Quote:
Firstly, thanks for what you do. Many things are expected of police that I would loathe doing, and for what you do, you're vastly underpaid.
But don't you get peeved when you see some newbie enjoying his badge a little too much putting the public offside? I assume you senior guys pull such guys into line behind the scenes, but if Joe Public's only interaction with the cops is unpleasent, then he perceives that every interaction is unpleasent.
Cops need trust from the public to do their work. It worries me when that trust is eroded.
|
Thanks, and well said.
Most Police offciers know that the public trust in us is fragile. We cringe when we hear of one of us doing something stupid or worse. Like every other profession we hire from the human race, so there will always be mistakes.
New and all police officers are entrusted with a lot of responsibility and power. Wisdom and experience are passed on from the senior to junior officers, whether or not it takes is up to each individual. Each shift many important decisions are made, often within seconds. Do I arrest that person? What level of force do I use to protect myself or others? It is impossible to go through a career making those fast decisions and not make mistakes. I think all police officers are cognizant of the fact that if the mistake is a big one it will cost you a career and possibly jail.
I would guess that the only interaction people here have with the police is a traffic stop, which probably ends up in a ticket, not fun. But can you imagine what our roads would be like without traffic enforcement. Impaired drivers, wreckless speeding, unsafe vehilces, etc..
Please remember when you hear someone else tell there story of their police encounter that there are two sides to the tale, and you are only getting one.
There is so much to say on this topic that I can't write it all here, too bad we couldn't discuss it over a few beers.
Steve