Ok this is strange.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by desertstriker

Have to remember that in the police force women often have more to prove than do the men and it all boils down to that police work was traditionally a "mans" job (not being sexist just stating the truth) and that mentality has somehow continued to carry over but is more subliminal and rarely thought about actively. That is often why they are more forceful and aggressive. I have never met a female on duty officer who was not a tad bit more aggressive but when they go off duty well they can be real sweethearts most of the time.

just my 2 cents though

I agree, I think the few women cops that approached me get tough because I open carry when I detect. However, I live in a small town and open carry is common, but moreso during deer season, because our county has massive state game lands. Still, it pees me off when a cop draws on me when I'm totally legal, although it's only happened once. I know in certain parts of town people will always call when they see someone with a gun, so cops have to check, just don't stomp on my civil rights.

I'm not a radical gun activist walking around with an AK and video camera trying to get a response. I even call the dept. and tell them I'll be in a certain area open carrying and detecting. Sadly, much of our old history is now in the bad section of town, so I go armed.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by WernherVonTrapp

Cops can have a bad day, just like anyone else in their particular profession, though I doubt anyone would be that interested in a "Bad Plumbers" or "Nasty Mechanics" thread.

While I can sympathize and, of course, recognize that police are humans, I also recognize that the police are not plumbers nor mechanics. Police are in the position with the most authority to infringe on someone's civil rights.

The police can, literally, haul a citizen off the streets in handcuffs or even commit acts of violence against the citizen. The police can confiscate personal property. The police can enter search my private residence. Neither my plumber nor my mechanic has that authority. And, according to the law, I am not allowed to defend myself from a police officer. The only recourse is that if the police acted inappropriate any further legal action may be in jeopardy. But by then the damage has already been done, the citizens civil rights have already been violated.

That's pretty serious.

That places a much higher responsibility on the part of the police. With that much authority and power, the police must accept a much higher level of personal responsibility and need to be subject to a much higher standard of conduct than a plumber or mechanic.

That's why people react more to "bad" police stories than stories about plumbers and mechanics. That's why people get upset when the police try to prevent citizens from taking pictures of police while they are on public property.

There is no one in a better position to violate a citizen's civil rights on a daily basis than the police.

Fortunately, a large percentage of police are good. Unfortunately, the percentage of bad cops is too high.

I respect the police, but as a citizen, I hold them to a much higher standard of behavior.... as a citizen, I have to.

[WernherVonTrapp]

Originally Posted by Platapus

While I can sympathize and, of course, recognize that police are humans, I also recognize that the police are not plumbers nor mechanics. Police are in the position with the most authority to infringe on someone's civil rights.

The police can, literally, haul a citizen off the streets in handcuffs or even commit acts of violence against the citizen. The police can confiscate personal property. The police can enter search my private residence. Neither my plumber nor my mechanic has that authority. And, according to the law, I am not allowed to defend myself from a police officer. The only recourse is that if the police acted inappropriate any further legal action may be in jeopardy. But by then the damage has already been done, the citizens civil rights have already been violated.
That's pretty serious.

That places a much higher responsibility on the part of the police. With that much authority and power, the police must accept a much higher level of personal responsibility and need to be subject to a much higher standard of conduct than a plumber or mechanic.

Indeed, and that's what I tried to abridge by saying "The only difference is the nature of police work. Peoples' lives are affected and/or at stake."

That's why people react more to "bad" police stories than stories about plumbers and mechanics. That's why people get upset when the police try to prevent citizens from taking pictures of police while they are on public property.

You speak as if you have direct knowledge (as opposed to hearsay) of many instances of this behavior concerning police and cameras. I read and/or listen to the news everyday and hardly ever hear a news story concerning police reacting to camera recordings. There are many police all across our great nation who are recorded doing their jobs everyday without incident. I also have direct knowledge of recordings done by the public that are recorded out of context and had been placed on youtube. It does much to raise the public's ire but little in disclosing the true facts.

There is no one in a better position to violate a citizen's civil rights on a daily basis than the police.

Fortunately, a large percentage of police are good. Unfortunately, the percentage of bad cops is too high.

I respect the police, but as a citizen, I hold them to a much higher standard of behavior.... as a citizen, I have to.

I would be interested in hearing or seeing what that percentage rate is.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by WernherVonTrapp

I would be interested in hearing or seeing what that percentage rate is.

If the percentage of bad cops is above zero, it is too high.

It can never be zero, but we should never stop trying to make it as close to zero as we can.

[WernherVonTrapp]

Originally Posted by Platapus

If the percentage of bad cops is above zero, it is too high.

It can never be zero, but we should never stop trying to make it as close to zero as we can.

Agreed, but that goes for doctors, lawyers, judges, politicians, and the general public as well.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by WernherVonTrapp

Agreed, but that goes for doctors, lawyers, judges, politicians, and the general public as well.

I think the problem is, those with authority often tend to think they're above authority.

[Mork_417]

Back when i was a teen, we had one or two spots in our small town that we hung out in every Saturday night. We'd meet up, usually after working on our cars all day, and just chat. Although, usually a couple of times during the night we would all bolt to a back road straight-a-way and drag race. So, the local cops would always get anxious when they would patrol and see the lot we hang out in was empty, LOL. They knew what we were doing.

Never got caught racing, didn't lose too often neither. But, it was a small town. I did however, get busted a couple of times for showing off. However, all the cops there were polite, and just doing their jobs. Never had an issue with any of them, female or male. Can't say the judge was too keen on me though.

So i guess you could say, I'm one of those that gave teens a bad name back in the day. Looking back, all I can say is that i was one lucky dumba**.

[WernherVonTrapp]

Originally Posted by Armistead

I think the problem is, those with authority often tend to think they're above authority.

Well, then I had to be a rare exception. I was even afraid to get a speeding ticket because of what it meant to my career if some other police officer decided to write me one. I also felt, and was taught by my seniors on our department, that we had to watch our driving and behavior because it was up to us to set the example. I was taught that because we are police officers, we're always scrutinized by the tax paying public, not to mention the sanctimonious and/or vindictive ones who might have known someone (friend, relative or themselves) who had been ticketed or arrested.

Sincerely, I was always careful to make sure I did not use my authority for revenge, personal benefit or to lord it over the public. I knew a lot of officers like me, and I knew a few who were the opposite. Most of those opposites are no longer in the law enforcement community.