Let's Talk about the Calgary Police Service

[Locke]

I can give 3 suggestions right now:

- Ditch the Bush Bar
- Alter the ride height so the nose isnt down
- Normal coloured wheels (not black on black)

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

White is definitely much harder to paint than black, but I doubt that's the reason.

Just comes down to supply. The recognition thing is an interesting angle because it's why a lot of US police went back to black and white too, Homeland Security suggested more police services start doing it so people see a standard for what a police car is. But it trickled into Canada because of it. Most orders from the manufacturers were for the black cars so that's where most production went. Canadian services could buy a black car off the lot and have it delivered quickly, or wait and pay more for a different coloured one to be made.

[Table 5]

It definitely is interesting how in certain countries, the Police liveries give the impression that they want to be seen, with their use of bright colors and white cars.

You get this type of livery and uniform, that suggests they are there to help (not unlike an ambulance).


Here the colors always seem to give the impression of hiding and intimidation. Dark cars, dark uniforms, bull bars. Even their motto "Vigilance, Courage, Pride" is more about them and who they project to be, instead of what they are meant to do for the public.


One may be more psychologically intimidating, which Im not sure is the best way to go in the long run when it comes to reducing crime. The best cops are the ones who try to integrate into their communities, not bully them.

[northcrunk]

I much prefer the UK force colours than ours.

[MillerTime GFG]

How about a little bit of recognition for 'the good' the CPS does, as unfortunately only 'the bad' gets shared and heard: https://www.facebook.com/CalgaryPoli...type=3&theater

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by Table 5

One may be more psychologically intimidating, which Im not sure is the best way to go in the long run when it comes to reducing crime. The best cops are the ones who try to integrate into their communities, not bully them.

More than anything in the first image they actually look like public servants, they look similar to mailmen or other public employees. The Calgary police look like a private ensemble, just doesn't seem as open and public. They have a more intimidating posture and the all black with the gun on the hip is more military style. The gun on the hip for quickdraw definitely makes me nervous being around them and I generally hold them in pretty high esteem.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by AcGold

More than anything in the first image they actually look like public servants, they look similar to mailmen or other public employees. The Calgary police look like a private ensemble, just doesn't seem as open and public. They have a more intimidating posture and the all black with the gun on the hip is more military style. The gun on the hip for quickdraw definitely makes me nervous being around them and I generally hold them in pretty high esteem.

It seems Canadian police culture has been heavily influenced by American police culture - much more than it's been influenced by British or European police culture. Is violent crime really that much more common in Canada than in Europe to warrant the more militaristic bearing of the police? Or is it just one of those strange cross-border contagions?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by AcGold

More than anything in the first image they actually look like public servants, they look similar to mailmen or other public employees. The Calgary police look like a private ensemble, just doesn't seem as open and public. They have a more intimidating posture and the all black with the gun on the hip is more military style. The gun on the hip for quickdraw definitely makes me nervous being around them and I generally hold them in pretty high esteem.

I find it odd that people are intimidated by a colour.

To Cliff's comment, I don't know.

I would be interested in seeing a comparison of violent crimes in "western" countries.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

It seems Canadian police culture has been heavily influenced by American police culture - much more than it's been influenced by British or European police culture. Is violent crime really that much more common in Canada than in Europe to warrant the more militaristic bearing of the police? Or is it just one of those strange cross-border contagions?

Yeah, I could have sworn during the early 2000's there was lots of talk of not wanting to be like American law enforcement, and how CPS was trying (and other Canadian agencies) to take a much more customer service, European approach to law enforcement, and stay away from the militaristic style.

Now it seems over the years we switched gears and just went the American route, with heavily armed, intimidating presence.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I find it odd that people are intimidated by a colour.

I dunno about you but a cop dressed in all black is more intimidating than if they were dressed in drunk tank pink.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I find it odd that people are intimidated by a colour.

To Cliff's comment, I don't know.

I would be interested in seeing a comparison of violent crimes in "western" countries.

Because wearing all black clothes has never once been associated with bad behavior, it's not a common theme in society or anything. Just crazily associated intimidation and all black clothing, yeah, my bad.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Because wearing all black clothes has never once been associated with bad behavior, it's not a common theme in society or anything. Just crazily associated intimidation and all black clothing, yeah, my bad.

I said I find it odd that people are intimidated by a colour.

I didn't say you couldn't feel that way, nor did I say I thought you were a shallow scared little man for feeling that way.

Man you fly off the handle.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I said I find it odd that people are intimidated by a colour.

I didn't say you couldn't feel that way, nor did I say I thought you were a shallow scared little man for feeling that way.

Man you fly off the handle.

It may be weird to you, but also psychologically true.

[Table 5]

Why is it odd that people are intimidated by a color? Colors have long had strong roots in not only symbolism, but also the ability to evoke certain types of responses (ie there's a reason why hospital rooms are often done in softer pastel colors). The responses might be different depending on our cultures, but we're all affected by them. I doubt you'll find many cultures where the color black is considered particularly friendly.

[cznTiburon]

Its funny to read some of the points posted here about colours. The cars were changed, as others have stated, as a cost saving measure. With ford no longer making the crown vics the current vehicle was selected as a replacement due in large part to the costs. The bumper on the front is not a push bar, this is a mount for the new sirens/whooper the cars use. I think the problem is either the information isn’t getting out there to people or people are picking and choosing what they want to pay attention to.

It’s strange to read people complaining about black/white colours and saying they should go back to the blue even if it costs more, yet on the other hand complaining that police services have photo radar that is a cash grab and they should get rid of it. Money has to come from somewhere.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by cznTiburon

The bumper on the front is not a push bar, this is a mount for the new sirens/whooper the cars use.

I don't know about that. The company that makes these things calls that model "THE SETINA PB-400 PURSUIT PUSH BUMPERS" and describe how it's built and how tough it us. They don't call it a mount anywhere, far as I can see.

http://www.chiefsupply.com/setina-pb...per-w-pad.html

The howler is mounted on it, but you don't need a mount that you could put a rhino's head on to hold that thing up.

It seems like something that could come in handy on a police car, so I'm surprised it's controversial, but it's not just a mount for a little box.

[jayswin]

lol. Yeah, you anti police guys would think that the setina PB 400 pursuit push bumper is a push bumper.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Just comes down to supply. The recognition thing is an interesting angle because it's why a lot of US police went back to black and white too, Homeland Security suggested more police services start doing it so people see a standard for what a police car is. But it trickled into Canada because of it. Most orders from the manufacturers were for the black cars so that's where most production went. Canadian services could buy a black car off the lot and have it delivered quickly, or wait and pay more for a different coloured one to be made.

Has nothing to do with supply. White is just a harder color to paint.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Why is it odd that people are intimidated by a color? Colors have long had strong roots in not only symbolism, but also the ability to evoke certain types of responses (ie there's a reason why hospital rooms are often done in softer pastel colors). The responses might be different depending on our cultures, but we're all affected by them. I doubt you'll find many cultures where the color black is considered particularly friendly.

Do you have hard data on this? Sounds like partisan rhetoric to me

[Mr.Coffee]

So why have police forces become more militarized in North America generally speaking? What has caused this?