How do you feel about your local police department?

In the wake of Ferguson, thought this might an interesting question. How do any of us the see police and why?

 

I voted "protected and served," but I'm white and live in the suburbs.

 

Fairly protected and served, but I am totally against speed cameras. They are just county revenue enhancers.

 

I've had good experiences and bad experiences with the local PD. There's no question in my mind that some of these guys are authoritarian douchebags who joined the force because they could carry guns and do whatever they want around town knowing their police colleagues will get their back. I know this because I've known several of them since they were teenagers and they've more or less said as much.

There are others, and this represents the majority, who genuinely work hard to protect the community and see to it that they diffuse situations rather than escalate them.

I generally eye most of them with a combination of respect and mistrust. I know first-hand how a cop on a power trip can escalate a situation. "What did you say?" is an all-too common phrase.

 

I believe they're worthless, but I live in an upper-middle-class neighborhood.

 

"I don't need 'em, so fuck 'em."

 

Pretty much, yes. Other than a speeding ticket, I can't remember the last time I had a personal dealing with a cop. One when a bike was stolen many years ago.

 

Protected and served but harassed in a white man's way. Local PD has turned town into a police state looking to curb middle class crime like speeding , loud dog barking and J walking. Teenagers need to be well versed in their 4th amendment rights or the cops will trash them otherwise. Simply put a bunch dicks making almost a 100 g a year who are under virtually no danger or need to pull the trigger on their gun in anger and resentful of the rest of the town because they have bigger houses, drive better cars and make more money.

 

Roger all of that.

 

Back when my son was in Scouts, a long time ago now, I used to know several town cops because one of their brothers was scoutmaster. Now my son is an adult. Since I don't drive late at night nor am a teenager drinking beer on town conservation land, I have had no interaction with them for years.

 

Protected and served, but not perfect. They're better than what they were under the current chief. Under his predecessor, a good percentage of the group was under investigation for rather unseemly/illegal behavior for various things.

Still, when I'm driving through the town at night, they end up following me through the town, hoping that I do something so they can pull me over. I resent that.

 

Ditto.