Do You Trust Law Enforcement?

[RvNaut]

Do You Trust Law Enforcement?

 

[bullfrog]

That is a wide open question as it depends on who you are and where you are. Small police departments are held accountable, simply by the fact everyone knows them, by necessity they live in the community usually with many of their family members that they grew up in. Watched a patrolman’s mother whip up on him for pulling over one of her friends in public when he could have at least waited till she stopped in the church parking lot and with out turning the lights on talked nice to her as she used to baby sit him. She walked off mumbling “That boy just ain’t got no respect!” Large departments where officers commute or are unknowns to the community they serve are where the problems begin. You have to know someone before you trust them.

 

[user 423]

I trust about 97% of them. As in any other field, there are a-holes.

In comparison, I trust only about 10% of used car salespersons.

 

[nature lover]

Almost always. Only been burned twice. And not too hard. They are human beings like us. They love money and power. And some fall. But generally I find them to be straight honest and trustworthy. But not that guy who put his knee on George Floyd. I know all the stories they tell about Floyd now and what he was but there was no excuse for that long of a hold. Just proves that they can’t all be trusted.

 

[MikeRuth]

Not like I was brought up to be!

 

[eDJ_]

Several of the guys I grew up went into law enforcement.  One of them told me that the new officers are often placed on night shift and told that they will be dealing with the worst  3%  of the public.   I'd say the majority of officers are fair to middle in integrity.   But I listened them talk about the "fun and games" they indulged in to have a "duty report" that their supervisor would be pleased with.   Often they would park somewhat hidden near bars or liquor store carry out's and watch the customers go in or walk out so that if one looked a bit buzzed they would go after them a few blocks away and pull them over as a suspect of DUI.   Watch for those who didn't stop long enough at a stop sign.  But with this they got to radio in the license plate # and see if there was anything against it.  Then check for license, registration, & insurance.  This is all fodder for duty reports.
 
When I travel in my rig today I try to be off the road and settled for the night way before dark.   Roll out earlier in the AM and get my chores, errands, and traveling day done by mid afternoon.  Then be in camp so that I don't get
on numerous late night duty reports.   So that if a LEO were to pull me over I wouldn't have to explain why I've been pulled over so many times.

 

[bullfrog]

Sounds like the old Russel Kentucky bridge that crosses into Ohio!

 

[hugemoth]

My default position because of past experience is to not trust any police officer. A related study was recently released on police departments being infiltrated by white supremacy groups.

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-w...m-white-supremacy-and-far-right-militancy-law

 

[Tony's Dream]

I agree with most of you, I trust about 97% too. Police are people too and just like we have good and bad people......we have good and bad police. I assume that people in general are good and honest, until they show me they are not worthy of my trust.

 

[ichiban]

to an extent...i almost got handcuffed while standing out in front of a co-workers house because the cop had the wrong house...he was on the wrong street...it was scary because i had a legally concealed firearm...it was a 30 sec. encounter and he was gone...i made my hands visible and didn't ask anything just complied when he said put your hands behind your back....then he realized his error and left...heart was pumping...they got it rough...dealing with mentally ill people often...

 

[ByeBye]

No

 

[Sofisintown]

I trust them, but I hope I won't get stopped by one who had a bad day.

 

[bullfrog]

If you watch YouTube “Beau of the fifth column” makes it really easy to explain to a red neck the way most minorities feel about police with just 3 letters, ATF! Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms so Mods don’t get upset. Lol!!!

 

[Sofisintown]

If you watch YouTube “Beau of the fifth column” makes it really easy to explain to a red neck the way most minorities feel about police with just 3 letters, ATF! Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms so Mods don’t get upset. Lol!!!

It is not rednecks. He uses the term "Rural Whites" !

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Not in the USA

 

[RVTravel]

Most of them. Follow police commands.

 

[WanderingRose]

I have to say, generally, NO, but then I only really trust very few people, regardless what they do for a living.

I came across a number of law enforcement officers during my work life who were dishonest, and several who were criminals.

Carrying a badge or being in any position of authority is not a guarantee of honesty or a functioning moral center.

I am always very aware during any interaction for whatever reason that they carry guns and have arrest powers.

My approach any time dealing with police is to be compliant and completely honest.

 

[winterwanderer]

I usully get a little nervous at the start of an LEO interaction, though I remain outwardly calm. If LEOs would all respect the law, I would have absolutely nothing to fear. But many of them have a predilection toward illegal violence and intimidation, especially toward citizens who "defy" them by peacefully exercising their rights. Being a white male with a clean record has (in nearly all cases) made them think twice and restrain themselves, but I can see the aggression clear as day.

To answer the question, I usually can tell within the first few seconds of an interaction whether or not I can trust an LEO to abide by the law.

 

[nature lover]

I agree with many of you who are cautious about police. But being an ex EMT who worked closely with the police in the capital city of Harrisburg. I understand that their personal lives get mixed up in the professional lives. We have a grumpy day we can just Grump they have to “protect and serve “. I think I want to say in fairness to them is They have to be under pressure every time they stop a car or answer a call because they know they could be killed. That kind of pressure would take a Lotta nerve to handle. But like many of you I hope I never run into one who’s having a bad day.

 

[MrNoodly]

I trust them only as much as I trust any other human.