Why do some cops seem arrogant?

[chief38]

Here's my .02 Cents.............

Cops are NO DIFFERENT than other Human Beings. There are good ones, mediocre ones and bad ones. Most LEO's I've dealt with in my lifetime have been descent and reasonable people. That said I've also encountered some with a bad attitude, to say the least! There are plenty of arrogant people at the Motor Vehicle Dept. the local Gun Store, the Car Wash etc. People are people and Cops are no exception. I guess SOME have got the "I'm above the law attitude" and the I'm the man attitude" because of their badge & gun, but again, MOST are descent Guys and Gals who just want to return home to their family's at the end of their shift.

 

[Comrad]

I like cops, my father in law was a Captain in the NJSP, my brother in law was a Paterson cop and I have 4 nephews on the job and they are all pretty regular guys. They went through hell to get on and wanted it as bad as anyone but what I really can't stand is to hear some guys complain how they are putting their life on the line. This is the profession most LEO that I know wanted and wouldn't trade it for anything, if there are some who feel the need to punish the citizenry because the are at risk I would recommend another line of work. There are plenty of guys who love it, my BIL loved the late shift in Paterson, NJ and I never once heard him complain about being in danger and the job ended up costing him his life. Both his sons are on the job and feel the same way. And his daughter married a Sheriff's officer.

 

[tops]

I don't agree with the thought that because they deal with trash and grouchy customers all day gives cops, sales persons, clerks, or any other profession the right to not be nice to people. If you can't handle the pressure and stress of your job you need to get a different job. Treat people nice until they do something to cause you to do otherwise. Larry

 

[luangtom]

It is easy to be perceived as arrogant, unfeeling or indifferent. The afore-written posts say that. I just know that it was good to be able to sit down at the LGS and vent, laugh and cry with others in the same boat or others that knew. Many a chuckle came from being able to look back at an experience that was ghastly and move on. I have to say that LGS kept alot of us sane and for that, I have to tip my hat to Russ and MaryJo for putting up with us for all of those years. I miss you all......

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Cops by and large are just poor schmucks like me doing their jobs to the best of their ability. Dealing with the people they deal with-they have to have defense mechanisms. I am fairly close to all the LEO's down here (with the exception of three who are really dirtbags that I wouldn't trust with anything but that has nothing to do with their being cops-they just slipped past the screening) and they are decent people doing a tough job. The older I get the more I try not to throw a blanket judgment over a group of people-maybe it's because I realize the amount of baggage I'VE picked up along the way. Everybody gets a chance with me-unless they're pointing a gun in my direction.

 

[UncaGrunny]

What the author describes as arrogant "acting all distant and aloof and snobby" doesn't fit my definition of an arrogant cop. I don't expect a cop to be a perky smiling greeting committee or act like a peer/coworker during an encounter. This sounds like it was written as an apology to Hollywood types who are used to people fawning over them or other overly sensitive types.

I got that feeling from the article as well... it seemed like the author was conflating arrogance with professional detachment, and those are two very different things.

Professional detachment is both a job necessity and a psychological adaptation for many jobs that deal with the horrid aspects of life & death, doctors and police being high on that list, though not alone on it.

But arrogance is not just detachment, it is an assumption of one's self as being better than other people without specific knowledge that this is the case. That would seem to me to be a dangerous attitude for an armed officer to assume. Dangerous for themselves, and dangerous for the public.

I've known a large number of law enforcement folks through life, going back to childhood memberships in Jr. Police and Police Explorer programs, through professional contacts in my career, during my service with local organizations, and personally since two of my closest neighbors are in law enforcement. I've had a dozen or so "official" contacts as well; a couple traffic stops, some incidents where I was the complaining or reporting citizen in shoplifting and assault/disturbance incidents and the like.

I can say without reservation that the vast majority of LEOs I have met and known were far from arrogant & were highly professional. Out of the dozens I've met or known, I can only recall two that I would class as "arrogant," and sadly I'd also have to lump them into the "not too bright, either" bucket. People are people; you find less-than-ideal ones in any profession.

 

[Old cop]

I was on the job for 30 yrs., involved in two shootings and present at others. I understand how "we" can come off as arrogant and did my best, as often as possible, to project my personality beyond the uniform. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it did not. When I stepped over that "line" my supervisors let me know it pretty quickly and I'd like to believe I'm better b/c of it.

Police departments hire from the human race and sometimes, in spite of everything, a jerk gets hired and manages to get to retirement. By and large most cops are decent folks just trying to do a difficult job under trying circumstances. I'm immensely proud of what I did and still enjoy the friendships of those I worked with. I'd do it all over again in a minute.

 

[hangnoose]

ARROGANT OR PLAYING IT SMART & SAFE

Anyone who has dealt with the public for a living knows it can be good to very bad, in any given encounter. Some professions deal with the publics less elite, or persons when they are not at their finest. For me as a former RN most of my people were not feeling well, if not in a great deal of pain, scared, nervous, worried, impatient, etc. I'd imagine for cops it's worse. I found and tried to teach/explain to newbies that to better do your job effectively you need to have a game face on, exude calm, confidence, never allow anyone to intimidate you (be it a Pt, Dr, administrator, or co-worker) and NEVER show fear. If a Pt saw/smelled fear on you, they would be multiple times more scared. Showing fear by a cop could very well be an invitation to be attacked & possibly kill or be killed. In any group of people there are gonna be a certain % of jerks and power trippers and they would likely be like that in any profession.

 

[Marshwheeling]

In my ~30 years behind the badge, I'm proud to say that I treated people as good and fair as they would allow me. The person being dealt with by the officer sets the 'tone' of the encounter, not the other way around.

^^^^^^^^^^


This has been my experience is 30 years as a prosecutor, defense lawyer, and inveterate speeder.

If you want to have a successful encounter with an officer, rule no. 1 is, check your attitude. When the officer or trooper walks up to your car, he has no idea whether you are the nice guy you think you are, an arrogant jerk yourself, or a cop-killing homicide. You need to
1. defuse the residue of fear that attends every stop,
2. convey the message that you are a decent guy, just as you assume he is, and
3. don't do anything to talk him into giving you a ticket.

Have a cordial, respectful , but not obsequious attitude and you have gone a long way to having a good story for your friends rather than a citation.

 

[fdw]

Most all cops I've met are very personable, even the one who pulled out his service revolver and ordered me back to my car as I approached his at night . (he had pulled me over)

Once he got to my window, he said don't ever approach a police car if you are pulled. I said yes sir and he gave me a warning and wished me a good evening

 

[carpriver]

In my ~30 years behind the badge, I'm proud to say that I treated people as good and fair as they would allow me. The person being dealt with by the officer sets the 'tone' of the encounter, not the other way around.

At least that's how professional, well trained LEO's work.
I'm proud of the fact that I worked amongst some of the very best.

I don't know any police officers except my brother. I have had interactions with several I have always tried to be polite. but there was a couple that can on strong, loud.

When I worked in mental health as a community outreach worker I would have to go into the home of client that had chronic and persistent mental health problems. On several occasions when a client was symptomatic I would need help getting the person out of there home and into the hospital. When the police came the vast majority were carrying and respectful of the client and only used as much force as was need to control the client. I have a lot of respect for the police. most do care about people, I think it depended on the situation they are placed in.

 

[Engineer1911]

At a traffic stop, I've learned that driver's license in my hand, registration if I can easily get it, inside light on, hands on top of the wheel, engine off is a very good start in a "difficult" conversation. My opening line is a friendly response or greeting.

At a South Carolina road block/drunk driver check, I don't do anything until I'm in front of the officer, open window, transmisssion in PARK. I won't have another conversation about not wearing a seat belt. I took seat belt off, got my billfold out, removed my driver's license to present to the officer (I was 3rd car back), and defended myself for two minutes that I was wearing my seatbelt. My billfold was on passenger seat. SC State patrol are not happy or pleasant people.

 

[zzzippper]

My answer for that question is because they repeatedly have to deal with the bottom 10 percent of society on a regular basis. What the general public fails to realize is that there is a certain percentage of society that looks at crime like a job. They are too lazy to work. They believe they can out smart everyone by taking a shortcut-be it drugs, extortion, theft etc... Also when a police officer smiles at someone, they have no way of knowing until they interact with that person whether they are a criminal or an ordinary citizen. Now if they are dealing with a criminal, the guy might see if he can take advantage of the officer. BTW- this is my opinion and I am not a police officer. I could be wrong but I bet my thought hits pretty close to home. Be safe out there guys.

This is why I would think they would appreciate the other 90%. I've had two encounters since moving here. One was a complete ******* just because he could. The other one was great and he gave me his business card. I emailed him the next day to thank him for his professionalism and courtesy.

 

[Old TexMex]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Corp
In my ~30 years behind the badge, I'm proud to say that I treated people as good and fair as they would allow me. The person being dealt with by the officer sets the 'tone' of the encounter, not the other way around.



Yessir.
Maybe the best lesson I've had was dealing Mexican authorities a long time ago, and used it ever since on all sorts of men and women in authority positions.

If I approach the ranking individual with the most courtesy I can generate ("Sir, You are very important. The reason I know this is because I, too, am important.")

Let's handle this like the high ranking men of respect we are. You're important, I'm important, let's not trivialize this meeting in front of the lesser members of the species.

It's the "I'm not stupid so I won't do anything stupid, and you, sir, are not stupid-- so you aren't going to do anything stupid either, right?" kind of attitude.

This method only works if I haven't done something stupid to begin with....and THAT is the real trick.

What does NOT work is the : " What the #### do you want NOW, fer godssake, can't you see I'm busy!?!" attitude.
No matter how much I would like to say that.....

 

[Bushmaster1911]

After reading all the posts I do see a trend that is a concern. It may well be part of occupation to depend on "brothers" in blue. As long as that doesn't become an "us against them" mentality with the "them" being the entire civilian population. Group think is very close to mob mentality and that can produce dangerous results. There may come a day when you'll need to decide between the law/orders from on high and your conscience and morality. New Orleans post Katrina comes to mind along with some civil rights days of the late 50s early 60s. Please always remember you're individuals with a conscirnce before you're part of a group. Some laws and some orders should not be followed even if the majority or ALL your fellow "brothers" decide to follow them. Do the right thing even if the right things is unpopular, that's what GREAT men do.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I haven't run into a bad cop yet, and I reckon odds are that I won't. As far as arrogance, I have a feeling that life in a patrol car may contribute to an LEO's experience that many to most most of his encounters are with ****ups. I'm pretty sure that routine arrogance was even less back when policemen had routine everyday encounters with normal people, whether on a beat or in other daily activities. Even if I'm actually right, I'm not sure that that tells us what the fix is, because I'm pretty sure that walking beats or even bicycle tours are nowhere as near as economical as quick-response patrol cars.

I think that those of us who loiter regularly in gun stores know that there are plenty of cops who are regular people, and vice versa.

 

[dave b]

The only "jerk " cop I ever dealt with was not on police business. He was just an AH naturally. All of the others were fine. However, it's hard to have much respect for those cops and their employers who engage in "Trolling for Dollars".

 

[The Big D]

There are a few members of this Forum who very obviously despise LEO's or any other authority. They are the ones who regularly and intentionally offer false statements re: what can/cannot transpire lawfully in the course of a LEO's workday or aver they 'don't have to obey instructions.' Not making this up; a review of posts will substantiate this.

I don't take it personally and usually attempt to prove them 'wrong' and try to help them understand.

Two instances always pop into my head when I see threads like the instant one. 1. A poster(s) states that police cannot testify or offer evidence in 'favor' of a suspect. Absolutely, positively, FALSE. In fact, exculpatory evidence must be revealed. 2. Or such statements as 'I don't have to do what a cop tells me...ever.' Well you do...within reasonable standards. I recall a post in which the member stated words to the effect...'I don't have to exit my car if I don't want to do so.' Well, you WILL, one way or the other if a LEO wants you to. Fact.

Too many folks deny responsibility. Cannot tell you how many were subject to my arbitrarily and capriciously and without reason 'stopping' them for various wrongdoings. Nobody was ever wrong...was always me. Back in the day many were subsequently found to follow the 'challenge authority' philosophy.

Oh, boy.

Be safe.

 

[shouldazagged]

In 1968 we had some rioting here, as many cities did that troubled year. At the height of the brief outbreak here I volunteered for chaplain duty in the ER of the old General Hospital which then was our main trauma center.

I had occasion to talk to a number of LEO's. I particularly remember one lieutenant who was counting down to an overdue retirement. He was tired and saddened by all that was going on. At one point he looked off into space and said, "This is really a hell of a business. After so many years you find yourself setting little traps for your family to see if they're lying to you."

I've known and treated and worked with a lot of cops over the years. I never heard another one state it quite the way that one did; but though I treated alcoholics and addicts for many years, seeing people at their lowest and being lied to endlessly, I couldn't do what the street LEO does every day on duty. I marvel that so many I've known have kept their balance and sense of humor.

I've met one or two who were jerks, but that's a pretty damn good average for my decades of having a lot of dealings with LEO's. I certainly have no patience for generalized cop-bashing.

 

[GKC]

Most all cops I've met are very personable, even the one who pulled out his service revolver and ordered me back to my car as I approached his at night . (he had pulled me over)

Once he got to my window, he said don't ever approach a police car if you are pulled. I said yes sir and he gave me a warning and wished me a good evening

When I was young, growing up in West Texas, if a LEO pulled you over, you got out of your vehicle and met him at the rear of the vehicle, with your license out. If you sat in your car and waited for him to come to you, that was being "uppity."

We live in a much different world, now...but it's still hard for me to sit still and wait. It seems discourteous, but I've learned that it isn't the right thing to do anymore.