re; Cops- reality check

[Don Cicchetti <dcicchet@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mark (aka cu) / iCE Staff said:  (edit edit)

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Just thought I'd chime in.  You mentioned the song cop killer, and how big
of a success it was.  Doesn't that clue you into the attitudes of most
Americans?  It is naturally assumed by the police, that the public
dislikes them because their encounters with the police are usually when
they are being stopped for a traffic citation, as you stated in that
quote.  This is true, but if a police officer gave me the citation, and
said "sorry, you broke the law, and I have to issue you a ticket", then I
for one would not dislike the officer, I understand hes doing his job, and
its my bad luck in that case.   But in about 95% of the cases, the officers
immediatly give you an attitude.  In about 100% of the cases, the officer
is condescending, and feels as though he is not merely a servant of the
law, but an adminstrator of it.
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Whew!!  Reality check time!

Mark, you need to ride with the cops for a week or two.   If an officer has
a gruff attitude it's because his/her -life- is on the line every single
time he stops someone.   Often, a criminal is looking for the slightest
sign of weakness, fear, or indecsion on the part of the officer.  If they
sense that, the officer's life is in grave danger.

What do you think a criminal will interpret "sorry" as, Mark??   hmmm?

If you want scraping and bowing, go to a fancy restaurant or a Rodeo Drive
clothing store.

If you don't want to deal with cops, don't break the law!

If you do get stopped, YOU start by being nice.   Be really nice, and quite
a few cops will warm up to you immediately.

The others are simply trying to get home to their families alive.

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That the law is his own word, and that he
and he alone will come crashing down upon me from up on high.  I once
walked into a police station to ask for directions, and I was given
attitude.  Rather then tell me how to get to my destination as any nrmal
citizen may have done, he first has to ask where I came from, where I was
going, all the while looking at me in suspicion.  And I'm not even part of
any minority group who have been known to be targeted by police (for
anyone who lives in New York City).
- ----

You poor boy!

Listen, if a cop gives you an attitude for asking directions, write down
his/her badge number and write the chief of police a letter, with dates,
times, and details.   Trust me, that cop will hear about it.

And next time your life is in danger because of some other trendy anarchist
who hates cops, lets hope the law comes crashing down, and quickly...

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Final word, people aren't as stupid as we like to say they are.  Theres a
reason there is such a high degree of contempt for the police.  Its just a
shame most police officers do not try to resolve the issue the right way,
but go in the opposite direction and try to quelch our discontent with the
police.
- ----

It isn't always stupidity.  Sometimes it's mere immaturity and adolescent
"rebellion".  Sometimes it's someone who fancies themselves as a trendy
anarchist and feels above the law.
Somtimes it's just someone who wants to drive fast all the time and blames
the police instead of working to change the laws.

Oh, and sometimes it's just stupidity.  Sorry


Don



Don Cicchetti
dcicchet@domain.elided
71 '02   BMW CCA member 122043
- -Beatnik Motor Werke-

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