It's a mixed bag. There are good people that become cops and there are bad people who become cops. Dressing up in a uniform doesn't change a person's personality or character.
I don't assume most cops are authoritarian bootlickers, but I don't not assume that either.
Yes but when you give a formerly good person power it can change them. They start to deify themselves and with the amount of power given to police these days I'll bet it happens alot.
Pede loving Cop/Detective here (although recently retired) please trust me when I say that there are many laws and rules that we absolutely do not want to enforce. Sometimes we have no choice, sometimes we have to respond because we are dispatched bc some Gestapo like nosey bitch won’t stop calling, because she gets off on calling the police and watching them respond. We can’t stand people like this. 90% of us love helping people, not government. SOOO much discretion is used in most our interactions. That usually solves the problem when you treat someone like a buddy. some don’t respond to that. But you will often find success with saying “Hey man, this crazy bitch called and won’t stop bugging the shit out of me.....can you please (insert whatever you’d like them to do).” Folks can relate to frustration. It’s a common enemy no matter what side of the law you’re on. I can’t tell you enough how often this approach has worked. They come into this expecting Andy Sipowicz from NYPD Blue to show up, and get an equally frustrated by bullshit counterpart. I truly believe most people want to help other people out. When you cause someone to have a paradigm shift in regards to their preconceived expectations, it disarms them to reason. It’s very effective and makes the person feel like they are being understood. You don’t have to make them think, or convince them that they are wrong. You just have to recognize that you understand how they got to the point they’re at, and that you’re there to help them figure out a solution. Arresting someone or writing a citation are just tools in your belt that you have access to, it should never be the most used tools that you have.
When I said “sometimes you don’t have a choice”, I was referring to laws that say “shall arrest” instead “may arrest”. If I do not make an arrest on laws that say “shall arrest” as part of the elements of the crime, the judge puts me in jail. Not many laws have this verbiage. The most common law that includes the term “shall” (at least in my state) is Violation of an EPO/DVO. When I or any other officer in the state has probable cause to believe someone violated a domestic violence protection (restraining) order, the arrest HAS to be made. That’s what I was referring to when I said sometimes you don’t have a choice. I was legally speaking.
"...can you please (insert whatever you’d like them to do).”
Here's the thing. Joe six pack complies because he doesn't want to deal with the Gestapo and their possible effect on their relatively uncomplicated lives. All the while they may be thinking that they are such pussies, contrasted with Patrick Henry and his ilk. He goes to sleep kicking his own ass for being compliant, thinking "next time". I know lots of cops. Local and state level. Some are in the family, and I don't think any of them truly "get it" (freedom). At one point in my life I wanted to be a cop, then the thinking began. I've been self employed for decades and have never lost a minute of sleep thinking about how I may have fucked somebody's life or somehow have been unfair to a client. I'm not exactly dissing you, but I am asking you to think a little more deeply about the principles that this country was founded on. Having said all that, I admit to the possible weakness on my part of the understanding of the altruistic thought of the possibility of fighting from within. Though it would take a more deceitful and patient man than I. And of course, I am the man that all others are compared to. ;)
Thank you. But I didn’t earn it. I got severely injured in the line of duty after just over 17 years of service. I could no longer work in law enforcement. Earning it would have been if I made it to my full 20 years.
I can't say I disagree with your assessment, but at the same time, my stupid autistic brain likes to trace alternative scenarios as well.
The high school I once worked at has a Navy JROTC, and I had the great privilege of befriending the MCPO assigned to the unit. He was a friendly, personable, and funny guy, but I'm here to tell you...I did not want to get on his bad side. Given other high-level NCOs I've come across, anecdotally I would have to conclude that even with his training, this cop knew that if it came down to it, this Master Chief would have crumpled him up like a Dixie cup.
But maybe I have a more idealized view of the Navy than most...
Lmfao, I was in the Navy and rank doesnt mean you can fight. Certain pins placed over the left breast might, but, damn sure not rank and time in service. He's likely been doing desk work for the last 10 years.
Well, to prove your point, he had quite the fruit salad (saw action in Desert Storm), and he kept himself in shape. Very dedicated to fitness.
My point was that he is a military man who worked his way up. Seeing as how you were in the Navy yourself, you can attest to the fact that they don't just hand out E-9s. He worked hard for those stars on his anchor, and I don't doubt that the sailor in the OP worked just as hard. Rank in and of itself doesn't indicate toughness, but the hard work and sacrifice that goes into it is what fuels that fighting spirit.
To put it in an oft-quoted way, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog."
Bro, you sound like someone who was in JROTC. You all are the goodie goodies who believe the best in people. In reality that Master Chief(not neccesarily this guy here, I respect what he is doing very much) is doing bath salts on the weekend and cheating on his wife. The nobility you ROTC types think we have amazes me.
Most cops are authoritarian bootlickers change my mind
It's a mixed bag. There are good people that become cops and there are bad people who become cops. Dressing up in a uniform doesn't change a person's personality or character.
I don't assume most cops are authoritarian bootlickers, but I don't not assume that either.
Yes but when you give a formerly good person power it can change them. They start to deify themselves and with the amount of power given to police these days I'll bet it happens alot.
1 rotten apple spoils the whole bunch, how many times do we have to watch a cop get away with blatant murder then get a damn paid vacation for it.
Pede loving Cop/Detective here (although recently retired) please trust me when I say that there are many laws and rules that we absolutely do not want to enforce. Sometimes we have no choice, sometimes we have to respond because we are dispatched bc some Gestapo like nosey bitch won’t stop calling, because she gets off on calling the police and watching them respond. We can’t stand people like this. 90% of us love helping people, not government. SOOO much discretion is used in most our interactions. That usually solves the problem when you treat someone like a buddy. some don’t respond to that. But you will often find success with saying “Hey man, this crazy bitch called and won’t stop bugging the shit out of me.....can you please (insert whatever you’d like them to do).” Folks can relate to frustration. It’s a common enemy no matter what side of the law you’re on. I can’t tell you enough how often this approach has worked. They come into this expecting Andy Sipowicz from NYPD Blue to show up, and get an equally frustrated by bullshit counterpart. I truly believe most people want to help other people out. When you cause someone to have a paradigm shift in regards to their preconceived expectations, it disarms them to reason. It’s very effective and makes the person feel like they are being understood. You don’t have to make them think, or convince them that they are wrong. You just have to recognize that you understand how they got to the point they’re at, and that you’re there to help them figure out a solution. Arresting someone or writing a citation are just tools in your belt that you have access to, it should never be the most used tools that you have.
When I said “sometimes you don’t have a choice”, I was referring to laws that say “shall arrest” instead “may arrest”. If I do not make an arrest on laws that say “shall arrest” as part of the elements of the crime, the judge puts me in jail. Not many laws have this verbiage. The most common law that includes the term “shall” (at least in my state) is Violation of an EPO/DVO. When I or any other officer in the state has probable cause to believe someone violated a domestic violence protection (restraining) order, the arrest HAS to be made. That’s what I was referring to when I said sometimes you don’t have a choice. I was legally speaking.
"...can you please (insert whatever you’d like them to do).”
Here's the thing. Joe six pack complies because he doesn't want to deal with the Gestapo and their possible effect on their relatively uncomplicated lives. All the while they may be thinking that they are such pussies, contrasted with Patrick Henry and his ilk. He goes to sleep kicking his own ass for being compliant, thinking "next time". I know lots of cops. Local and state level. Some are in the family, and I don't think any of them truly "get it" (freedom). At one point in my life I wanted to be a cop, then the thinking began. I've been self employed for decades and have never lost a minute of sleep thinking about how I may have fucked somebody's life or somehow have been unfair to a client. I'm not exactly dissing you, but I am asking you to think a little more deeply about the principles that this country was founded on. Having said all that, I admit to the possible weakness on my part of the understanding of the altruistic thought of the possibility of fighting from within. Though it would take a more deceitful and patient man than I. And of course, I am the man that all others are compared to. ;)
Stay healthy, and sleep well.
You were a good cop! Thank you for your service. We need a million more just like you. Enjoy your retirement, I'm sure you earned it.
Thank you. But I didn’t earn it. I got severely injured in the line of duty after just over 17 years of service. I could no longer work in law enforcement. Earning it would have been if I made it to my full 20 years.
I can't say I disagree with your assessment, but at the same time, my stupid autistic brain likes to trace alternative scenarios as well.
The high school I once worked at has a Navy JROTC, and I had the great privilege of befriending the MCPO assigned to the unit. He was a friendly, personable, and funny guy, but I'm here to tell you...I did not want to get on his bad side. Given other high-level NCOs I've come across, anecdotally I would have to conclude that even with his training, this cop knew that if it came down to it, this Master Chief would have crumpled him up like a Dixie cup.
But maybe I have a more idealized view of the Navy than most...
Lmfao, I was in the Navy and rank doesnt mean you can fight. Certain pins placed over the left breast might, but, damn sure not rank and time in service. He's likely been doing desk work for the last 10 years.
Well, to prove your point, he had quite the fruit salad (saw action in Desert Storm), and he kept himself in shape. Very dedicated to fitness.
My point was that he is a military man who worked his way up. Seeing as how you were in the Navy yourself, you can attest to the fact that they don't just hand out E-9s. He worked hard for those stars on his anchor, and I don't doubt that the sailor in the OP worked just as hard. Rank in and of itself doesn't indicate toughness, but the hard work and sacrifice that goes into it is what fuels that fighting spirit.
To put it in an oft-quoted way, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog."
They don't just hand out E-8's, and I know a guy that had a pension with a retirement grade of E-6.
Bro, you sound like someone who was in JROTC. You all are the goodie goodies who believe the best in people. In reality that Master Chief(not neccesarily this guy here, I respect what he is doing very much) is doing bath salts on the weekend and cheating on his wife. The nobility you ROTC types think we have amazes me.
Poor guy doesn’t even have a dog to shoot...
Fucking THIS pede...