Do you respect your police force?

[Dusty Fred]

I'm curious. Here in Britain, where civil disobedience is currently in vogue, we have a police force which, I think, isn't really trusted, respected or feared (I mean feared as in you fear the consequences of breaking the law - something obviously not present in our inner cities at the minute).*

I'd be interested to hear if people in other countries (I'm thinking particularly of you folks in America) feel reassured when they dial for the cops or when they see a man in uniform on the scene? Do feel free to comment if you also live in this ridiculous country.


*Don't get me wrong - there are many fine men in the service who do a difficult job to the best of their abilities, although I think they're hamstrung by excessive red tape, stupid health'n'safety regulations and general lack of resources. There are also many who are glorified bureaucrats. These are the ones that usally appear on tv as spokesmen

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

i feel sorry for them as i feel their hands are pretty much tied when it comes to enforcing the law

 

[dex-dex]

I am Canadian and I do not respect the town's police force.
as a kid I use to throw pudding at the cop cars during the winter with other kids in my neighbourhood. It was easier to hide in the snow banks and it took too much time for them to turn around and catch us.
you do not just get respect. you earn it.

 

[Blunderboy]

I have the utmost respect for the average hard working British Bobby. I'm not a big fan of those in charge, who increase their paper work load and strip many of the powers they have.

 

[LarenzoAOG]

I dish out resprect on a case by case basis, while in the end I do respect and trust the majority of cops I've met over the years, simply being a cop doesn't mean I respect you.

 

[Radoh]

Well I can respect what they do, and I try my best to show it when and where I can, but with all they end up having to deal with from people around my age I understand why they always seem to think that I'm being disingenuous.
American by the way.

 

[MrJKapowey]

I respect them, and when I'm older my career of choice is a police officer.

Oh, and I'm British.

 

[GodsAndFishes]

I respect the Police Force, but I am annoyed with the media's view of them. Whenever they do things right (which is most of the time), not a single thing is said, but the second that they make a mistake suddenly they're evil facist overlords. They just need a bit of credit for when things are going well.
Also I think that they need a few more powers since they seem to be hamstrung the second that they try to do anything.

 

[Rawne1980]

As the old saying goes "respect is earned no given".

While there are police men/women that do a good job there are others that don't.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

Singaporean police are utterly useless. So no, I don't respect them. Airheaded pricks.

 

[DemikidZA]

My country's police force is a majorly corrupt and inept group of people ( not to say that they're all bad cops just the majority) and in case your wondering I'm talking about South Africa. Many of the officers are fat and if it's your job to chase people and your not fit then it means one of two things 1) You are most likely terrible at your job or 2) You don't do your job

 

[Worgen]

there is a difference between respect and trust, I respect the police here, I dont really trust them though but its not good to trust cops, you should always be willing to keep an eye on them just like they keep an eye on you

 

[Scarim Coral]

Seeing how my uncle is one f them and one of my cousin want to become one I do respect the police force to a certain degree but not all of them (I remember watching this documentary of some corrupt officers in the force.

 

[F'Angus]

I respect the police, although a fair few of my family are in the force. I'm English.

I'd like to become a Police Officer but I think it's way to restricted by Health and Safety and people are too scared to do anything without being accused of Police Brutality.

 

[Catfood220]

I'm British. I was raised to respect the Police and the fact that I am a fairly law abiding citizen (a little speeding while driving), they pretty much leave me alone unless they are needed by me. They did get annoying though when I worked in bars and I got stopped and breathalized on my way home about every 2 weeks or so.