Police bad attitudes - experienced any?
Discussion
i mean like similar to this true incident below from when i were a teenager...
I was coming home drunk from the pub when a cop car pulled over as i approached my home street.
then 2 stocky cops got out, surrounded me, an queried me, as a bulgary break-in had taken place nearby by a young man.
now i didnt mind their querys at all, as i was innocent an its their job...
BUT WHAT GOT ME WAS -
the middle-aged cop challenged me to run away as he said 'he would still catch me' - an who said it in a 'go on try it' oh-so-superior sounding voice!
i thought, the cheek of it - taunting me to challenge him by escaping!
an i was too drunk to walk straight let alone run!!
an tho this was in the 1980s, i still remember it clearly.
an no, i'm not black an dont dislike the police.
its just that his attitude was all wrong.
anybody get the point i'm making? or know any similar events?
I was coming home drunk from the pub when a cop car pulled over as i approached my home street.
then 2 stocky cops got out, surrounded me, an queried me, as a bulgary break-in had taken place nearby by a young man.
now i didnt mind their querys at all, as i was innocent an its their job...
BUT WHAT GOT ME WAS -
the middle-aged cop challenged me to run away as he said 'he would still catch me' - an who said it in a 'go on try it' oh-so-superior sounding voice!
i thought, the cheek of it - taunting me to challenge him by escaping!
an i was too drunk to walk straight let alone run!!
an tho this was in the 1980s, i still remember it clearly.
an no, i'm not black an dont dislike the police.
its just that his attitude was all wrong.
anybody get the point i'm making? or know any similar events?
Yes, but it doesnt have any negative effect on the way I view the bib. And it was about twenty years ago.
It was an individual officer who was just plain wrong about something but couldnt accept it when I proved it to him, so he gave me a massive bollocking in the car dealership showroom where I worked whilst jabbing me in the chest with his finger repeatedly harder and harder until it became the flat of his hand and he finally pushed me over onto the floor. This was in front of my Sales Manager and a Secretary. His colleague wandered back to the car in disgust which was not very well disguised as he had realised my story/excuse was true and his mate had gotten the wrong end of what had happened. I did think of making a proper complaint, but my boss reckoned it wasnt worth it.
It was an individual officer who was just plain wrong about something but couldnt accept it when I proved it to him, so he gave me a massive bollocking in the car dealership showroom where I worked whilst jabbing me in the chest with his finger repeatedly harder and harder until it became the flat of his hand and he finally pushed me over onto the floor. This was in front of my Sales Manager and a Secretary. His colleague wandered back to the car in disgust which was not very well disguised as he had realised my story/excuse was true and his mate had gotten the wrong end of what had happened. I did think of making a proper complaint, but my boss reckoned it wasnt worth it.
I was about 20 and had the Mk1 Escort Mexico. I parked up outside of a club and returned to the car at about 1AM with a mate and the girlfriends. Absolutely stone cold sober.
I was facing away from the exit and drove down the road to where there was a large turning circle. As I had turned the car, a brown Mk3 Escort turned across the road in front of me and just sat there. I stopped and waited for him to either go backwards or forwards. He did neither.
I started to head around the front of the Escort but he eased forward and blocked my path. I stopped. I reversed a bit and tried to drive around the back. He reversed. Bollox to this thinks I, into reverse, give myself a bit of clearance and dummy to go round the front. As he pulls forwards, I dive round the back and drive up to the T junction at the end of the road. The Escort comes howling up behind me at a rate of knots and stops right behind me with full beam on.
Wan@er - I pull out and my mate (who wasn't sober) gives him coffee beans. With that, cue one BiB Volvo, two BiB on foot in the middle of the road, one motorcycle and a meat wagon. I stop and get surrounded by what feels like 50% of Hampshire's finest.
The guy driving the Escort is plain clothes plod. I get DRAGGED out the car with him saying things like 'I fu@@in' got you, know what its like to spend a night in the cells'. Tosser.
Upshot was I got breathalysed by a uniform - clean as a whistle - and Mr Plain Cop was right hacked off. He proceeds to go round the car kicking various bits - 'You nick these wheels ? Can you prove where you bought 'em ?' A scary experience for a young 'un.
I was given a producer - no worries, completely legal. From then on though, I was tugged at least once every two-three weeks for the next 3 months or so. I even got pulled once and was accused of FOLLOWING a copper !!! FFS. 'But I've got given a producer yesterday', I said. 'Well here's another one' was the reply. I didn't believe a particular car was 'targetted' but I guess I was wrong.
In the end, I took the car off the road for about 8 months and used a company van instead. Never got pulled again once it came back on the road after its absence.
This experience didn't do much to endear me to the South Hants law enforcers. I was convinced I was targetted and became a victim because nothing could be pinned on me. With the benefit of experience behind me, I should have lodged a harrassment complaint.
edit to add - since 'ageing' a bit, I have found my few dealings with the BiB to be far more civilised.
>> Edited by SotonS2 on Monday 28th February 22:48
I was facing away from the exit and drove down the road to where there was a large turning circle. As I had turned the car, a brown Mk3 Escort turned across the road in front of me and just sat there. I stopped and waited for him to either go backwards or forwards. He did neither.
I started to head around the front of the Escort but he eased forward and blocked my path. I stopped. I reversed a bit and tried to drive around the back. He reversed. Bollox to this thinks I, into reverse, give myself a bit of clearance and dummy to go round the front. As he pulls forwards, I dive round the back and drive up to the T junction at the end of the road. The Escort comes howling up behind me at a rate of knots and stops right behind me with full beam on.
Wan@er - I pull out and my mate (who wasn't sober) gives him coffee beans. With that, cue one BiB Volvo, two BiB on foot in the middle of the road, one motorcycle and a meat wagon. I stop and get surrounded by what feels like 50% of Hampshire's finest.
The guy driving the Escort is plain clothes plod. I get DRAGGED out the car with him saying things like 'I fu@@in' got you, know what its like to spend a night in the cells'. Tosser.
Upshot was I got breathalysed by a uniform - clean as a whistle - and Mr Plain Cop was right hacked off. He proceeds to go round the car kicking various bits - 'You nick these wheels ? Can you prove where you bought 'em ?' A scary experience for a young 'un.
I was given a producer - no worries, completely legal. From then on though, I was tugged at least once every two-three weeks for the next 3 months or so. I even got pulled once and was accused of FOLLOWING a copper !!! FFS. 'But I've got given a producer yesterday', I said. 'Well here's another one' was the reply. I didn't believe a particular car was 'targetted' but I guess I was wrong.
In the end, I took the car off the road for about 8 months and used a company van instead. Never got pulled again once it came back on the road after its absence.
This experience didn't do much to endear me to the South Hants law enforcers. I was convinced I was targetted and became a victim because nothing could be pinned on me. With the benefit of experience behind me, I should have lodged a harrassment complaint.
edit to add - since 'ageing' a bit, I have found my few dealings with the BiB to be far more civilised.
>> Edited by SotonS2 on Monday 28th February 22:48
Negative experiences - 3. Positive experiences - 1.
Negatives -
Incorrectly cautioned and being told I was going to be charged with not having an mot when I went to report someone hitting my car whilst it was parked on private land awaiting parts for the mot. Explained the situation fully to the officer, who clearly didnt listen to a word of it. Had to make 2 more trips to the police station before they accepted I was right.
Being told there was nothing that could be done when I was beaten up when I was 13, by 3 17 year olds, one of whom was wearing knuckle dusters. Witnesses to the offence, names and addresses of all the attackers.
Having a police officer verbally abuse a friend whose car I was travelling in when he was pulled over. Friend did deserve to be verbally abused, but thats not the point.
Positives
Having the police turn up and escort me home when a bunch of skinheads who id had a spot of bother with previously decided they would like to wait outside the pub and turn me inside out when I left. Ill never forget the look on the t
ts face as hes standing there banging on the glass, swearing and threatening, only to be tapped on the shoulder by the sturdy BiB behind him.
Negatives -
Incorrectly cautioned and being told I was going to be charged with not having an mot when I went to report someone hitting my car whilst it was parked on private land awaiting parts for the mot. Explained the situation fully to the officer, who clearly didnt listen to a word of it. Had to make 2 more trips to the police station before they accepted I was right.
Being told there was nothing that could be done when I was beaten up when I was 13, by 3 17 year olds, one of whom was wearing knuckle dusters. Witnesses to the offence, names and addresses of all the attackers.
Having a police officer verbally abuse a friend whose car I was travelling in when he was pulled over. Friend did deserve to be verbally abused, but thats not the point.
Positives
Having the police turn up and escort me home when a bunch of skinheads who id had a spot of bother with previously decided they would like to wait outside the pub and turn me inside out when I left. Ill never forget the look on the t
ts face as hes standing there banging on the glass, swearing and threatening, only to be tapped on the shoulder by the sturdy BiB behind him.Not a bad experience, but was pulled over Friday night/ Sat Morning going back to my girlfriends parents house.
It was dark, raining and I didn't know the area and my girlfriend and her friend weren't sure which lane to be in either, lots of round-abouts with dual carrageways between them and no one else around. Apparently I was driving in a less than straight manner
They probably thought I'd had one too many shadies (when i was only trying to be in the correct lane), when it was more like:
Me: Where do we go at this next roundabout?
GF: straight on...i think
GF friend: no right
GF: oh yeah maybe...
GF friend: no actually i mean left sorry
etc. etc.
I'd only had one shandy all night and the PC was very professional (he probably expected to find some spotty teenager behind the wheel), said he had no reason to breath test me and put my wandering down to "chatting with my passengers", and i couldn't be bothered to put him straight
Whole thing took less than 1 minute, i find it reassuring they are out there doing there job
It was dark, raining and I didn't know the area and my girlfriend and her friend weren't sure which lane to be in either, lots of round-abouts with dual carrageways between them and no one else around. Apparently I was driving in a less than straight manner
They probably thought I'd had one too many shadies (when i was only trying to be in the correct lane), when it was more like:
Me: Where do we go at this next roundabout?
GF: straight on...i think
GF friend: no right
GF: oh yeah maybe...
GF friend: no actually i mean left sorry
etc. etc.
I'd only had one shandy all night and the PC was very professional (he probably expected to find some spotty teenager behind the wheel), said he had no reason to breath test me and put my wandering down to "chatting with my passengers", and i couldn't be bothered to put him straight
Whole thing took less than 1 minute, i find it reassuring they are out there doing there job
Got cut up on a roundabout by a car once, while sat at the lights gesticulating about it the driver got out and walked back to my window, flashed his warrant card, and said "Got a problem?". When I told him that the white lines in the road generally are there to tell you how to flow around the roundabout, he disagreed, got back in his car, and drove off.
I was very minded to report him, as he was completely in the wrong and had almost caused an accident, but lifes too short. This was about 7 years ago I think.
I was very minded to report him, as he was completely in the wrong and had almost caused an accident, but lifes too short. This was about 7 years ago I think.
HarryW said:
In 20 odd years of drivng I've only ever had to speak to one Police Officer and that wasn't a bad experience.
So that is a heavily weighted Good 1 - Bad 0 .... IMHO & experience.
Harry
In fairness Harry, I've had a few dealings with the BiB over the past 20 years of driving and I've only had the one bad experience. This was a long time ago and I am not BiB bashing. But since this is a bad police experience thread.....
I have had other experiences, all good(ish), so for me this is not about knocking the bib in general.
As I said in my earlier post, for me it was an individual who preferred his own erroneus assumption to the cold hard truth, and I suspect that this isnt a rare phenomenon amongst a number of our bib.
Hope this doesnt turn into a bib bashing thread.
As I said in my earlier post, for me it was an individual who preferred his own erroneus assumption to the cold hard truth, and I suspect that this isnt a rare phenomenon amongst a number of our bib.
Hope this doesnt turn into a bib bashing thread.
Been stopped three times so far. First time I was pulled over for not wearing a seat belt, to be honest I was very impressed that he could make that out from behind me, and once he realized I was wearing a harness instead he was completely cool about the whole thing. Second time was pulling away from the lights, BiB with a speed gun jumped out in front of me and was very apologetic when he read the actual speed from the gun and found I wasn't speeding after all. Apparently the Janspeed exhaust made it sound a lot faster than it was. 
Third time was hacking back cross country after a late flight, roads were deserted and I applied an appropriate multiplier to the speed limit. Copper mentioned that he wouldn't take it any further since I was clearly in control of the car but people round me might not be, so take it easy "sir". Looking at the numbers, I could easily have lost my license on the spot. Lesson learned.
That's three times they missed a chance to make their conviction rates look good, what sort of an attitude is that to have in today's target driven society?
Third time was hacking back cross country after a late flight, roads were deserted and I applied an appropriate multiplier to the speed limit. Copper mentioned that he wouldn't take it any further since I was clearly in control of the car but people round me might not be, so take it easy "sir". Looking at the numbers, I could easily have lost my license on the spot. Lesson learned. That's three times they missed a chance to make their conviction rates look good, what sort of an attitude is that to have in today's target driven society?
99% good experiences, but they rarely stick in the mind of course.
The bad:
I was 22, walking home towards Acomb through York Station car park. A policeman stopped me and claimed he had seen me trying car door handles. I told him he was either mistaken or lying and that he had better drop it (youthful bravado, but I was bloody angry). He did.
Two years ago, my first M3 was stolen. The only interest shown was the issuing of a crime number and the taking of the car's details. I heard nothing more.
A week later, I was appraching my office, near a weighbridge in the City. The Police had a van on the weighbridge, but were standing on it with the driver and walking back and forth from the office. I set foot on the edge of the weighbridge and a Policeman shouted at me in an aggressive manner, "You get off there now!". I told him he was a disgrace and had no right to be so boorish. There were other people around and he shut up.
Amusing good:
I was walking through Cambridge with a mate. We were both wearing nothing but togas (as one does) and carrying a no entry sign between us, complete with concrete on the end, when a Police van drew up alongside us. We were a little the worse for wear and so only noticed as the window down and we oh so subtly dumped the roadsign over the wall into the Churchyard. "What roadsign officer?" That one and if you put it back where you found it, there'll be no more to come form this incident, lads (other Policemen in van pissing themselves). He turned the van round and followed us back down the hill at slow walking pace to watch us replace the sign at the roadworks whence we'd taken it.
One
experience yesterday:
a Police 5 Series at midday driving up Hampstead High Street in brigh sunshine with foglights on.
>> Edited by Zod on Monday 28th February 23:53
The bad:
I was 22, walking home towards Acomb through York Station car park. A policeman stopped me and claimed he had seen me trying car door handles. I told him he was either mistaken or lying and that he had better drop it (youthful bravado, but I was bloody angry). He did.
Two years ago, my first M3 was stolen. The only interest shown was the issuing of a crime number and the taking of the car's details. I heard nothing more.
A week later, I was appraching my office, near a weighbridge in the City. The Police had a van on the weighbridge, but were standing on it with the driver and walking back and forth from the office. I set foot on the edge of the weighbridge and a Policeman shouted at me in an aggressive manner, "You get off there now!". I told him he was a disgrace and had no right to be so boorish. There were other people around and he shut up.
Amusing good:
I was walking through Cambridge with a mate. We were both wearing nothing but togas (as one does) and carrying a no entry sign between us, complete with concrete on the end, when a Police van drew up alongside us. We were a little the worse for wear and so only noticed as the window down and we oh so subtly dumped the roadsign over the wall into the Churchyard. "What roadsign officer?" That one and if you put it back where you found it, there'll be no more to come form this incident, lads (other Policemen in van pissing themselves). He turned the van round and followed us back down the hill at slow walking pace to watch us replace the sign at the roadworks whence we'd taken it.
One
experience yesterday: a Police 5 Series at midday driving up Hampstead High Street in brigh sunshine with foglights on.
>> Edited by Zod on Monday 28th February 23:53
Never had a good BIB experience yet.
Had plenty of 'jobsworth' crap and a 3 pointer that was utter shite (all the witnesses drove away).
And when I got into a fight with 10 teenagers who were trying to beat the crap out of me in my garden took multiple hours to turn up -'nuf said.
Nearly forgot - they tried to pin that on me too.
Ignored my multiple requests for assistance when 25+ teens congregated outside my house for 6 months having a party nightly.
Plus points - found my car after it had been stole.
That's it.
Scrotes 10 Plod 1
Had plenty of 'jobsworth' crap and a 3 pointer that was utter shite (all the witnesses drove away).
And when I got into a fight with 10 teenagers who were trying to beat the crap out of me in my garden took multiple hours to turn up -'nuf said.
Nearly forgot - they tried to pin that on me too.
Ignored my multiple requests for assistance when 25+ teens congregated outside my house for 6 months having a party nightly.
Plus points - found my car after it had been stole.
That's it.
Scrotes 10 Plod 1
I've spent the last ten years defending criminals for a living and deal with police officers on a daily basis.
The overwhelming majority are decent, honest, hardworking and do a difficult job for a modest salary.
Of course there are some who are complete tts, but as a lawyer I'd have to concedede that the proportion of tts in my profession is rather greater than in the police service.
Part of the problem is the power differential. If you come across an estate agent who is a tosser, then you just walk away and make a mental note to take your business elsewhere.
When you have been pulled by an awkward officer, you don't have that luxury...
Cheers
Pat
The overwhelming majority are decent, honest, hardworking and do a difficult job for a modest salary.
Of course there are some who are complete t
ts, but as a lawyer I'd have to concedede that the proportion of tts in my profession is rather greater than in the police service. Part of the problem is the power differential. If you come across an estate agent who is a tosser, then you just walk away and make a mental note to take your business elsewhere.
When you have been pulled by an awkward officer, you don't have that luxury...
Cheers
Pat
I agree with what Pat says.
There are numpties in every profession, but, as Pat says, a bad experience from a police officer may be more longlasting.
I didn't receive any unpleasant experiences from police officers prior to joining the job(apart from Royal Navy regulators in my navy days - but they aren't real police anyway)and tend to remain a normal person when dealing with people, maintaining a firm but fair attitude. Yes, there are times when someone simply will not listen, and wants to take your head off, but mostly people react postitively if you speak in a professional and level headed way.
If not
There are numpties in every profession, but, as Pat says, a bad experience from a police officer may be more longlasting.
I didn't receive any unpleasant experiences from police officers prior to joining the job(apart from Royal Navy regulators in my navy days - but they aren't real police anyway
)and tend to remain a normal person when dealing with people, maintaining a firm but fair attitude. Yes, there are times when someone simply will not listen, and wants to take your head off, but mostly people react postitively if you speak in a professional and level headed way. If not
My only slightly negative experiance was being accused of brakeing into a school I was working at. I had been the last person inthe building and I had locked up. Conversation went a bit like this.
bib:It was you wot dun it.
me:No I didn't.
bib:It was your mates then was it.
me:not to my knowledge.
bib:so it was you wot dun it.
me:and my motive was? They stole a school picture from 1983....
bib:umm right.
It left me wondering about the quality of our coppers more than anything else.....
bib:It was you wot dun it.
me:No I didn't.
bib:It was your mates then was it.
me:not to my knowledge.
bib:so it was you wot dun it.
me:and my motive was? They stole a school picture from 1983....
bib:umm right.
It left me wondering about the quality of our coppers more than anything else.....
Ive had in general good experience from the bib, Ive been pulled over a few times in the tiger and they have let me of with been abit silly behind the wheel and actualy ended up having a friendly chat about my car.
Had one bad one thou, was driving throu a local town centre one night when someone came up behind me on a bike so i pulled to one side slightly to let him by but he got level with me and kicked my door, i sped up abit but he continued to bother me kicking various panels of my fiesta which was i second car. I decided enough was enough and put my boot down and headed home thrashing the nuts out of the little zetec lump.
But the bike followed me nearly to my doorstep so i avoided going home. it was 1am and quite frankly i was cacking myself!!!! just kept driving around hopeing that the biker would bet bored. Then from nowhere some blue lights appeared, the biker booted off into the distance and i was pulled over buy the plod.
Got the bollocking of a live time for driving fast in a built up area and been a general arse, i tried to explain what had happened and i even showed him the dents on my car but he spoke as if the biker was a mate of mine and we were having a race.
The chat went on for 30 mins or so and he really wound me up but i kept my cool.
It all ended with a caution, a dented car x3 panels and one angry driver(me)
Had one bad one thou, was driving throu a local town centre one night when someone came up behind me on a bike so i pulled to one side slightly to let him by but he got level with me and kicked my door, i sped up abit but he continued to bother me kicking various panels of my fiesta which was i second car. I decided enough was enough and put my boot down and headed home thrashing the nuts out of the little zetec lump.
But the bike followed me nearly to my doorstep so i avoided going home. it was 1am and quite frankly i was cacking myself!!!! just kept driving around hopeing that the biker would bet bored. Then from nowhere some blue lights appeared, the biker booted off into the distance and i was pulled over buy the plod.
Got the bollocking of a live time for driving fast in a built up area and been a general arse, i tried to explain what had happened and i even showed him the dents on my car but he spoke as if the biker was a mate of mine and we were having a race.
The chat went on for 30 mins or so and he really wound me up but i kept my cool.
It all ended with a caution, a dented car x3 panels and one angry driver(me)
Not too bad for me. Driving through Worthing town centre one night and I see a traffic car on the side of the road. Chuckle to myslef and think ha ha you ain't gonna get me and drive like a saint.
Next thing I see a red 205 come past me fairly quick just before a roundabout.
2 mins later the cop car is on my tail with its lights going!
Guy gets out and gives me the third degree about overtaking the 205. I just stand there totally bemused and try to explain to this copper that if I had overtaken the other car did they pass the car that I overtook??? Guy just turned round and said "I'm a traffic cop are you telliing me how to do my job?"
Complete pillock and so wish I could have t
ted him in the nose and gone Unnnnnggggghhhh to his face. Where do they get off???
Not all been bad though as the other times I've been pulled for speeding I kinda deserved the ribbing. Mostly they have been fairly decent about it except one good cop bad cop experience where one gave me a rolocking and then his mate came over and booked me but was really nice about it.
Ahhh actually another one was a female traffic cop who booked me whilst following an Audi 80 in a 30 limit, she seemed to think that I had been going oevr 40 behind this car even though I'd just pulled out of a junction. This was the weekend after the good cop bad cop day and so being booked twice in the space of 7 days I wasn't in the best of moods. I tried to be polite but she just gave me hassle so I promptly gave her my licence and told her all the details were on that and that I did not need to speak to her again.
Apart from those, I don't really mind the fact that sometimes they're shirty. They have to deal with some real shitbags everyday and I don't blame them for being a bit tetchy at times.
Next thing I see a red 205 come past me fairly quick just before a roundabout.
2 mins later the cop car is on my tail with its lights going!
Guy gets out and gives me the third degree about overtaking the 205. I just stand there totally bemused and try to explain to this copper that if I had overtaken the other car did they pass the car that I overtook??? Guy just turned round and said "I'm a traffic cop are you telliing me how to do my job?"
Complete pillock and so wish I could have t
ted him in the nose and gone Unnnnnggggghhhh to his face. Where do they get off??? Not all been bad though as the other times I've been pulled for speeding I kinda deserved the ribbing. Mostly they have been fairly decent about it except one good cop bad cop experience where one gave me a rolocking and then his mate came over and booked me but was really nice about it.
Ahhh actually another one was a female traffic cop who booked me whilst following an Audi 80 in a 30 limit, she seemed to think that I had been going oevr 40 behind this car even though I'd just pulled out of a junction. This was the weekend after the good cop bad cop day and so being booked twice in the space of 7 days I wasn't in the best of moods. I tried to be polite but she just gave me hassle so I promptly gave her my licence and told her all the details were on that and that I did not need to speak to her again.
Apart from those, I don't really mind the fact that sometimes they're shirty. They have to deal with some real shitbags everyday and I don't blame them for being a bit tetchy at times.
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