Pleeease...can we give it a rest

[Deano]

I'm feeling compelled to write this coz this "cop bashing" trend seems to be getting more and more frequent.

Please know the facts before you go off at these guys. It's not them! It's your government - and like I have said before - if you don't like it, then get on the phone, or write letters, or start a petition - JUST DO SOMETHING.

Rant over.

They aren't doing much to help themselves out !!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...897#post497897

And the reported facts were that after the attack, the person bundled the dog in the car and scarpered - this was before it was revealed he was a policeman.

[madboy]

If you want respect, you need to earn it. There's a few areas where the police fall down in the area of earning respect. Number 1 is Highway Patrol, and the rigid traffic enforcement. So the traffic dudes strap on their uniform and go out and ticket people for pretty much exactly what most of them drive like themselves. I don't give a rats arse when some tosser cop on this site (or away from it) claims that it's a management decision handed down from above. If my manager told me to do something that turned me into a complete bloody hypocrite, I'd find a new career.

Not to mention the resourcing issues well covered here - money goes to traffic but not general duties. Another management issue.

There are bad eggs in all organisations (a common phrase cops use to justify the behaviour of their own bad eggs when they're caught) but the fact is they're in a high profile industry. They are expected to be held to a higher moral and ethical standard than joe blow. If they want the public to look up to them, they should f***ing act like it. The preacher cannot lecture the congregation on chastity and morality, while engaging in a public affair with the choirboys, and expect to have credibility.

But quite frankly if the frontline can't handle coping flack for a management decision, get new management. If that means changing careers, deal with it. Otherwise do what I do - I work in insurance, everyone has a bad insurance story to tell, and everyone is quick to judge me for what I do (or what they think I do) but it's all water off a ducks back to me. "Some" of the cops around here, and out there, need to learn that for themselves.

[Hitcher]

New Zealand is lucky to have a largely uncorrupt policing and justice system.

And we're lucky to have the calibre of law enforcement officers we do. I would not swap jobs with them for anything. Despite what may be published about them in the papers, they still have my respect and support.

After all, they're just people like us trying to make the best decisions based on uncooperation, incomplete and ambiguous information. They may not always get things "right" but they don't always get things "wrong" either.

Give them a break.

[jazbug5]

... based on uncooperation...
Give them a break.

Hitcher! You used a non-word..! For shame...

[Phurrball]

*snip*... but as people I have no issue with them...*snip*

That's what we should try and remember folks - role differentiated obligations. (Thank you legal ethics paper for that one ) Those at the front line have occupational obligations. Who they are as people may affect the way that they carry out the job, but primarily the role informs what they do. It pays to remember to direct rants at what informs the role - policy - Police and governmental, rather than the people.

Speaking both metaphorically and practically: Even if you don't agree with the ticket you are being written...be nice to the person writing it. They probably have less say in the matter than you think.

Still OK to complain if you think the person on the other side of the ticket book is particularly smarmy or nasty - but remember that they are but one person in that job, and they might be having a bad day (or you might have been a real arse and deserved an earful)

I've had good and bad experiences with Police on the road. It pays to keep the good ones in mind sometimes - and remember that your perception is only a tiny fraction of what actually goes on.

My $0.02

[Lou Girardin]

Unfortunately the only way to make the powers that be realise what their decisions are doing to public perception of the Police is to widely criticise Police actions. Not forgeting that it's their actions or lack of action that brings the criticism. It's not fictional, there's been too many stuff ups in recent years.
Criticising the bosses will have no effect because they don't have to face public opprobrium, so the troops become the target. I know it's not fair, but that's life.
I know better than most that most cops are OK, although the proportion must have fallen in the last 10 years.
The interesting thing now, is how widely criticism of 'revenue gathering' has become.

[ManDownUnder]

Do I hear the sound of WINJA approaching?

Or did someone just fart?

Sorry - curry for lunch

[The_Dover]

Sorry - curry for lunch

You been "visiting" JSG's mum again?

[MSTRS:Me]

Unfortunately the only way to make the powers that be realise what their decisions are doing to public perception of the Police is to widely criticise Police actions. Not forgeting that it's their actions or lack of action that brings the criticism. It's not fictional, there's been too many stuff ups in recent years.
Criticising the bosses will have no effect because they don't have to face public opprobrium, so the troops become the target. I know it's not fair, but that's life.
I know better than most that most cops are OK, although the proportion must have fallen in the last 10 years.
The interesting thing now, is how widely criticism of 'revenue gathering' has become.

Just what I said, but you said it better??
Nevertheless, that is the case - the 'powers-that-be' or the 'faceless grey people' make unpopular decisions, force the troops to implement those decisions and when the flak hits, they use spin doctors to intercede. I note with interest that whenever one of the grey people gets caught (unprepared) by the media, anything they say just proves they are pillocks.

[Lou Girardin]

I note with interest that whenever one of the grey people gets caught (unprepared) by the media, anything they say just proves they are pillocks.

And a perfect example is the new Road Safety 'Manager' (how I hate that phrase) saying that they're targeting the "hard core speeder". 300,000+ speeding tickets each year is one massive "hard core".

[kro]

If you want respect, you need to earn it. There's a few areas where the police fall down in the area of earning respect.

Utter bollocks. This whole "you need to earn my respect" thing is crap, these people aspired to be upholders of the law, without which you would be living in a society of complete chaos, they deserve respect irrespective of your warped views.
You want complete chaos?, the Vietnam and ww2 vets described war as "utter chaos", and it fucked them up for life, luckily they had to endure it short term, rather than long term.

None of you could withstand true anarchy/chaos, you would be sitting ina corner with your head between your knees, rocking back and forth. (i would be the guy beside you, doing the same thing)

[Edbear]

Some interesting comments here. I'd like to hear a bit more from the Blue clad ones as to how they see their job and how they deal with issues they face such as when they may disagree with the powers above? Having had a few conversations with officers in the Force, I know I couldn't do their job, but really appreciate the way I've been treated when I have had dealings with them. They deal with the scum of the earth and it has to have an effect on their outlook on society, surely? I always treat them with the same respect and courtesy I treat anyone and have always had the same in return. People are people in all walks of life and most people just try to do their best. We'd be in real trouble if they walked off the job as some have in other countries. We may whinge if we get ticketed for what we consider a minor traffic offence, but surely if we are humble,, honest and apologise, we'd be more likely to get off with a warning wouldn't we? I know I have. (Didn't realise the Road User was a bit over in the truck...).

[Motoracer]

I have been pulled over by the cops more times than I can remember. Out of all thoes cases, I only had an arsehole cop once in my life. I hope it stays that way too, so I don't have anything against the cops ATM.

My theory is, if you get caught doing something illigal, take it in the chin.

[kro]

My theory is, if you get caught doing something illigal, take it in the chin.

Praise the Lord, a man with a clue !!!!!!

[Ixion]

Utter bollocks. This whole "you need to earn my respect" thing is crap, these people aspired to be upholders of the law, without which you would be living in a society of complete chaos, they deserve respect irrespective of your warped views.
..

I'll give them respect gratis , as the Queen's representatives, until they forfeit it. I must say that my own dealings with the plod (thankfully, infrequent - keep it like that guys, you don't wanta be bothered with a boring old fart like me, right) have been notable for courtesy and professionalism.

However , one does hear tales , and too many to all be exaggerated ,like Mr R1Madness's windscreen , which tell another tale. It takes only a few bad apples to tar the whole barrel (anyone who can mix metaphors better than that GO AWAY).