How are there so many people on this board that have bad history with cops?

Because stories about good experiences with cops are boring.

 

OP has all the answers, why'd he even ask?

I have a chip on my shoulders with police and the system in general since I have always looked young- I once had a patrol car follow me and my girlfriend home from a theater rehearsal all the way to her house. my dad and her dad happened to be in the same neighborhood and trailed the cop that was trailing me- that certainly didn't help the situation. when we pulled up to her driveway I drove all the way up to the back door and jumped out of my car and into the house. the cop stayed in the street while our dads pulled up behind him. he drew his weapon on them.

the same girl and I were once issued curfew tickets in the town over for being at a cast party at the director's house. I think it was around 11:15 or so and we were going home from the party and pulled over for being in a neighborhood that was known for drugs. (I forgot I'm on a Houston board- was in Humble and driving home to Kingwood- so you can throw away the white middle class argument there. no curfew in the wood but an 11:00 PM curfew in Humble at the time)

I have also been accused of a crime I didn't commit and had to go to court and face juvenile charges. some young punks were setting traps on the bike path and I bullied them around a bit- I was around 15 and they were 10 or 12. they went home and told their mommies I pulled a knife on them. the next day, on the same path, the cops were casing the place like a murder had happened and what do you know- I fit the description of the knife wielder. a positive ID by the kids and the parents pressed charges. two kids' word against mine and my parents didn't want a judge or jury to say the word "guilty", so we pleaded no contest and I wasted a year of my life in juvenile probation. had to go to the 5th ward and take an anti violence class. had to take my jacket off and be searched before I entered the building. basically I was treated like a violent criminal.

now let me be honest. I was a pothead growing up. I was arrested once at age 17 in Texas and twice in NYC at age 21 and 23. most of these times the police were decent and procedural, and I could tell you about 25 more stories of encounters with police where nothing happened and 25 others where they were pricks.

 

If only it was that simplistic.

 

Not surprised.

 

I have never had a bad experience with a cop that I could still remember.

 

I don't even know what to say about that.

Some of us had run-ins with bad cops and told the stories and your response is try to make us feel bad about telling true stories because cops die in the line of duty?

What is your problem?

 

If you were in bellaire .. . you might have gotten shot

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/12/us/12houston.html

Rocket River

 

For me . .. I treat cops like they treat me

because I am black . . and they stereotype black people as common criminals and gangsters
because they have had 'run ins' with black criminals and gangsters
they treat me like a criminal and gangster

why is it they can do it. . but when I do the same thing to them . . i am wrong?

Rocket River

 

So they assume we are douches. . .it is ok
but
We assume they are douches . . .and it is wrong?

Rocket River

 

A COP HAS BUSTED A PISTOL OUT ON ME BEFORE!!!

Rocket River

 

and in turn, some if not a a lot of folks get profiled and develop a bad history with the police. if I'm getting pulled over or stopped for a traffic violation, give me a ticket and lets get this over with.

there's no need to assume I "look to be starting trouble" to meet some sort of quota.

and your assumption about corrupt police being "probably the same" as other workplaces in complete conjecture. LAPD, NYPD, and Chicago Police have corruption as a way of life.

 

I never said the cop was an *******. Sure, I had an unpaid speeding ticket, but was it worth busting your first-arrest cherry over? I don't think so and neither did several other cops that night. It's a good thing the neighborhood was safer that night from my lazy, criminal ass.

The time and resources of 2 cops to arrest me, process me and let me sit in a cell for an unpaid speeding ticket was a good use of our tax dollars, eh?

 

Have you ever stared down the barrel of a cops gun? That might change your view on things.

 

No. If there had been any real or imagined criminal in the neighborhood, looking like me or not, West U cops would have swarmed. The local newspaper, such as it is, would have doubled the number of pages to put out a special edition that very day. In West U they get something more exciting than speeding or underage drinking about once every two years.

Why is it so hard to believe some cops are just bad people, mean, vindictive, power-abusing, corrupt, racist, whatever?

Every profession has people in it that meet that criteria. Why are you so shocked there would be cops like that?

We complain more about the cops for it because it matters a whole hell of a lot more when cops are creeps.

Because of course they are the ones that decide who is arrested and detained against their will and they are the ones who carry the guns and they are the ones that are allowed to shoot anybody they deem dangerous.

They are like George Zimmermans but with real badges and not fake badges. And they shouldn't be dickheads about it.

Why is it so hard for pro-cop people to accept the idea there might be some bad ones out there and that that is not okay.

Why is it so unbelievable that there are cops that abuse their authority just because they can and that enjoy flaunting it even, being jerks just to do it. Some sadists, more just frigging assholes. SOME. Or do you say there are none?

I am pro-cop. I think they should make a lot more money, get a lot more training, wear the best in protective gear, have the best access to the best health care, have the best and strongest unions and union deals in the land (along with firemen and EMT's) and I think they should always be fully staffed and never overworked. The fact of cops putting their lives on the line should just be enough for everyone else to take care of everything else for them. Military too. I am serious.

But that doesn't mean a jerk shouldn't be called a jerk. And that doesn't mean that an abuse of power ought not be called out as such.

The idea that one can only be for or against cops -- ALL of them, pick one position or the other, for or against -- is probably why the ones that so dearly deserve to be disciplined or discharged continue their abuse unabated.

 

Ok so since we are on the subject. I guess I can throw in my .02 on the Sanford police. Yes the same police who mangled the Trayvon Martin case.

1. Had an issue with an ex who had left long ago from my house always wanting to come back and cause trouble. One night I was cooking on my stove when she showed up with a friend and a sister. I refused to let her come in to "get some stuff" So at my front door she assails me. Punching and kicking. I didn't retaliate, and called the police. Police try to tell me that she has every right to come into my house. A purchased home that she isn't on the mortgage paperwork, because her license has this address. I inform the police that this is incorrect because I worked with the post office to stop all her mail from coming to my house, and even spoke with the Chief of Police to discuss the situation and he concurred that she had been out of the house for a while and the license should of actually been changed because she had rented her own apartment. I inform the police to contact the chief and even dropped his name.

This infuriated one of the two officers. He begins to all but mash his finger in my face demading me to allow him and her into my house. At which point I tell him this isn't even a police matter its a civil matter for her to discuss before a judge. At this point I have taken a few steps outside of my doorway. He claims he is going to go call the chief, at which point I ask if its ok for me to turn off my stove and go inside, even offering the other officer to come in to verify this is all I was going to do. The angered officer screams no from his squad car. I see where this is going at this point and walk into the grassy area of my front yard and I had my cell phone in my hand the entire time. I let the officers know that I will call 911 and ask for the sargeant on duty to come assist.

Next thing I know, while dailing 911 I am takled from behind and had a knee in my neck. I had sucessfully dialed 911 so I start asking for help over the phone. The officers scream "stop resisting" to which I say I am not. Mind you I am lying face down in the dirt with two officers standing on me. My hands are spread out above my head.

Thats when I got the first tase. Upon finishing that tase while I was unable to even move, I got another tase. Face down on the ground, officers boot on my neck.

After the cuff me and lift me up, I ask why I was takled and tased. Appearantly me getting on the phone with 911 was considered a hostile move. Me screaming for help over the phone was resisting arrest. That night I was never informed of any law I broke, never read my miranda rights, and was never afforded my phone call to call anyone for help. My wounds were never addressed. The only reason I was able to get any help at all was because as this happened an ex of mine happened to drive by and I told her to make sure to bail me out I would pay her back.

She stated she posted bail, early that afternoon. I was the last person allowed to leave after bail was posted even though my bail was probably the first posted.

They even tried to make me pay court costs, and a fine. Tried to hit me with resisting and assault on an officer. I went to court and won my case.


When I filed a complaint with internal investigations I went armed with proof. I had the 911 call, and even the ex and two others who witnessed everything state that I was not beligerant, nor was I threatening, that in fact I spoke very calmly and was merely standing in my front yard when I was tackled from behind. Tased twice as I was lying in a prone position not attempting to get up. Of course they found no fault with the officer. My question which never got answered was. "How could I win my case in court, be found not guilty of resisting or assault and still be arrested, or be tased while lying down to which there are three witnesses." The internal affairs officer did not respond.


Sanford police....I could also tell you about the officer who wanted to arrest me after a traffic stop because I had one light out that illuminates my license plate. One of two....during the day.....When I offered to sign the ticket and "just move on" he threatened to fight me. This was at a very busy 7-11 at the time.