How much do you trust the police, and why?

Question

SteveSmith1985 · Accepted Answer

Not at all. Why? Because they have proven to be worse than untrustworthy over and over again; place after place.

The problem is: even the very best most stand-up cop is still someone who has to be alright with his "bad apple" collegues behavior. He has to overlook crimes other cops commit, the big ones and the little ones, day-in-and-day-out.

If any cop ACTUALLY wants to fully be what a police officer is supposed to be... you know... someone who upholds the law and whatnot... your ass will be drummed right-the-fuck out of that police department (and you'll find no other department will hire you either).

Cops are a gang FIRST. Anything else they do comes after.

I'm not saying there aren't good cops who do good things. There are. There are cops who are good people who don't abuse their authority position. But they still condone and tolerate those who DO abuse their power.

If cops were trustworthy. They would be able to catch the criminals in their motherfucking break-room at their police station.

Cops are people you DO want to be able to call in some situations, and sometimes you're happy to see them. You got a dude in a ski-mask trying to kick in your front door? Thank god for the cops.

But there are no people in our society who I am scared of more than cops. They're probably fine. But they might very well not be. and if ONE of them wants to have an issue with you. For any reason... they ALL have an issue with you now.

They're a gang.

I am glad police exist. It's just the institution is rotten from within.

If cops were really what little boys (and girls) think a cop is. Like what they're supposed to be. The actual good guys... I would love police. But they have shown everywhere that they are not.

I've got a 4 year old nephew. He doesn't know anything bad happens in the world really. It's really fucking hard lying to a kid about what a police officer is... you know when he's learning about firemen and ambulances and shit. That actual "good guy" cop that we teach kids about would be harassed out of any police force in North America.

The IDEA of police, and what they're SUPPOSED to be... I support those things 100%.

Most of my actual interactions with police have been perfectly fine. The cop was doing his job appropriately. But some of my interactions have not been fine. And those have been among the scariest experiences I've had. (And I've seen some shit!) There's nothing that lets me know what that cop might feel like doing that day.

There is nobody to call when it's the cops fucking with you. And they've got paperwork and prosecutors and jail cells. You've got nothing. You've got the hope that THIS particular cop isn't going to have a problem with you today. And from my perspective that's totally completely arbitrary. How do I know? I just see the uniform.

I don't trust cops. I wish I could though.

ShiftingMonke · Accepted Answer

I do trust the sheriff implicitly. I know him, known him for years, and I asked him about the new gun laws at the latest town board meeting and he assured me that he's not interested in enforcing them. That's pretty much the extent of my concern.

The local police, not so much- but that has more to do with the characters of the police themselves, and less about ACAB; they're plagued with infidelity scandals and nepotism.

State police, it's strictly on a one-off basis. I've had great interactions with them, but I do a lot of interstate travel and they can really mess my night up if they want to pull me over for a DOT inspection.

I think police have the capability to make grave mistakes, and have those mistakes amplified across the nation. I believe that this constant amplification causes the nation to get a skewed view of what police actually do; I think a majority of police interactions are not remotely violent and are otherwise a non-issue. But that one small percentile of bad police interactions are used to paint the entirety of the police force negatively, and that's going to have serious long term consequences down the line.

Aerissa_Jade · Accepted Answer

Barely, they are extremely slow to respond. They don't do their job very good, they let lots of cases sit around and ignore them.

The county sheriff is the best here, but city police or tribal police are beyond terrible.

There was a story yesterday in the news about yet another serial rapist who over the last ten years has raped a dozen women and police just ignore him, don't pursue and let him keep on doing it.

The news finally ran the story and suddenly they all started investigating. If it takes the media to get them to do their job, then what is the point?

DizzyDesii · Accepted Answer

I don't know. Never had an counter with one and not trying to. I’ve been around firefighters on occasion since my favorite one would always let me ride in the firetruck with him as a kid. My mom has dated a fireman. My neighbors are firemen. I trust firefighters more.

Qdbrown · Answer

When it comes to police, if there is anything you most know, is that no cop is your friend, especially when they are in uniform.

That said, are they bad? No. Are they scary dangerous? Some are. Some are actually really good people. But the big thing you have to remember is that they have a job they are sworn to do, and if they think you are doing wrong, their job is not to figure out. They just have to get you infront of a judge to determine your guilt. Some know how to trip you up, get you to say things. Basically get the bad guy, because all their success is based on catching the bad guy and serving the community, and some cops will do a lot to get there.

And some cops will try to trick you, and most of that strategy is coming off as a good friend. Some will bend the law to achieve that. Some do things to get around barriers. Like handing you things to look at, and then carefully take it back so they can check prints and DNA later.

So know that, just be careful with cops. Be very respectful and polite. Dont try to win thr day with them. You can stand up for your rights if you definitely know where you stand, but with engagement with a cop, you say the wrong thing to the wrong cop, and you might not live long enough to brag about it.

lightbulb27 · Answer

High, because I have no personal reason not to. I was trained to respect authority and submit. I'm extra considerate around them and I get to know my police. Never had a problem.

However, I see the stories of corrupt cops... planting evidence and such. I see the stories of people dressing up like cops and they are serial killers... that was long ago... but scary. And if someone had a different perspective where the cops were enemies instead of on their side, and that's the view in inner cities often, no wonder they are in fear.

Anpu23 · Answer

Most police are just trying to do their job and go home. But the work is a high stress environment that fosters corruption and violence. It has been my experience that as long as you do not give them an excuse most interactions with law enforcement is just semi-hostile with a tinge of suspicion on everyone's part. A low lying imbalance of power, and that can quickly become hostile. As an example I had a friend fall of of a cliff, he fell and was sent by ambulance to the emergency ward of the hospital. While I was interviewed I was asked how far he fell I said 3 or 4 yards. Later I told another cop, 10 to 15 feet, the first one got in my face "I thought you said 3 or 4 yards!!!" The other cop intervened "um, 3 to 4 yards is 9 to 12 feet, relax." But the other one was all in my face for lying to police. That could have gone very bad, no mistake on my part, just a cop thinking I had changed my story.

snackthatsmilesback · Answer

I don't trust the police, bc it doesn't seem to matter what u do, only how some officer feels about it. U could do something super bad but they just give u a warning bc they know u, or they just feel like u "good person" or they "not want paperwork" or some shit. Or u could do nothing at all, and get beat up or arrested just cuz they know u, or feel like u "act suspicious" or they "make an example" or some shit. So. It's super random. I hate that. And I don't trust them at all.

I'd call if I have no other option, but tbh they're a shit option for a lot of things. There's a lot of things I'd rather just take the loss than involve cops.

Sixgunsound · Answer

As a white military veteran with registered weapons in the vehicle I am aware that police are going to react more forcefully than if any or all of those were not true because it won't even make the news if they shoot someone like me. I am in constant fear of an encounter going wrong if I ever see a police car. God-like power over life and death coupled with qualified immunity from prosecution for using it are a terrifying prospect to behold, and they are everywhere.

randyzuchows · Answer

Not one bit at all asshole lying prices one reason was bad and made my kids afraid of the cops, they lie do whatever they want even if you say no and he comes back were doing it anyway, out last 12 times it's been one cop I was speeding get to surgery, the other asshole cop any time he would see me drive I'm getting pulled over, cops are lying corrupt assholesand I had a seizure the cops beat me bad and I already have head trauma felt 3 lumps back my head side face bruised and scratch up boot print bruises on my arms finger bruises where you can see ever Finneran I'm disabled to they are lying asshes fuck the police

MysticDevice · Answer

City police I can't really say.

Sheriffs at the moment I have a good feeling about. Lately they've really been coming through with protecting constitutional rights and have really been pushing back against government over reach.

State Troopers on the other hand piss me off. Cause they will pull you over for the smallest and stupidest reasons then slap you with a citation and a fine.

Its hit or miss overall. Cause at the moment it seems a whole lot of police are forgetting what Rights are, and I have witnessed several officers demonstrate total failure with weapon safety.

zzzondarrr · Answer

A wise man - Max Igan, Crowhouse, once said - "not all psychopaths and scumbags wear police uniforms, but the biggest scum of the earth all do wear police uniforms. Police really are the lowest lifeform we have in our society. These braindead thugs who are enforcing corruption, tyranny, depopulation, mass murder, genocide, pedophilia, they re supporting all this kind of stuff, and they're putting themselves above the law, and they're terrorizing, brutalizing, beating the real people, kind people, decent people, who r trying to make a difference. I mean, not all police, not all police are terrorists, but the biggest terrorists on earth are police."
A bit extreme xD, but there's some important truth to it in my opinion, that's why i saved it and remember it

Lliam · Answer

Do I trust someone just because they are a cop? Hell no! I don't trust authority.

There are good cops, but some are complete ass holes. And most are hypocrites because they'll tell civilians that the law is the law, but it's a different story when they or their buddies in blue break the law.

And they do whatever immoral shit they are ordered to do like beat and arrest peaceful protestors who are exercising their constitutional rights.

Anonymous · Answer

That is like asking how much do you trust your friends hands...

The police are the hand of goverment, not some independent agency that you can talk about.

Lets reword that argument, how much do you trust your goverment? (Local/state goverment in the case of the USA)

Sun_Kim-Ai · Answer

Depends on the branch honestly.

Local Police - completely trust them, they are people I know and work with me every day.

Carabineers - more or less I trust them, but I don't forget they are a military corp with the duties of civilian police.

State Police and Finance Guard - had several clashes with them in the past. They try to model themselves as a Gestapo and it makes them look riducolous.

Nikki1989 · Answer

I have only ever needed the police three times in my life and each time they totally let me down, so no, I don't trust them.

LiamJHayden · Answer

I trust my local police because I personally know the higher ups and a good chunk of the street cops, having lived here all my life.

County Sheriffs, a bit less.

CHiPs: very little.

Outside my area: I make sure my cams are always on.

Jay3344 · Answer

I trust them to be people who have authority and a job. Whether they abuse that or not is up to them. I trust that I have rights in my country that protect me and that if I believe that anything is wrong with the encounter that I have a legal system that can allow for me to seek justice. Is that justice system flawed?…yes but it’s a system we have that I can use to protect myself from humanities mistakes hopefully.

OfMiceandMen · Answer

I trust them to a certain point, I haven't had too many issues where I needed them. That being said, they were courteous and patient with me when I had been pulled over when I was young and being a dumbass.

MrCommodore · Answer

I generally trust the Police, of course there will be asshole people who become police officers for power trip reasons, but also a lot of good people who want to uphold our social laws.

Jaximus-Lion · Answer

The ones that are out in rhe traffic or gatherings doing control! Not one bit. The ones that investigate robberies and murder! I trust them a lot.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I trust the police about 30% of the time. They were called here by me after a dispute, and they asked my cousin if she wanted me to leave. So you see, the police can be backstabbers.

DarkLegacy · Answer

I do not trust them to sort out crimes committed against me and that is because of past experience. You can always rely on police to avoid having to prosecute crimes committed against people with Autism and learning disabilities

ChillaxingLove · Answer

According to the Cops I’m around a lot because they’re gate guard where I work and they are very trustworthy

NostalgiaSenpi · Answer

Not at all. You call them and they try to take you away as opposed to helping you. They aren't there for the citizens, only the interests of the state.

JosyJosy · Answer

I do. I act like an angel, remain polite and do nothing questionable that could potentially make them nervous. I haven't run into a corrupt one yet.

worldscolide · Answer

The police in general? No, not at all. The individual officers I know personally, implicitly.

Zandoval · Answer

Quite a bit. Not saying they're aren't bad ones, but if they didn't exist, it'll be hell.

Texaskid1 · Answer

This sums it up.

bolverk · Answer

Not as much as I did before Covid, but most of the police in the North of England left people well alone.

Jackblue · Answer

I trust them, my experiences haven't always been the greatest with them, but I would trust them over the majority of Americans.

Alex8736 · Answer

By having a law degree I can tell where a conversation is going if I'm ever confronted which is very rare

douride2 · Answer

I have never had a reason to not trust them.

collie22 · Answer

Mostly I do when I seem then around park, not so much downtown

SmokinAces2000 · Answer

Not at all because they don’t have my best interest

shortster · Answer

60%; they do swear an oath. But that doesn't stop bad actors entirely.

WORAMEL · Answer

The police in my country must be just and commoners

Babygirl_S · Answer

I trust the police in my city

Pterodon · Answer

I have nothing to fear from them

TallAnon · Answer

As much as is neccesary and no further.

WowwGirl · Answer

No bien

Batsy01010101 · Answer

i don't

Anonymous · Answer

Why to trust?

How much do you trust the police, and why?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Do you trust police?

How much do you trust the police, and why?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Do you trust police?

We're glad to see you liked this post.