<p>When my son was a toddler, a new employee at his pediatrician’s told us how she’d (so so so stupidly) told her toddler that she’d call the police and have them take him away if he didn’t do something she wanted him to do or obey her or some such. She thought it was funny when, later that day, a police car was parked on her street and her son was frightened that he was going to be taken off by them.</p>
<p>(She didn’t last long at the pediatrician’s.)</p>
<p>What an incredibly stupid thing to do to her kid, and how angry I was that she said something like that in front of mine, because he then started reacting with fear to the police. (Our local police station shares a building with our community library.)</p>
<p>So I started taking S into the police station when we visited the library, just to say hi to whatever officers were around. I wanted my small child to feel safe walking up to a police officer if he was ever lost or needed help. One afternoon, a young officer was there and we talked for a minute or two, just chitchat. He then asked if my S wanted to see a police car; S was very very (very very) into cars, and though he was still hanging back from the officer, he was willing to look at the car. </p>
<p>This young officer talked mainly to me; I think he instinctively got that S was scared, so didn’t focus on him, which was exactly the right thing to do. He let us into the car, and showed off a lot of the controls, also talking all the time about his family – his parents, his brothers (a couple of them also police officers), as he did so. He was the type of guy you’d be proud simply to know, the kind of guy whose parents you’d like to thank for raising such a fine young man. I was very impressed with him, and so glad that he took the time to show off the police car to us; it helped my then-small son.</p>
<p>Occasionally, I’ll have or hear of a bad encounter with a police officer, but I think back to that young man, and that’s the kind of officer I remember.</p>
<p>Like I said, there are a ton more of the type of officers you mentioned who worked with your S than the “bad” eggs who get the publicity because they ARE the rare and upsetting ones. So good that your S was able to have this great encounter with the young officer and help erase the negative image that ignorant woman planted. I’ve always wondered about people who try to scare kids in this manner – whether they realize the great harm they do to the kids. Whom do they want the kids to trust when they’re not around?</p>
<p>owlice , I see parents say that kind of thing to their kids frequently…not only just about police. Terrible way of avoiding teaching them to follow your directions .</p>
<p>i haven’t read whole thread so not sure how to respond to question-
" do I like policemen" seems as subjective a question as " do I like mail carriers- or crossing guards?".</p>
<p>In terms of would I socialize with the kinds of people who choose to be police- from my limited experience- I would have to say no, while I respect the profession, and I respect some who choose that career and the dedication they put towards serving the community- I would have to say that I have met too many- who take themselves way too seriously- and don’t seem to respect those that they are pledged to serve- so in general I feel that whatever is in charge does not do a good job screening out the goombas</p>
<p>However- I do respect firefighters and paramedics as well.
( especially the firefighters in my neighborhood- )</p>
<p>I also, generally, conveyed to my kids that policemen were helpful. However, I think it’s important not to go too far in that direction. Police officers are human too – there are those who do there jobs well and people who have issues and it’s safest to avoid. I wouldn’t want my kids trusting any adult unreservedly – they need to know that -no one- should ask you to do x, y or z. </p>
<p>Moreover, if a young child is lost, it’s generally considered safer for them to look for a mom with children for assistance (there are many of them [and they are usually safe] --finding a police officer would be unlikely).</p>
<p>My experience: in the suburbs they’re generally solid, in the ghettoes and inner cities they’re the craziest most corrupt mother effers I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting.</p>
<p>Up here in the Great White North, there is an inquiry going on concerning the taser death of a Polish arrival in Vancouver. There was a Chilean government protest of the treatment of their Junior National Team by the Toronto police in the World Junior Football Championship a few years back. Then in Saskatchewan, police were suspected of dropping off Indian youths out of town in the midst of winter to freeze to death. Need I say more?</p>
<p>Their unions are so strong that even politicians are afraid of them. </p>
<p>I don’t respect them, but I do respect the weapons they carry.</p>
<p>I just prey that there will not be an international incident next year during the Olympics.</p>
<p>As much as I know most are pretty nice people, if it takes a thorough house cleaning to break the wall of silence, so be it. Just hold their jobs over their heads-“talk or you’re fired.” And actually follow through. I’m sure someone will squeal.</p>
<p>My husband knows many cops from surrounding towns as well as state tropers in our area. Because he is a big support to an event of theirs, they really like / appreciate HIM. Many have told him that if he ever needs anything…give them ( personal number ) a call.
My husband is not one to really ask anyone, let alone police for favors.
some of our lead footed employees have pulled some favors of no speeding tickets, but that really isn’t an issue for our household…in NJ if you display a PBA emblem in your car, you most likely will not be ticketed , so it is clearly who you know or are related to.</p>
<p>Well I want to go into LE, but in general I am not a huge fan of cops. Most <em>I HAVE MET</em> (don’t start with the “LULZ, YOU ARE GENERALIZING, LULZZZ!!!”…I seriously don’t care) have serious attitude problems, self esteem issues, and power hungry.</p>
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