Not that I'm argumentative, contentious, difficult or like to have a good "debate" but here is one for you.
How fine is the line between respect for the police and not ?
Background:
- I once looked at being a copper but the paperwork, hell the application form, looked like just too much effort (I'm a lazy sod too). I also wondered if it was a thankless job.
- I was pulled over and given 3 points for overtaking a car and caravan that was doing 20mph on a clear road because the final part of the maneuver ended on double white lines (darn it).
- I was doing 70mph and gaining on a car and moved out to overtake when a jam sandwich was doing 80+mph without any lights on in the outside lane on the way back to the police station at the next roundabout. My view was that since there were no blues n twos I was within my rights to overtake and that the police car should not have been driving over the speed limit anyway. Copper pulled me over tried to tell me off, I gave him a mouthful, and we backed off.
Context:
Since I was pulled over I became critical of the police, I've seen no reason to change my view. I frequently see police using excessive speed without any emergency lights and performing what I would call dangerous manoeuvres in 30 mph zones.
I know the police do a good job, I know it's a thankless task, but why are they so intent on making it 'us' and 'them' ? I want to like and respect the police but I just don't.
I'm going on a bikesafe course which is run by bike coppers but I am sure (pretty positive) that I will see these guys in a completely different light to the car based police and the guys and girls that turn up after the horse has bolted.
Conclusion:
How can I change my viewpoint ?
I'm sure this could degenerate in to a flame war but I just don't quite understand what changed the beat bobby and the police in to the face of repression to me. I don't see a copper and smile because whenever they look at me I feel as if I'm being judged when I'm not guilty of anything. It's been a long time since I saw a member of the police force smile and have a laugh.
Lets hope the bikesafe course readjusts my perspective.
How fine is the line between respect for the police and not ?
Background:
- I once looked at being a copper but the paperwork, hell the application form, looked like just too much effort (I'm a lazy sod too). I also wondered if it was a thankless job.
- I was pulled over and given 3 points for overtaking a car and caravan that was doing 20mph on a clear road because the final part of the maneuver ended on double white lines (darn it).
- I was doing 70mph and gaining on a car and moved out to overtake when a jam sandwich was doing 80+mph without any lights on in the outside lane on the way back to the police station at the next roundabout. My view was that since there were no blues n twos I was within my rights to overtake and that the police car should not have been driving over the speed limit anyway. Copper pulled me over tried to tell me off, I gave him a mouthful, and we backed off.
Context:
Since I was pulled over I became critical of the police, I've seen no reason to change my view. I frequently see police using excessive speed without any emergency lights and performing what I would call dangerous manoeuvres in 30 mph zones.
I know the police do a good job, I know it's a thankless task, but why are they so intent on making it 'us' and 'them' ? I want to like and respect the police but I just don't.
I'm going on a bikesafe course which is run by bike coppers but I am sure (pretty positive) that I will see these guys in a completely different light to the car based police and the guys and girls that turn up after the horse has bolted.
Conclusion:
How can I change my viewpoint ?
I'm sure this could degenerate in to a flame war but I just don't quite understand what changed the beat bobby and the police in to the face of repression to me. I don't see a copper and smile because whenever they look at me I feel as if I'm being judged when I'm not guilty of anything. It's been a long time since I saw a member of the police force smile and have a laugh.
Lets hope the bikesafe course readjusts my perspective.
Opinions are like A**holes, Everyone has one. Some people seem to have more than one though which is a bit odd.