Why Do Some People See LEOs as the Bad Guy?

[Roan Ranger]

Innocent question. Please be civil. I also am a member of another forum who has many members that are out to bash LEOs any chance they get. People here seem to be more professional and realistic. I guess I don't understand why some people who CC are so anti law enforcement. After all, aren't we the "good guys" too? I don't understand why people have a problem with traffic stops. If I were stopped and I was carrying, I would inform the officer that I had a LTCF and what I was carrying and where. I'd keep my hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel and ask the officer what he/she would like me to do so that they feel safe. Traffic stops are extremely dangerous and the mention of a gun causes an adrenalin rush I'm sure. But I put myself in their place. If I was a LEO and stopped someone who had a firearm I'd be REAL cautious until I checked him out. Just because someone has a permit doesn't mean that he isn't going to use his/her firearm for no good. I do not blame the police for doing whatever is needed to keep themselves safe from harm until they know more about the individual. Yes, I know some cops are jerks but some people have a chip on their shoulder too. We have the right to carry and bear arms, but the LEO has the right to go home to his/her family too. Sorry for the lengthy post. I hope it came across as I meant it to. My husband was a State Trooper (thankfully retired now) and I was always thankful when he walked through the door at the end of the shift. Anyway, I guess the negativity on the other forum struck a nerve and has me wondering whether I even want to participate in their discussions.

 

[Old cop]

We get that stuff here too on occassion and it's beyond me. It is only natural to resent authority but I like this forum b/c you seldome see that nonsense here. I'm damn proud of my 30 years and I would not trade the experience for anything.

Maybe the bashing comes from some who were wanna-be's (gun store commandos) and could not make the grade.

 

[crofoot629]

Welcome to the Forum.
I'm a retired LEO myself.

I've never been treated with anything but courtesy and respect in the interactions I've had with Police Officers. After becoming a cop I never told an Officer that I was LE when I was pulled over for a routine traffic stop. For sure some new me, and others figured it out.

Anyway on to your question.
I suppose there are a lot of reasons.
I think the biggest is that it's a "criminal justice system". It's not always a criminal fairness system.

Many times, even with murder cases, LE and the District Attorney are most interested in making a case, and clearing that case. That is the part of law enforcement that bothered me most. Usually we get the right guy, but not always.

I hate to say it, but people should remember that anytime you are talking to a Police Officer about a crime, he's "making a case". So even if you're as pure as the driven snow, be careful what you say.

There's the old saying of "never invite the Man into your life".
I don't live by it, but I'm careful none the less.

And I think you would be wise to avoid "those discussions" on other forums. The lack of those discussions has made this Forum where I like to hang out most. I completely gave up on another gun forum because in my not so humble opinion, those people were "too dumb to help". Now I don't go there and it's better for them, and me both!

Emory

 

[jdh]

All it takes is one bad experience with an officer for someone to paint all officers with the same brush. Much like some officers treat everyone they encounter, including the crime victim that called them for help, as a dangerous felon assuming them to be guilty until they can prove themselves not to be.

Until the good officers start taking it upon themselves to report the bad officers and proactively work to assist them into another career field where they can no longer continue to negatively influence the public's opinion of officers in general there will be no improvement. In fact those officers who remain silent when witnessing bad behavior on the part of another are themselves part of the problem. Hell of a choice between being despised because of another officer's actions and being labeled a snitch, isn't it?

 

[feralmerril]

Frankly I belive some people view traffic cops as tax collectors. Usualy traffic cops are the only interaction they get with law enforcement. Not many honest citizens have dealings with detectives.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I've watched LEOs today become more "militant" and that bothered me until.....I started remembering how things were for me "back in the day". Dealing with drunks, a few kids smoking pot, family problems, accidents, routine stuff. What we seldom saw was meth, or coke, out-of-state drug dealers who are usually armed, and a greater level of violence in our society. And many of us took kids home for minor violations, until the parents started yelling at us for picking on "their little boy/girl". That change happened in the 70's. I spent 4 years in HS and never saw a LEO in the building. Today they are a regular presence. Are there LEOs with heavy badges? Sure, a few, but the majority are honest people doing a job few could do even if they wanted to. And it's interesting to note that virtually all the people who are critical of the police have never worn a uniform and, in all likelihood, couldn't handle the job even if given the chance. Weekend warriors and armchair quarterbacks, the world is full of them and some post their "opinions" on forums.

 

[jlrhiner]

I'm not, nor ever have been, a LEO. I have a very close friend who is a retired officer.

Unfortunately, I believe LEOs get painted with the same broad brush gun owners do. Tens of thousands go to work everyday and do their jobs, many exemplary. When one does something stupid, or is heavy-handed, it makes the 6:00 news.

Another issue, the "us and them" mentality, is also an problem. It mostly manifests in the young, razor haircut, paramilitary police. I've often wondered how Waco would have turned out if the local Sheriff had served that warrant. Actions like that create mistrust, and it often takes personal interaction with law enforcement to overcome it. But many wont ever get that chance.

I could not do the job you guys do.

 

[Kanewpadle]

One reason is because you only hear about the bad officers. Nobody takes the time to say something about good officers. But let one make a mistake and the whole world knows.

I know a few officers that are getting burned out. They're sick and tired of arresting the same people over and over again. They sometimes aren't as patient and generally distrust everyone they meet.

I approached an officer in a store a while back. I smiled and said hi. He recognized me but wasn't sure why. He thought that I was just another dummy that he has arrested a few times. He wasn't nice at all until we talked more and he realized who I was.

 

[sambuh]

I'll tell you honestly... I've yet to have a positive interaction with one. Now part of that is my issue. There is also part of it, where I am casting a large generalization regarding who LEOs are. And part of it is my own stupidity as a young kid, who is now older. I can't give a few stories where I;

wasn't at fault
was pulled over needlessly
Was courteous
responsible and reasonable

And the cop was still a prick.

No not all cops are. And yes, I have been a jerk to LEOs in the past. Maybe it's karma

Regardless, I appreciate what they so for me as a law abiding citizen.

 

[novalty]

LEO's are in the public-eye more and more and when there is an incident it usually gets publicity. I still remember an incident in Maine back in the 90's where a female officer killed someone backing out of their driveway while speeding without sirens or lights going. I believe she was only fired for such incident.

A couple months ago, I was driving to work and noticed the suv in front of me didn' t have functioning brake lights. I noted their license plate, make & model and that they were getting on the interstate that isn't far from my work. When I got to work and could make a call to report to the State Police, I was chastized for not calling sooner.

 

[AZretired]

Frankly I belive some people view traffic cops as tax collectors. Usualy traffic cops are the only interaction they get with law enforcement. Not many honest citizens have dealings with detectives.

I spent over half my career as a Detective and for every criminal I had contact with I probably contacted 20 law abiding citizens, be they witnesses, waitresses or people that stop and ask questions. Yes, people do recognize and talk to detectives as we tend to be more approachable than uniforms.

When I started out back in 1978 we got to know the citizens in our "Beats" (they call this Community Policing nowadays) but as I neared retirement I noticed a lot of the younger cops walked around with their chests puffed out trying to look cool and while they may not intend to, they come off as arrogant and unapproachable, especially to kids.

 

[Dmaxboy08]

Because when most people were kids, their parents did not teach them respect. They dont like authority because they controlled their parents instead of the other way around. They didnt learn how to take responsibility for their own actions. Instead they blame it on other people.
Funny thing is, when I see people like this, they are 1.) living off the government with no great future or 2.) they operate their own busniess and answer to no one but still are very unhappy with life because they havent figured out money doesnt buy happiness.

 

[BobC357]

There are millions of good cops out there. Sadly, we rarely, if ever, hear about them.

The lamestream media, however, gladly and willfully exploint every instance of a LEO misdeed at every opportunity. Thus, the image the lamestream media presents is that all cops are bad. Thankfully, that is just not the case.

 

[cmort666]

After all, aren't we the "good guys" too?

Maybe, maybe not.

Until I know who you are, you're just a stranger with unknown motives and a gun.

You might be the nicest guy in the world.

You might be Daniel Harless.

You might be Jerome Finnegan.

You might be Bobby Cutts, Jr.

There's no benefit to me of trusting strangers who can do me harm.

I don't understand why people have a problem with traffic stops. If I were stopped and I was carrying, I would inform the officer that I had a LTCF and what I was carrying and where.

I don't have a problem with legitimate traffic stops.

I have a BIG problem with pretext stops and cops lying about you "weaving" when BOTH of us KNOW there was no weaving.

Harless proved once and for all why notification is a bad idea. By their support for him, his fellow officers only reinforced that.

I have a BIG problem with made up, extra-legal "courtesies" translated into "duties".

People see the support given by other cops to the Abbates and Harlesses. They see the judicial findings that there's a "stop snitching" culture in certain police departments.

If I drink and drive, sell drugs or take things that don't belong to me, or cover for people who do those things, I have no business complaining about the consequences.

Police have no more business complaining when they face the consequences of doing bad things or covering for other cops who do.

 

[novalty]

My first interaction was with an officer who pulled me over whan I was 17. Was pulled over at dusk by an officer who was travelling in opposite direction in a 50 mph zone. When I answered him that I wasn't sure why he pulled me over. He informed me that my rear license plate light was "dim" and he couldn't read it in his mirror when he drove by me.

 

[bennettfam]

Only one major complaint...

Cops are human, some good and some bad, but they have a tough job and I support them whenever I can.

But my one big peeve is that many are hypocrites. They ticket you for speeding or texting while driving or not wearing a belt, yet they break those rules on duty and off knowing they will get a break from their buddy LEOs. And many cops are anti-CCW for "civilians" because they know that as LEOs or retired LEOs they will be allowed to carry to their hearts' content. If they had to follow the same CCW rules as the rest of us maybe they wouldn't support the gun restrictions so much.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I think LEO's do a better job of bashing themselves then do the public at large. Just here in Norfolk, VA alone, in the last 2 years alone, we have arrested and prosecuted over 20 officers for a variety of crimes, from DUI, drug trafficking, domestic assaults, falsifying testimony, submitting falsified evidence...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. NYC and the Knapp Commission, of which I was a part of, and as my first LEO job, taught me a lot about the self serving interests that drive some to law enforcement.

Does the general public distrust law enforcement, especially at the local level, most definitely...and there is more then just anecdotal evidence to support those feelings, unfortunately.

 

[The Big D]

Here we go again..

Yet again, your anti-LEO prejudice colors your post. Roan Ranger is not a LEO. Her post is abundantly clear to anyone who is not affected with extreme prejudice/hatred for LEO's. Wow! Let me make it clearer; she is stating CCW people are the "good guys."

Be safe.

Maybe, maybe not.

Until I know who you are, you're just a stranger with unknown motives and a gun.

You might be the nicest guy in the world.

You might be Daniel Harless.

You might be Jerome Finnegan.

You might be Bobby Cutts, Jr.

There's no benefit to me of trusting strangers who can do me harm.


I don't have a problem with legitimate traffic stops.

I have a BIG problem with pretext stops and cops lying about you "weaving" when BOTH of us KNOW there was no weaving.

Harless proved once and for all why notification is a bad idea. By their support for him, his fellow officers only reinforced that.

I have a BIG problem with made up, extra-legal "courtesies" translated into "duties".

People see the support given by other cops to the Abbates and Harlesses. They see the judicial findings that there's a "stop snitching" culture in certain police departments.

If I drink and drive, sell drugs or take things that don't belong to me, or cover for people who do those things, I have no business complaining about the consequences.

Police have no more business complaining when they face the consequences of doing bad things or covering for other cops who do.

 

[cmort666]

just anecdotal evidence to support those feelings, unfortunately.

Is every cop corrupt? No.

Could any individual cop I meet be corrupt? Absolutely.

Do I have some foolproof method for telling one from the other at a glance? Absolutely not.

That's why its as foolish for me to give up any legal protection I have in order to show "courtesy" to a cop as it would be for that cop to leave his gun and vest in the car during a 2:00am traffic stop on a deserted street.

In ANY encounter with police, my guiding principle is the LAW. Any cop who doesn't like that is likely up to no good.

 

[MaximumLawman]

Lots of reasons. Some people watch too much TV. Some people wanted to be the police but couldn't get a job for various reasons and are resentful. Some people feel emasculated when their gun is taken away from them. some people have a big problem with not being in control. They may be in control at home, they may be the boss of their family. They may be the boss at work, but when they're stopped for a traffic violation, the have very little control over what happens and they are not in charge. You can spot them right off the bat on a traffic stop.

Some people can't take responsibility for their actions and have to blame the police for things that have gone wrong in their lives.

Some people had a bad experience with one cop and transfer that resentment or anger to the rest of them.

Some have had a problem with authority their whole lives....

Some have a problem with any kind of rules and can't stand the thought of not being able to do whatever they want or being held to rules that they don't agree with.

I have a BIG problem with pretext stops and cops lying about you "weaving" when BOTH of us KNOW there was no weaving.

You should move to Washington State. Pretextual stops aren't "legal" there. We work with the rules the legislature and courts give us. Until they say "no more pretextual stops", I encourage officers to make reasonable use of them, early and often.