How has your experience been with police officers?

Question

To be honest, there’s two officer coworkers of mine that I quite like and think are very personable, kind, etc.

There’s others that I feel like are quite unapproachable.

They have this aura, vibe, personality, or presence that gives off a standoffish feeling.

Maybe it’s the job or maybe they’ve been this way for awhile.

Outside of work, I don’t have too much experience/interaction with cops.

Rangers · Accepted Answer

Very positive, I can't remember if he was with the city, county, or Constable's office because I didn't know to read the side of the car but when I was a pizza guy, I developed a really bad habit of speeding and I caused a crash one night on a bridge when I distracted myself by trying to change the song and hit the skip button. I missed, tried again and then bam. Luckily nobody was hurt and he checked my eye movement and asked if I was hurt a few times to which I told him that I was shook but fine.

There was an error with my license plate and he had me get in the back of his car without cuffs as we sorted it out, likely to keep me from running but he'd already checked my pockets as I told him he can check and search my car if he wanted, so he did. We were able to sort that out and I got a ticket for driving 5 over the limit even though I admitted that I was going 62 on a marked 40. I paid it and that got cleared.

A few months later after somehow the mechanic determined that my car wasn't totaled and fixed it, I got pulled over on my way home from the pizza place I worked and he informed me that my tail lights weren't working, brake lights were good, hazards worked but no tail lights.

He ran my info and rather than say "you'll get a warning" or giving me a ticket, he said "so do you have any other questions for me?"
I asked how I can get home safely and he told me to put on my hazards, which I did. He was very nice and respectful as I was to him while assuring him that I wasn't aware that my tail light didn't work.

This was more recent, I developed a bad habit of slowing down at stop signs but not stopping completely because I frequently drive when often literally nobody else is on the road. I did that on my way to the gym and I saw the emergency lights come on, this is a Constable I knew because I've seen him before and county units don't typically do traffic enforcement in neighborhoods.

I gave him my LTC along with my license and everything and he asked where it was. I pointed to my right pocket as I was using a pocket clip on a P32. He asked if it was in a holster, I told him that it wasn't. He held his hand out and said "I'm gonna do a disarm for the duration of the stop for my safety" I didn't protest and tugged my shirt up so he could get it.

He ran my info and he placed the gun in my glove compartment before telling me respectfully that a warning will do since I didn't lie and go "I did stop" because I didn't completely stop and he pulled me over because literally nobody was on the road except for me.

They've been nothing but professional and fair with me and frankly I don't get why people feel the need to be hostile towards them as I can tell by their expressions when i didn't give them crap and admitted my mistake that people likely bark at them pretty often. Interactions don't have to be bad but you can certainly make it bad by yelling and cussing at them which I don't do because I'm not a dummy and I appreciate what they do.

ShadezMcgee · Accepted Answer

Mine has been fine for the most part save for one cop in Kansas, but he was being cautious, so I can let it slide.

Mostly been let off with a warning. Only got 2 tickets for speeding, rightfully so. Pulled over when I flew by them and waited and just went about it and did what they asked. They are pretty chill if you are straight up and honest with then.

They asked the typical "Do you know why I pulled you over?"

Me: "Yeah, I was speeding. Here's my license, insurance and registration."

5-10 minutes later.

"Ok, you're all set. Take it easy around here. Have a good day."

That was the standard run in for me. Tickets weren't that bad either. Could've been worse.

Razp_Sorbet · Accepted Answer

I have mostly positive experiences. We had constables come to schools to do the DARE program. So that was my first real experience with them. One bad experience that bothers me to this day was when I was learning to drive, was literally my second time at the wheel, I was 2 min away from my house and a cop pulled up behind me. I was chill, like whatever he's just going the same way. Nope, he followed me for 20 min, got to a hill to go into a suburb and my car was a bit shit so didn't take the hill well, he overtook me and then a couple min later you see him going down the other side of the hill. My dad was fuming. More recently had an officer knock on our door, it was not long after the Christchurch mosque attacks so officers were actually carrying a gun which was weird to see. It was like he was on a power trip, hand rather close to his gun telling us that neighbors has complained about fighting. I responded with "oh no not us the couple downstairs often fight for hours on end though" he tries to gaslight me like "oh that lovely couple I just spoke to?" It was bizarre. Had to explain that we've already called the police on them a couple times, hadn't heard them fighting that day so no idea why they were called out.

My partner had a bad experience with them when his brother had an outburst, lost his mind and started beating my boyfriend and their friend up. Police wouldn't even come to help, said a raging teenager trying to kill his friend wasn't important. boyfriend ended up knocking his own brother out cold, then calling an ambulance.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

Most of my interactions were positive. It seemed as though they wanted to help. But there were two instances that were negative. The cop was being downright cruel to me and my friends little 5 year old. He mas being so mean that she started crying. He kept shinning his bright flashlight real close to my face and I begged him to turn the light on and he wouldn't. He was evil! Now my friends little girl has a lasting impression of cops and it isn't good. I don't e she will ever openly trust cops again. Another cop was a Mr. Tuff guy kinda cop. Loud, not empathetic to our situation. In fact, his partner told him to leave and he did. But that cop was patient, caring, informative, and kind.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Professionally, my interaction with law enforcement has been primarily positive but I have received the brunt of some abuse of their power.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Mostly, okay but, so far, twice, I've been detained by them because I look like some guy they'd been looking for! REALLY? How many guys ARE there in this area that are 6' 9", have long brown hair and a couple front teeth missing! The first time, they just zipped up to me, put me in the car and I could hear them outside on the radio saying, "He fits the description but he's not carrying a gun!" Whoever this guy is they're looking for, I'd like to at least get a look at him!! The second time, about 30 years later, they said they were looking for a guy that just stole a t. v.! At least this time, the ones that detained me were very nice to me and we had a nice long chat for a while. They brought the victim/witness up in another cop car to see if I was the guy and they said I wasn't.

petitedollbabee · Answer

I think it depends on them as a person, rather than their job. I know people who are police officers and they’re assholes. But when I was 18 I took a man to court and put him in jail for something he did to me, and the police officer and detective who helped me with that case were some of the nicest and most understanding people I’ve ever met.

WhatTheHeckkkk · Answer

Eh, kinda indifferent but leaning negative.
I’ve ran in some trouble when I was a younger teen, they were cool.. However, I don’t like most of them in my town. They’re shitty, have snobby attitudes, and don’t do their jobs. Sometimes, I’d rather handle my own business than call them.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

I have rarely had any negative encounters with LEOs, then again this is Germany where police training is a serious thing. They have 3 years of basic training just to be allowed to be a police officer (federal/state). On top of that go another 1-2 years of specialized training, depending on the branch of police. Plus mandatory updates for their whole career. Rambos and rednecks wash out rather quickly in such a system.

Ez-Bri-Z · Answer

Its been a mixed bag. I got pulled over just for walking around at night once (not a curfew thing).

I got pulled over randomly while driving because they didn't see my stickers for the car inspection.

My most recent interaction was a pleasant one despite the reason not being a good one.

Just different experiences based on whoever was on duty that night. Pretty run of the mill.

goaded · Answer

Good. Not that there's been much, but each time they were polite, they explained why they'd stopped me, and acted professionally. It probably helped that the only crime I committed was to roll through a stop sign rather than coming to a complete halt! (10 Euros fine.)

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

No complaints. I've had run ins with the law but I wasn't mistreated. I also have a cousin who's a cop and a friend who's a cop. I get along with them. They have my back if necessary.

exitseven · Answer

I used to sell uniforms and equipment to police and fire departments. I know hundreds of cops. 99% of them were good people that wanted to serve their communities. I never knew anyone that wanted to kill anyone.

Lyndsielee666 · Answer

My uncles the sheriff so I’m on a first name basis with most the cops in town. Never really get bothered by them because they know me 🤷‍♀️

InventorofWarp · Answer

Never had a rude one aside from the one RCMP Officer that profiled me based on all my tattoos one time at the Border. But then, I'm not American anyway so my experience probably won't help much.

lrina · Answer

i feel like lots of them can be assholes. but i mean, it really depends and i don't really have a solid opinion on them.

Dinklex3 · Answer

Good, personally.  Grew up in a smaller town. They were sweet amd tolerated a lot of bs lol. Security Forces encounters have been fine as well.

alice55 · Answer

Usually ok, they're nice but not very capable. When you go and ask them something they do everything to help but in the end they can't do anything.

KatherineJ · Answer

I’ve had good and bad experiences with police. But I try to put myself in their shoes. They, like anyone else are not perfect. It’s a stressful job that can turn out deadly at any time.

noohair · Answer

There is a thin blue line mentality and an 'us vs them' too. I worked at a part time job with one and I began to understand. Imagine a job where you can be walking down the street and be shot because of your uniform.

NathanDavis · Answer

mostly positive... I've been lucky so far (knocking on wood)

Dargil · Answer

A couple of bad actors. Otherwise mostly like Adam 12.

Jintendo18 · Answer

Most regular police officers in uniform? Normal. The ones in unmarked cars and plain clothes are all pieces of shit.

notwoke · Answer

If you can follow simple commands, like stop or put your hands up or put the gun down, if always works out OK

EnglishEuropean · Answer

UK here. Some are courteous and helpful, others are officious assholes. It might depend on what kind of day they're having.

fireforeffect · Answer

My experience has been very good. I learned at an early age to never flunk the attitude test.

Ray123456 · Answer

I don't have any experience with cops

ManHater · Answer

Do what you are told. Say yes sir no sir.

UsernameXLTX · Answer

My experience has been good.

BCRanger10 · Answer

Largely positive.

anylolone · Answer

Not pleasant.

OddBeMe · Answer

um…I’m white.

DepLogic2 · Answer

We are all humans

How has your experience been with police officers?

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What has been your experience with law enforcement?

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What has been your experience with law enforcement?

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