Do police officers scare you?

Question

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

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

"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.

Prof_Don · Accepted Answer

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.

phillymuralist123 · Accepted Answer

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

BeHappyLiveWell · Accepted Answer

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 · Accepted Answer

hell nope!! tbh i don't like them at all!! they think that they're superior when in fact they're the worst !! damn!!

PT1911 · Answer

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.

ObscuredBeyond · Answer

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 · Answer

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.

bomba78 · Answer

I know the feeling...

CHARismatic110 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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.

Anonymous · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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.

5k1nny · Answer

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.

cjmtherfcker · Answer

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

Anonymous · Answer

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 · Answer

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~...

Your_boss960 · Answer

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.

OpinionatedFemale · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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?

Redstang88 · Answer

I get a little nervous when I'm driving and I see a cop because I'm almost always speeding, but otherwise no.
Police have to be very suspicious, its the nature of the job. But if you don't do anything stupid and don't provoke them you won't have a problem. I respect police, I have yet to have a bad experience.

meatballs21 · Answer

I've never had a bad experience with the Toronto cops... I suppose you get a little uneasy in case you're thinking he's about to give you a ticket for crossing against the lights or something, but that's never happened.

theCatcherintheRye · Answer

Nope I generally like them but the cop in the link would scare me too since he's twice (or three times) my size lol. The crimes I would commit for a cop like this though... :

Kshppatel · Answer

y'all know me I ain't scared of no polices. They saved me life once but I'm a gangstar so I said "me no need your help f word da polices."

Lol not srs some policemen and women have scary looking faces that are intimidating but the ones I've met are nice and do their job correctly.

GirlsLie · Answer

Yes they do. It's usually men, I don't know them, they have a gun and they basically have the legal authority to do whatever they want or twist things the way they want, I don't understand how it doesn't scare anyone, especially women lol

Anonymous · Answer

lol. If anything they're an irritation, in the USA they are anyway. They're armed assholes with the state behind them, they'll start shit and if you don't go along with it and choose to stand up for yourself.. they shoot you. Luckily where I live the Jakes don't carry straps, so you can choose to have a ruck then leg it and not worry about getting shot.

bananatossing · Answer

I've been approached by cops before and I believe I get intimidated. I get defensive mode right away and even act thuggish (or teppista as I know it) even though I rarely act or talk like that.

I guess the reason is that someone with the uniform and a gun will feel automatically over empowered and I will be aware of it, just like someone would feel on a big car or a convertible.

linkywinky · Answer

The ones I know and am related to don't make me nervous.
The ones who drive behind me and ride my ass when I'm going the speed limit piss me off.
The ones parked, waiting to catch someone speeding, make me nervous.

Anonymous · Answer

One time me and my mom got stopped cause our vehicle matched a description of a murder vehicle. My mom doesn't know good  English  and my mom didn't understand what he was saying. I wanted to translate for my mom but the stupid cop wouldn't let me. The cop was yelling at my mom bad and she didn't understand anything and i finally spoke up and then the officer let us go.

Prettygurl12 · Answer

Your story made me giggle :) fries are important! :D I have a healthy respect for police lol

BelleGirl21 · Answer

No. I think most police officers are good people doing a very hard job. Unfortunately, there are idiots among them. I'm sorry you had a run in with one of those kind.

Splithead · Answer

I'm from NYC and I'm a big black guy. Honestly I'm not afraid of them, but I go out of my way to not even get close to breaking the law. My white friends act like laws don't even exist.

Blackwatch8494 · Answer

they make me nervous when they pull me over but other than that I think they get a bad reputation from the highly publicized disputes in whether unnecessary force was used. They are here for our protection after all. Many abuse there power and are assholes but there are just as many actually nice guys who are understanding and kind. And of course with any group of people there are those who are bad apples.

Kinstrome · Answer

I can see why some people are scared of the police, but I'm not. My experiences with them haven't been bad.

I do get nervous when I'm driving near a police vehicle, because I feel like I'm probably driving illegally somehow.

snuggle_bunny88 · Answer

I have an uncle who is a police officer, so no. They don't really scare me. They do however, get on my damn nerves. Especially the officers in this town that I am currently in.

Hannah591 · Answer

No, quite the opposite actually. British officers don't have weapons. Only a few have tazers but I wouldn't be scared because I know I wouldn't be doing anything wrong.

ObviouslyBored · Answer

I don't feel safe around them, but they don't scare me either...

Illusive_Man · Answer

Nope.  Never feel threatened by an officer once in my life... well... disdained by some of the things the force does yes but specifically by an officer , never.

BellePepper · Answer

I don't have a problem with them here. My uncle is even a police officer. But they can be very scary in other places.

miserybusiness · Answer

sometimes yesss I ran into a dick cop a while back who was super condescending, I steamed up like a potato bun but had to hold the anger in because, you know, I like not being in jail and stuff

Anonymous · Answer

Yes. I have anxiety so sometimes I feel like I did something wrong even though the worst that'll happen is a lecture. No lie I will literally pick up any garbage on the street cop or not because I am never heading to the slammer.

AleDeEurope · Answer

I have no reason to. I only got scared when we were drinking alcohol in a park and we had to hide the drinks and act like everything was cool.

Bethanycats · Answer

On the new's it showed a man in TN got his money taken as evidence for something he didn't do (thought he was a drug dealer) he took out some money from the bank (cash) to buy a car they took it away and it's perfectly legal.

sammy_31 · Answer

Hell no they have a job and I respect them but fear them no!!!

Freddius · Answer

Absolutely not. I've always shown them respect and they, in return, gave it right back.

Ophidia · Answer

When some imbeciles with arms shoot and kill people whimsically, why wouldn't my primal fears kick in? So I'm positively scared by those gentlemen.

ShutUpAndSuckMe · Answer

They don't make me feel safe if that's what you mean.

BertMacklinFBI · Answer

nah they don't intimidate me, I get nervous as fuck though when cops are near.

NYkid27 · Answer

Police officers don't scare me but I live in a very nice town so I very rarely encounter them. Also, suburban police officers typically aren't very intimidating people

Anonymous · Answer

They don't scare me, but sometimes i get the urge to commit a crime just so i can be aressted, because some cops are freaking sexy and soooo hot

Phoenix98 · Answer

Nope not at all, the cops around here are pretty good at their jobs, and wrongful arrests are not that common.

HollywoodGlam · Answer

It depends if they scare me or not, most of the time they don't. For some reason this question reminded me of the movie "Let's be Cops", lol :P

Krushhbrownies · Answer

No because here they have no guns but from my previous country where they have guns and corrupt.. Fuck-a-didlly yes.

Cam700 · Answer

Only the ones with massive guns at foreign airports slightly unnerve me ✈️

Izzex3 · Answer

Nah. I don't really encounter them much and when I do they're nice.

Anonymous · Answer

The first time I visited the US I was. I had heard about all the shootings by police. I decided to get something to eat at a nearby restaurant and was genuinely terrified when the police drove past. I'll never understand the US and racism

WhaChaChaKing · Answer

They do scare me and honestly after so many horrible stories I've heard about them I don't trust them at all. I know not all are awful but I can't help it.

HeroX · Answer

It depends, when i got something on me or no, like knifes, drugs  etc ...

Ihav2fart · Answer

Nope, I pull out my cell to record em when so I scare THEM!

blondfrog · Answer

Yes so does the mayor, the president, anybody with a higher authority than me.

Do police officers scare you?

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