# Why I hate cops **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 19, 2014, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174 "2014-06-19T21:38:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/141 "2014-06-24T06:41:39Z")
And “something illegal” is taken as being equivalent to “something the cop personally doesn’t like.” ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/142 "2014-06-24T08:10:30Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > People who are all “Cops are just doing their jobs” should try living in a _real_ police state, sometime. And I would issue the same challenge to people who are all “the cops are bullies who like to push people around for fun and hassle them when they’re just minding their own business”. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/143 "2014-06-24T08:41:40Z")
I issue a challenge to all of you to spend a day in Straw Man Land, arriving there on the False Dilemma Express! ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/144 "2014-06-24T08:47:32Z")
I don’t like the black uniforms. Looks like they’re trying to hide the blood. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/145 "2014-06-24T10:02:55Z")
I was mostly pro cop until I saw the Occupy videos. And, yes, I realize cops are human. I thus expect them to be better humans than others, because we entrust them with more responsibility. Just like I don’t just accept a surgeon who makes a mistake. When you put other people’s lives on the line, you need to be better than the average human about making mistakes. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/146 "2014-06-24T10:15:33Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I was mostly pro cop until I saw the Occupy videos. So… you hate the cops because they followed lawful orders to disperse illegal assemblies on property where they had no lawful right to be? I completely supported the goals of the Occupy movement, but in the end, they _were_ behaving criminally, and I can’t and don’t blame the police for cracking down on them. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/147 "2014-06-24T17:23:53Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Cops are fun. You think you have stories? Cops have STORIES! “Cops are fun” ? Now that’s funny. Sure, cops have stories, too. And they sometimes tell them under oath. The naïve-ete of so many posters is pretty funny, as well. I’m glad so many members have been treated well by cops. The popular phrase “To Protect and Serve” should be considered thus; to protect what and serve whom ? So, my statement identifies me as a career criminal, huh ? Well, I’m not. I have never made a dollar in a dishonest way. What I am is a working-class, blue-collar citizen. Nothing more, nothing less. Judging by the respondents answers, many members are of a different social class. A better one, they would likely aver. My definition of “class” probably differs from those who inhabit the ivory towers in America. Ok, here’s a story: A couple days ago I met a friend at a trailer-park outside the city to help fix something on his RV. When we finished, I headed for home but got lost trying to find the exit. So I asked a county sheriff for directions out and he kindly offered them. I said “Thanks”. So, you see, I’m not saying all cops are assholes, only the majority. But if you think police are always thoughtful or give a damn about your personal rights, you’re living in a better neighborhood than me. Good for you, but don’t pretend you know how cops treat the disenfranchised unless you’re one of us. More stories, later. Much darker ones. Thanks for responding. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/148 "2014-06-24T17:27:55Z")
> [@Max\_the\_Immortal](#): > > Nor have I. What’s with this “You first” business? Pardon me. I didn’t mean you, necessarily. I was offering a chance for others to give examples of police over-reach. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/149 "2014-06-24T17:29:52Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Top of the Pit, Ma! Cagney. Nice quote. Good movie. I’m talkin’ about real life, though. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/150 "2014-06-24T17:31:13Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > Good for you, but don’t pretend you know how cops treat the disenfranchised unless you’re one of us. Dumbasses are a disenfranchised class now? Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/151 "2014-06-24T17:32:00Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Why yes, I have some police stories: > > - when my elderly parents’ garden was vandalised, the police were very comforting to my Mum and Dad. > Although it was a minor crime (fence broken; some flowers trampled) they put together this incident with several others and deduced that the culprit had travelled from a particular pub back to their house, doing damage along the way. > They arrested the criminal and my parents used that to claim money back for repairs. > > - I had a suspicious bloke come to the door, claiming he worked for an energy company (though he had no identification.) I called the police. They took a description and arrested him literally in 15 minutes (he was in the act of talking his way into an elderly lady’s house.) > > The police are courteous, helpful and efficient. I feel safe in my house knowing what a great job they are doing. You’re in the U.K. Yea, you have nice police. In America, not so. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/152 "2014-06-24T17:33:38Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > You sound like a cop. Watch your mouth. I can take any insult except that one and that I’m a Republican. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/153 "2014-06-24T17:33:41Z")
nm . ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/154 "2014-06-24T17:41:39Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > Strange how that works, isn’t it? 😃 > > Meant to add - Yo - **common good** - what’d you do? To run afoul of the law, you mean ? Oh, I’d be happy to tell you: I was assaulted by a guy 18years my junior and about 60 pounds heavier. And I made the mistake of winning the fight. How can this happen ? Happens every day in America. The assault occurred on his property. That was all the authorities needed to decide who was at fault. He lied and they believed the property-owner, as a matter of convenience. Such sheltered lives, here. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/155 "2014-06-24T17:44:04Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Yeah, I recognize this crap. If there’s a shit load of stories that support your jack-ass opinion you come back and score some “You’ve sure got THAT right!!” points, but if it goes south you tuck tail and run to the next message board. Golly, you figured-out my angle without my having one. Nice work ! ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/156 "2014-06-24T17:46:28Z")
> [@LibrarySpy](#): > > Cops are chosen for their low IQs. Degrees are not required. We give them guns and tell them we’ll cover up any shooting or fatal beating they commit. Then we tell them to target minorities and the poor because they’re “criminals.” > > I’m a tiny little white girl who’s never been arrested and I fear the cops because I am a rational human being. There you go. I’m not alone ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/157 "2014-06-24T17:47:52Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Okay, I can’t deny race is a big factor in your experience with the police. > > But I still stand by my belief that if you’re a white person and you’ve had nothing but bad experiences with the police, then the problem is at least partly your fault. Agreed, partly. I don’t let anyone fuck with my rights. ---
**Author:** ![common\_good](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@common\_good](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/common_good)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/158 "2014-06-24T17:49:13Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I absolutely agree with this. I’d say this is true moreso with policing than with any other profession out there. Yes and yes. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/159 "2014-06-24T17:51:39Z")
I got hauled out my truck by several Texas deputy sheriffs in 1991. They slammed me against the side of the truck, searched me, and searched the truck. All this was in the wee hours of the morning on a secondary road. Their initial excuse for pulling me over was that I was going 61 in a 55 zone. Everything else was because I had the temerity to ask, politely at that, one of the badges to stop shining a handheld spotlight directly in my eyes. That prick handed me a ticket for a 35 dollar fine and told me to have a nice day right before they finally let me go. The job attracts assholes. I turned my badge in because I couldn’t stand being around them any longer. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2014, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174/160 "2014-06-24T18:39:39Z")
> [@common\_good](#): > > To run afoul of the law, you mean ? Oh, I’d be happy to tell you: I was assaulted by a guy 18years my junior and about 60 pounds heavier. And I made the mistake of winning the fight. How can this happen ? Happens every day in America. The assault occurred on his property. That was all the authorities needed to decide who was at fault. He lied and they believed the property-owner, as a matter of convenience. Such sheltered lives, here. My last trial at jury duty tops that. A dude was mugged and the three kids that jumped the guy, who looked about 50, started pistol-whipping him. Deciding he was pretty much dead anyway, he fought back, grabbed the gun and when it went off the kids scattered. The police founded him disheveled, bleeding, lying in a building lobby - and arrested him for gun possession. The kicker was that many on the jury were certain he must have been up to something, for the police to bring him in like that. 🙂 we got a not guilty verdict mostly because they didn’t care enough to argue about it, rather than the fact that even the police testimony backed up the guy’s story (they saw three people fleeing the scene as they pulled up). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-hate-cops/691174.md?page=9)