O/R wants to know (us vs them)

[Reca]

O/R wants to know: do you think policing culture has an "us vs. them" mentality? Should it?

[Standard Dave]

I have nothing against most of the general population I however don't like criminals or the very arrogant those who affect the lifes of others either momentarily through their actions while drunk or driving or some other such short time or who by committing crimes such as assaults, burglary or robbery which have lasting effects on their victims.

I make no apology to anyone for being petty, mean and vindictive in prosecuting or dealing with those who don't give a though to others before some selfish action.

I will issue tickets, arrest, charge and remand to prison people who don't have regard for others when someone else might get cut a break for having a better attitude or showing some form of remorse.

[Second Chance]

I think as long as the general law abiding public understands what we mean when we say.......Us v Them. Of course everyone here understands the meaning, but we as officers of the law will stand against them at any cost to protect the innocent, the weak and anyone who needs are help.............

[keith720]

I have no difficulty identifying the "them" as the criminal element from my perspective as opposed to law abiding citizens.However I think that the public generally view us as the "them." The public can't be a part of "us" in many respects. They haven't seen or been exposed to the things that most of us have at one time or another, whether it's extreme boredom or extreme terror or stress, all experienced in a matter of seconds. The "us vs. them" mentality is, IMO, a survival tactic that allows "us" to protect "them" while at the same time staying a part of "them."

[Motorwaycop]

As I am will become one of "them" next year I think they are a bloody fine lot.

I actually think the "Us" versus "them" has almost become more of of a question of the lower ranks against the higher ranks.

"Them" (the public)would very often like us to be a bit more like "us" used to be.

[cwtlady]

At times I see the "us vs them" as being, those who are part of the Law Enforcement familly; the officers, officers' family and the supporters vs those who fear and/or hate the police and those who are indifferent to Law Enforcement.

I'm just as opposed to those who stand in the way of officers doing their job and those who infringe on the rights of officers as the officers themselves are. I understand my role as a sheep and that I will never be a person who has any of the experiences of the Law Enforcement family. All I can do is offer my support.

I don't see the "us vs them" designation as negative even when it's used to refer to officers vs those who have never worn the uniform.

I hope that made sense. If not, it's the meds.

[jmur5074]

I think generally the public doesn't have an "us vs them" mentality towards us. And even among the members of the general public that do have that mentality, I think the majority of them see us as a "necessary evil" (in their eyes) rather than outright enemies. Even if they don't like us, a lot of them, I think, understand we're needed.

[Xiphos]

I actually think that it's society that has an "us vs them" mentality.

Let me quote Grossman:

Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn’t tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, “Baa.”

I can't socialize with citizens without hearing about some bad cop that gave them a ticket once. I'm introduced by my profession. People don't like me because of the job I do. They are quick to judge my actions and tell me how to do my job without any actual idea of the rules and laws I must follow.

Eventually I only socialized with cops because it was the citizen who didn't want me at their party. They made that clear in how I was treated.

It's not me who has withdrawn from society, it's society that has excluded me, the cop.

It is a rare citizen who wants to socialize with cops. That's what's special about this site. But generally, day to day, most people may appreciate the job I do, but they don't want me around at all reminding them why I'm necessary.

[121Traffic]

I actually think that it's society that has an "us vs them" mentality.

Let me quote Grossman:



I can't socialize with citizens without hearing about some bad cop that gave them a ticket once. I'm introduced by my profession. People don't like me because of the job I do. They are quick to judge my actions and tell me how to do my job without any actual idea of the rules and laws I must follow.

Eventually I only socialized with cops because it was the citizen who didn't want me at their party. They made that clear in how I was treated.

It's not me who has withdrawn from society, it's society that has excluded me, the cop.

It is a rare citizen who wants to socialize with cops. That's what's special about this site. But generally, day to day, most people may appreciate the job I do, but they don't want me around at all reminding them why I'm necessary.

+63478

[cntryboy0531]

I actually think that it's society that has an "us vs them" mentality.

Let me quote Grossman:



I can't socialize with citizens without hearing about some bad cop that gave them a ticket once. I'm introduced by my profession. People don't like me because of the job I do. They are quick to judge my actions and tell me how to do my job without any actual idea of the rules and laws I must follow.

Eventually I only socialized with cops because it was the citizen who didn't want me at their party. They made that clear in how I was treated.

It's not me who has withdrawn from society, it's society that has excluded me, the cop.

It is a rare citizen who wants to socialize with cops. That's what's special about this site. But generally, day to day, most people may appreciate the job I do, but they don't want me around at all reminding them why I'm necessary.

I agree. I'm very tired of the "this ass gave me a ticket once.. but you wouldnt do that". People want to socialize with a cop when it benefits them, or when they want to show their second cousin twice removed baby's momma's best friend that they are "friends" with a cop. I hate being introduced by profession and then a "watch what you say", or something of the like. I socialize with people less as a result.

[Jenna]

I actually think that it's society that has an "us vs them" mentality.

Let me quote Grossman:

Still, the sheepdog disturbs the sheep. He is a constant reminder that there are wolves in the land. They would prefer that he didn’t tell them where to go, or give them traffic tickets, or stand at the ready in our airports in camouflage fatigues holding an M-16. The sheep would much rather have the sheepdog cash in his fangs, spray paint himself white, and go, “Baa.”

[McCrackhd]

I think it depends on who you mean by "them". Is the "them" the general public or the bad guys? I think it mainly depends, though, on the neighborhood (and particular person therein) that you are in. Some neighborhoods (usually with higher income and lower crime rates) actually appreciate and like the police. Whereas other nieghborhoods (usually with the lower income and higher crime rates) aren't big fans of the police, or are just indifferent and uncooperative. That being said, I have had people who live in $500,000 homes be jerks, and people in section 8 housing hand me a bottle of water on a hot day.

[Captain America]

I love civilians , I would even be willing to die for most of them but I can't stand being around most in a social setting. Does that make any sense to anybody else