What makes people hate law enforcement?

Question

WhiteSteve · Accepted Answer

Complex and nuanced issue. And I don’t know if “hate” is the proper term.

What it ISN’T is “these are just evil criminals or would-be criminals who resent that someone exists to stop them.” I think that would describe an extremely small number of people.

I have to fire a few shots at conservatives here, just because they’re kind of tied to “law & order” (despite what January 6th would suggest, lmao), but this can apply to others as well, who are hyper-reverent to law enforcement.

I wish we could post videos here, because I just have screen recordings of a few probably-Tik Tok people opining who I thought made excellent points. So instead I’ll briefly summarize….

The first guy is saying that he’s figured out that if you hear a problem, and then you’re too lazy to look into the whole big picture of it, and you just take it at face value and don’t think about it at all and just go with your immediate reaction, that leads to right wing solutions. He further says that “it’s politics for the intellectually lazy and people who operate off of emotion. Simple solutions for simple people.”

And a second guy says: “Being dumb must be so cool”, and how nice it must be to just blissfully navigate life without any awareness of yourself and others.” He says “You have no idea how many times I said just the most basic, common sense logic to someone, and they go ‘huh…. I never thought about it that way🤔’….. No, you just never thought about it AT ALL.”, which ties into the gist of what the first guy was saying.

So the point is that I think the baseline of the common person’s perception of the concept of law & order is inherently flawed. People are simpletons, lmao, so I think to probably the majority of people, they still walk around with the mentality of “cops are good guys who stop bad guys” that adult simpletons of older generations put in their heads since like pre-school, and they just never give it any further thought. And society is incentivized to keep up that ruse for the sake of order, but it unfortunately leads to this unquestioning obedience, or at least deferral to their word over that of a supposed “criminal.”

Like even that word, “criminal”…. people walking around in their lives in fear of “criminals” is wild to me. I notice conservatives in particular are very fearful people, like irrationally so, more than life reasonably calls for. They think crime is lurking around every corner. They all want to be armed to the teeth in prevention of it. But there’s another side to it, in a lot of cases…. it makes them feel badass, just call it like it is😝 “No, no…. its just like having a fire extinguisher!” Ok, cool…. can’t wait for your next social media post of you training at the fire extinguisher range, like you wish a fire WOULD, lmfao. Big ol’ Amerex Fire Systems sticker on the back window of your truck next to the Sig Sauer sticker, right?🙄😂

Anyway, point is, I think through various ways and for various nefarious reasons, we have a picture painted for us that’s more dangerous than the reality actually is. And an additional variety of simpleton thinking is that since these criminals are supposedly so bad, then once someone commits a crime, they are no longer human like the rest of us, and have forfeited all rights, and it simply doesn’t matter what’s done to them as long as the rest of us are safe. All empathy is out the window. And I mean…. that’s just simply unevolved thought.

Having said that, there IS a degree of safety we get societally by having laws and officers to enforce them. So the system isn’t totally broken, in its intentions.

I think the execution is what’s highly flawed, as well as the type of people we enlist to do it.

The military is a pretty strong pipeline for law enforcement. With all due respect to our vets…. I’ve met many of them who have told me about boot camp/basic training, and the psychological aspect of it. They tell you, and braggingly so, it seems, that they’ve had their psyche broken down to its foundation, and rebuilt to be a warrior, willing to kill and be killed for the cause.

That is exactly what I DON’T want cops to be wired like.

A lot of cop-disdain comes from simple personal stuff like the threat of a speeding ticket or something. But for a lot of us, it’s the “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality that they often operate on. I totally appreciate that it’s a tough job, depending on your beat. But if we’re gonna be sending ex-Marines with this killer mentality, then maybe we need to keep the playing field level, or at least not be so shocked, when there’s a “be killed” aspect to the job. It was ok for Fallujah, but not for Detroit?

There’s also an ego aspect I don’t like. Let a guy get away. I remember that guy who got killed for snatching a taser during an attempted arrest, never truly brandishing it threatenly, and clearly just wanted to sprint to safety, leaving behind the car he had passed out drunk in in a Wendy’s parking lot. And they shot him, in the back, while running away. Let him go, bro, it’s not that serious. Take the L, and send a detective to scoop him up at home, because, again, he left his car, so you already know who he is.

Or a less famous case, some guy I want to say around Atlanta, was running away into the woods for, I think an accusation of car theft, and they shot him in the back, and he’s paralyzed from the neck down.

You have to be a heartless motherfucker to think those are just punishments for the crimes they were alleged to have committed. If they prosecuted them to the fullest extent of the law, they wouldn’t end up dead or crippled. The punishment simply doesn’t fit the crime.

And the real kick in the nuts is that if you DO get arrested, and you start pleading your case as why you shouldn’t be, all of a sudden punishment isn’t their department, they just make the arrests and let the courts sort it out. So I don’t want our cops licensed to dispense the death penalty for non-violent crimes, or anything but an active shooter or a TRUE deadly threat to the officer from a suspect. If it’s not that, don’t shoot anyone. It’s that simple. If they outrun you, lay off the donuts and hit the treadmill, you’ll get ‘em next time, Tiger. No one’s undefeated.

And don’t even get me started on the disparity of treatment between white people and everyone else, particularly Black and Latino men. That’s a whole other thousand words, but you all know the deal with that.

I could go on way longer but I’ll wrap up with the hypocrisy. I used to hate cops unequivocally. Now I play hockey with a ton of them, and I have friendly relationships with them.

But let me tell you: Nobody…. and I mean NOBODY…. drinks and drives like the cops I know. I’m talking eight beers and getting right on the road. And even sober…. you kinda know when you see an off-duty cop, they just have a look to them, and they’ll have their big pickup truck, and all kinds of pro-police stickers on it, often just the crest of the state police or local town, so it’s not likely just a casual supporter but someone who actually does it for a living. And these guys TEAR ASS on the highway, 90+, right up your tailpipe if you happen to dare to pass someone and get in their private left “speed lane” for even five seconds, going 5 mph over the limit. Like it’s my fuck-up that I didn’t leave a lane for people who want to go 30-40 mph too fast🤦‍♂️ And I never ever ever ever everevereverevereverEVER see them pulled over by on-duty cops.

Plenty of cops go about their business each day and don’t really do anything out of line. I guess I personally don’t appreciate people trying to take authoritative tones with me, so we can clash there. I’m a grown-ass man and my mom is dead, so no one will ever raise their voice at me again without a problem.

And I guess there’s a certain audacity involved to think that YOU should be the one to keep others in line. I’m very much a “who the fuck are you?” guy, especially when in comparison to myself😂 That bothers me too. One thing I don’t trust, kind of across the board, is the ability of most humans to make sound assessments and decisions. My confidence in the anything-but-exceptional human being to do just about anything right is like 2/10. So just the idea that we draw the people for this occupation from anywhere but our most exceptional people will always lead to it being completely fucked.

MisterWack · Accepted Answer

I am neutral, I love that good cops protect and serve the community well in which they serve while I hate that bad cops give law enforcement a bad reputation.

I believe if it is very real emergency, law enforcement will help you 100% of the time and you can count on them. If you have some doubt, don’t count on them since they can be difficult / end up making the situation far worse.

Respect the law, remember no one is above the law, and be kind to your local officers who are just here to help.

I do want to say I believe in ending mandatory minimum sentences, revamping the justice system, putting our funds into better education / training for our officers so they are less likely to harm a fellow citizen realizing they aren’t holding a firearm, and strengthening police going around the community they are sworn to protect & interact with the civilians / shop-keeps to build a closer bond, also hold accountable corrupt officers who act outside the law and try to take advantage of their positions and reward good behavior.

That is all.

Puppystarfish23 · Accepted Answer

I don't hate them all just the ones with a power complex who think they can act like a bully and no one can speak back to them also in the UK a lot of are police are useless and have been hired based on diversity brownie points rather than if they'd actually be capable of the job

DeeDeeDeVour · Accepted Answer

Only criminals and paranoid people dislike or hate cops.  I strongly support law enforcement.  There are a few bad cops in the force but that doesn't mean the police force is generally unreliable.

bolverk · Answer

At the moment in the UK the Publics trust in the Police has plummeted because since muslin “Grooming Gangs” AKA Rape Gangs have been getting away with their sexual assaults with the knowledge of the Police, and then after the Oct 7 attacks by Hamas they have allowed “protest marches” with increasing levels of violence from muslims and their allies against any who counter protested, then there’s the arrest of people for ‘milk toast’ social media posts that happens to criticise the current government, of its lack action over the Illegal Immigrants arriving by boat, etc.

In the UK ‘Policing by Consent’ was the norm, but now the with the Police now acting Politically that Consent has been withdrawn across the country, and they are now doing riot squad training because they are expecting this summer to be ‘fractious’ – but they will have a problem having to deal with any problems as the size of the forces are very limited, and if the senior officers of the Armed Forces have any sense they stay out of any conflict.

goaded · Answer

I have had three interactions with UK police and three with German police in my lifetime.

All were professional, helpful, and respectful, which encouraged respect.

However, I understand that I am a privileged person, white and male, who grew up in a village of just a thousand or so people. I don't think there were any police there, they were probably in the nearest town. So, we didn't have any problems hanging out, doing whatever we wanted.

Today, in London, almost anybody can be classed as a gang member (even the police fit the definition!) and hassled for hanging around, even if they're doing nothing wrong. I don't think that helps society.

AMS700CX4u2 · Answer

Media focuses on the things that will sell. Shocking stories or shocking situations. Things that could be presented in a damaging light. It is estimated that there will always be at least 3% of any population that will color outside the lines. There is a verse in "Heard It Through The Grapevine" that goes."People say believe half of what you see, Some or none of what you hear" and I believe that is good advice. People don't consider the challenge of serving a corrective role with citizens who frequently are under the influence and aren't cooperative. Note: Police in many states carry Teddy Bears in the trunk of their vehicles for Children who have suffer a loss or are victims of abuse direct or indirect. I have found that most will treat you the way you treat them.

RingOfFire · Answer

I don't hate them at all, I appreciate them. They are a critical part of a civilized society.

But on the other hand, they represent government power. And government power has to be very carefully controlled so that it does not become oppressive.

So I think that's why people have a natural tendency to be skeptical of police and law enforcement. It is so easy for it to be abused and turn to the dark side if it is not carefully controlled.

Law enforcement is there for the protection of the people but in many places in the world and throughout history it has been turned to the dark side to be used to oppress rather than protect.

So it's a careful balance. While law enforcement is a critical function in a civil society, the power of law enforcement over the people must always be carefully monitored and controlled so that law enforcement does not become a tool of an oppressive government.

Purpleronnie · Answer

Those that are power tripping under cover of the law - abuse of power , those who stereotype , those who see color of skin first , those who don’t take you seriously or pre-judge you. Those that enforce law over common sense and giving Joe public the benefit of doubt. Those who enforce law just to get the department numbers up.

The list is endless !

Finchie40 · Answer

Getting arrested by them , or getting fines from them is my guess , and sadly not all law enforcement workers’ are good people , just because they are a police officer? it doesn’t mean they are good people , unfortunately there are a lot of crooked cops that do shady things. Overall most of it comes down to money , like everything else in this world.

Sachem · Answer

The answer is only too obvious: the cops treat people like absolute crap and bring this hate and distrust upon themselves.

There are THOUSANDS of videos on youtube showing police abusing people with impunity and violating the Constitution. Yet, these are the same ones who claim they are protecting the public.

Did you read Serpico about police corruption and how NYC cops rule the drug trade in that great city?

Or how about the book Busted by Wendy Ruderman about Philadelphia police corruption.

Now with the Innocents Project we have had well over one thousand innocent people released from jail. This after spending years in prison due to police corruption.

How can anyone defend these criminal police?

andreasderjuengere · Answer

I speak for myself only:

I feel no hate.

BUT:

such people -on their job- are not questioning the 'System' or contribute to add own ideas.

They are repetitive, counter innovative and conservationists.

They bring ''evolution'' to a halt.

Sal_Monella · Answer

Because they don't want to be accountable for rules they don't want to conform to. It is not civil disobedience. It is lawlessness. I avoid police alcohol and documents roadblocks on the belief that they are illegal and unconstitutional. That is civil disobedience.

Altheavas · Answer

A lot of them are a bunch of idiots, with fragile ego, and very emotional.
I have met a lot of good ones. Majority of the ones I’ve met have good composure, conformed. The most Sisi one I ever met was an over 6 feet black male in MASS. Ewe! His behavior was gross, while one was more logical, and one was a left over human being; both black male.

molonski2 · Answer

What makes people hate them? When they punch you in the head , smack you in the ribs , throw you in the back of a van , then go out and do exactly what you did , this is a big part of it.

Zack-Bann · Answer

It’s usually the people who never needed them

Nothing makes you wish a cop was around more than a criminal snatching your purse or breaking the window of your car

There’s a reason the concept of enforcing law exists for as long as civilization has:
It’s what separates us from the animals

genericname85 · Answer

people like to say "negative experiences with law enforcement make me hate law enforcement". but i find that the people who have bad experiences with law enforcement have big difficulties adhering to the law which is why they have bad experiences with law enforcement. cause if you're just a law abiding citizen who's friendly and cooperative, you very likely will not have issues with law enforcement and thus have a positive opinion of them.

Massageman · Answer

Must be doing something illegal. Our town has some great police officers. I took a Citizen's Police Academy course in town and they didn't kick me out. I did fairly well on the gun range too. All shots were 7 ring or better.

alice55 · Answer

it's mostly criminal that hate them people that do nothing wrong have no reasons to hate them

exitseven · Answer

They are criminals and hate to get arrested or else they are liberals brainwashed by Obama's "hate the cops" program.

Coden7 · Answer

It rare to see good media publicity of law enforcement. I have only had one negative experience with them personally, and I have had several interactions with them over the years

Anonymous · Answer

Stupid people spurred on by leftist politicians and their liberally biased media partners, both of whom benefit immensely from the perception of racism, sexism and any other "ism" they can leverage for their benefit. That's what.

Sabretooth · Answer

I will allow a retired cop who made it his mission to understand this very question explain what he learned:

AviatorTom · Answer

People don't like getting caught... and that's law enforcement's job. 🙊🙉🙈

Iron_Man · Answer

The fear of being harassed when driving given tickets

Anonymous · Answer

Bad experiences probably. My father was a cop so you can understand i stick up for cops. But even I've had my bad experiences.

Smegskull · Answer

They have power and I have no way to check they have earned or deserve it.

Gabriel-Chicanito · Answer

Some cops, go overboard. Y, those type, have gotten "taken out" by the Mexican Mafia.

Wiredone · Answer

Law enforcement officials who believe they are above the laws. There are some good cops out there but I think there are more bad cops that make them look bad

Anonymous · Answer

The fact that they are tyrants, harsh and bodyguards of the state may make people hate them.

dreamstar72 · Answer

Because of one bad apple. Which is why we are so racist of every group. I personally like most all cops and respect them

In_Trance · Answer

Law enforcements job is to serve and protect... the State. They don't give a fuck about the citizens. Why would citizens give a fuck about them?

Anonymous · Answer

Head-up-ass syndrome.  Don’t break laws and nothing to worry about.

Abbycado · Answer

People spamming about the subject online.

Anonymous · Answer

met too many of them who are assholes on a power trip. the end.

Razp_Sorbet · Answer

Law enforcement officers who go on power trips

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

I'm black. Guess?

Anastasia86 · Answer

I don’t it’s bad cops makes good ones look bad.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

ACAB

Sluttt · Answer

It’s just a job

Agape93 · Answer

Bad experiences

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Being democrats.

Babygirl_S · Answer

Being a criminal?

DrPepper12 · Answer

ACAB

LiamS95 · Answer

Any corruption in it.

chocolatetwopointo · Answer

the corrupt ones

kaucky1 · Answer

there's no need for law enforcement

WhiteBoyChill · Answer

Being brainwashed by the media to hate them

jimmy2 · Answer

Woke policies

SmokinAces2000 · Answer

American cops

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