Why do police think they are so deserving of respect but no one else is?

Fred P

There are a fair number of officers who I consider "badge-heavy" - but I don't think you can characterize the entire profession as acting that way..... any more than you can characterize all teenagers as morons or bad drivers, simply because of the actions of a few. That's called stereotyping.

Certainly, your few experiences with LE may have resulted in casting them in that light - but what were you (not you, specifically) actually doing to push in that direction? Also, the news media reports on "bad" news - good news doesn't sell, so you don't see the "good" stuff that happens, only the bad. Think back - when was the last time that the media reported on something good... or compare that to the number of "good" reports vs "bad" reports.... It's also a 2-way street - both sides need to give respect to get respect. While I agree officers should be interacting with others respectfully, it's NOT just a one-way "I'll give you respect only if you give me respect first...." situation. Things can degenerate VERY quickly, depending on the mindset of the contact.

Probably 99% of the officers I personally know (my department and others) play it straight down the line - acting professionally. If the ship hits the proverbial sand and things start going south, then attitudes may change - but they'll still be acting professionally in hooking you up and "tossing" your butt into the back seat.

THe hiring process, esp the psychological screening and oral boards, should catch more of these types of applicants. As far as I'm concerned, effective communication can defuse many more situations than simple force or inappropriate attitudes.

CA Deputy

ahsoasho2u2

Power and Authority are something that takes time to handle.
A police officer has so much Power and Authority, it is mind boggling what one can do to another legally. It is like taking tax deductions, so many loopholes.
I agree that respect can be commanded and demanded, but; one learns in time, that with the badge, come that aspect that, respect is best, when it is earned and gained.
Unfortunately one has to go through that power struggle conflict mode, within ones self, in order to get to the later stage of knowledge about actual Power and Authority.
The biggest problem is knowledge, if challenged and unsure the Power and Authority comes through from a QUESTION to a being CHALLENGED.
Challenge to that mindset, is fear and insecurity.
If you know the answers, then you are sure footed like a deer in the woods.

kickofthe

Police hiring practices tend to look for certain personality traits and subsequent training of those hired, is focused on increasing the lack of free thinking. Basically, they want robots but the technology isn't here yet.

In some respects this is a good thing, but when it comes to "grey" areas of law enforcement, many police don't seem to have the skill set needed to react with common sense. It's hard to respect someone who can't see the subtle difference in a given situation, that could make a serious incident look minor to an onlooker with a different perspective.

One "grey" area of law enforcement is that of confronting an armed individual with a knife, baseball bat, or other type of weapon, (non-firearm). Police tend to stand their ground and if the person does not disarm, or acts menacingly, the police shoot to kill. Rarely have I heard of such a confrontation that resulted in an officer stepping back and shooting to injure, if the "suspect" didn't cooperate by dropping their weapon.

Apparently, law enforcement officers of today only read the paperback versions of the "Wild West". In reality, old time sheriff's and deputies, didn't want to kill if it wasn't necessary. Also lost over the span of time since those good old days, is the skill to shoot straight enough to inflict non-fatal injury.

Regrettably, the same disrespectful mindset exists in many aspects of our society, right on up to our political leaders. This is the age of disrespect. Its in popular music, movies and more frequently in news reports of groups of people, (especially), teens attacking minorities, the homeless and so on.

Isn't progress grand?

Combatcop

I start my contact with everyone the same. My attitude will change depending upon how you respond.

I noticed in a lot of your questions, you seem to group all police officers together. That makes you a very ignorant citizen.

I will admit there are people wearing the badge that do not deserve to do so. Their numbers are far out paced by the good cops in the world.

I will also admit there are doctors, lawyers, dentists, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, administrative assistants, fry cooks etc. etc. etc. that do not deserve to work in their respective fields as well. BUT YOU NEVER HEAR ANYONE ***** ABOUT THEM!

shaRT

Dude, I know just how you feel. I've been victimized too, but mostly for being profiled because of the type of car I drive. From my understanding and what I've been told, cops are trained to automatically be cautious of everyone. Sometimes giving people too much benefit of the doubt and coming off like a "nice guy, or easy going cop" can give a sign of weakness by an officer to a civilian. Doing this, can open themselves up to any potential danger, so they are trained to give extreme caution to every situation they encounter when pulling someone over, apprehending someone, or questioning a suspect. I agree that there is much abuse by some officers and it is unfair to those who are innocent victims, but to help you understand why most cops are the way they are, I just wanted to provide you with info from what I've been told by many officers who I know personally.

Joe

Anyone who wants to do a job where they get to have power over others, like a cop or a nightclub bouncer etc, is already something of a psychopath. The vetting of candidates and subsequent training of the recruits is flawed and uses too little psychology. The nature of the job is insular so they band together. Worse still, they are prepared to lie in statements and courts to protect one another when they get it wrong. We can't be without police but it sure is hard to like em when they behave the way they do.

The truth

In your last question, you said your wife and children don't think you are a loser.

That may be your wife, but they are my children.

Paint The stars

Its just an abuse of power
id say they just use theyre job as an excuse to be ignorant pigs, but i think the term of phrase is a bit misplaced in this situation.

But your rule is right
they dont deserve respect until they earn it
they are the same as everybody else and should realise it.

anyway have a great dayx

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