Hate Cops?
 

I'm not here to tell you you're wrong, because you most definately have your reasons. I personally have mixed feelings, which I've discussed in Skyman's thread, but I wanted to share something with you all. This is an email I received from another member of this website on April 4th. He's a cop in Florida, and I haven't seen him around here much in the past several months, for personal reasons. We have spoke on the phone before, and I firmly believe him to be one of "the good guys". I'm not sharing this email to take away from anyone elses feelings, because like I said, I'm sure they are all well deserved. I just want to let you get a glimpse into the mind of a real cop doing real work. Out of respect, I'm not going to ID the author, but I'm sure if he see's this, he'll cop to it (pun intended).

It was titled "Venting".

FWIW, this gemtleman is a speed-loving Mustang owner, who takes pride in his car, and appreciates and respects others who have devoted so much time to a hobby they love so much.

Take care,
-Chris

I want to reply to this, but now I'm speechless. I guess it's just something to think about, and hopefully an eye opener to some. I'll just leave it at that.

Dear Chris, I am so sorry to hear of this bad and tragic turn of events, when I was about 19 one of my best girlfriends married a cop and he was on duty one night and was involed in a shot out of some punks in a building needless to say they gunned him down, he was only 20 at the time with 2 very young children and of course a wife, my friend, reading this reminded me of that tragic day and the sacrafice that our law and order put forth when they put that uniform on......I will say a prayer for the familys and light a candle... wish there was more I could do...you also will be in my prayers, I know how hard this must be for you...take care......Hugs.. Odie

My take on cops is this:

You cannot stereotype an entire profession based on the actions of a few. Mostly, my experience with police officers has been ok. I just HATE it when I see a cop sitting outside my house (i live on a very busy road) waiting for a speeder to go by, and he sits there for literally half an hour. What a waste of time just to give some guy heading home from work a ticket for going 47 in a 35. We need traffic enforcement, but there are real crimes going on too that I feel deserve WAY more attention. Speed traps are just plain stupid.

Both sides
 

A good friend of mine is a detective locally. When I met him he was a SWAT Seargant and rode a motorcycle. Now this guy will talk freely about how bad things used to be, cops beating people up, etc, from other departments and many years ago. He is an avid car guy, even though his current hot rod is a '56 Bel Air. When I asked him if would race my bike he just smiled and said, "We'll talk." We will...
I also have had more than one run in with the other side of the law, and know they like to harass people for sport. The worst I've seen is up in Santa Barbara (IV especially).
Generally speaking patrol cops rate pretty low on the ladder of law enforcement. I don't think anyone grows up thinking they want to be a traffic cop. With this in mind, consider the following...

Do you like your job? Are you happy to go into work in the morning? Chances are most people will say no. Do people recoil when they hear what you do? Does the general public make fun of your profession and think you spend your time harassing them? Probably not. This would make a not so good job terrible and you may want revenge on society for all the crap you get. Just a thought for the next time you pass a cop on foot, be polite it may get you leniancy later.

Chris, tell your buddy thanks, and that I am praying for those families.

Hey this is it, plain and simple. Cops are people and some people are jerks, and some people are cool. Get it, got it, Good.

No.
No.
Sometimes.
All the time.

I work as a corrections officer in a maximum security prison. The only difference between corrections and police are:
1. CO's get paid less. (Not always true though)
2. We know who the bad guys are.

I don't want a cop's job. I know a lot of cops who don't want mine. Hell, I don't want my job!:D There aren't many people who have to go to work and worry about being shot. It's a real threat for the boys in blue. I don't worry about being shot because there are no firearms in jail. I do pray every day that I won't be raped by multiple men during a riot or hostage situation.

I never give cops a hard time. They are just doing the job they are paid to do. Even if they are violating policy you'll be hard pressed to prove it. The judge will most likely side with them. Just take the ticket and pay it. There is not much else you can do. If you're going to be arressted for something, and will most likely spend time in jail, RUN!!! If you think cops are bad, CO's are 10 times worse.;)

amen.

They are also illegal in California. The cops can use radar, but they have to be in plain sight.

Just thought you might want to know.

Take care,
-Chris

Tireburner hit the nail on the head.This is exactly true. The bad thing is, in my hometown (Pop. 6000), most of the cops are pricks. MOST--not all.

That's a pretty whack story. I feel sorry for that guy, and the officers that were killed and their familes. That's rough...

THey are illegal? All over my town cops will hang around corners where they cannot be seen. So thats illegal?

I remember hearing this on the news here, and I know the cops here get a shitty deal most of the time... Of course I've known some jerks, but I've known way more cool ones then jerks. I feel for the family of them, and know it's a real hard profession. I couldn'tdo it. My friend, Thad on this board bought his 12 sec Stang from a Riveria Beach officer, so not all cops are against fast cars as we all know!
Good viewpoint, Tireburner!

I'm a firefighter here in Indiana and after working with some sheriffs and policemen, I wanted to see what their job was like. I think it is the hardest job I know of. Firefighting is hard, dangerious, and firefighters die too, but I am glad that I never have to get worried about being shot, or fighting someone to the ground to save my life. Most of the stuff we did that night was respond to calls from white trash losers who were hopped up on meth, fighting with their wife/husband because of some stupid crap that makes no sense. The officer had to sit and argue with people that were acting like 10 yr olds. I know that they are just people too, and that they make bad judgement calls, but they work hard, and risk their lives and die, alot of times over stupid stuff, for a very, very small pay check.

but i still chringe whenever a cop follows me for more than 10 seconds!!!

Yeah. WTF??!?! I let my brother drive my GT the other day and he was cruising down a straight road. The posted limit was 30, he was doing 47. He passed a brick wall, and there happened to be a cop sitting on the other side of it, hidden from oncoming traffic. The cop pulled him over, and my bro just paid his $200 ticket! Is it illegal for sure??

Yes it is illegal in califonia. Not very many people know that so the cops hide all the time. My freind just went threw the Highway patrol acadamey and he told me that if a cop writes me a ticket and i couldn't see him cuz he was hiding then it was not a vaild ticket. So for those of you that live in Califronia you can fight any ticket where the cop was hiding.

it's not illegal here in Indiana

as a firefighter in the navy & as an ex-soilder in a war, no i don't hate cop's,yeah josh said it best, i was scared as hel- everyday in iraq, so i know cop's face this danger everyday,even though some are as--- not all are they are just people with the worst job in america, so, i salute them, even if they give me a ticket, hey i was speeding right?;)

There good cops and bad cops, assholes and nice ones. Its just like life, theres assholes and nice people out there. Just the power of the job probably gets to some of their heads, so we have a few more assholes than is most other professions. I have nothing against cops as a whole, just the few dickheads that create the reputation for the rest of them.

Skyler

ITA, there are good cops and there are bad cops and sometimes the ones that annoy you might not necessarily be bad even.

For example: I generally drive home late at night or early in the morning from my friends house. She lives in the one of the few areas in MN that still is "in" the suburbs but is still mostly country. Lots of people around there own horses...it's really really nice. So I head home, I use a couple of dirt roads and the cops just love to sit there and try to find any reason to pull you over. Now, I know that they are trying to catch the majority of teenagers that are either out after curfew or the drunks, BUT I'm not them. So little old me, 'cruisin home in my Intrepid, becomes a target like everyone else.

This isn't to say that I don't HATE when it's fog so thick you can't see five feet in front of my car and I have a cop RIDING my tail. It's annoying and unneccessary. BUT I just do the most fun thing to piss them off. Give them no reason to pull me over. Just slow right on down to 15 MPH and let them ride my bumper until they decide I'm no fun.

Sorry to hear of the loss of a good cop.Even though I did not know this man it is still a loss felt by any who wear a badge.I can relate to this as I also wear a badge for Birmingham Al. police dept.I have been to many friends and co-workers funerals and I can say that it is never easy to bury a fellow cop.I have spoke ,in detail, about cops in other threads on this forum and I will sum all this up by saying that most cops start out as decent people.The system usually changes them.By the system I mean low pay,long hours of shift work,death and danger on a daily basis,and criminals with more rights than honest hard working people.I hate to see any cop abuse his power but usually behind all the ego is a good person at heart.Cops are a necessary part of life and they stick together like glue so any loss of one is a loss for all.I think this is a tradegy for all involved especially the fallen officers family and my as well as thousands other brother officers thoughts are with his family.

thanks for the info, man.. Thats something that makes sense too.. Cops generally, when i speak to them, say that they are only out there to slow you down..but if they hide behind walls, that contradicts what they are saying, telling us they are out there for our money. I mean i rarely speed. my limit is about 4 over..especially because i one of the 4 teenagers in my town with a bright shiny new GT.. Most the cops in my town are great. However, there is about 2 i know of in this town (used to be one, until another pulled my girlfriend over)..

My girlfriend was going the speedlimit down a road, which is pretty hard to do because this road goes from 55, to 45, to 35, to 30, and then up again.. because it goes straight through town and back on the freeway.. ANYWAY.. She takes a right onto another road thats 30.. She generally hits the accelerator until she gets to about 2 or 3 over her speed limit she says.... A cop, whos hiding in this alleyway pulls out and pulls her over. He tells her she looked young (shes 16)..and tells her to not speed, and lets her off.. She wasn't even speeding in the first place.. I dunno i felt left out, decided to tell a story of mine. Wasn't really big, just kind of weird. I still think all cops are like people.. Some are jerks, and some have their bad days.. They just have the power to abuse it if they please. I have some friends that are going into the police force, and know some people i work with are ex-cops.. Great guys.. There are just about 2 cops that ive known of that don't deserve the badge they wear.

California Vehicle Code

Division 17 - OFFENSES AND PROSECUTION

Chapter 3 - ILLEGAL EVIDENCE

Article 1 - Prosecutions Under Code

40800 - Vehicle and Uniform Used by Officers:
Every traffic officer on duty for the exclusive or main purpose of enforcing the provisions of Division 10 (accidents) or 11 (rules of the road) of this code shall wear a full distinctive uniform, and if the officer while so on duty uses a motor vehicle, it must be painted a distinctive color specified by the commissioner.
This section does not apply to an officer assigned exclusively to the duty of investigating and securing evidence in reference to any theft of a vehicle or failure of a person to stop in the event of an accident or violation of Section 23109 or in reference to any felony charge, or to any officer engaged in serving any warrant when the officer is not engaged in patrolling the highways for the purpose of enforcing the traffic laws.

Point being that the officer and car must be clearly marked

40801 - Speed Trap Prohibition:
No peace officer or other person shall use a speed trap in arresting, or participating or assisting in the arrest of, any person for any alleged violation of this code nor shall any speed trap be used in securing evidence as to the speed of any vehicle for the purpose of an arrest or prosecution under this code.

40803 - Speed Trap Evidence:
(a) No evidence as to the speed of a vehicle upon a highway shall be admitted in any court upon the trial of any person in any prosecution under this code upon a charge involving the speed of a vehicle when the evidence is based upon or obtained from or by the maintenance or use of a speedtrap.

40804 - Testimony Based on Speed Trap:
(a) In any prosecution under this code upon a charge involving the speed of a vehicle, any officer or other person shall be incompetent as a witness if the testimony is based upon or obtained from or by the maintenance or use of a speed trap.

(b) Every officer arresting, or participating or assisting in the
arrest of, a person so charged while on duty for the exclusive or
main purpose of enforcing the provisions of Divisions 10 and 11 is
incompetent as a witness if at the time of such arrest he was not
wearing a distinctive uniform, or was using a motor vehicle not
painted the distinctive color specified by the commissioner.
This section does not apply to an officer assigned exclusively to
the duty of investigating and securing evidence in reference to any
theft of a vehicle or failure of a person to stop in the event of an
accident or violation of Section 23109 or in reference to any felony
charge or to any officer engaged in serving any warrant when the
officer is not engaged in patrolling the highways for the purpose of
enforcing the traffic laws.

Take care,
-Chris

Good Cop, Bad Cop
 

I agree with Robocop.

We need obviously need police enforcement of our laws more than ever, that's a given.

Most cops are decent people but the 'system' does change you for the worse. You deal with society's underbelly most of the time and the court system often makes all your work of catching a criminal and getting the proof you need to convict him thrown away on a technicality or with a no-jail plea bargain deal.

Of course every profession has a few nuts and weirdos but the nuts and weirdos with a badge can ruin your life with a felony charge or even kill you if you cross them so they are dangerous and should be weeded out promptly, but often are not, especially in smaller, politically-driven police departments.

The danger to a police officer is very real and present but one must also take into account that this is a job the officer applied for. He/she took tests to get into the academy and basically volunteered for it and often loves or at least doesn't wish to leave 'the force'. That doesn't make the danger any less real or deserved in any way, just a reminder that no one is forced to be a cop. There are other professions.

Finally, most law-abiding people only see a cop when they are pulled over for speeding or some other traffic infraction. It's scary (admit it) and of course no one wants an expensive ticket so we tend to see the cop as a bully, bad guy, whacko, mean, etc.

Maybe some are - they're human - but mostly it's just the negative impression we get from only dealing with the police when we're on the 'wrong side' of the (traffic) law. Understandable.

Police do a very dangerous, frustrating and necessary job in society. I respect them and I also respect their power and don't go out of my way to annoy them, as some do, thinking this shows how 'No one tells them what to do'. Right.

I believe that the smart, ambitious cops do the job right, stay out of trouble and move up the promotion ladder fairly quickly so the cops you meet on the street are not always the cream of the force, as it were. Something to keep in mind.

Chris, thanks for the post. Moving and informative and it reminds that behind the badge and the uniform is a vulnerable human being, doing a tough job, not getting rich, risking his life and too often being vilified for what he does.

The city cops here start at about 50k a year, and they get their own car. Champlin has the ticket squad out in force constantly. Wonder how they pay for every officer to have his own car that he takes home at night, and a very good starting wage? LOL. Wait, no I don't (see ticket squad).

It's been a while since I've been pulled over in Champlin, course I do the speed limit too, and I keep my eyes peeled, big time. All in all, don't do anything wrong, and you'll probably make it a while before ticketing.

Police officers aren't necessarily bad when they are writing tickets. They get told what to do by their superiors, but I think they could probably write tickets for the real jerks (IE no turn signals) and the rest, not for 5mph over.

This cop dies, that cop dies. I have never been really affected by death. Everybody dies, and it's something people have to learn to deal with. How many bankers died last week? I bet you a couple kicked the bucket. There are highway workers that have more dangerous jobs, yet they don't get respect. I think the majority of bad cops out there have given a poor reputation to them all, and maybe it's a little self fufilling prophecy. I think if you hear you are an jerk enough, maybe you become one. Regardless, I think on average a lot more jerks become cops than other occupations for the lure of power.

That being said, I don't really like hearing about people dying.

Good cop, bad cop Part II
 

Unit

I don't think $50,000. is unjustified for a job that can have you killed at any given traffic stop or domestic disturbance so I can't begrudge that salary and taxpayers must not mind paying it, either.

As for comparing bankers and policmen killed; how many dead bankers were shot to death by the people they dealt with?

As I said, for all the power it conveys, being a cop is a crappy job. Aside from the risk to your life, you have to deal with the worst of society most of the time and people are either intimidated by you or hate your guts and would kill you if they could get away with it.

Not a career choice I would make, just to give out some traffic tickets and act tough once in awhile or to have a police car to take home. Not for 50 large per annum, either. There are other ways to make money that don't put you in the worst neighborhoods at night or subject you to very possible death as part of your eight hours.

Still, cops do volunteer for the duty and most love it or at least feel a loyalty to the force that few others can understand. We clearly need cops and for most of us, they may be annoying sometimes but they are very necessary - and underappreciated - just because they write traffic tickets. The least part of what they do but the one that most of us have to deal with sooner or later and this seems to form the basis for our often low opinions of cops. Too bad.

everyday cop's are like army soilder's, yes you took the job, but your are in a war zone everyday, not just every few year's, who here hates hillie he's a cop & a da-n cool one i might add, yes some of them are a---oles, but dont we meet a--holes everywhere, i do, he-l i may be one myself, oh yeah odie just told me i am. well, just a jk, but i would'nt want their job myself.:)

I'm not saying a police officers job isn't dangerous, or that they shouldn't be compensated for it. Just that not all cops are minimum wage guys living off food stamps becoming cops out of the desire to help people. I do disagree that police who are hired with less than stellar training and schooling deserve to make $50k a year (starting). The police here have at least a two year degree, (most have 4 years) formal training, and they've worked to get into the position they are at. Not all states and cities require a 4 year to be a police officer, etc. Hiring some kid off the street 21 years old with no college isn't what I would consider a person who should make $50k starting. $50k down the road a few years, who knows? Maybe they are really good.

While nobody has a choice on HOW they die for sure, doing certain things can certainly reduce the chances of certain ways of dying. Constantly putting themselves in the line of fire and then having people complain about the dangers of the job are kind of stupid to me. There are risks with every job. If you're not willing to take them, don't.

I'd have to agree about it being a crappy job in my eyes. If a police officer thinks their job stinks, they can always get a different one. It's nothing like the military. You can't just up and leave the military anytime you feel like it, and as a cop you generally have an idea where you'll be for the day, week, month, year etc.

Unit 5302 is correct when he says that an officer can change jobs if he is unhappy, however, I've seen many leave only to return. I think that most cops cannot get the job out of their system. It's sad to say but a lot of cops become addicted to the whole 'authority thing' and simply have a hard time adjusting to the feeling of having no authority.

The issue about pay varies greatly from state to state as I have been a police for 5 years and made 38k this past year - and that figure includes a little overtime. I do know other places that make much more but I really think that most cops really don't do it for money. I took a 15k per year pay cut after leaving a job of 11 years to become a cop. I became hooked on the adrenaline rush after doing a few ride-a-longs. Most decent cops are hooked on this rush but also sad to say many do it for the feeling of having control over everyday people.

I like the way Mr 5 0 said most cops you see on the street are not the best of the group. This is mostly correct as a police officer with an attitude to harass people could not do this from a detective's position and therefore never attempts to advance. In my dept we can usually spot the problem people quickly and they're usually educated by veteran officers on the correct way to police. Sadly, some never learn and are usually fired after showing a pattern of abuse.

I enjoy reading the mixed reviews of police on this forum and think that the way members express their feelings without hate shows a lot about the quality and class of the people that make up this site. I've learned a lot about my wonderful car and about people in general.

Thanks.

i live in Fayetteville nc home of some of the most ignorent and stupid cops known to man kind. My uncle happens to be a cop and i have been on many ride alongs with him. he is one of the funniest coolest down to earth people you will ever meet. but what you have to realize is that when people look at you as an ***$hole from the start they will treat you like one. some people do this and it makes these cops feel like everyone hates them. now i must say i would be an ***$hole too if i was always treated as if i was one. i work as a janitor cleaning car dealerships at night and this has introduced me to a lot of officers. and like tireburner said, they are all PEOPLE. they are just trying to do their job. i have had many many many run ins with the law and i can say that if you treat them with respect MOST(not all) will do the same for you

mr 50 i will have to agree with you on the point of being a cop is a crappy job. i even confronted my uncle as well as other cops about this and i get the same answer from all of them "Being a police officer is not a job it is a calling"

HEY ALL!!!
 

For those of you reading this far, I am the friend of Chris' that sent him that e-mail. Chris, thank you. Reading the majority of the posts in reply to Chris' letter was not surprising. Negativity from the majority is expected. I did not become a police officer for an adrenaline rush. I didn't do it to drive fast with my lights whirling around and the siren on. I certainly didn't do it to carry a gun and abuse the badge I wear. I became a cop and love my job because I enjoy making people smile when their problems are solved. I enjoy the mental challenge that I endure constantly, making decisions that will effect someone's life forever, whether that be taking them to jail, writing a ticket, laying my hands on them, or using deadly force.
No, I was not forced into this job by any means. Was it a calling? Absolutely. My father is in his 37th year as a cop, and since my childhood, I couldn't think of anything else to do with my life that interested me as much.
Do I make a fortune? No. Do I care about that? Not really. That's what retirement is for. I can always make it then. Do I work crappy hours and have to work holidays? Yep. Do I care? Again, I knew that was the case when I took my oath.
I won't argue other people's perspectives. There are good and bad in every single profession in existence. Certainly this one is not exempt.
Speed traps: I only have one comment to make and of course, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. But, me personally, I don't form one until I know all sides. If I did, I wouldn't be doing my job very effectively. I have certainly sat behind the trees in my bright-as-day marked cruiser with a laser or a radar gun and zapped traffic whizzing by. Depending on the street, I am fairly leniant in exercising my authority to issue citations. However, what the daily commuter doesn't see is the body of the child that was scraped off of the utility pole that was just blown by, only days before the ticket was written to the offender. Speed limits are posted for a reason. In Florida, we can not write a ticket for 5 mph over or less. Does that mean I'd write one for six mph? Absolutely not. Could I? Absolutely can. That is, after all, part of what I get paid for.
Do I think that departments should require a degree to justify the pay? Nope. And I have my degree. It doesn't make anyone smarter than the next person and smarts doesn't make a good cop. What does can not be taught. Instinct, rational thought, and common sense makes a productive, helpful officer. The money we make comes from the tax payers of the city. I don't get a free toaster for writing a slew of tickets, nor do I get raises or any type of merit for writing more than anyone else.
But don't forget: right now in your neighborhood, someone is beating his or her significant other. Someone is stealing from the local store. Someone is being raped. Someone is being murdered. If we could set up "rape traps", we would. Same goes for every other crime. Most can not be prevented and our legal system has proven to be anything but a detterent.
Before a new server is needed because of my rambling, thank you for the kind words said by most, and to those with not so kind words, I hope you don't have bury two friends in one week for doing something they love to do: helping other people, maybe even your family. I have the utmost respect for anyone who lives a productive, contributory lifestyle. Are there other dangerous professions? Sure. There are jobs more dangerous. I wouldn't want to be fighting in a Afghani cave right now, that's for sure. But like many have said, until I've done your job, I won't knock it. Even if your job has a negative effect on my life, someone has to do it.
Take care all and thanks again Chris. As far as us being normal people, of course we are. Give me a few months and I'll be adding an intercooled Procharger to my Cobra look-alike.
~Todd

Welcome back, Todd. It's good to see you here again.

Take care,
-Chris

Saying ALL cops are assholes on a power trip is ignorant to say. Thats like saying everyone from the general public is either a crack head, murder or child molaster.
"Assholes on power trips are all over the place. Even the manager at Burger King gets off on his little bit of authority at the whopper house. There are teachers that get off the little bit of authority they have over students, the grocery store manager gets off on the little bit of authority over the cashier lines he is in charge of and the high school student under him who he hired as bag boys.. Thes people might not have an admirable a,ount of authority, but im not kidding when i say these people GET OFF on this... The only difference is a cop has REAL authority and these other peoples little bit of authority isnt as great. Thats why cops are more so hated by the general public.. Noone else can enforce laws or take away anyones freedom other then a cop or temporily deprive anyone of there freedom to walk away... And yes, a few cops have power trips, but so does EVERYOTHER profession. You just dont see it as much, becaus a security guard cant stop you from speeding, a teacher cant arrest you for driving under suspension, mr whopper house cant arrest you for not paying for your whopper. Most of these people are also required by policy to be 'nice' to you and cops arent required to provide service with a smile.

Re: Hate Cops?
 

i hope that he was a good man and not like the avegae local cops in my area. on the other hand i wouldnt wish death upon even the worst of cops

Re: Hate Cops?
 

I entered into my towns car parade last year, and one of the guys is pretty well know, and has a nice muscle car. One of the cops was telling us when to go, and when the well know guy was up (frank), the cop told him, "let em rip Frank." Needless to say, he did a big burnout, right on mainstreet. That parade sucked for me, my stang overheated and thats when the rearend started making funny noises.... The only other stang in the parade overheated too, lol.

Re: Hate Cops?
 

It seems to me the overwhelming majority of upset people are unhappy over a traffic issue. Speed traps, ticket happy cops..all inspire the fear that around the next bend might be that cop. This apprehension of receiving the ticket is what keeps people slowed down.

It is impossible to make everyone happy. So when someone gets a ticket in the apparently "not busy neighborhood", they are upset. But the woman inside her home, tired of people speeding by her house as her child plays, is jumping with joy.

Todd95gt - I feel for you. We just had a female Officer from a local community die in a traffic crash. Nothing tears me up like the sound of those bag pipes.

As for the California laws, I can assure you that is quite the opposite of good ole Illinois.

Re: Hate Cops?
 

dude i got a triple digit speed ticket one night for something like that. there was a state trooper hiding behind some pampas grass in like the divider of a highway and he got me. plus it was night time so it was even harder for me to see him. as you can see from my profile i live in tx, whats the word with the no hiding law in TX?

Re: Hate Cops?
 

I'm a professional firefighter, and consequently know a bunch of cops, in fact some of my best friends are cops. I run into situations that "normal" people run out of, for a living. Fires, medical calls with "body fluids" all over the place, Haz-Mat calls with a tanker of "Methyl-Ethyl-Death" spilled on the street.

You could not pay me enough money to be a cop.

What a crappy job. Disrespected by most of the general public, hated by some. Thankless hours spent training, interveining into domestic situations. Not knowing what that person in the driver's seat in front of the cruiser has in his lap. A gun? A beer? A knife? Chasing speeding drunks to make the streets safe for ME, hoping noone else gets hurt in the process. Trying to keep drugs and guns off the street so MY kid can walk to school safely. For what? So the media can flambe' you when that drunk you were chasing crashes into another car and kills someone innocent. Yet these men and women do their thankless jobs with such passion and vigor. It's certainly not for the pay. It's just the way they are.

Being a firefighter, I don't have it easy either. But I could never be a police officer. My close friend (who's a cop) and I had this argument over and over again, and I always ended it the same way.
I'd tell him this:

"When the cops show up, SOMEONE doesn't want you there. When the firefighter shows up, EVERYONE is glad to see him"

God's speed to all of the officers out there trying to keep this crazy world a safe place for US to live.

Re: Hate Cops?
 

Ive been to more police/fire funerals than I want to remember. Bottom line they are the saddest event you will ever attend. Even worse, if you watched their death and it was a fellow officer. All officers are family wether they know eachother or not. Its always sad to hear of one fall on or off duty. We wear mourning bands to honor those who have fallen, known or not.

After Army service I became a member of the "Thin blue line." Its been a roller coaster ride ever since. Ive been cuss'd, spit on,shot at, kissed, hugged and bought lunch all in one day. What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger.

Becomming a cop was a calling for me. Do I want any sympathy? no. Do I want any respect?,no. Do I want any thanks? certinly not. I do it to help people who can't help themselfs and for the satisfaction of knowing I might have saved a life. Wether that life was not breathing or didn't know Jesus.

Do I hate cop? yes. I hate myself often because sometimes no matter how hard I try, I can't help someone/something. Its in Gods hands then. We have a tendency to blame ourselfs for which we can't control. Harsh? maybe, but thats what I signed up for, good or bad.

Cop in a Cobra.

Re: Hate Cops?
 

wow, ill keep that in mind

Re: Hate Cops?
 

If cops are so good why do they single people out?

I have not changed my driving habits in the past 6 years, I promise you. But last August I got a 75 dollar ticket from a Cop, it was 3AM and I was lost trying to find my way home, I just missed my turn and slowed down into the median for a short second because I was so lost and confused to where I was. I began moving again in a proper lane and notice a squad car behind me who followed me for a few seconds before turning on his lights pulling em over and writing me a ticket for improper lane usage.

I told the Cop he was a bad Cop and that a ticket like that should go to someone who is drunk not someone who is lost and he should be giving me directions and not a ticket.

The COP radioed for backup and said if I did not cooperate my the time they got there I would spend the night in jail.

He took my linsense and worte me a ticket. I ended up posting 75 dollar bond at the station to get my license back and figured it would never happen again

Ever since that ticket....if even the SLIGHTEST issue happened a cop would pull me over. My right tire crossed a solid white line on a right hand turn once, TICKET.

I got a bunch of other tickets for other things and now my DL is going to be suspended if I get one more and am found guilty.

I will never respect cops, and if I ever had the opportunity to screw one over I would take it. My opinion was completely different a year ago. But my friends ay that I have been a more cautious driver then ever and have even been present for more of my tickets and say that I am probably less reckless then ever and with the worst driving record ive ever had.

I dont know if that one cop blacklisted me or what. But I sware, if there is ever anything I can do to a cop and get away with it I will do it. Because that's what they did to me basically.

Re: Hate Cops?
 

As cliche'd as I'm going to sound, there is good and bad everywhere and there are good and bad people everywhere and in most every profession/ walk of life. The police, like all other public sector employees work in a "fishbowl" in which they are subjected to the highest level of scrutiny. I do not envy them nor do I want their job. We good Americans, with the help of our media, tend to unjustly crucify our public servants, especially the police and teachers, and of course, it spills over into how we view elected officials as well. They're human and do wrong too, just like the rest of us. Sam Rutigliano, former coach of the Cleveland Browns said this; "There are 3 things every man in America thinks he can do better than anyone else: make love, be president, and coach a football team." I think we could safely add "be a cop" into that mix as far as the way our society views things.