Poll: Are Broad Generalizations of Police BS or Honest?

[Rottweiler]

As the topic states:

I have seen (to me) far too many people who are perfectly happy to hate, distrust, fear, or otherwise blame Police Officers as a group under hugely broad generalizations. We also see it all over the media- before anyone even reads more than the headline, the Police are automatically at fault, and it seems like no amount of facts or truth change people's biases.

Seriously, as a former officer myself, I honestly have no idea where people justify the hatred. Bad experiences? Sure, I've had them myself and I was a police officer. However, I have yet to find anyone who can provide me with enough evidence to justify these huge, sweeping claims people seem to make or believe.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Well, to generalise, generalisations are bad.

But, with police...they have the power to fuck you over more than most people do. You should legitimately be wary of them, and there's only a small step to fear and hatred.

Of course, this depends on where you live, and what the local police force is like there.

 

[Esotera]

It's not the actual police I fear, it's the people in charge of them combined with the power police have that makes me worried. The majority of officers are fine.

 

[Screamarie]

I personally have no problem with the police. Whenever an issue comes up where it's unclear whether it's the police officer or the criminal's fault something happens, I just figure it's a misunderstanding, something just went wrong and the fact's are unclear so I shouldn't take sides.

That all said, it is easy to see police officer's in an ill light because they are given privileges that no one else gets. They get to carry a gun and they have authority in a community to say someone has done something wrong. And just like in any other group there are going to be bad eggs, people who steal evidence, plant evidence, lie in and out of court, and use their police authority to cause harm.

A good friend of mine told me he doesn't like the police. When I asked why he said because they get to carry a gun and he didn't. Now he said this somewhat jokingly, but for him there's truth in it. He's having to trust a complete stranger with a gun and he, himself, isn't allowed one in most places outside of his home.

Cops are just regular people given a lot of responsibility and some power. It can be frightening.

In the end though, most cops are just trying to do a good job, trying to help people, and trying to keep the peace.

 

[Iron Criterion]

Nah, it's bullshit. All too often I see people on my Facebook call the Police a bunch of "useless pigs". Which granted there are some incompetent Police Officers out there, just like you're going to have incompetent teachers, doctors or even soldiers. However, those who are incompetent are a very small minority.

I would have removed them from my Facebook a long time ago, I have a lot of respect for the law.

OT: Sweeping generalisations are ALWAYS bad.

Also your poll has confused me somewhat.

 

[SEXTON HALE]

Police are still people and other people often fail to realize this.
A police officer can be your best friend and worst enemy depending on you not them.
They are trained to be as polite and professional in the worst kind of situations if you do manage to really piss one of them off you must have done some serious shit.

 

[ClockworkPenguin]

I always used to have a great deal of respect for the police.

Then the story of police spies sleeping with activists broke.

Then i saw video and stories of how your colleagues dealt with peaceful protesters (yes there were violent elements in their, but the majority where peaceful)

Then I saw the comments on a police blog regarding said protest. The attitudes presented there where very illuminating. Frankly, your colleagues came across as viscous thugs.

Then it transpired police had been helping cover up phone hacking and taking bribes.

I still have some respect for the police, you make it feel safe walking around Glasgow on a Friday night, you do a tough job with diminishing resources. But I also can't help but trust you all a little less.

 

[Squidbulb]

I know a lot of English people hated them after the riots because they didn't really do much about it. Apparently.

 

[Shock and Awe]

I've met few police officers I didn't like, and my dads a sergeant with the local PD so I meet a whole lot of them. The problem is that many people think they are being persecuted or picked on for one silly reason or another any time they get in trouble with the law. This leads them to think that cops are bad because they're all "out to get you" and other shenanigans.

 

[malestrithe]

If I have problems with an individual officers, I have problems with those officers. I do not make broad generalizations about the police force because of one bad experience.

 

[Palademon]

Broad generalisations of anything are bullshit.

But when the people employed to uphold the law turn shit, people will be scared.

 

[JasonKaotic]

I know a lot of English people hated them after the riots because they didn't really do much about it. Apparently.

Fact.
Although it wasn't really up to the police, they weren't allowed to use anything more effective than water pistols (No, seriously. Rubber bullets and water pistols. (alright, rubber bullets are more effective, but you get me) ) because our government is pathetic.

 

[Random Fella]

Wait...
I said no, as in it is biased, not honestly earned
Bit confused after reading it over now...
Anyhow
Real policemen deserve a lot more respect than they get, a lot of people dislike them because of experience with officers like traffic cops (The ones that base their lives upon handing out penalties to the normal people in society)
There's been much on the news also when a policeman has shot a guy who was charging with a weapon, or tazered some chick for running, but all of these examples have had legitimate reasons for the police to act in this way, and I sometimes find people jump to the conclusion that 'the police are in the wrong'
So, no, it is not honestly earned

 

[Something Amyss]

Broad generalisations are usually BS.

Nah, it's bullshit. All too often I see people on my Facebook call the Police a bunch of "useless pigs". Which granted there are some incompetent Police Officers out there, just like you're going to have incompetent teachers, doctors or even soldiers. However, those who are incompetent are a very small minority.

To be fair, a slip-up with a teacher might involve a bad word. A slip-up for a cop might involve shooting someone. Now, a doctor or a soldier could also get someone killed, but they catch crap, too.