Disrespect from cops?

How have you been treated by the cops?

  • I have been treated disrespectfully on one or more occassions.

    Votes: 84 58.7%
  • I have always been treated with respect.

    Votes: 59 41.3%

  • Total voters
    143
This poll is meaningless. Middle aged white males with enough money to
hire escorts will always be treated with respect by the cops.

try to be a young black man with dreadlocks.
 
danmand said:
This poll is meaningless. Middle aged white males with enough money to
hire escorts will always be treated with respect by the cops.

try to be a young black man with dreadlocks.

Dressed in a suit? He'd be respected no different than anyone else....

That's like saying a young white male with a purple mohawk would be treated differently than a middle aged white male.

PPL make judgements based on someone's appearance all the time. If you're dressed a certain way, you'll be treated a certain way.

Let's compare apples to apples Dan.....
 
papasmerf said:
Most cops I have met are.......that is untill te situation calls for not being nice.

Lucky you. I have been treated with respect and civility by most constables. However, there have been some who were on a power trip.

One gave me two tickets, not one, for the same traffic offense. I had to go twice to court for the same offense. While waiting to enter court, I spoke with other victims of the same bully cop and there was a definite pattern, where one was charged with speeding in a stop and go rush hour traffic scenario. Incidentally, the cop never showed up for either of my tickets, bacause he was injured on the job. Vigilate justice?

Another gave me a traffic ticket over the phone, because some idiot who was talking to his girlfriend hit me from behind at a stop sign and went and cried to the cop. I was very civil with him and he claimed my passengers were not valid witnesses, but the other driver's witness was. I had to complain to the Public Complaints Commissioner nd to have the other driver and the cop charged with Public Mischief, before a JP, under the Criminal Code. Neither showed up for my case. However, the cop got dragged over the carpet by the deputy chief of police, and was no longer a cop a year or so later. (I knew some one internally and found out about this later on).

I have also met exemplary cops who I would, and have, complimented to their bosses.

So, there are bad cops and there are good cops. Unfortunately, when it comes to dealing with them, a person does not know until that instant what type of cop is present before them. Hopefully, we don't get the occasional, and rare, bully on a power trip. Unfortuantely, we hear about the bullies far more often than the good ones. That is my take on this matter.
 
tboy said:
This is a good thread and will give some the oppurtunity to show the reasons behind their dislike/hate for the police.

EVERYONE has to remember that for the most part, the only time you will come in contact with the police is when you are either doing something wrong, or SOMEONE is doing something wrong around you or you're involved in a situation where SOMEONE or SOMETHING is amiss.

When a cop arrives on the scene he MUST treat everyone with mistrust until he finds out otherwise because to NOT do so could result in the actual guilty party being let go.........
tboy;

I can see and agree with most of what you say. However, let's clarify things. The cop does NOT mistrust any one. The cop must listen to both sides of the story in an unbiassed manner, and THEN act accordingly. I know, in a life and death situation it is not easy or possible to do this. However, in such a sitiuation, itis largely obvious who would be in the wrong and in the right. However, in some instances, the biggest mistake a cop can make is to act as judge, jury and executioner, all at once.

One incident when I was much younger, I used to ride my bike in High Park. There was a stop sign in the park and I had and did stop, noticing that there was a police car monitoring the stop sign. Just because the cyclist before me did not stop, the cop actually ran me off the road to stop me, and I fell from my expensive Italian racing bike.

Later, I found out from a blood relation of the cop that this cop was a perfect asshole who went to intimidate his cousin's ex-husband during the divorce process. Itis an asshole like that who should never have become a cop.

Think about this. Cop stands for Costodian Of the Peace. Most are, however some are not and do not deserve to be cops.
 
papasmerf said:
Cops are like the rest of us.......if you are polite they will be polite too.......Put them into a life and death situation and they will react. In many ways how you are treated is up to you.


No they are not like most people.

#1 they are to kill somebody if they have too.

#2 they are to be very honest and trustworthy

#3 they are to not let their personal feels get in the way of what the law saids.

#4 they are to risk their life if needed

#5 they are to be looked up to as role models


The problems start when they do not act like they should. If all cops would act like they should, there be far less problems and more people would look up to them.
 
S.C. Joe said:
No they are not like most people.

#1 they are to kill somebody if they have too.

#2 they are to be very honest and trustworthy

#3 they are to not let their personal feels get in the way of what the law saids.

#4 they are to risk their life if needed

#5 they are to be looked up to as role models


The problems start when they do not act like they should. If all cops would act like they should, there be far less problems and more people would look up to them.

Like I said, they are human like the rest of us are.
 
danmand said:
This poll is meaningless. Middle aged white males with enough money to
hire escorts will always be treated with respect by the cops.

try to be a young black man with dreadlocks.

Not always, though, I agree with you that a young black guy probably has Waaaayyyyy more stories to tell than me when it comes to getting disrespected by the cops. Then again, another case where a few bad apples wreck it for everybody else.
 
Middle age guys get treated with respect because they see escorts. Ha ha, cops don't like seeing stuff like that. They think the guy is taking advanage of the girls.

When they see a 40-50 year old guy with a 20 year old girl, thats called a "mismatch couple" in cop talk.

I think all people rich and poor are at risk of being treated unfairly by them. Sure the poor seems to have it the worst but being rich is not everything. Cops sometimes resent people with money.
 
Sounds like...

KWI said:
I got pulled over for speeding a couple of months back. I pulled over, got my license, registration and insurance. The cop came to the window. "do you know why I pulled you over?" "Yes officer" Can I have you license, registration and proof of insurance?" "Here you go, sir" I had my dog, in the car and strapped to his car seat. My dog is only 6 lbs but has a mouth like he is a 160lb dog. I asked politely if I could step out of the car as it would help my dog to stop barking. Before I could finish my statement, I was then taken by means of physical contact, out of the car and placed on the hood of my car, wrists being held. The other officer, then came over and took me to the police car, where I was over the hood again and held. I didn't say a thing after that. Not one word. The first cop, glanced through my car with my door still open and my dog freaking out with barks. He then slammed my car door and said shut up to my dog. I still didn't say anything. He went to his car, checked my license, etc. The second cop still held my wrist behind my back as I was leaned over the hood. Everything checked out, the cop came back out of his car. the second officer let me go. I was handed my ticket, everything explained and told to go on my way. I was also told "if I can't keep my fucking dogs mouth shut I should bring him with me." I didn't move on like I was told. I asked if I could ask a question. I was given the okay, so I asked for the second officers badge number as it is not listed on the ticket. I was asked why. So I said:

" In case I decide to make a complaint."

"What do you mean?" From the second officer.

"Well I know I was speeding and was more then willing to take the ticket. I simply asked to get out of the car so that my dog would stop barking. I know how annoying it can get. What I do not agree with was having been removed my car and then detained on the hood of car. Nor do I appreciate the force of my car door being slammed or my dog being told to shut up. I also don't like being told to leave my dog at home if I can't keep his "fucking" mouth shut, or the rude undertone of the {looked at the ticket} Officer "So-n-so". I would need your badge number {looked at cop number 2} to make a full and proper complaint."

"My badge number is "such-n-such"

"Thank-you officers, hope you have a good day"

As I am leaving Cop#1 to Cop#2: "Don't worry about it, she is just some bitch who really needs to get laid" I should have said, I was on my there until you guys stopped me, but I refrained. LOL.

Now, not that rude a little bit but could have been worse. No major issues, I got my ticket and left, but it is a clear case of un-needed behaviors from the officers. If someone else who was not a cop said those things, I would said to fuck off or something. Just because I am smart enough not to fight with a cop, but to fight with his supervisor, doesn't give police the right to behave this way at all. To others this would encite a reaction which would then make the police react. This is why I believe more training is need.

As to the story, after the bitch comment I did report it. I would have left it alone as I just wanted to cops to know I had to power to make a complaint. After the bitch comment I did complain and was given a formal apology by the first officer. To which I accepted and moved on. I paid the ticket and all is well. It just goes to show that cops need to learn to keep their mouth shut as well. As to why he pulled me from the car and detained me on the hood, I never got an answer to that other then I asked to leave the car.

...(stereo)typically blue collar, working class, marginal intelligence power tripping cops to me.

I know they aren't all like this. There is a story somewhere on this board of cop who cut me the BIGGEST break when he didn't write me up for 50+ over on (an empty) Lake Shore Blvd several Christmas seasons ago.

On the other hand, I could choke this board with stories of my encounters with the police back when I was a YOUNG (versus middle aged) big Black man who drove a "Bondo" colored Ford Escort (versus a "I just might be able to afford the kind of lawyer who just might be on a first name basis with the mayor and police chief, and if you knew who my wife was you REALLY wouldn't be fucking with me") SUV.

Like I said...the police are very good at profiling who they can fuck with and who they can't.

Sorry that happened to you.
 
james t kirk said:
I disagree.

Some cops are just fine.

.

I've encountered "bad cop attitude" at least 3 times in my life. On none of those occasions were the cops called, I just came across them at the wrong place at the wrong time. One time was a RIDE Patrol - I had not even been drinking and this cop was just plain abusive and stupid with me.

The problem I have with the cops is that they won't work to rid themselves of these bad apples. Instead they form a cordon sanitaire around the guys who really shouldn't be dealing with the public anymore. There are other things these men and women can do in the force...they're just not cut out for regular police work, which is admittedly very difficult.
 
Cops treat me differently, depending upon the situation. When they perceive that I have power or authority, it does not matter if I am in a suit or in ripped jeans, I am treated well.

If I am in a situation where they don't have a clue as to who I am, I find that while in a suit I am treated well, but on more than one occasion I have been treated poorly when I am dressed "down".
 
FOOTSNIFFER said:
The problem I have with the cops is that they won't work to rid themselves of these bad apples. Instead they form a cordon sanitaire around the guys who really shouldn't be dealing with the public anymore. There are other things these men and women can do in the force...they're just not cut out for regular police work, which is admittedly very difficult.

Ahem, sounds like an ah UNION?????
 
tboy said:
Ahem, sounds like an ah UNION?????

tboy;

Are you suggesting that we try to eliminate the police union? I myself am a professional whose profession does NOT have a union. I just want your clarification on this one, as it does sound interesting. I guess that it depends on whether a union is really necessary for some professions, and what purpose a union shuld serve for police consatbles.
 
shakenbake said:
tboy;

I can see and agree with most of what you say. However, let's clarify things. The cop does NOT mistrust any one. The cop must listen to both sides of the story in an unbiassed manner, and THEN act accordingly......

You've basically repeated what I said only in a more PC way: he cannot trust anyone's side of the story verbatum. As you say, he has to listen to all and then make his decision, sometimes in less than .001 seconds.

If you ever watch the "swat" series on TV (Dallas swat, Detroit Swat etc) you will see how the cops act: they go into any situation and immediately control it. If they trusted everyone then they would have no need to control any situation and could just let the perp(s) freely admit that they are the perps, what they did, and put their hands behind their back ready to be cuffed. Of course this doesn't happen so they get control of everyone until they determine what is going on.

Have you ever noticed that even on the show "cops" that if the person acts decently, many times they actually are let go? Often with just a warning, a ticket or a citation?

I keep saying this over and over again, the second you resist a cop from controlling a situation in any shape or form you open YOURSELF up to a world of hurt.

For the encounters here of cops not performing their duties in a satisfactory way, let me ask you: how many times have you had a cop perform perfectly towards you? If those were the only times you've encountered the police then hey, your opinion is skewed.

Here's a concept for you: anytime you think "fucking cops, they're all crooked and assholes" drive by St Jamestown, Jane Finch or any of the other high crime areas. Just drive through it. The ONLY reason you can do that and not die is because of all those rotten assholes doing their job. Cuz if they didn't? You wouldn't make it 10 feet........
 
shakenbake said:
tboy;

Are you suggesting that we try to eliminate the police union? I myself am a professional whose profession does NOT have a union. I just want your clarification on this one, as it does sound interesting. I guess that it depends on whether a union is really necessary for some professions, and what purpose a union shuld serve for police consatbles.

This thread was more about individual cops as opposed to the Toronto Police Association (Union)

I remember all too wells those golden days of Craig Bromell, Operation True Blue, threats issued against Deputy Police Chief Kerr by the union, hiring private detectives to follow politicians, cops dressed in black suits in mob styled meetings, City council seemingly powerless to do anything.

Ah, the good old days -well, 3 or 4 years ago anyway.

Not that anything has really changed now has is.

But that's a different story.
 
I hear a good piece of advice long ago.

Think of cops as your friend, just never ever trust them.
 
S.C. Joe said:
Think of cops as your friend, just never ever trust them.
Quoted for truth

My experience with coppers has always been good except for one time.
I just left a massage parlour when 4 huge cops jump out of an unmarked car, swarm me and
shoved me against a wall.
One of them held me quite firmly by my adams apple while the others got in my face asking what
I was doing there???

I bullshitted my way out somehow but they had no right to pin me against a wall like that, it
was total abuse of power.
My adams apple was quite sore for a few days after that.

I later learned they had mistaken me for an organized crime figure who they were casing out.
 
Aside from traffic cops, I've only dealt with them once and it was disappointing.

About 15 years ago I had my home robbed of CDs, stereo, TV, computer equipment and reported it to the police and insurance. The CDs were engraved with my name and were fairly unique types of music, I decided to investigate about a dozen pawn shops and stores that dealt in used discs on my own. Sure enough I found the place that had them, I went to the police and they didn't feel like questioning or going after him. The store owner offered to sell them back to me for what he paid, plus tax.

If he didn't know then, he knew afterwards that he was dealing in stolen merchandise, I doubt it bothered him.
 
tboy said:
Yes, and you can say the same thing about every industry and just about any group where there is more than one member.

But I find it funny: we need police to control the assholes (aka criminals) of our society yet bitch and moan that some of them are asses themselves?

A question for the masses:

Since a cop is the only thing standing between you and the criminals running rampant, does it really MATTER if the one stopping the bullet meant for you is an arrogant ass or a politically correct feel good nicey nice trained psychoanalyst?

If I was a PR person and worked for a police agency since NO one touts or blows the cop's horn when they do their job well, and only blow the horn when something bad happens, every day I'd pay for a one page spread in the sun listing all the arrests, tickets given, lost kids found, complaints responded to, etc where nothing untoward happened and everyone went home happy and or safe. That way the public would have an idea of just how much GOOD the cops do, not just the bad.....

tboy, do you have a cop standing guard at your front door to keep the criminals at bay? They are available for pay-duty at $60 per hour per cop. I imagine you could get a security detail to protect you around the clock as you go around town at the same rate but I doubt that any one of them would take a bullet for you.

As for the media, let's just use Toronto Star as an example. About once a year or so, they would run a positive article on the police. It's usually some sort of award ceremony where they give out medals for a variety of merits. At the same time, it's very rare for a month to go by without reading about some disgraceful cop news.

It's true that the media are making choices on what they print (or show). They are only appealing to the masses.
 
KWI said:
I got pulled over for speeding a couple of months back. I pulled over, got my license, registration and insurance. The cop came to the window. "do you know why I pulled you over?" "Yes officer" Can I have you license, registration and proof of insurance?" "Here you go, sir" I had my dog, in the car and strapped to his car seat. My dog is only 6 lbs but has a mouth like he is a 160lb dog. ...

This dog business reminded me of something I read in the paper a while ago. A homeless person was having an argument with a TTC toll person over fare. That homless person had a dog with him and the dog was barking. Two or three police showed up, gun(s) was drawn at the dog.