my friend looked suspicious or we looked like we were old enough like 18.

[skullly]

I used to feel my heart go pumpumpum faster when I would see one haha... but then I asked myself "why? if I've done nothing wrong?" so then I calmed down and I don't get panicked as much ahha... but I asked several people and they did or do the same thing... even when they've done nothing wrong... Weird~...

[Tokana]

you're in russia.. its completely understandable there.

[skullly]

HAHA

[Tokana]

by the way do you of a guy named Philko?

[Your_boss960]

Yeah. Once when I was 5 my parents left me and my brother in the park for a few minutes.

Then these police officers were stalking us.. And they called us and asked us questions. And then my parents came and the police officers were like: "we were going to give them to child protective services"

And my parents never left me alone after that until recently.

[Your_boss960]

Me and my brother thought we were going to jail

[Tokana]

you're still scared?

[Your_boss960]

Well kind of.. Cause I have to stop and think to see if I'm doing anything illegal

[Your_boss960]

Police officers don't stalk me anyway

[OpinionatedFemale]

No not at all. But I am a white female! So is my opinion really even valid here. I hate to bring up race, but it's proven time and time again that has a lot to do with how they react to people. Sad but true. White people have a blurry view of reality at times because we've never experienced it.

[Anonymous]

Yes. They've always intimidated me. But mostly because there are a lot of lawsuits against the police officers using excessive force in my city. I also had a close friend of mine harassed and threatened by cops. She was with her boyfriend at the time, and they were pushing him up against the side of the bridge as if they were going to toss him over. They are probably the sweetest people I know, so I know it wasn't belligerence on their part. I just don't trust the police.

[BiffWebster]

nah not really
too much crap is given to police officers. Just because one does a bad thing doesn't mean they are all bad.
i laugh when i hear people say "i hate cops" or "cops suck"

yea these people keep a lot of bad sadistic people off the street, last i checked thats a good thing

[PiuBelloAmante]

My brother got arrested like 9 times as a kid, so the police in my hometown knew my family well

They would pick on me and my brother whenever they got the chance, it was very humiliating, guaranteed once a week walking home if they saw me and him walking they would press us, ask us a bunch of questions

I am getting over it but i always feel anxious when they are close by...

[I_M_LEGEND]

id prefer not to be around them.

but, those who say fuck the police dont know what theye talking about. i would really like to see them die without calling police in a robbery or random assualt and keep a strong stance still.

fuck i did time but realistic enough to know society badly needs them. i should hate them more than most right?

[Tokana]

idono

[I_M_LEGEND]

i just read your details.

i think American police are very different from the Canadians but, its due to their environment...

yah and if you're black, for sure there's more suspicion.

in anarchy, gangs who already have the connects and resources would dominate. rape and rob everyone and people can't do a damn thing... only cops can help.