This is why some cops piss me off
TL;DR version: Some cops are jerks. Some cops are great. TPS needs to train them better in being polite and respectful.
Long version:
I just ran into a bunch of cops on the north bound on-ramp to the DVP from Castle Frank/Bayview Extension and was reminded why some cops piss me off. I had no idea what was going on except there was a crap load of cop cars on the road, and since it was on a curved ramp, I couldn't see what lane they where in. So, naturally, I slowed down to a crawl (3rd gear near idle) and put my hazards on.
A cop signaled me to stop so I turned on my interior lights, turned off the stereo, and lowered my window. The first words out of his mouth were: "Is there something wrong with your car? [chuckle] Why are your 4-ways on?"
A bunch of other cops in the background also chuckle.
Me: "I see a bunch of cop cars on the road, I have no idea what's going on. I don't know if it's a RIDE program or what."
Him: "Well, it is a RIDE program. Have you had anything to drink tonight?"
Me: "Nope"
Him: "Okay" [walks away]
So, I turn off the hazards, turn off the interior lights, put her in first and pull away.
Him: "EXCUSE ME!!!"
I stop again, wondering WTF.
Him: "Turn off your 4-ways!"
Me: "They ARE off."
Him: [he looks] "okay, go!" [walks away again]
Look, it's not a big deal. The whole thing took 10 seconds, but if the Toronto Police Service wants the respect and support of the citizens of Toronto, have a little courtesy and politeness. My significant other said it's because he was acting like a big-shot while training the rookies who were observing; I don't know if that's true, but if so then these rookies are also being trained improperly.
First, be glad I've got my hazards on and I'm crawling up your un-signed, un-labelled RIDE stop. If you want, next time I'll come screaming down the ramp at exactly the speed limit, and I won't brake until you tell me to. Would that make you happier? Or maybe I won't turn on my hazards, so the car behind me will ram into my back end?
Second, having a RIDE program at a ramp is remarkably stupid. We can't see you unless we look WAY up the road. At least have some road flares or flashing lights on the ramp so we'll slow down ahead of time. (But that would apparently contradict the first objective for us screaming up the ramp at the speed limit.)
Third, be polite! I know you don't have to be polite. You aren't paid to be polite. But in the end, it is the citizens of the city who hire you. It may be "ancient history" to some, but any police force is established on the basis of Consent Policing. That is to say, we consent to the authority of the police force in order to serve and protect us, and it is under this consent that the police force exercises its authority; the power lies not in the police force, but in the people who consent to being policed. To put it simply, the police does not exercise its authority over the population, only over individuals, while we as a whole exercise authority over the police. Maybe the historical context of policing isn't taught in their academies, but it certainly should be to bring perspective to their role in society.
With that in mind, how about opening with a "Good Evening"? Or even a "Hello"? A "Hi"? Any sort of greeting at all? What was with the chuckling? Are you laughing at me? Is it because I'm being overly cautious? Do I have a milk-mustache? How would you feel if I laughed in your face?
When you're releasing me from this temporary detainment, say "Thank you" or "Have a good night" or something to that effect. Saying "Okay" and then walking away from someone you had forced to stop is disrespectful. Even the beggar on the street says "Okay, thank you. Having a good evening" when I apologize and say I won't give him change. This particular police officer did not have the manners of a street-side beggar!
I understand when you stopped me a second time, incorrectly thinking I had my hazards still on. Maybe you thought you still saw the lights. No matter; you made a mistake, but everyone makes mistakes. The correct thing to do would have been to apologize, not just "Go!". You were rude to me the first time you released me from the stop, and you were rude to me the second time you released me from the stop. Don't bark your orders as if you are talking to a dog.
All I'm asking of the TPS is a little courtesy and politeness. I shouldn't be this annoyed over a 10 second encounter with the police.
Last time I was stopped at a RIDE program, the officer was polite and respectful. Even though he detained me for a good 15-20 minutes while he figured out how to recalibrate his Breathalyzer, I had no issues because I consent to policing, and I consent to the RIDE program on the basis of the public good. We had a great conversation about our respective jobs while the machine was being sorted out. He escorted me to and from my car, and even reminded me to grab my jacket when I got out of the car for the Breathalyzer test. At the end we thanked each other; he thanked me for being cooperative and taking my time, while I thanked him for the job he was doing for us on a cold winter night. That is how the relationship should be between those hired to police and those who consent to be policed.
Just treat us with respect, politeness, and dignity, and we'll treat you with the same. And maybe, just maybe, if you treat us well, we won't object next time the TPS wants its budget raised.
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Re: This is why some cops piss me off
Originally Posted by slam525i
