# Losing my respect for the police (lame semi-rant) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 19, 2009, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923 "2009-05-19T02:05:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/41 "2009-05-19T18:02:26Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > “Distraction blow” sounds like a fantastic idea! I’m going to start using it. I think it would be useful in pretty much any argument. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/42 "2009-05-19T18:38:29Z")
I lost my respect for the Police with “Don’t Stand So Close to Me '86.” But seriously, folks, IMHO there are few professions more deserving of respect than a good cop (good both in terms of competence and character); and few less deserving of respect than a bad cop. I have no idea what the proportions are, but I’m sure there are plenty of both kinds out there. ---
**Author:** ![Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a4c791/32.png) [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/43 "2009-05-19T19:13:41Z")
I agree with the OP. Cops have too much authority here. They can stop you for _anything_. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/44 "2009-05-19T19:16:54Z")
All arrests should be video taped. Any interaction a cop has with a suspect should be video taped. With all the video evidence of inappropriate cop behavior when we don’t officially monitor cops, I can’t even imagine all the shit cops get away with freely. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/45 "2009-05-19T20:02:31Z")
The kick to the head I can sort of understand. The police were involved in an adrenaline-producing car chase, followed by a heart-pumping footrace. The kick to the head at the end was a human (but unprofessional) reaction to the excitement and adrenaline. The absolute disgusting part is the official, calm reaction of the officer’s superiors in covering up the unprofessional actions: “distraction blow”. To trot out a complete bullshit cover story when faced with indisputable video evidence seems to be par for the course for many police agencies. What they should have done is said “We take this seriously, and will be reviewing ALL evidence in this case.” Then they should have sent the officer in question for additional training so that he could learn to become a professional peace officer, instead of an adrenaline stoked hooligan. Until the higher-ups take unprofessional, borderline criminal acts by their own officers seriously, and don’t just make up bullshit cover stories, we’re all in increasing danger. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/46 "2009-05-19T20:34:24Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I lost my respect for the Police with “Don’t Stand So Close to Me '86.” > But seriously, folks, IMHO there are few professions more deserving of respect than a good cop (good both in terms of competence and character); and few less deserving of respect than a bad cop. I have no idea what the proportions are, but I’m sure there are plenty of both kinds out there. I’d like to echo this. As much as I hated the interactions I’ve had through out my life with bad cops, as much as it pisses me off when I read stories like this followed by the inevitable bull shit excuses government arms will sputter to protect bad cops. No, BECAUSE of all of the former, good cops are worth their weight in gold. I knew one such guy. He was a teacher of martial arts, went to schools to tell kids about his work, and to teach us about martial arts in general as well. I saw him treating teenagers on the street (sometimes up to no good, sometimes just being kids) with a measure of respect and tolerance that astounded me. This got him results and a lot of respect in return. For a brief period of time I wanted to be a cop and be like that guy. Then I heard about the lousy salaries 🙂 If I were “King of the world” ™, police officers would be held to a very high standard. Unprofessional behavior of any kind would be met with retraining, and repeat offenders would be dismissed. Of course down right criminal behavior would mean loss of pension plus criminal charges. Any cop who covered for his buddies’ misconduct would likewise be dismissed. This would be coupled with I think should be common sense payback for those who do their jobs properly: Plenty of advancement positions and lateral movements within the organization. GREAT salary and benefits as well as pension plans. I don’t want cops worrying about their next paycheck to make rent. Incentives to live in the neighborhoods they work in. Best equipment money can buy in terms of weapons and body protection as well as communication, transportation, etc. And finally the best training available. They should be required to regularly train in using the weapons and defense tools of their trade, how and when to use them, as well as proper and professional behaviour towards the public at large as well as suspects. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/47 "2009-05-19T20:53:57Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The absolute disgusting part is the official, calm reaction of the officer’s superiors in covering up the unprofessional actions: “distraction blow”. To trot out a complete bullshit cover story when faced with indisputable video evidence seems to be par for the course for many police agencies. What they should have done is said “We take this seriously, and will be reviewing ALL evidence in this case.” Then they should have sent the officer in question for additional training so that he could learn to become a professional peace officer, instead of an adrenaline stoked hooligan. > > Until the higher-ups take unprofessional, borderline criminal acts by their own officers seriously, and don’t just make up bullshit cover stories, we’re all in increasing danger. I don’t think that was a quote from the higher ups, but rather from the police union attorney assigned to his case, possibly assigned to defend him in an IA investigation. It’s distasteful, maybe even a little insulting to one’s intelligence depending on your view, but the union attorney’s job is to be an advocate rather than an arbiter. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/48 "2009-05-19T21:27:00Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > I don’t think that was a quote from the higher ups, but rather from the police union attorney assigned to his case, possibly assigned to defend him in an IA investigation. It’s distasteful, maybe even a little insulting to one’s intelligence depending on your view, but the union attorney’s job is to be an advocate rather than an arbiter. Well that’s what I get for skimming! ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/49 "2009-05-19T21:49:16Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Well that’s what I get for skimming! Don’t knock it, it got me through high school. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/50 "2009-05-19T22:02:56Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > A professional and neutral police force is a very difficult thing to achieve, and very easy to lose once it is achieved. For the police, it’s all too easy to slip permanently into the Thin Blue Clique; the job entails being suspicious, and some people _are_ out to get you. > > This is why it pisses me off when the police, or their bosses, abuse their power and lose the people’s trust. It breaks something rare and precious. Every time the powerful take refuge in ‘us versus them’, civilization–the ‘we’–dies a little. The classic definition of police brutality is when a cop acts as a regular citizen would. ---
**Author:** ![brownie55](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f14d63/32.png) [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/51 "2009-05-19T22:35:54Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The classic definition of police brutality is when a cop acts as a regular citizen would. There’s a word for this, it’s BULLSHIT. ---
**Author:** ![Improvisor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/50afbb/32.png) [@Improvisor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improvisor)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/52 "2009-05-19T23:29:58Z")
Here are some recent ones compliments of the Seattle PD. ‘Restraining’ a 15 year old girl already in a holding cell: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj10nO45vek) Story: [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008804864\_jailvideo03.html](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008804864_jailvideo03.html) This just happened last week: An innocent guy was chased and tackled by the police and they tackled him so hard into a brick wall they fractured his skull. He has not regained consciousness since. Supposedly there is video from a nearby security camera, but the city has not released it. Story: [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009209116\_arrest12m.html](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009209116_arrest12m.html) In the mean time, the Seattle Police are doing under cover jay-walking/not-stopping-for-pedestrian stings to raise money… oh, I mean increase public safety. Ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![Duggy\_Fizzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Duggy\_Fizzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duggy_Fizzle)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2009, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/53 "2009-05-19T23:57:21Z")
> [@Improvisor](#): > > This just happened last week: > An innocent guy was chased and tackled by the police and they tackled him so hard into a brick wall they fractured his skull. He has not regained consciousness since. Supposedly there is video from a nearby security camera, but the city has not released it. > Story: [The Seattle Times | Local news, sports, business, politics, entertainment, travel, restaurants and opinion for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009209116_arrest12m.html) So how does this one fit in with this thread? This guy is pointed out by a witness, and when the cops try to talk to him, he runs. Why in the world would he run? I would assume he was guilty too, if he took off. Tackling somebody is hardly excessive. I’m sorry for his problems, but he shouldn’t have run. Stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Duggy\_Fizzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Duggy\_Fizzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duggy_Fizzle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/54 "2009-05-20T00:10:25Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > …and to kick someone in the face after they give up and offer no resistance isn’t right. . I have to comment on this, too. I’m not going to defend the cop, but this suspect did NOT give up. He got caught. If that fence wasn’t there he would’ve kept on running. He only got on the ground because he knew he had no where to go. And as far as offering “no resistance”, what do you think the whole car chase was? That’s resistance pure and simple - plus it endagers everyone in his path. I don’t feel sorry for the guy getting kicked. At all. I’m sure the officer was screaming at him to put his hands behind his back, and when he didn’t do it, the cop gave him some encouragement. Even after the other officers arrived they had to hit him in the side a few more times, because he still wasn’t putting his hands behind him. I’d like to thank the cop and shake his hand for not giving up, putting his life on the line, and taking one more piece of crap off the street. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/55 "2009-05-20T00:40:12Z")
> [@Duggy\_Fizzle](#): > > I have to comment on this, too. I’m not going to defend the cop, but this suspect did NOT give up. He got caught. If that fence wasn’t there he would’ve kept on running. He only got on the ground because he knew he had no where to go. This may be a matter of semantics, but laying down on the grass and being submissive to the police, rather than coming at them and trying to fight them is giving up. He knew that he was beat. > [@](#): > > And as far as offering “no resistance”, what do you think the whole car chase was? That’s resistance pure and simple - plus it endagers everyone in his path. I’m strictly talking about when he’s in the back yard surrounded by fences. Once he was on the ground with his arms spread, he wasn’t resisting. > [@](#): > > I don’t feel sorry for the guy getting kicked. At all. I’m sure the officer was screaming at him to put his hands behind his back, and when he didn’t do it, the cop gave him some encouragement. Even after the other officers arrived they had to hit him in the side a few more times, because he still wasn’t putting his hands behind him. In a civilized society you don’t beat those who won’t comply with you. I guess you never heard of the concept of appropriate force. Yes, if somebody is violent with a cop, or is going to get violent, a cop has a right to fight back. If somebody is laying on the ground defenseless, it’s excessive force to go and kick them. If you think beating a suspect is OK, then why have cops? Just give everybody pitchforks and guns and let us do our own vigilante justice. Fuck this, “we live in a nation of laws,” shit. We should just let our animal instincts take over. I’m sure that justice would be a lot more swift that way, huh? Oh, and by the way, maybe he wasn’t putting his hands behind his back because he was using one arm to rub his head after he was assaulted. > [@](#): > > I’d like to thank the cop and shake his hand for not giving up, putting his life on the line, and taking one more piece of crap off the street. Yeah, big man, kicking a suspect while he’s down. What a risk he took. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Duggy\_Fizzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Duggy\_Fizzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duggy_Fizzle)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/56 "2009-05-20T00:56:44Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > What a risk he took. :rolleyes: Yes, the risk being the one where he, the officer, also had to chase a vehicle going against traffic. It’s incredibly dangerous, even with lights and sirens. You’d be amazed at how many people don’t pay attention. You think that guy was being submissive?? I’ve seen it way too many times of people playing possum. You never assume the guy, especially after leading the police on a wild and dangerous chase, is now going to be docile and cooperative. Let me ask you this, **Nobody** : What kind of weapon was the arrested person carrying? Also, am I wearing a deadly weapon right now? Answer those two questions and I’ll get back to you in a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/57 "2009-05-20T01:20:47Z")
> [@Duggy\_Fizzle](#): > > Let me ask you this, **Nobody** : What kind of weapon was the arrested person carrying? Doesn’t matter. He wasn’t going for his weapon (if he had one on him) when the officer came up to him, and even if he tried the officer could have stopped him easily. > [@](#): > > Also, am I wearing a deadly weapon right now? I don’t know, and I don’t care. If I’m a cop chasing you, I’ll react if I see, or think I see you going for your weapon. Otherwise, if rough you up then it’s just abusing my power. Edited to add, I am not a cop, and my statements are hypothetical. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/58 "2009-05-20T01:51:34Z")
One thing is for certain. If you make the decsion to run from the police, _expect a beatdown_. Don’t take that to mean I agree that a fleeing suspect _should get beat_, but that if it happens, don’t go crying “poor me” to channel five that night. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/59 "2009-05-20T02:08:15Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > One thing is for certain. If you make the decsion to run from the police, _expect a beatdown_. Don’t take that to mean I agree that a fleeing suspect _should get beat_, but that if it happens, don’t go crying “poor me” to channel five that night. And if there’s a news chopper overhead make your surrender especially servile. It will significantly increase the lawsuit payout for the head kicks later. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2009, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923/60 "2009-05-20T02:13:01Z")
Take the arbitrage opportunities where you can get 'em. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/losing-my-respect-for-the-police-lame-semi-rant/496923.md?page=4)