Is it disrespectful not to address police officers as "sir" or "ma'am"?

Question

I'm not the type to go around calling people Sir or Ma'am because my parents never required it so it's not a habit I have. But when encountering police, do you believe everyone should? I think it's a nice thing to do ofc but is it disrespectful to not do so?

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BadApple69 · Accepted Answer

Hey buddy works too. I am a LEO and as long as it’s a friendly greeting AND not a fowl name than I am ok with anything.
Remember this, while talking to an officer you get back what you put in.
Example: I had a guy come up to me at an event and bark at me that he was going to do “this”. Just by his tone and attitude I said “no your not”. It was something he shouldn’t do anyway, but if he was nice about it I would have worked with him to figure out a way to fix his problem. A bad attitude meant I wasn’t going to work with him at all. His problem remained his problem.
Police are there to help and most are helpful. There are some jerks just like in any profession but for the most part they are just people too.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Accepted Answer

I would address them as officer.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

in todays world doing THAT precisely will cause disrespect as so many pathetic "woke" people get offended by being called what they are, then they go crying to make drama queen videos about how someone called them mam when they are now multiple people they thems or how they are now a "woman" but they were called sir. .. Ridiculous people of today should just be put on a rocket ship and thrown to outer space. Seriously. End this ridiculousness now.

in normal years when only us normal people who didn't get offended by irrational dumb shit, sure calling people by sir and mam shows respect, probably even better if you call them by their title, they usually address others in the same manner as well.

jennifer_bloom · Accepted Answer

I give legal and friendly compliance to people in authority but I don't respect them more than I would respect anybody else because the job is a role, it's not a person or an identity or a status marker. Of course formal salutations are important if you are speaking to a boss or a teacher but I don't believe that extends to those in law enforcement because law enforcement is more of a humanitarian job and less of an authoritarian one. It's only authoritarian towards those that break the rules where you would be subject to arrest or confiscation and expected to take on the rule of a lower status person.

CarnaGirl18 · Answer

As a cops daughter for your first question I prefer to do it just because it can get you out of trouble, also just be nice because you done know what kind of day the officers had. Or what they might experience after yalls interaction. And it's also polite to do it to anyone I find. But it's okay if you don't.
Also second question no not really, maybe for the first hello or the time you end the interaction,

Constatine · Answer

I will go for yes.

I'm raised that why... they are the law... the law needs to be respected.

I have to mention that i see things from the police that kill that that point of view but i always respect them.. so they can not pin that in me..

slatyb · Answer

Legally, you can address them in any way you choose: "Sir", "Ma'am", "Pig", whatever. -- That's been determined by the Supreme Court to be protected political speech. You do have to produce relevant documents as requested. You do not have to divulge your personal business "Where are you going? Where were you?" I am not a lawyer. See   for more information.

Anonymous · Answer

I never address a police officer "sir" or "ma'am" only as officer or constable, if I ever talk to them at all as over the last 5-10 years or so the attitude of the police toward the public has become abysmal, it roughly coincides with the police no longer recruiting from the communities they police to only taking applicants who have or are working towards a degree, at the same time they started recruiting for senior officers direct from university without those recruited having any street patrol experience.

GOLDFISH_smile · Answer

Huh? I thought you're sposed to call them "officer"

goaded · Answer

I rarely address people by name or title, but I'm polite, so "Yes, what can I do for you?". If pressed, I'd probably say "officer", I wouldn't be overly familiar unless I know them.

In Germany, I've been told you use "sie", and not the familiar "du", or you'll have problems. Since I only talk to on duty police once every decade, it's not really a problem.

BoopBoopBeep · Answer

I address them however they address me. We can be friendly or not so friendly, but that's on them, since for us to be having that interaction, chances are they came to me not the other way around, so they can set the tempo.

zagor · Answer

How do you usually address people you don't know on approaching? I usually use "sir" or "ma'am" when trying to get someone's attention, unless they are clearly a minor.

TheorionMage · Answer

As a retired LEO, when dealing with male or female police in a professional capacity interaction, "Officer" is ALWAYS the societally-correct form of address. The tone of your voice can... and DOES speak volumes without adding 'fuel' to a potential misunderstanding.

In PURELY 'off duty' out-of-uniform meetings, address by their actual name is appropriate as you would have done to you ~

BeeNee · Answer

I've never had any run ins with cops, but from what I've seen on reality cop shows (lol) most people just say officer or officer (last name).

jshm2 · Answer

It's just a fucking job like any other.

You should address everyone respectfully be they janitor, CEO, cop or father. The only exception is if they are American.

Then you should regard them as something that fell off your shoe, when you trekked in dog shit. God knows they arm themselves as if that is what they will meet, if they don't. Don't take the chance.

Potteplante · Answer

Never called anyone in my life sir or Ma'am - or at least not without irony and I probably never will.

Summeroflove · Answer

Not really. You might come across a really anal retentive cop now and again. But most cops are pretty chill if you’re chill with them.

exitseven · Answer

It is not disrespectful but when you might get a ticket every little thing can help get you off with just warning.

integrale77 · Answer

I would refer to them as Officer that's all you need to do. Of course pig, rozzer, tit etc are bad ideas to use

Avicenna · Answer

No, I don't, although I used the formal form of "you" when I lived in Germany (which you're supposed to do).

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Well, as long as you don’t address them as „dawg“ or „Holmes“… 🙄😛

Bricealan · Answer

I address them, (whenever I rarely have contact with a police officer) as "officer"

HitsyHonesty · Answer

I don't think they mind if you don't, but ibdo it because otherwise I don't get to say it!

strateguy632 · Answer

my vote was trying to scroll so one less okay. because they MUST call us sir mam.

Is it disrespectful not to address police officers as "sir" or "ma'am"?

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I would address them as officer.

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