police officers

[tino2479]

not cop bashing here...but......why is it always mate, fella, bud with them...surly respect breeds respect?

[Extra 300 Driver]

I know what you mean, always sir or madam from me

[tino2479]

maybe its modern policing to go with the t-shirts and baseball caps?

[CraigMST]

Extra 300 Driver said:

I know what you mean, always sir or madam from me

Why sir? :S
They aren't superior to us when we are pulled over etc so I don't understand why they'd need to be spoken to in that manner.
I understand speaking politely but nobody gets called Sir by me.

[tino2479]

maybe its the ex military in me or just the way i was brought up but even a stranger on the street who is older than me gets called sir, maam when say opening a door or the likes.

[Papa Hotel]

Good thread.

[Zwolf]

To date I've always found that they address me as sir, in turn I address them as officer. Once my name has been given, they tend to use Mr. Zwolf - and I still use officer, despite usually being able to see their name and rank.

I haven't encountered "mate" or other informal term of address from one of them yet and would be a bit surprised if I did.

tino2479 said:

surly respect

Often apt.

[randlemarcus]

It's quite odd when you think about it. The stereotypical Yoof demands respect without having earnt it, and the way we'd like to think of the Police (Dixon of Dock Green) gives respect until its proven not to have been earnt.

I would prefer to be addressed as Sir, on the whole.

[krisdelta]

Not sure I've ever been called mate / bud by a Police officer. Perhaps they are simply trying to pick appropriate langauge for the audience at the time?

[Zad]

They are public servants, why should they not refer to us, at least initially, as sir/madam? It helps get off on the right foot.

[lazygraduand]

I try to be respectful and polite with everyone I speak to, police officers included. Don't see any reason not to to be honest, and I'd expect them to show me the same respect if they had any reason to speak to me.

[Steamer]

Thats fine with me.

Only concerns me when they address me with 'OI!!!... get out of those bushes!!!'

[harry010]

Edited by harry010 on Wednesday 8th August 23:31

[Mojooo]

Because for the vast mjaority of people its more likely to feel less formal and put them at least.

Depending on who they are talking to, i.e someone half their age, it may also come across as condescending (certainly for Sir, IMO).

Mind you I woudln't use those kind of words on first meeting either but then again most of my meetings dont involve potential conflict.

[Glosphil]

The only run in I have had with the police (suspected drink-driving - I wasn't) one of the police officers kept calling me Charlie even after I had given my full name (NOT Charlie).

[Ki3r]

I'll start with Sir/Madam when I don't know their name, then when I do I'll ask if its OK to call them 'Joe/Beth' etc.

[Merlin28]

I have always been called sir and always called them officer. I did get in trouble once when i called a female officer WPC but she was large and butch so mabe she prefered officer to reflect her geezerbird looks. Apparently WPC is not politically correct for Surrey Police it's Police officer, i couldn't care less myself I didn't think it was condesending.

[BlackVanDyke]

Merlin28 said:

I have always been called sir and always called them officer. I did get in trouble once when i called a female officer WPC but she was large and butch so mabe she prefered officer to reflect her geezerbird looks. Apparently WPC is not politically correct for Surrey Police it's Police officer, i couldn't care less myself I didn't think it was condesending.

It doesn't exist any more, and I think hasn't for quite some time, so it's not unreasonable for them to prefer not to be referred to by it! They're all just PCs, there's no separate role, rank or title just 'cos they've got a snatch - as it should be.

[Kinky]

[covboy]

Ki3r said:

I'll start with Sir/Madam when I don't know their name, then when I do I'll ask if its OK to call them 'Joe/Beth' etc.

If its Paul Simon you can call him Al

Bet your tempted to call anyone named Rodney - "Dave"