Quote:
Originally Posted by corporatejay
Here's the thing.
Would anyone voluntary walk up to a police officer and have a conversation? Do they come across as friendly, or do you think they'd tell you to move along and #### off?
I don't understand why we live in a society where me, a law abiding citizen, loathes interacting with the police. It just doesn't make sense. They should be there to help. They should be part of the community and someone you trust. I struggle with this. If it's like that for me, a white, upper middle class, male, what is is it like for a poor indigenous person?
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I did this frequently even before working where I do. I still do. The only time I have ever had a bad experience with a cop was after a minor single vehicle traffic accident when I was living in the States, where the cop was more concerned about the tree I hit than my (now ex) wife and I.
For the most part they are generally friendly, but they are also usually busy. On top of that, most folks are on edge in situations with police because what do police do? Hold us responsible for things we shouldn't be doing. Most folks interactions with cops are going to with cops telling them they can't/shouldn't be doing something (as pointed out, speeding, jaywalking etc) and we, as adults, HATE being told we shouldn't be doing something. We're adults, we're supposed to have the proper judgement to decide what we should or shouldn't be doing. How dare this other adult not only tell me I can't do what I want, but hold me responsible for it, too. It's also kind of embarrassing to be caught doing something you know you shouldn't have, and no one likes that, either.
Look at the sheer amount of whining over speeding tickets, for instance. If you have a driver's license, you know what a speed limit it and how to follow it. Doesn't matter if you agree or disagree with the limit, the obligation is to follow it...and when you don't and get busted, it's not your fault for speeding, it's the cops for stopping you. It's the "adults" fault, for "ruining your harmless fun."
We adults don't like being held responsible and accountable. After all, we're adults and supposed to be able to make those calls for ourselves. So when a cop has to hold us responsible, we tend to end up feeling upset and embarrassed. No one likes that. But it's easier to blame the cop for catching you and making you feel that way than realizing you caused those feelings with your own behaviours.