I have all ready banged heads with some of the other members between our opinions on police. While I will still hold my stance, I understand I have not been old enough, long enough, to see how the police department has changed over the years. I am asking this question, geared more toward the older carrying group that visits this forum.
I recently visited the police department, voluntarily, and they had a case of old police memorabilia. Although I do not believe this is the case anymore, at some point the public view on police was good, and in some towns still is. They were known to be noble, brave, and honorable. I truly believe that was the case before my generation.
When in your lifetime, do you believe the police department changed their reputation? When was the last time you smiled, and were greeted with a smile back from a police officer? When was the last time a police officer came to your surroundings, and you could shake their hand and say good day?
So far here in my little countyship, the only regret I have is that they lowered the numbers of police and firefighters. The last time I spoke to a policeman was a little over two weeks ago when we have a storm and noticed a truck passing by our street. Hubby and I went out and looked at what was happening a little bit far away from where the "accident" was. Then we saw a police car turned around his car on a driveway so he can get out of there. We waved at him not really expecting him to stop but he did and he told us what happened. We didn't recognized him because it was a bit dark at the time. Then he started chatting us up remembering the almost-the-same incident when a lightning hit the top of our fireplace. He was the one who actually attended to us. Then we said our goodbyes...We love our police here where we live. They are almost always prompt and polite and likeable. But NOT when they are investigating something though. They are nice but detached during those times..........<snipped for brevity......?When in your lifetime, do you believe the police department changed their reputation? When was the last time you smiled, and were greeted with a smile back from a police officer? When was the last time a police officer came to your surroundings, and you could shake their hand and say good day?
... I have to admit though I have noticed a change in police behavior in the late 70s'. I noticed that with at least some(NOT ALL) departments there seemed to be an attitude change toward the civil population, some departments treating citizens as sheep and a patronizing attitude. Some of the change may be in part a result of the 'down with the pigs' garbage of the late 60s' and early 70s'. Some cops(not all) also have a sense of superiority over citizens and feel their position makes them better at making decisions particularly in the matter of carrying guns and I saw alot of that in California. Of course the liberal education that many cops recieve today is also a factor.
I always wave at the police, and my daughter makes a point of it, also. It makes their day when a 9-year-old kid says "I hope you're having a good day, officer! Thanks for taking care of us!" Cops are used to people constantly lying to them and treating them as though they are enemies because they are doing their job, so I guarantee when you greet a policeman they ALWAYS smile -- at least they do to me.
My daughter has been raised to believe that if you are in trouble, you go to the police because they're our friends. Too many kids have lousy relatives who break the law and then are brought up to believe that the police are mean and lock people up. Well, duh -- look at who raised them!
As a side note, I think that stuff about "Bush having beliefs" that everyone needs to believe what we do or be crushed is a conspiracy theory and not helpful. In short, treat cops as you would like to be treated, and tell them the truth, and you won't have a problem. At 58 years old I've made it this far without being cuffed and thrown in a cell, so I suppose I must be doing something right.
Sorry folks, my last couple of interactions with the police have been a bit unpleasent, so much so that i called someone I know in the department, a longtime detective, i told him what was going on, and he said he would talk to the one in perticular, I said I hope so before he messes with me on he wrong day and I give him a reason
some people who have killed police officers have beed clear of any charges, cops can break the law so bad that the its legal to use deadly force. just like any buddy else.
I think the job changed back when the policeman became a motor patrolman.
I EXPECT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO RESPECT ME AND TO OBEY THE LAW AS WE ARE REQUIRED TO. No exceptions.
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