Thread: Positive interaction with NZ police (MSSA build)

Originally Posted by erniec

Unfortunately that is the lot of the police both the good and the bad.
Most people forget that.
I get pissed off when I get speeding tickets but I wouldn't ever want some of the stuff they have to deal with.

I was about to join the police force in the late 90s when another career option opened up. I went down that rabbit hole instead and while I still wonder "what if", I also know I enjoy what I do now even after 19 years at it, and with the way things have gone I am happy I made the call that I did. Some of the things that mates in the force have had to deal with are things I never want to see. I would have done them and I would have done so without complaining. I have a lot of sympathy for those who have stepped up to the mark; But I am glad I have never had to deal with bodies on the road side, telling people that their loved ones are never coming home; or being put in a situation where I have to point or use a firearm against another person. I know it is sometimes necessary but still not a decision I ever want to have to make.

There is also the darker attitude towards them now. Back before when I was looking at it and before, there were Police and Panda's (Traffic cops) . That made a huge difference. Police were the ones who turned up when you needed them, they were the ones to help on what was a victims worse day, and they were the ones who tried to catch the culprits. The only people who disliked them seemed to be the culprits, and they were generally seen as respected by the public. However the Pandas were disliked jumped up little stormtroopers. Or they had the reputation for being such. They were the ones who pulled you over and gave you tickets that you didn't want. And generally they were disliked a lot. Now the Police do this and I think this is where a lot of the disrespect arises. Our most frequent interactions with them is now when we dont want to see them rather than when we need their help. And the little driving anachists who think the roads belong to them and the rules dont apply, get a lot of this contact and hence generate a lot of the FTP attitude. They feel picked on for some reason. I remember a famous quote, apparently from Einstein, that "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results". (Which could explain these little dickheads somewhat)

When I see a lot of the hate that goes towards the cops, I always wonder what generated it? What started this person to feel this way? Most seems to come for younger people who have yet to learn there are repercussions for their stupidity....