First impressions

[keith720]

Does the way an officer looks alter your impression of them? I don't mean if they are good looking or as ugly as a stump, I'm talking about how they appear to you when you first see them. Do you notice , or is appearance irrelevent?

[Jenna]

Appearance is irrelevant. If there's something unusual about an officer's appearance, such as a beard, tattoo, or unusual hair or clothing, I assume it's due to some regulation, tactic, tradition, religion, or subculture I may not know about but should respect, both out of respect for law enforcement and out of respect for diversity in general. It's what's inside that counts.

[Five-0]

Not a big fan of non-verbal communication are you Jen?

[213th]

Well honestly, yes. For example, the two police officers currently on biggest loser (My wife watches, don't judge lol) would not inspire much confidence in me that they could perform duties proficiently. I honestly try not to judge much, but a super morbidly obese officer would not inspire confidence. Something else, lets say, five oclock shadow or a shabby looking uniform would likely give me the end of shift impression, and having worked shift, wouldn't conjour the same images of incompetence.

Someone who appears to take pride in their self and their job instills an image of confidence as well. In personal appearence, someone who is "squared away" is going to for the majority of people appear to be more professional.

[Jenna]

Not a big fan of non-verbal communication are you Jen?

Not when it comes to people's appearances.

[Buttercup]

Appearance is irrelevant, whether the officer is in uniform or not (although for some reason I always notice really shiny shoes).

[Ryan701]

Well honestly, yes. For example, the two police officers currently on biggest loser (My wife watches, don't judge lol) would not inspire much confidence in me that they could perform duties proficiently. I honestly try not to judge much, but a super morbidly obese officer would not inspire confidence. Something else, lets say, five oclock shadow or a shabby looking uniform would likely give me the end of shift impression, and having worked shift, wouldn't conjour the same images of incompetence.

Someone who appears to take pride in their self and their job instills an image of confidence as well. In personal appearence, someone who is "squared away" is going to for the majority of people appear to be more professional.

Couldn't agree with you more. If a Police Officer is morbidly obese my thoughts are: How can they perform their job to the fullest? How can the chase down a bad guy on foot? How can they protect me and my community?

At the same time though, I will always respect the badge.

[TXCharlie]

I would rather that they look a little bit sloppy and fat so I can relate to them and maybe just get a warning...

[Five-0]

Appearance is irrelevant, whether the officer is in uniform or not (although for some reason I always notice really shiny shoes).

Me too, and so do some of my most frequent customers. Good cops take pride in knowing what someone is going to do before they do it. This has been discussed at length on the verified side with many more specifics, in case any lurkers are curious.

[Xiphos]

My agency is really anal retentive about appearance. I was taking an arrestee into jail and the CO's don't have any uniform standards. The arrestee says, "You guys look much more professional than they do." Some drunk DUI gets it.

If you go to work looking like a bag of smashed assholes, people will notice. I do think it will affect how people interact with you too.

[MacLean]

Appearance is irrelevant.

What if I could prove to you that an officer's appearance made the difference in a decision by an offender to attack them or not?

[MacLean]

My agency is really anal retentive about appearance. I was taking an arrestee into jail and the CO's don't have any uniform standards. The arrestee says, "You guys look much more professional than they do." Some drunk DUI gets it.

If you go to work looking like a bag of smashed assholes, people will notice. I do think it will affect how people interact with you too.

True, but fighting in your dress uniform is a bit over the top.

[cwtlady]

I was going to say no, but I think on some level overall appearance does have an effect on us.

If their uniform is messy I tend to assume they've been dealing with some difficult call.

[Buttercup]

What if I could prove to you that an officer's appearance made the difference in a decision by an offender to attack them or not?

I believe that.

[Jenna]

What if I could prove to you that an officer's appearance made the difference in a decision by an offender to attack them or not?

That's between the officer and the offender; it still wouldn't affect how I personally perceive officers' appearances. I'd like to think that I'm less prejudiced and less likely to attack officers than most offenders, regardless of what the officers look like. Some offenders are also more likely to attack an officer because of the officer's size, gender, age, race, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, but I wouldn't let that affect my impression of the officer either.

[Tango Zulu 22]

My 2p worth...

I'm not referring here to turnout after a 2 mile chase across a ploughed field, more general appearance..

Smart appearance = switched on and attentive to detail

Scruffy appearance = laissez faire attitude

It's all about professional pride if you ask me.

I agree with Maclean regarding how offenders perceive Officers.

[keith720]

If you go to work looking like a bag of smashed assholes, people will notice. I do think it will affect how people interact with you too.

I tend to agree wholeheartedly with that statement!

[McCrackhd]

From what I've read and have been taught, there are actually instances in which criminals have stated that they did or did not fight an officer because of whether or not he looked professional. Also, a lot of it has to do with how you talk to people. I don't become an asshole until it's neccessary.

[MeUGENe]

i gotta say yes on this one.

but its the same way i judge anybody else in public.

the way they walk, facial expression, the first thing they say, and their tone of voice.

[Bigdaddy1]

Appearance is irrelevant, whether the officer is in uniform or not (although for some reason I always notice really shiny shoes).

I know what you mean, I always laugh at tiny shoes..................
oh wait, you said shin(n)y.

Yes I do look at cops differently depending on how they look. I was in court the other day and one bailiff looked like he needed a freight elevator to get up the next level. I didn't know you could get a uniform that big. On the flip side I have seen cops that are armature body builders, and my assumption is they are azzholes (not because they're cops, but body builders). There was also this one guy I knew from high school, well he was a dork then so....