What's Wrong With American Cops?
Discussion
From the few clips ive seen they do seem to rule with a fairly firm hand and many dont seem to have much between their ears and wont explain their actions and rely on muscle to apply the law.. Theyre always the ones with guns/tasers etc and apparently dont need much reason to use them citing some such excuse as threatening behaviour if someone wont immediatly comply with their instructions. Heaven forbid we ever finish up like that. I'm sure there are plenty of good 'uns out there though
davepoth said:
All of the interactions I've had with US police have been broadly more positive than the UK police. It's a different job over there - because they have to assume every car they stop has a gun in it, the stakes are a bit higher. Despite that, and provided you "play the game", they've always been very courteous to me at least.
Exactly what I've found too.FurtiveFreddy said:
davepoth said:
All of the interactions I've had with US police have been broadly more positive than the UK police. It's a different job over there - because they have to assume every car they stop has a gun in it, the stakes are a bit higher. Despite that, and provided you "play the game", they've always been very courteous to me at least.
Exactly what I've found too.Whats the game you have to play with them - very polite and subservient?
Bigends said:
Clearly not always the case if you live there though.
Whats the game you have to play with them - very polite and subservient?
Polite rather than subservient.Whats the game you have to play with them - very polite and subservient?
Respectful is perhaps a better word.
The first twenty words you say to each other will set the whole to be of the conversation. And more often than not if they speak first it's because you are doing something wrong, or are in some sort of trouble - otherwise they would probably ignore you.
Still comes down to one a problem; sample size.
You'd be concerned if you read of someone getting food poisoning at McDonalds. Your concern would diminish if you were also told the (base) rate was 1 case of food poisoning per million burgers sold.
Concerns about policing methods and policing culture over there? Do any of us has the experience level to judge that, or do we make judgements based on the high volume of fiction based on stereotypes we're exposed to about US officers? Think how many films are based around a US police officer setup.
You'd be concerned if you read of someone getting food poisoning at McDonalds. Your concern would diminish if you were also told the (base) rate was 1 case of food poisoning per million burgers sold.
Concerns about policing methods and policing culture over there? Do any of us has the experience level to judge that, or do we make judgements based on the high volume of fiction based on stereotypes we're exposed to about US officers? Think how many films are based around a US police officer setup.
I've been on patrol with them numerous times. They are ordinary men and women, doing the same, difficult job as we do over here. There are many differences, but many similarities.
The obvious one being that they too have to deal with the same Neanderthal, ignorant, stupid people as we often do. Many displaying the pathetic, juvenile attitude displayed in the post above. Really, really pathetic.
The obvious one being that they too have to deal with the same Neanderthal, ignorant, stupid people as we often do. Many displaying the pathetic, juvenile attitude displayed in the post above. Really, really pathetic.
hole. A quite offensive, juvenile a
It's not just disproportionate responses...just read the extent the crimes committed by police in Texas, as reported in an in depth article in the New Yorker, August this year.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/08/12/1308...
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/05/texas.poli...
Taking peoples posessions, cash, jewellery, homes - and children - believe it or not.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/08/12/1308...
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/05/05/texas.poli...
Taking peoples posessions, cash, jewellery, homes - and children - believe it or not.
Elroy Blue said:
I've been on patrol with them numerous times. They are ordinary men and women, doing the same, difficult job as we do over here. There are many differences, but many similarities.
The obvious one being that they too have to deal with the same Neanderthal, ignorant, stupid people as we often do. Many displaying the pathetic, juvenile attitude displayed in the post above. Really, really pathetic.
Wouldn't agree with that - US law enforcement often has a 'Judge Dredd' philosophy, where the law is not to be questioned or challenged. I do find it rather funny that a country which prides itself on its suspicion of government defers to anybody in a uniform, whereas Brits are, contrary to their image, rather more forthright.The obvious one being that they too have to deal with the same Neanderthal, ignorant, stupid people as we often do. Many displaying the pathetic, juvenile attitude displayed in the post above. Really, really pathetic.
Not to say 'all US coppers are bad apples', but I've seen more US reality cop shows that I'd ever want to see and I've often been surprised by the cops being aggressive and aggravating the situation, rather than trying to calm things down. One of the cable shows where they spend their time busting hookers and low level drug dealers springs to mind, but I can't remember the name.
I'd agree that they are ordinary men and women doing a difficult job, but I'm not entirely convinced their approach is very effective; despite jailing proportionately more people than any other country, they still have comparatively high levels of crime. I sure as hell wouldn't want the UK policed to US standards.
Whilst in the US (Cali) I got into a fight with another Brit (His fault. I was defending the honour of a lady.) and a cop turned up.
He was pretty angry and when he realised we were foreign he turned into a fuming loony!
"HOW DARE YOU COME TO THIS COUNTRY AND FIGHT ON MY GOD DAMN STREETS!" He shouted about two inches from my face, whilst his hand was on his gun.
Needless to say I was left under no illusion he would have shot me if I'd pointed out they weren't technically his streets. So I just shut up and took it like a man/boy.
That was in 97 so god knows what they're like now.
He was pretty angry and when he realised we were foreign he turned into a fuming loony!
"HOW DARE YOU COME TO THIS COUNTRY AND FIGHT ON MY GOD DAMN STREETS!" He shouted about two inches from my face, whilst his hand was on his gun.
Needless to say I was left under no illusion he would have shot me if I'd pointed out they weren't technically his streets. So I just shut up and took it like a man/boy.
That was in 97 so god knows what they're like now.
So, we have someone who has been to the states and done a few shifts with the police being argued against by someone who has watched some cop shows on the TV.
And someone who was sure he would have been shot.
(Although that may have been sarcasm).
Most armed police keep their hands on their guns.
It's not a threat - it's to stop someone else grabbing it.
The policing is different.
But the population is different, the whole social fabric is different.
A key point is that in the UK a bit of mickey taking is not disrespectful, in some ways it's actually friendly.
But in the US it's considered rude and offensive.
And someone who was sure he would have been shot.
(Although that may have been sarcasm).
Most armed police keep their hands on their guns.
It's not a threat - it's to stop someone else grabbing it.
The policing is different.
But the population is different, the whole social fabric is different.
A key point is that in the UK a bit of mickey taking is not disrespectful, in some ways it's actually friendly.
But in the US it's considered rude and offensive.
Edited by Snowboy on Tuesday 8th October 08:16
mackie1 said:
Tannedbaldhead said:
There is a sort of blind respect/worship/support/deference towards anything in a uniform.
I think it's closer to fear actually.I never noticed that when I lived there.
Although your experience may be from a different state.
It's a country where you can't drink till 21 and 'anyone' can own a handgun.
It's a young country, my house is older than some of the states.
It's a very, very religious country.
It is different.
We're trying to measure their police against our standards, and that's never going to work.
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