Who Likes the Cops?

**crash harry** · 15th May 2006, 16:18

Bit of a rant I'm afraid, but with good purpose I would hope... I was talking with a mate on the weekend, and we have both noticed lately that the NZ police seem to be getting more than their fair share of bad press recently. (as an aside, the conversation started as a rant about how the media seem to hype all the negative aspects of society..) Now I'm not in any way affiliated with the police, and in fact the few dealings I've had with them have usually been when I've been a naughty boy, but by and large I believe that they have been getting a raw deal.

I know the only time that most of us have any interaction with the cops is when we're making another donation, especially us motorcyclists, and I really think that the amalgamation of the Police with the Traffic department was the worst piece of PR that they ever got. If there was some way that the NZ Police could get out of that business and get it disassociated with them in the public mind, then I think it would improve the way people feel about them. You would hear a lot less rants about the "bloody cops".

Still, I also think the media have caused their share of problems. When was the last time you read a piece in the paper or saw something on the news about the police doing something good? I mean, these guys and girls are out there saving peoples lives, and dealing with the detritus of society day in day out. Imagine what society would be like without them? Surely there must be more good than bad to report? I'm sure there is the odd bad bugger amongst them, but why are they teh ones who get all the media attention? If there was more positive reporting of the work the Police do then they would be held in higher public regard, which in turn would make it easier for them to recruit more and/or better people which would mean more positive results, higher public regard, etc etc...

I don't want this to turn into another thread about what the police do wrong in this country. We've heard it all before. So come on KB, share your stories about things the police did RIGHT. I'd love to hear them, help restore people's faith in the police! Tell me someone feels the same way I do?

**kiwifruit** · 15th May 2006, 16:22

IMHO there are a few who give the rest a bad name.
Most of them, in my experience, have been good, but its not usually the good ones ya hear of....

**The Stranger:Me** · 15th May 2006, 16:26

Well, I got to agree... Mostly.
The cops in general I feel are a good bunch of people.

The problems as I see it are mostly outside the control of the guys on the front line, whether it be a funding issue, or a question of priorities or even the old favourite supression of evidence.

**MidnightMike** · 15th May 2006, 16:31

You go watch police ten seven and highway patrol then you will see the crap they have to put up with.

**The_Dover** · 15th May 2006, 16:33

Bad boys, bad boys
Wotcha gonna do?
Wotcha gonna do when they come for you?

**terbang** · 15th May 2006, 16:40

Some good, some bad. Luck of the draw really.

I have been really impressed with the polite and friendly attitude that the New York police display to us regular members of the public and I am sure they see some shockers on any day..

**Lou Girardin** · 15th May 2006, 16:42

Same old shit, even I'm getting bored now.
Just ask yourself why their image has taken a hammering in the last 6 years. (not 16)
It will become self-evident.

**Sue VFR** · 15th May 2006, 17:00

I am middle aged! My Dad was a Policeman. My BrotherInLaw is a Policeman. I think there is a culture emerging amongst the younger recruits... I have had a "boy racer mentalilty in a uniform" experience and on 2 occassions have seen officers invent traffic violation charges.

**UrbanMyth** · 15th May 2006, 17:00

they deserve getter.I mean some cops are actually pretty cool they are just doing there job..

**Sue VFR** · 15th May 2006, 17:10

There are heaps of good cops, they usually dont do traffic work though. And the sensible ones need to assert pressure on their follow workers who are giving them a bad name. If someone at your work was riping off your clients would you tolerate it?

**scumdog** · 15th May 2006, 17:18

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Same old shit, even I'm getting bored now.
Just ask yourself why their image has taken a hammering in the last 6 years. (not 16)
It will become self-evident.

More 'open-ness'?
Better media equipment to 'record' events?
More political correctness?

Whatever it is they're still the same type of person as they were 20+ years ago, no worse, no better..

**yungatart** · 15th May 2006, 17:21

It is my understanding that the cops have to do some HP work - I'm sure one of the resident "boys-in-blue" will correct me if I am wrong. It is also my understanding that most of them hate it and would rather be out there catching the baddies. I have had some dealings with police, most, all bar one actually, were good guys, doing a difficult job and doing it very well.
One of my kids, aged 6 at the time, went for a loooong walk one day on his own, (about 6 miles). The cops were brilliant, very supportive and helpful, and caring and concerned throughout the whole thing.
Very recently a cop rescued someone in difficulty in heavy surf here in the bay.
As others have said, they are mostly good, but as in any profession, job, career etc, there will always be the odd one who isn't squeaky clean.

**Lou Girardin** · 15th May 2006, 17:22

Originally Posted by scumdog

Whatever it is they're still the same type of person as they were 20+ years ago, no worse, no better..

There was a letter in the SST, it sounded like an ex-cop, wondering why the fitness test has become more difficult, while the IQ testing is easier.
He concluded that the bosses want fit cops who don't question policy.

But realistically, I think half the problem is the loss of so many supervisors in recent years.

**Squeak the Rat** · 15th May 2006, 17:22

One thing that annoys me about cop threads is that there is no distinction between the organisation, or the employees either on the individual level or as a collective.

Which are we talking about?

**Motu** · 15th May 2006, 17:25

Only time I've got grief from Cops was when I've deserved it,and it's been a hell of a long time since I've deserved a hard time from a Cop.I reckon we need more bad Cops...ones who aren't too scared to give some smart arse teenager a clip over the ears,take him home to his parents and tell them what's going on.....um,we need more parents who'll back up the Cop and not take the poor bastard to court for booting their angel up the bum.