# attitudes of cops. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 23, 2010, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155 "2010-08-23T14:25:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/1 "2010-08-23T14:25:54Z")
I started a thread a week or so ago asking for advice and experiences with traffic court and fighting a ticket. 99% of them were helpful and kind about it. [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=575092) One responder proceeded to respond most enthusiastically about how guilty I was, and what a danger I was to everyone else on the road, and what a fool I was even fighting the ticket and how all excuses are like orifices – he’s heard them all and they’re all guilty, yada… [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12818766&postcount=2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12818766&postcount=2) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12820024&postcount=26](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12820024&postcount=26) Basically, I just told the guy to chill out, and if he’s not going to help then don’t help. Now I know why. He’s an ex-cop. No wonder he took the holier-than-thou attitude. No wonder he only saw the black-and-white (sorry for the pun). [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=2789296&postcount=14](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=2789296&postcount=14) WTF does “couldn’t put down the badge mean”? Did you miss life without the badge and gun? Attitudes like this are the reason cops (and ex-cops) are disliked. Go ahead and start the flames. 80% of the thugs and bullies in my high school went on to be cops. The profession, by nature attracts people like them. Apologies to the good cops out there who haven’t let the power get to their head. It’s the “I’ve got a badge, gun on my side”, and the “I AM THE LAW” attitude that I hate. One of my favorite books is Logan’s Run, where the lead is a 22nd century cop. When he’s off duty and doesn’t have his gun an uniform, he’s really a pathetic person with little self-esteem. While in civvie clothes, some guy was just trying to have a conversation with him, and Logan was thinking to himself, “If this guy only knew who I was. He wouldn’t be so friendly if I had the Gun.” He capitalizes Gun whenever he speaks about it, but the author does not in narrative. This is the attitude I’m talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Who\_me\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/958977/32.png) [@Who\_me\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Who_me_1)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/2 "2010-08-23T14:40:38Z")
Let’s see, you were doing 67 in a 50 zone, pretty much says you were guilty. ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/3 "2010-08-23T14:47:05Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > One responder proceeded to respond most enthusiastically about how guilty I was But you are guilty. You admitted as much. > [@dmatsch](#): > > Attitudes like this are the reason cops (and ex-cops) are disliked. Go ahead and start the flames. Start the flames? Are you under the impression that we like cops around here? That’s not how these threads go. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/4 "2010-08-23T14:47:09Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > One of my favorite books is Logan’s Run, where the lead is a 22nd century cop. When he’s off duty and doesn’t have his gun an uniform, he’s really a pathetic person with little self-esteem. While in civvie clothes, some guy was just trying to have a conversation with him, and Logan was thinking to himself, “If this guy only knew who I was. He wouldn’t be so friendly if I had the Gun.” He capitalizes Gun whenever he speaks about it, but the author does not in narrative. > > This is the attitude I’m talking about. Well, if it’s in Logan’s Run, I really don’t see how it can be questioned. Oh, yes, actually, I do. Wholly apart from the other poor leaps of logic in your post, each Sandman’s DS Gun is keyed to his personal signature. They are not, in other words, ordinary guns, but personal to each Sandman. Given that, Logan’s use of the capitalized term when describing his is understandable, and not a fetishism as you imply. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/5 "2010-08-23T14:53:47Z")
> [@Who\_me\_1](#): > > Let’s see, you were doing 67 in a 50 zone, pretty much says you were guilty. Gee, that’s funny. I didn’t remember asking for a verdict in that OP or this thread. All I asked for where anecdotes and experiences. \*\*Specifically \*\*asked. I also don’t remember you in the car with me. I think it’s funny that I never once said that I \*wasn’t \*speeding. I also think it’s funny that a person is “not guilty” until you a) pay the fine and admit guilt b) get judged by people with more legal authority and experience than you. I also never once admitted that I think that my argument as to why I was speeding would hold up in court. All I said was that I **believe** this ticket was invalid given the circumstances, and I’m going to present that to the judge, and accept his ruling. Did you even read the thread? And since neither has happened yet, then you’re pretty much an idiot for saying it. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/6 "2010-08-23T14:53:59Z")
**pkbites** was maybe a bit unnecessarily snarky for that particular forum. You came over like a whiny bitch. Guess who I have more sympathy for? ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/7 "2010-08-23T15:04:49Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Oh, yes, actually, I do. Wholly apart from the other poor leaps of logic in your post, each Sandman’s DS Gun is keyed to his personal signature. They are not, in other words, ordinary guns, but personal to each Sandman. Given that, Logan’s use of the capitalized term when describing his is understandable, and not a fetishism as you imply. Read the book again. BTW: Logan’s Run is a book. It’s not real. It was used as a metaphor for cop’s attitudes, written as – you know – a metaphor for cop’s attitudes? Point: Logan was a pathetic little man without his Gun and DS Uniform. ---
**Author:** ![Sealemon2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sealemon2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sealemon2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/8 "2010-08-23T15:04:57Z")
> [@Who\_me\_1](#): > > Let’s see, you were doing 67 in a 50 zone, pretty much says you were guilty. I’d like to know where this 3 lane highway is that has 15 miles between one exit and the next. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/9 "2010-08-23T15:05:56Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > **pkbites** was maybe a bit unnecessarily snarky for that particular forum. > > You came over like a whiny bitch. > > Guess who I have more sympathy for? Thank you. I could use all the sympathy I can get. –Whiny Bitch ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/10 "2010-08-23T15:06:46Z")
There are a few similar highways 'round here. I’m more dubious about the exit which purportedly required the OP to dash across three lanes more or less immediately. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/11 "2010-08-23T15:07:31Z")
> [@Sealemon2.0](#): > > > [@Who\_me\_1](#): > > > > Let’s see, you were doing 67 in a 50 zone, pretty much says you were guilty. > > I’d like to know where this 3 lane highway is that has 15 miles between one exit and the next. 'cause ya know – like – that could NEVER possibly exist. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/12 "2010-08-23T15:08:34Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > There are a few similar highways 'round here. I’m more dubious about the exit which purportedly required the OP to dash across three lanes more or less immediately. 'cause ya know – like – that could NEVER possibly exist. ---
**Author:** ![villa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc79bd/32.png) [@villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/villa)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/13 "2010-08-23T15:12:44Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > There are a few similar highways 'round here. I’m more dubious about the exit which purportedly required the OP to dash across three lanes more or less immediately. We have one here - depending on how you get on the 14th Street Bridge going into the Commonwealth you may have to get across three lanes pretty damn fast if youw ant to take the Rte 1 exit. But you sure as hell aren’t getting on it at 67 mph… ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/14 "2010-08-23T15:19:02Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > > > There are a few similar highways 'round here. I’m more dubious about the exit which purportedly required the OP to dash across three lanes more or less immediately. > > 'cause ya know – like – that could NEVER possibly exist. I’m sure it can exist. I just don’t think it does, except possibly in Boston - and it seems as though the other drivers around you managed to negotiate that stretch without breaking the law. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/15 "2010-08-23T15:24:54Z")
Do you handle a car as well as you handle a quote button? I have no idea what’s going on here, but I’m never one to pass up a cheap shot. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/16 "2010-08-23T15:25:07Z")
OK. I’ll explain it one more time. Exit off interstate (posted 75MPH). Two lane divided highway (four total lanes), posted 55 for about 3 miles. Average speed of all cars (off of interstate): 65. Two lanes merge down to one. People in ending-lane race to get in front (not me) and behind. Not more than 150 feet from becoming a single lane, this one-lane becomes the right-hand exit-only lane of a 3-lane highway. Distance between merging of one-lane into 3 and no-escape exit for right-hand lane: 300 feet. I have to merge completely LEFT across two lanes of fast-approaching rear traffic, with someone tailgating me from the previous merge-to-one-lane. Rather than hit the brakes and get rear-ended, I sped up to safely merge with the on-coming traffic. Is that so freakin’ hard to understand? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/17 "2010-08-23T15:25:19Z")
Methinks you have put your finger on one of the reasons why cops are disliked - they give out tickets to people who are guilty, and the guilty people don’t like it. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/18 "2010-08-23T15:28:23Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Do you handle a car as well as you handle a quote button? Better. I can do zero to 67 in 3 quote button presses. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/19 "2010-08-23T15:40:34Z")
You know, other people in that thread also criticized your driving. And he did give you advice in post 32: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12820666&postcount=32](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=12820666&postcount=32) Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m over 21, so I better get moving so the cops don’t get me. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155/20 "2010-08-23T16:07:32Z")
I have to wonder sometimes what exactly some of our antiauthoritarian members are doing that leads to so many encounters with police. The only cops I see with any regularity are the ones I pass on the way to and from work (them running radar, me driving at \<5mph over the speed limit because I know where they’re likely to be) and the one moonlighting at the liquor store. Granted, the latter always makes me feel as though I’m vaguely suspicious-looking even when I’m merely buying alcohol like a normal, law-abiding, over-21-years-of-age citizen, but I think that’s mostly my problem. So far there have been no tickets to fight or unprovoked truncheon beatings to convalesce from. I seriously doubt that my neighborhood boasts the most indifferent (or compassionate) law enforcement in the world, so how have I been able to move through life so easily and without a jackboot on my neck? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attitudes-of-cops/551155.md?page=2)