Are police officers catching a bad rap?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 01:27:30 -0400

With all the recent negative news about police officers and their training or lack there of in regards the many fatal and near fatal police brutality stories, how long will it take for the overall perception of police officers to improve?

Response by SPC Thomas Baldwin made Jul 18 at 2015 1:30 AM

SPC Thomas Baldwin — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 01:30:56 -0400

Yes, and many of the video out aren't even from the US. If you fight they have the right to FIGHT back. Id be a fool to say it doesn't happen. But compared to the the number of police contacts its less than one half of one percent.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 18 at 2015 1:44 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 01:44:55 -0400

Yes, absolutely CW4 Private RallyPoint Member. As you know there is real evil in the world and in America. We need police, courts, and prisons.... The Rule of Law. Sure there are bad cops... But, that is a minority... a very small minority... No one likes police until they need them, and when you do need them, you call 911, an complain because they don't respond fast enough. Police, Fire, EMS, teachers, military... are all there to serve...

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jul 18 at 2015 1:50 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 01:50:44 -0400

Yes, they are Chief. I went off on a "Dennis Miller-ish" rant about this here on RP about a month ago....

I'm going to spare the general population from it now.....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 1:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 01:50:58 -0400

It's media saturation. 1 bad apple has spoiled a bunch.
...it could easily happen to troops as technology spreads.
If someone instigates a clash with police (or troops), chances are that they will be taken down hard. If the camera only rolls for the take down, any altercation gets rolled in with the thoughts of the bad cop or bad Soldier.
So much information out there- but no one is looking at the details.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 18 at 2015 2:08 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 02:08:11 -0400

Many people believe that a person who is not army with a fire arm is not dangerous. That needs to change. People have the right to use deadly force when their safety is threaten and especially their life. Police are trained to disable the threat, not to kill and not to wound. The general public needs to know this. No amount of extra training will matter.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 2:44 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 02:44:41 -0400

Is the Pope a Catholic???

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2015 7:50 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 07:50:06 -0400

Yes, just as in every other profession the misdeeds of a few are what gets the attention. And, the loud vocal of those who were actually wronged, and those who claim they were wronged is what gathers attention.

I was the building administrator in a facility which housed the city/county jail. Never heard an inmate say they belonged there.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 18 at 2015 9:07 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 09:07:53 -0400

Very much so.

My view on cops (as individuals) is very much like my on People. The overwhelming VAST Majority of them are good. They want to do the right thing, for the right reasons. They are trustworthy and competent, because they are People.

However, and I pause for effect. Police Agencies, are Organizations are a System, not People. I don't trust Systems. Systems are neither good nor bad. They just have strong or weak oversight. Oversight is what prevents Corruption of Intent, though it can promote more bureaucracy.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Jul 18 at 2015 10:48 AM

Maj Mike Sciales — Sat, 18 Jul 2015 10:48:23 -0400

I've been a military and civilian cop. I attended two police academies and took my undergrad degree in criminal justice. I was a cop when 200+ were killed each year (twice what it is now). I saw a lot of great cops but way too many bad ones. I saw bullies and punks and idiots. I saw guys escalate situations just to make an easy arrest. I've heard cops lie in court under oath. I listened to some disparage minorities and the citizenry in general. We've all seen footage of cops murdering citizens, we know this is only a fraction of what goes on. It's time for the good cops to drive out the unfit, incompetent ones. Cops created this problem, they need to own it and fix it. Before the angry responses start, I know there are tons of bad guys and the job is dangerous, but the cops took an oath to protect and defend and they need to honor that oath and their badge. if they allow bad cops to continue to make their loves harder then it will just get worse.

Response by SGT Ray Grooms made Jul 26 at 2015 10:32 PM

SGT Ray Grooms — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 22:32:03 -0400

Until police departments start ridding themselves of the bad apples, things will not change. I teach my kids not to talk to police ever. Why? Because cops have proven themselves to be untrustworthy. Cops are taught not to believe anything a citizen says, but that cuts both ways, therefore I automatically think everything a cop says is a lie until proven otherwise. Don't talk to police except to invoke your right to remain silent and to ask for an attorney. Remember everything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law, and anything that helps you is hearsay and cannot be admitted into court.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 27 at 2015 6:46 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 06:46:52 -0400

Yes. Our president has demonized them for simply upholding the laws they've sworn to uphold. He glorifys felons.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 9 at 2015 1:51 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 13:51:41 -0400

A decided yes.
Police Officers are Peace Officers. They are not out to offend the public; they are out to defend it.
I think that the general public tends to forget that Law Enforcement Officers are flesh and blood; just like the general public is.
And that their job is to defend the law.
Unfortunately, their are sinful Police Officers; who make a bad name for all of the rest of the Police Officers.