# How much, if at all, do you trust the police where you live? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 18, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676 "2013-12-18T21:33:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/21 "2013-12-19T01:20:18Z")
I’m an older white guy with facial hair, pierced ears, sometimes visible tattoos. And I often dress scuzzy. I have never been hassled by the police, but I don’t trust Philly’s police to treat everyone fairly. Some Philly cops are an embarrassment (or worse) to the force. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/22 "2013-12-19T01:20:18Z")
In front of the national police HQ in Bangkok is a statue of a cop carrying a child in his arms to safety. The Thais commonly say that’s the only helpful cop in the country. A wee bit of an exaggeration perhaps, but really, the police here are best avoided in general. Although they probably are the best police _that money can buy_, if you catch my drift. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/23 "2013-12-19T01:29:42Z")
> [@jabiru](#): > > The NSW Police are mostly good. Some bad eggs and some individuals with an overarching sense of their own importance. I’d like to think corruption has been dealt with but that’s probably an over optimistic approach. Corruption has been an issue in the NSW Police Force for decades (thanks, Sir Robin - may you rot in hell) > > The main difficulties lately seem to centre on _some_ police officers ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ approach, whether the shooting is with a firearm or a taser. There have been a few, highly publicised incidents over the past few years where individuals, with obvious mental problems, have been killed because of an over zealous overreaction on the part of the police sent to deal with them. Verbatim, except substitute Victoria for NSW. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/24 "2013-12-19T01:40:32Z")
The only person in the local law enforcement that I do not trust is the Sheriff (the elected head of the county force). The man is a politician (formerly in the state legislature) and not a cop, and he puts environmental issues, public relations and his own career ahead of the well-being of his residents and his officers. Had this guy been in charge of Amity during the Jaws movie, he’d have closed the beaches in order to create a permanent shark sanctuary funded by fining local businesses for illegal development in a shark sanctuary. (In checking on my facts, I notice that he’s recently moved on from Sheriff to take the county executive spot, which is to the county what a mayor is to a city. Stupid voters. :smack:) As far as the cops themselves go, I trust their motives and overall competence. However, I still think I need to be aware of my rights. People make mistakes on accident and they can misinterpret facts and be doing what they believe to be right. I actually know many of the local personally because my wife volunteers with the local citizen patrol and I’m a board member of the club that helps raise money for the volunteers. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/25 "2013-12-19T01:54:12Z")
I live very rural and I have never even seen one of our deputies, so I can’t really say much. The sheriff has written at least one letter to the editor that reveals he is very conservative though, so I’d be tempted to hide my liberalism if the subject came up. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/26 "2013-12-19T04:55:29Z")
I have seen and experienced far too many bad times with Memphis police officers. I’ve never met one I thought I could trust. They seem put out by the effort it takes to do their jobs and they’re way too puffed up about it. Plus they are ALWAYS speeding when they don’t have their lights on. But they’re not as bad as Bartlett cops. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/27 "2013-12-19T04:57:15Z")
I’m a white guy, and I trust the police just fine, as long as they can’t see me. Police are, for the most part, morons. Sexist, racist morons who are taught to lie professionally while on the witness stand. In-bred, bureaucratic ass-kissing, public despising attitudes with a badge, gun and taser. Yeah, there are a few who take their duty seriously, but they are ostracized by the morons. ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/28 "2013-12-19T05:00:28Z")
I chose half and half, since, I go to the University of Minnesota and am about equally likely to interact with the University Police department, who I’ve had nothing but good experiences with, personally, and Minneapolis cops, which… well, basically what **Chimera** said. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/29 "2013-12-19T05:21:14Z")
Being a college educated white guy with a halfway decent job I can mostly trust them. But I know from personal experience that if I were on societies margins I would not be able to trust those same officers. So it is a conditional trust. Because I am ‘of value’ to society (however minimally) they treat me with respect nowadays. What I don’t understand is all these posters claiming most cops are decent people. I was operating under the assumption that about 1/3 of cops are badge heavy assholes and/or total burnouts. Are the numbers far lower for other people? ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/30 "2013-12-19T05:23:12Z")
A more interesting poll would be to include a question about whether the people who say they don’t trust the police are also criminals ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/31 "2013-12-19T05:23:44Z")
Here in DC we just had one cop kill himself after being caught producing child porn (taking nude photos of teens as “evidence”) and another cop caught working as a pimp including using at least one teen runaway as a prostitute. On the other hand, these cops were caught by other DC cops, so there must be a decent oner or two in there. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/32 "2013-12-19T05:31:57Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > A more interesting poll would be to include a question about whether the people who say they don’t trust the police are also criminals I’m not a criminal. ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/33 "2013-12-19T05:52:28Z")
I put that most are good but there are few bad ones, which is true, but I think it’s more like the cops are good in most situations, but don’t do so well in a few types of interactions. Judging from stories told by friends who are officers, they generally have a real “Us vs. Them” thing going on, and if they decide that you’re one of Them, you’re gonna have a bad experience almost no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/34 "2013-12-19T05:55:49Z")
Not at all. Period. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/35 "2013-12-19T05:59:09Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I’m not a criminal. Well, but you _would_ say that, wouldn’t you? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/36 "2013-12-19T06:04:42Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I’m not a criminal. > > > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > > > Well, but you _would_ say that, wouldn’t you? 😉 Well, I never! I am not, nor have I ever been, involved in the Profumo scandal! ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/37 "2013-12-19T06:33:37Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I’m not a criminal. You’re only a criminal if you’ve been caught. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/38 "2013-12-19T06:51:55Z")
I’ve never had any kind of encounter with the police before and I have no reason not to trust them. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/39 "2013-12-19T07:38:25Z")
Of course, as with any population, there are committed, caring folks, and there are the bad, ugly a\*\*holes. I live in a fairly remote area. I rarely see any LEOs near my house. I have to "go to town to see them. The local sheriff’s deputies are good guys. The sheriffs office seems to weed out the jerks fairly quickly. I think that it may be because there is often only five or six of them at any given time patrolling the entire county. Our county is bigger then many states “back east”. The jerks either can not handle being alone, or the local ranchers “handle” them. No, none of them get mysteriously shot! The ranchers are all mostly good friends with these LEOs or are related to them, or both. For some reason the jerks will get a different position with some other agency. The State Troopers are very professional. Perhaps a little egotistical, but they treat folks well until these folks prove that they are jerks themselves. I always keep in mind that most of the LEOs around here have virtually no back-up. State Troopers, Sheriff, National Park Service Rangers, BLM Rangers, BIA cops and the Tribal cops all cover an amazing amount of empty land out here. I do not envy them their jobs. The local city cops? Almost all of them are incompetent. I try to avoid them at all costs. Although in the last five years I can see an improvement. No, I do not consider myself to be a crook. I have had a total of four tickets in the last 30 years. Knock on wood! I have never been arrested for anything either. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676/40 "2013-12-19T08:31:46Z")
We have some police officers on the Board. Perhaps they could weigh in with their opinions on how many of their brethren are truly trustworthy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-if-at-all-do-you-trust-the-police-where-you-live/676676.md?page=3)