Cops I have known

I told a little story about a very nice Utah Highway Patrol cop in this thread ...

http://www.hipforums.com/newforums/showthread.php?t=394554&f=10

but in general, I have had mixed relationships with policemen. I'm a very careful driver, but I used to get pulled over quite frequently for what I can only assume was "driving while hippie". And after my one and only auto accident, the cop was quite rude and assumed it was my fault because naturally I must have been under the influence, which I wasn't.

I've been referred to as a "hippie whore" by a cop. Another one leeringly threatened to strip search me when I came back from Mexico with some friends and they were caught with dope in their camper (which is majorly stupid; I never went to Mexico with them again).

On the other hand, the cop who booked me on trespassing charges years ago was very professional and even halfway nice. And I'll never forget the two cops who arrived the night I found my mother dead and was sobbing hysterically. They hugged me and told me they'd take care of things. And they did. You don't forget good people like that.

 

All in all my experiences have not been bad. I was arrested and spent 3 months on the County Farm in Jackson, MS (drugs) back in the early 70's. Mostly they just did there job. The second time I was arrested for drugs the officer seemed almost sorry to arrest me. Never had any to be real assholes to me - though I know in Mississippi they often are (or were). Then too - I was always pretty laid back and didn't offer any lip.
I figure if you're gonna dance you have to pay the piper.

 

Assholes and Angels come in all colors and costumes.

 

I live in Berkeley about a stones throw from Oakland. Oakland is the 4 most dangerous city in America. I've developed this Philosophy about cops. To me they are like the Garbage Man. They both have jobs that are necessary that I don't want. To me Oakland cops are like the guys that pick up medical debris. Not only do they have a job that is necessary that I don't want but it is also more dangerous.

They are also having Major budget cuts in Oakland and are laying off police officers. To me this is like laying off garbage men when the trash is stacked up 8 feet deep. The answer is to talk to people about taking care of their shit and hiring more people to help clean it up.

Anyway the thing that I've learned is that cops are like anybody else. I take them on an individual basis. I've known some really cool down to earth cops and I've known some total assholes. Just like everybody else.

Peace Out,
Rev J

 

Cops? Policemen? Officers? Wow. What ever happened to "fucking pigs". That's all they ever were and all they'll ever be. Garbage men... close. The media has glorified these swines. Cop shows, SWAT, etc., etc. Busting dopers, breaking down doors, twisting arms, stepping on necks, tasing the innocent, intimidating citizens.... etc., etc. Fuck em! Serve and protect? HA! When you look in your rear view mirror and seeing a police (pig) car, do you feel safer, more relaxed, comfortable... or threatened?

 

Some really are terribly close minded and just corrupt assholes. Corrupt simply in the sense that they have no respect for anyone...

But yes there are totally some respectable officers out there... Every time I have to come into contact with them, I get pulled over or caught smoking...I try to be as attentive, honest, and respectable as possible....and I think most REALLY respect that.

 

Do you think just anyone could become a hangman? Do you think just anyone could become a ballerina? Pigs are pigs because they are pigs. When addressing a pig, do you say, "yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am" out of respect - or not wanting to become a victim of their pent up steroid powder keg wrath? Or do you figure playing nice will get you a lesser punishment and better treatment? Why should the justice you are served be in direct proportion to the amount of politeness and boot licking you display? Try being "uncooperative" and see how quickly your "rights" turn to dust. Shouldn't you have the right to be upset when being stopped for no reason? Try it. You do NOT have the right to be upset. Under these terms, I argue the man has you right where he wants you - under his/her controlling thumb. You think they RESPECT you because you are attentive and honest? Being attentive proves that even if you are stoned, you can keep your shit together. Honest.... well, you got me there. Honesty works. Unless you honestly are terribly pissed off for being pulled over for no good reason and you want to choke the fucker. Then, you may want to keep your honesty to yourself. Dig?

 

I was robbed at gunpoint in Hollywood years back. The cop was extremely nice and the douchebags who robbed me dropped my bowl a block down from where I was robbed... the cop gave it back to me... He then asked me to accompany him to a fetish party. =D Of course I couldn't refuse because not only was he extremely sweet, but he was also REALLY good looking.

 

I guess I'll call you next time I get robbed.

Peace Out,
Rev J

 

Perhaps your negativity is mirrored back to you by them.


I have never had an issue with any officer.

I do feel that there are some officers who should not be in that position but that is not the majority. Like all else in life the ones who should not have authority stand out and the ones who just do what they need to, do not. That is unless you call them because you need them.

The system has flaws but it is needed. People will never police themselves.

 

Nah, it's not like that. It's like you see them as a real human in this silly world, and understand they are just doing a dutiful job. A lot of them, I think probably the ones who like to lecture more, cut you slack, if they can get their point across to you.

 

And I'm not talking about playing nice. I'm talking about ... "holding your shit together" and being straight with them, and get on their level of mind. Eye contact is KEY.

 

I knew a local sheriff back in the day, he was quite cool and as the years passed we became good friends. Smoked many a bowl with him, he just recently passed away.

 

Heat, you are correct regarding the reflection. Pigs can sense when a citizen is unwillingly complying with their tricks and games. They goof on it. And, as you suggest, matters often become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Back in the Peace n’ Love days of the 60’s, the pigs were the enemy. Ok, maybe that’s a little harsh for today’s environment. The hip philosophy has seemed to change. Maybe with age. I realize ppl become more passive and submissive with age. Is this a good thing? Is this part of the life-cycle? Or does the weight of the man on our backs from cradle-to-grave weaken us and our resolve? I’m sticking to my guns (flowers).

 

It is common, perhaps natural to draw broad brush conclusions based on a personal experience. So, you had a good experience with a pig. Congratulations. However, what would happen if you took that experience and applied it to all pigs? As a test, walk up to the next "peace officer" you see on the street, offer him/her a bong hit and ask him if he'd like to accompany you to a fetish party. Good luck with that.

*listens for a screeching, "Don't tase me bro!"

 

What?! Where did that story come from?

Haha.

 

I was just posting a memorable experience. Obviously with power, comes corruption... that's with any job where some sort of power over other's is in the description.

All of my experiences with police have not been positive, but they haven't all been negative either. Police have a job to do. I don't expect every police officer to get high with me and invite me to wild sex parties.

 

Point well taken. My suggestion was indeed a little absurd. I just don't like pigs - the lot of em. I assume each one is a thug.

 

It is not a matter of complying with their tricks and games, it is a matter of playing the game to win or at the least break even.

Passive or submissive with age, hardly. I would hope that most of us old fools grew wiser. Use the systems in place to challenge and change what is.

The old ways are gone because they did not work. Today there are laws out there that were not there then. If you do not use those laws to your advantage and instead want to tick off the man, then you deserve what you get.

Be smarter and use the systems of law to your advantage. If you are going to be breaking the laws where there is no loophole to use, then accept it and lose the attitude of the cops are just rotten. Instead take your lick and move on. It is your fault as you knew the consequences going in and still did.

I have teens, my lawyers number is programed into their cells. I don't want then mouthing off at any cop, I want them calling my lawyer. I will pay him to mouth off for them.

 

For the most part, I detest cops. Most of the cops around here are corrupt and evil people. But I'm good friends with one of the younger cops here in town, he dates a girl from work and we get along well. It's nice to be on the good side of one of them because the rest of them just leave me alone. I'm pretty sure he even knows about me smoking the green, but he doesn't seem to care. I guess I can say the cops are a lot friendlier when I'm in need and not in trouble...

Edit- Sorry...I'm not an old hippie, but just thought I'd put in my two cents.