Recently,
I’ve been on a binge of watching Live PD. There’s nothing like watching someone
on meth be arrested at a Waffle House from the comfort of your own home. It’s
incredible to see what officers deal with and all the weird ways people try to
blame law enforcement for problems they start. Look at a show like Cops and
there are plenty of cases where people (hopefully) can’t relate. After all,
Meth and Cocaine don’t get rid of headaches, they cause them. The reason I like
Live PD though is because there are calls where normal people make mistakes.
Treating an
officer with respect usually goes well, even for people who have warrants. Cops
are people too and they deal with all kinds of encounters. From cute animals to
wild people, there is no telling what kind of call he or she is on before they
pull you over. Think about shows like Live PD and the risks officers go through
to keep others safe. Then realize there are bigger fish to fry. Police approach
cars carefully because of those people. Did you know Ted Bundy, the serial
killer, was apprehended on a traffic stop? Every time an officer approaches a car,
there is no way to tell how the suspect will react.
People aren’t always threats to law enforcement.
There are broader conversations and reasons why not everyone will trust the
police (race relations, past history, etc.) but my goal is not to excuse
misconduct. It’s sad to see people in rough situations, but the way an officer
responds can make a world of difference in someone's life. If you ever get pulled
over by a police officer, remember he or she has a job to do. Be respectful and
honest and most cops will understand.
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