Why i hate police officers

[Far_Striker]

In my city, cops never really do their jobs well. A few months ago, my last girlfriend and I used to walk on our dates at night, and then I'd walk her home and I'd walk home. So I'm out walking at about 10:30 11:00 at night and a cop drives right by. It's his obligation to at least ask me where I'm going. He doesn't have to search me, ask me for an ID, just where I'm going. Ditto. Cops have continuously run out of stuff to do. I've know a few kids who have gotten fined for not wearing a helmet on their bike, etc. It's pretty stupid. I think cops go into the service with good intentions but something happens during that time, and I just don't know what it is that does it to them.

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<FONT COLOR="blue">"Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison." -Thoreau</FONT c>

 

[FearlessLeader2]

Originally posted by RedWolf:

I would also like to comment on your comment about minorities committing the majority of the crime.. I would venture to say that in this area it's absolutely not true... there just aren't that many minorities in white picket fence suburbia - the majority of crime is probably committed by caucausians.

I never said that minorities commit most crimes, I said that they commit a disproportionate amount of them. What that means, since it obviously wasn't clear, is that a larger percentage of crimes have minority perpetrators, than the percentage of minorities in the population.

IE(and this is only an example to clarify, it is not based on any statistic, and should not be interpretated as an actual statement, it is only an example to clarify.)

Suppose that there were 15 minorities per 100 people in an area. If 15 in 100 crimes were committed by minorities, then that would be in accordance with the Law of Averages, and expected. But, if 35 out of 100 crimes were committed by minorities, then that would be a disproportionate amount.

The above paragraph is intended only to clarify. I do not have statistical information available to insert an accurate number into the above. It is only intended to clarify what the term 'disproportionate amount' refers to.

 

[RedWolf]

Fearless... I'm sorry. I guess I didn't read your original post closely enough...

I understand what you're saying - yet still am not changing my opinion.

 

[gjts00]

One thing to keep in mind, is that not all cops are bad cops. Although, I have a feeling that the percentage is pretty high, in that area.

I've had both good & bad experiences with cops. And while the following isn't a constant rule, I suggest the following...Be a straight shooter with the police (MAJORLY COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF PUN INTENDED). In my experience, cops can almost always tell when someone is trying to bullsh*t them, and they DON'T like it. I've found that out the hard way. On the other hand, when I've been honest with them, they always seemed to treat me better (even if I got the ticket anyway).

Lastly, it's my opinion that the bad cops forgot somewhere along the way, that they're people too.

P.S. Are any of our ranks police officers?

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Listen, strange women lying around in ponds, distributing swords is no basis for a system government.

 

[FearlessLeader2]

Originally posted by RedWolf:
Fearless... I'm sorry. I guess I didn't read your original post closely enough...

I understand what you're saying - yet still am not changing my opinion. <IMG SRC="http://forums.civfanatics.com/ubb/wink.gif" border=0>

S'allright...and no one said you had to.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Fearless, I can agree with the majority of your points, but one minor, almost unrelated area requires clarification.
Fatboy Slim is not, unless I've suddenly gone completely mad, a gangsta rapper.
He is white, English, and does not even rap. He mixes records like a DJ, and all of the songs I've heard from him are most definitely different from the Ice T style of idiotic gangsta rap. I am unsure as to whether this was an error on your behalf, or that you genuinelly class him with the others. If the latter is the case, I am very confused as to your reasoning.

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Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you.
- N.S.Khrushchev

 

[RedWolf]

Originally posted by gjts00:
One thing to keep in mind, is that not all cops are bad cops. Although, I have a feeling that the percentage is pretty high, in that area.

I will absolutely agree with this point. Maybe my subject title is a little strongly worded. It's actually impossible for ALL cops to be *******s and power hungry idiots.

If you're a cop and you are decent and honest and you DON'T pull over young drivers and minorities on the off chance of finding a crime - then you have my utmost respect. You work the front lines of our justice system and have one of the most difficult jobs around.

 

[FearlessLeader2]

Originally posted by Simon Darkshade:
Fearless, I can agree with the majority of your points, but one minor, almost unrelated area requires clarification.
Fatboy Slim is not, unless I've suddenly gone completely mad, a gangsta rapper.
He is white, English, and does not even rap. He mixes records like a DJ, and all of the songs I've heard from him are most definitely different from the Ice T style of idiotic gangsta rap. I am unsure as to whether this was an error on your behalf, or that you genuinelly class him with the others. If the latter is the case, I am very confused as to your reasoning.

Sorry 'bout that. It sounded like a gangsta name. My bad. Fatboy Slim is officially withdrawn from the list of bad influences, to be replaced by...Sir Mixalot(j/k)

 

[TrailblazingScot]

Redwolf knows his rights...

'What about the rights of that little girl?'
Dirty Harry

Quite simply if pulling over likely lads gets more criminals caught then I'm for it...it is not too high a price if it is not a piss-take.

In the uk I would be surprised if the police give the lip that american police get portrayed as giving in the media (they'd be whipped and it is so un-british...we invaded the world saying 'hello, you work for us now before crushing our fruit-wielding enemies' -joke).

If you knew saw the victims of crime more...vulnerable pensioners robbed of their treasured possesions or pension money or those that are mugged I think you'd think catching the proponents of crime is more important.

Redwolf...it is not racist to use probability to catch the criminal...it is not unfair AS long as the affair is conducted properly -swiftly, politely and with no aggro. Crime is usually connected with deprivation (be it drugs, drink or misfortune) and minorities often suffer from poor jobs...young males have often an attitude (I do: I think I'm important and feel that I will live forever...aged 20)...they will commit crime and do to get money which brings respect (and pleasures) in this society.

The police are a gang on the streets...and I hope they win.

 

[RedWolf]

Nope... in my opinion it is NOT worth violating my rights to solve crime. The freedom of society is FAR more important than catching every pot smoking youth out there. (because THAT is what cops check for when the pull over teenagers - they're hoping to find kids with some pot on them)

It's a power trip pure and simple... "lets go harass some teenagers because we know we can do it, it makes us feel VERY strong and important.. and nobody is ever going tell on us." Well i say eat me. A dirty cop that violates my constitutional rights (and thus the law) is the lowest piece of dirt i can comprehend. WORSE than most common criminals because you expect no better from thugs.. BUT police are entrusted to uphold the law and defend our society and THAT is why it's so wrong.

 

[TrailblazingScot]

If it is illegal for you to moke dope then face it you are in the wrong and if you and your fish eating friends are caught so be it.

 

[RedWolf]

I have another funny story.. yet another reason why I hate cops.

My little brother and a carload of friends were driving through an old abandoned physciatric complex the other night. They shouldn't have been there granted.. but everyone does it and no harm is done. It's kind of a cool place to drive around because theres all kinds of trees and run down buildings. It's very creepy. One of their friends had never seen it so they were giving her the tour.

Well all of a sudden a batch of swat team rent-a-cops surrounded them and started giving them crap... acting all cool and stuff pretending they were actual cops with an IMPORTANT job. The REAL cops eventually showed up (3 cop cars were needed for a trespassing offense apparently)

They were told to "put your f***ing hands up!" even though the rent-a-cops had things well under control and were chatting amicably with my brother and friends.

They were dragged out of the vehicle.. thrown across the hood of the car.. patted down, handcuffed and thrown in the back of cop cars.

They then proceeded to search the car.. one cop found what he thought to be drug paraphenilia.. He called it "a debt list" and a "crack pipe". Well the debt list was a list of things to take with them on last weeks camping trip... the "crack pipe" was a PVC valve for a car. (My brother is an apprentice mechanic and often has random car parts floating around under his seat, in the trunk etc) The cop also thought he was taking my brother's snazzy silver lighter as "evidence" (yeah right he liked it and wanted it for himself) but my brother said he wasn't leaving without the lighter and the cop relented.

The cops then procedded to tear the car apart.. went through every inch of it looking for drugs. They even took bags of chips and candy that the kids had and opened them.. strewing the contents all over the interior of the car making a huge mess.

The vechicle was then impounded and each kid given a trespassing charge. They weren't going to impound the cr.. but then one cop on a power trips says "you know... since the CAR was trespassing we should also impound that since it was involved in the crime as well"

Now.. my brother can be a punk sometimes but is he a thug? No... Did they deserve to get the trespassing charges? Absolutely. They shouldn't have been there. (although it's debatable because all the "NO TRESPASSING" signs are on the abandoned buildings and NOT on the actual property - plus the gate is left open allthe time)

I can even see the car being impounded. BUT did it reqire 3 cop cars to deal with the problem? did it require them to be treated like criminals and thugs? Did they have to tear the car apart looking for drugs? And how about the crap with the "crack pipe". That cop was either a complete MORON or he was on a power trip trying to scare them. My brother actually thought at first when he said he found a "crack pipe" that he was being set up... he KNEW there was no crack pipe in his car...

Trespassing is a minor offense. Not much more serious then a traffic violation realy. You give the person a fine and they pay it... you don't treat them like garbage and harass them in the process.

By the way... he went to the police station the next day.. they won't give him his "crack pipe" back... OR his "debt list" LOL

 

[RedWolf]

Originally posted by kittenOFchaos:
If it is illegal for you to moke dope then face it you are in the wrong and if you and your fish eating friends are caught so be it.

Go right to hell.

I have nver in my ENTIRE life smoked dope. Not once. EVER.

Do I have any problem with it? It's a victimless crime.

And I'm certainly not willing to trade MY constitutional rights in order to catch those dangerous pot smokers.

If you want to live in an Orwellian poliec state then go right ahead. I however want no part of it.



[This message has been edited by RedWolf (edited May 28, 2001).]

 

[TrailblazingScot]

Mate...if you commit a crime then you get punished.

BUT I agree that harrassment by the police is unacceptable...but stop and search if conducted properly is a quick, polite function that does bring in alot of criminals.

Your disrespect for the security guards in the warehouse gives a real indication that you have an attitude problem...go smoke some dope and chill please.

 

[RedWolf]

Originally posted by kittenOFchaos:
Mate...if you commit a crime then you get punished.

BUT I agree that harrassment by the police is unacceptable...but stop and search if conducted properly is a quick, polite function that does bring in alot of criminals.

Your disrespect for the security guards in the warehouse gives a real indication that you have an attitude problem...go smoke some dope and chill please.

I have a direspect for the secirity guards because THEY had an attitude. They acted like they were SWAT team members and just talked stupid. "did you kids bring any guns? No?... well maybe you should have... we don't wear these bullet proof vests for nothing you know... you should see the kind of people that come around HERE". I don't dislike them... my brother and friends even got along with them and had a friendly converstaion... until the police showed up and started being badasses.

And it wasn't a warehouse. it was a large outdoor facility. A forested area.. with many old buildings.. they were driving around on the grounds of the complex...

And I never said they didn't deserve to be punished... if you read my post I said they even deserved the fines... even the car being towed. BUT the cops were complete *******s to them.. (not to mention morons).

And sorry... random search and siezures are in violation of my constutution... they are NOT allright.. even if they catch EVERY criminal in the world.

The problem in this democracy is that people are SO afraid of crime that they are willing to give the police sweeping powers. Eventually we'll have a crime free utopian dictatorship. I hope everyone enjoys it.

 

[TrailblazingScot]

Well...we are separated by an ocean and maybe things work out a bit differently over here...but I don't believe in personnal constitutions, I am a moderate unitilitarian -essentially I want what is best for most people, and crushing crime is just that IMO.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

I will put aside any personal differences in philosophy that I may have with Red Wolf, and agree with him 100%. What happened was unnecessary, stupid and excessive. It was wrong.

I am against the proliferation of private security rent a cops, but here, both they and the regulars acted like dicks.

This, and other examples has gone so far as to change my own view slightly. the rights of the individual do merit consideration, especially in a society where such rights are meant to be sacred. Unless there is a national emergency, or a crime wave of tsunami proportions, then now, I'm with Red Wolf, I guess.

I dislike crime, generally like most good cops, but agree that something needs to be done.

And kitten, no need to assume that the man is a dope smoker just because he espouses liberal views on policing. It lowers the tone of the argument. No problem, but, please, save the insults for the experts around here, who seem to do em well

;p

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Whether you like it or not, history is on our side. We will bury you.
- N.S.Khrushchev

 

[RedWolf]

Originally posted by kittenOFchaos:
Well...we are separated by an ocean and maybe things work out a bit differently over here...but I don't believe in personnal constitutions, I am a moderate unitilitarian -essentially I want what is best for most people, and crushing crime is just that IMO.

The English are already one step closer to "1984" then we in North America are. They have video cameras on the streets in some places and have already slipped further into a police state hell as far as I'm concerned. BUT if thats what the people want then so be it.


and Simon... be carefull... You're starting to slip a little to the left my friend.

 

[TrailblazingScot]

At least we can burn our flag...americans can't...and I am most people have no problem with crimes like mugging, theft and drug abuse (the fuelling of drug habits the main cause of violent crime in UK) being dealt with.

If you are doing no crime then CCTV provides protection without ANY loss of privacy...as there are tight regulations surrounding the use of CCTV.

I don't know of anything that the law prevents me from doing that I see any reason for me having a right to do so. Some do and they campaign for changes in law.

As in the previous posts I did make it clear that 'attitude' by police/anybody is bad...but Redwolf contended that stop and search was not fair EVEN if it caught every criminal ACCORDING to his personal constitution...which we all got to follow???

 

[gjts00]

I think that cops should be able to stop people for suspicion. But, I don't think that they need to be A holes about it when they do. Think of what could have been prevented if a cop had stopped Timothy McViegh, because he looked suspicious.

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Listen, strange women lying around in ponds, distributing swords is no basis for a system government.