What is your opinion on the police in the US?

Question

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

When I was younger and angrier, they were my sworn enemy, lmao. Didn’t want to see them or speak to them. I was actually essentially kidnapped and emotionally abused by a cop when I was 8 years old, and that was very traumatizing for me. As I’ve gotten older I’ve chilled out on it as far as a personal level goes, I’ve interacted with enough guys in real life who are cops that I’ve shaken the “police are bad people”, although I can’t forget some incredibly prejudiced interactions with black folks I knew from my neighborhood I grew up in, and even once at my high school, which was private. Sparing the long stories, the gist was a bunch of police showed up for various reasons, detained everyone, and then dismissed me (in one case) and another white kid (in another case), told us both “get the fuck out of here” and then kept the black guys and continued shaking them down. I mean, that is just BLATANT. And there was no reason to believe that the white kids in those scenarios were any less suspect, and in the case I was involved in, nobody was even doing anything. The other one, there was a brawl after school between the skaters and the micks from Southie, all involved were white, and while the state police were sorting everything out, two black kids and a white kid walked out of a building into the scene, and as I said, the cop told the white kid to leave and told the black kids to show their IDs. That’s FUCKED.

That said, I’m over the idea that all cops are fucked up people. I think a good deal of them have ultimately benevolent intentions, there are more looking to help people than harass people, so I take cops as I meet them. I started playing hockey with a couple, they seem like good dudes.

My real offense is taken at the concept of organized society and law & order, I just think that is wildly, WILDLY out of bounds for how we are intended to live as humans. Very unpopular opinion amongst humans of course, but there just shouldn’t be this many of us on the planet. I don’t view our species as the superior one of the planet, and I think there are a lot of things that we may have the ABILITY to do, in terms of fostering survival, that we SHOULDN’T do. It throws of the natural balance of life on earth.

I had an interesting conversation with my 88 year old dad last night. He told me, between kindergarten and senior year of high school, FIFTEEN classmates died in his grade, mostly from polio, and a few more from tuberculosis. Jonas Salk “fixed” that problem, but the issue there is, that’s a problem for our species, but by unnaturally evading those outcomes, we create a problem for earth. And simply put: earth is way more important than humanity, and anyone claiming otherwise, I’d bet my balls that they’re a human. We are SUPPOSED to be dying at that kind of clip, nature has built in population control measures. We’re SUPPOSED to die of polio and malaria and cancer, that’s how the herd stays properly thinned. Individually, we suffer emotionally as a surviving loved one, but we aren’t entitled to that. We’re supposed to be living, and more importantly, DYING, just the same as all the other animals, we aren’t meant to be exempt from that.

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

No joke, when I was no more than 5 years old, I can remember my mother telling my younger brother and me, "If you kids get thrown in jail you can expect to stay there because I won't be bailing you out. Because if you are in jail it means that you deserve to be. When a police officer tells you to do something you say, 'Yes, sir" and you do it!"

To be sure, beyond wondering how I would end up as the first second grader incarcerated on Alcatraz, speaking at just a personal level, I have no sympathy for this notion that someone is a delicate little snowflake who deserves to have his feelings given a higher regard than the rule of law. It is utterly alien to everything I was raised with.

The police have a risky job, their lives are on the line at every stop, and they have no way of knowing who you are or what you are doing. They deserve deference and if they go outside the bounds, you have redress for that in a court of law.

The current popular attitude toward law enforcement is an outgrowth of a sniveling, self-absorbed and self-pitying culture that too easily takes for granted the difficult task of maintaining a stable social order. "The policeman was mean to me!" Good grief.

Do they get unfairly treated? Absolutely. It is the sign of a self-satisfied and sanctimonious age that too easily takes for granted its safety and those who assure us.

In 1977, after nearly two decades of a culture that had taken to calling the police, "pigs" and that thought the criminal was a victim of society rather than a victimizer, Gallup took a poll. It showed that 72% of all women - and 92% of African-American women - of all classes and incomes and all the rest, did not feel safe walking in their neighborhoods at night.

Americans, as was said of the French kings, "Forget nothing and learn nothing." Suffice to say, we are about to repeat history.

Prettygurl12 · Accepted Answer

I will preface this by saying that I am a police officer so by default I like the police. I am aware of the many issues in the public perception of the police in the US.

I do my best at work to leave a positive impression on those I interact with. I hate to use the term "bad apples" but I don't know what else to call them. They exist. I know a few. They're not racist or anything like that - they're just assholes in general. I don't enjoy working with them. I don't enjoy going on calls with the asshole cops. But I do it anyway because that's what you do.

I work in a very diverse department. I am the only white person on my shift. There are openly gay officers in my department. There are openly transgender officers in my department. There are African American, Asian, Hispanic, immigrant, and white officers in my department. There are male and female officers in my department.

I was never racist or cognizant of any particular bias against any group of people and I struggle to see how anyone can be biased against any group of people when members of those groups will literally lay down their lives for you so you can go home to your family at the end of shift. What people look like, who they worship, what's between their legs, or who they entertain in the bedroom suddenly is meaningless when you realize that they will take a bullet for you no questions asked and they will come immediately to your side in your time of need. And it's a very somber moment when you realize that you would do the same for them.

I don't understand how you as a human being can hate on a group of people yet stand shoulder to shoulder with a member of that group of people on the thin blue you hold so dear.

Just like everyone else, police are people first and police second.

I'm very aware, however, that as an upper middle-class white women, the only interactions I had with law enforcement prior to joining the force were pleasant, traffic-warnings-only interactions.

So... yeah. I like the police. We're cool. We're also working very hard to change the public perception, but it's constantly slowed down by all the cowboy cops whose egos are a bit too big for their britches.

kaitylatte · Accepted Answer

We are sooooooo damn lucky to have such amazing people protecting us. The amount of courage and determination and care the cops have for us is insurmountable. Those men are putting their lives on the line to protect each and every citizen and they don’t get enough credit for it. All the accusations o racism and hatred directed at the cops has given them a bad rep. While I am not denying the fact that there are some corrupt cops who do anything to make a situation go their way or let their personal feelings get in the way of their job, not all cops are like that. At my sisters job they just had a touch a truck event so that kids could see what the inside of different trucks looked like. The police had about 4 cars their and each cop I saw was chattering happily with a little kid. It absolutely warmed my heart to see that relationship being built, but it also made me sad to think that these cops, the ones who are trying to put a smile on a kid’s face, are looked down upon because of a few bad cops.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Most of them are hard working, dedicated, good people. The good work they do every day goes unnoticed and unappreciated.

A few of them are "rotten apples." Whenever the do something wrong, they get tons of media coverage.

ADFSDF1996 · Answer

For the most part they are good but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.

Brindale · Answer

I've made friends in law enforcement despite not being white; a large part of why the police seem so shitty is because of the police system itself; there's a lot of loopholes that let "bad apples" pull shit like arresting someone for resisting arrest, etc.

One of my college professors was an ex-cop and a veteran that gave really good advice on how to deal with a PoS cop, like how you have the right remain in your vehicle even when being asked to step out (leaving your vehicle means you are basically in a "public space" and are submitting to a search of your vehicle as befits a public space), asking why you were stopped isn't "insolence," etc.

Frankly, it doesn't matter how many "bad apples" get dumped if at all (considering how District Attorneys who are basically coworkers with police and are the ones to prosecute the indicted officer), and no matter how many good police officers there are, the system itself needs an overhaul or we're fucked, and the majority of Americans are either fine with how the system works or even support it.

hellionthesagereborn · Answer

They in general do a good job and get treated like shit for it. In fact I am reminded of a black lives matter protest (which of course has decided all cops are evil racists because they are cops and pretend like every black person is an innocent victim even though we all know this is not the case). Basically it was during this protest that a shooter started firing at people and those cops whom black lives matter was saying were evil vile racists who actively targeted innocent people proceeded to use protect those very people who hated them and accused them of being monsters and in several cases used their own bodies to shield these protestors. But of course some how they are still evil people in societies eyes and quite frankly I find it despicable. Sure their are bad ones, their are bad people in every field that is inevitable but over all they are good people doing a hard thankless job.

bebecitaaa · Answer

I come from a blue family: Father, brother, and sister in law. I respect them an their job. They are "fighting the war at home" and get so much ridicule and hate for it a lot of the time. Usually by people who are up to no good anyways. I do recognize however that politics has ruined Police Departments all over the US and the quality of PD and their policies and regulations vary between even different cities. In other regions of the US there are more controversies over all. The bottom line is: for the most part they are not safe and that is the root of most of the issues.

PrimalInstinct · Answer

Uneducated, poorly trained (either with mental illness, diseases like diabetes which can mimic intoxication, and even "dangerous" dogs), trigger happy thugs. I'd like to say they're the rarity but I know police & I know how one city department hired a wife abuser (whose wife wouldn't charge him but everyone knew, police were called to the house often enough) because they were desperate for bodies.

Meropatrick · Answer

I lived one year in the united states. Never ever i got the police harassing me in any way. All this the police brutality thing i never faced it while i am there. Of course there are bad cops, and abusive people in every domain. And in other countries

BeMuse · Answer

Most of them are degenerates and for some reason the state grants them legal authority and arms them. It’s madness… They should really raise the bar for police officers. Giving a gun to someone that just scrapped by with a GED is kind of asking for problems. I know which kids those are and they can’t even function themselves within society, yet they are put into positions of power in the community to tell others how to behave. It’s lunacy. SMH...

pocketman · Answer

Us police are Very nice and kind compared to the rest of the world. Liberals and media twist our perception of police no a days. I've been to Europe and was stopped in germany for no reason and police wanted money treating me too. I've never experienced that in the US

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Piece of trash and traitors to the founding fathers ideals and constitution of United States

The documentary on Netflix (Seven Fifth Precinct) is a clear indicator how rotten and corrupt the system is and how cops cover and lie for each regardless of whatever wrong doing they do.

Claireluvskaren · Answer

98% of police are great, they do a tough job, and put their life on the line everyday. 2% are bad people, on power trips. When you need a cop they will be your best friend and just might save your life.

TheFlak38 · Answer

Very professional and they actually do their job compared to the obnoxious cowards in Europe, especially if we talk about the UK where the police is covering muslim rape gangs and goes as far as threatening to arrest and prosecute women who dare to speak out about getting abducted and raped.

JCT666 · Answer

Depends. Most are professionals, but some you will get who are corrupted thugs that abuse their power.

But at least they seem to actually take crime more seriously, unlike police in my country (UK) who are mostly concerned with 'offensive' social media posts and literally protect paedophile rings.

LEADFOOTboi · Answer

Mfers need to stay in their lane... I don't like authority... The laws they can and have to enforce... Are so damn conflagurated and... Stifling... Like this is America... WTF I have a law says... We have to be defenseless all the time... And speed limits... OH GOD, THE SPEED LIMITS... They're STR8 offensive

Apple1996 · Answer

I think it's a good thing we have them to protect us. a lot of people down play their job but they work really hard and more of us should be thankful for them

Agape93 · Answer

Most are good but the corrupt ones are hard to deal with. What can you do? Sometimes the department or other officers protect them. There’s not much recourse that is realistic.

coolhandroo · Answer

I dont trust them, I don't like the type of person attracted to the job and they make me anxious at all times. That being said I dont think things would work well without them and I know that they have to deal with a lot of bullshit and I have seen cases where they were trying to help good people for the right reasons and they have treated me personally fairly most of the times I've had to deal with them which is a lot

MackToday · Answer

They do a good job for the most part except for Marxist cities filled with slums and trash. In those cases the police themselves may be just worthless thugs or held back by Marxists in the local government.

ShortCircuit · Answer

I don't really have an issue with police, themselves. Although, you could say that I have an issue with police *by extension* because they voluntarily enforce certain unjust laws. I also take issue with courts for failing to hold police accountable.

ZackBan · Answer

Not a us citizen so I can't comment on the specific but usually police in every country is made of men and women who aren't all that smart and can hardly think for themselves. That's why the commit bad actions sometimes, they don't know better.

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

I still believe the majority will protect & serve. Still lots of good guys out there that love their jobs.

MissDawn7961 · Answer

I live in the U. S. and I think that police in the U. S. are cool , loving and caring ! for they lay their lives on the line every day to keep every one in the U. S. safe ! thanks

DizzyDesii · Answer

I’ve never had a direct encounter with one and hope to never have to. Most i’ve ever been around is firefighters and i use to ride the truck 😁 but i was a kid back then 🤷‍♀️

Rangers · Answer

I support them, fully and I'm cooperative in the rare instances where I encounter them because I actknowldge that their job is dangerous and I need to keep a certain distance and make no sudden movements that might scare them.

Anonymous · Answer

A lot of police are genuinely good people who put themselves on the line to protect and serve, but there are also criminals in uniform. My problem with the police is that the police departments tend to shield the crooks who are on the force. If they know a person is wrong, they should expose them to punishment.

aWes0MeNeSs · Answer

I don't have a problem with them as a whole. Of course there are some bad cops out there, but I very much appreciate the good ones.

ShellyShocked · Answer

Never met one in person. I just see them driving by occasionally or on TV shows. They seem to like to pull their guns out when its completely unnecessary.

AzureGirl · Answer

They’re a mixed bag honestly. You have your good ones and you have the ones that really shouldn’t be cops and abuse their power.

Dav1ss · Answer

We need more but they are good if I'm being honest I've met maybe 2 policemen that were grouchy or a bit racist I've met many other really friendly officers

SirRexington · Answer

Overall, negative. They do more harm than good, they don't help when you need them to and they arrest and harass people for dumb reasons. They are more like a clean up crew than protectors of peace. They cause more chaos than peace anyway.

TadCurious · Answer

I respect them and support them. They have very difficult jobs and are unfairly maligned all too often.

TonyBologna25 · Answer

Can’t stand them. All racist and corrupt. Damn them for trying to protect us and enforce the law.

Ellie-V · Answer

I don’t trust them and I avoid them as much as I possibly can.

TonyTheGuid0 · Answer

Fuck pigs. Not all of them, cause I've met some who I did like, but I have a problem with ANYONE whos ego is bigger than mine. The position of a police officer gives them an inflated sense of who they really are. That shit doesn't fly with me.

masseylacey906 · Answer

Some r good , some r bad , but honestly what can u do about the bad 😯

_gigi18 · Answer

From what I've read I hate them the racial profiling in the US as well as the UK is disturbing but more so in the US

NickiB1 · Answer

i think they do too much policing. it's ridiculous 😤

AngelLily · Answer

I believe most of them are good while there are some bad apples.

OldSchool_Metalhead · Answer

Not all cops are bad. Some are messed up in the head, others aren't.

0oGreyo0 · Answer

Terrible terrible people.95% of them. They are just bullies and robots. With one of easiest job on the planet

ManOnFire · Answer

Still a racist, brutal task force that needs a lot of fixing and overhaul.

DWornock · Answer

They should be abolished. They do very little good and far more harm than good so abolishing the police would save a lot of money.

Waffles731 · Answer

Over a third of police households reported domestic violence and that's only the ones that get reported

worldscolide · Answer

I love the men and women in blue where I'm from.. They do a fantastic job..

YHL6965 · Answer

I think it varies a lot depending on where you are, from the kind and serviceable cop to Shooty McGee.

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

They arrest anyone anytime because money. But yeah at least it's so much better than police not doing shit like police here

tHISpLACEiSbONKERZ · Answer

I was never fond of them.

BoxySama · Answer

I can't stand that mentality, but you have to know how to exist within it, or at least how to not it each detect you

NorthwestRider · Answer

A lot of them are just power hungry who want to shoot people

Anonymous · Answer

They seem to be shooting huge numbers of unarmed people and think that all minority race people are criminals.

Yep12345678 · Answer

Most of them are good people, but there's a few bad apples for sure.

reptocarl · Answer

I think they’re unjustly vilified

Surely · Answer

A lot of good ones, but a few not so good ones.

Sweetnessxoxo · Answer

Some are good some are bad

Physics-Man · Answer

I have a very positive opinion of them.

TwoToTooTutu2 · Answer

My opinion would be positive.

crmoore · Answer

A vast, vast, vast, VAST majority are good people.

navyP · Answer

Their power hungry garbage

sweet87 · Answer

I think N. W. A said it best...

SecretGardenBlood65 · Answer

I don't have any idea

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