re: So most of my 8th grade students think cops are mostly bad and the enemy

While most cops aren't naturaly violent or looking to get you, the power and long leash we have given them makes them very intimidating and dangerous or at least very annoying to deal with. The idea that they want to target minorities is stupid but so is acting like we haven't pretty much made them judge dredd these days.

Use it as a teachable moment. Have them research facts and statistics. Knowledge is the only way to fight ignorance.

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I would say it's smart to disclose no unnecessary info to the police. All they do is use it against you.

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Dude they teach that on Blues Clues! I know maybe you felt pressured but you should not that you don't speak to cops without an attorney.

I've come across thousands of cops. And your right. I've met some great ones and I've met some pieces of shite. You know what, the pieces of shite tend to to be thugs.

But, don't be fooled that police aren't supposed to be violent. They have every right to be violent when the situation calls for it. The point is not to be excessive and use good fricking judgement. Excessive use of force is shite. But too many local cops don't have the training or the ability to know what is excessive to be useful in those situations.

We've had 7 1/2 years of anti LEO rhetoric. It started with the Beer Summit and had rolled downhill ever since.

Just today was the Baltimore trialresultingbin an acquittal.

Police offers have an image problem. As a white guy, I don't feel like I'm going to be arrested for walking down the street, but seeing cops around doesn't necessarily make me feel safer.

I think it comes down to the type of people that occupation tends to attract. Less soft spoken, easy going types and more muscle-bound, demanding and authoritarian. The job also provides a pretty significant ego boost that I think goes to the head of a lot of cops out there.

I saw a cop threaten to ruin my buddy's naval career for literally doing nothing more than buying a cup of coffee. It was a single incident but it taught me to be wary of police. Buddy is white. I am Hispanic for whatever it's worth.

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I've come across thousands of cops. And your right. I've met some great ones and I've met some pieces of shite. You know what, the pieces of shite tend to to be thugs.

But, don't be fooled that police aren't supposed to be violent. They have every right to be violent when the situation calls for it. The point is not to be excessive and use good fricking judgement. Excessive use of force is shite. But too many local cops don't have the training or the ability to know what is excessive to be useful in those situations.

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I've gone to school with the children of top judges and law enforcement officers from across the state. I have been in professional positions that led to me interacting with hundreds of cops. Some are just natural assholes, but the vast majority are truly good people, they're just rougher around the edges because anybody that actually aspires to be a cop likely wasn't raised by a doctor or CPA. There is no high quality of life to uphold.

Drive around any shitty apartment complex in BR, there will undoubtedly be a BRPD car in front of a unit, maybe even a State Trooper or sheriff. These guys aren't making bank, and people that are okay with doing such a shitty job for such little pay aren't likely the cream of the crop.

From my experiences, the cops that rise to the top are usually the best guys both intellectually and morally. Col. Edmonson (LSP) is an amazing guy. Chief Dabadie (BRPD) is an awesome guy. Hell, even Chief Rabalais (LSUPD) is an awesome guy. The guys who either stay on patrol their either career (whether by choice or lack of promotion) are usually massive cocks, and you don't interact with a detective or administrative officer everyday. It's the patrol guys you see, and the majority of them either suck and can't move up or they are young and gung-ho.

Well said !

You can change security firms and terminate SO contracts and replace them. If they break the law they face the consequences. Good luck getting that with the government. Firing or convicting a cop is almost as rare as a leprechaun in AL