Police work isn't like working in customer service. It's often confrontational. The only thing that stops a lot of people screaming at cops is the knowledge that they'll be arrested if they do. Do we really want to give people the right to cuss and call out a cop's mother every time they get a traffic ticket?

All very well to say it is a civil right and no further crime was committed. The cop is supposed to take it like a professional? We just made a tough stressful job, a lot tougher and more stressful.

CommunityDisorganizer:

Police work isn't like working in customer service. It's often confrontational. The only thing that stops a lot of people screaming at cops is the knowledge that they'll be arrested if they do. Do we really want to give people the right to cuss and call out a cop's mother every time they get a traffic ticket? All very well to say it is a civil right and no further crime was committed. The cop is supposed to take it like a professional? We just made a tough stressful job, a lot tougher and more stressful.

You do. Most people don't though, so its not really a problem.

The only thing that stops a lot of people screaming at cops is the knowledge that they'll be arrested if they do

Huh? What a weird thing to say. I don't know anyone who's just itching to scream at cops.

Do we really want to give people the right to cuss and call out a cop's mother every time they get a traffic ticket? We just made a tough stressful job, a lot tougher and more stressful.

We have these things called 'laws' which everyone has to follow--police included. You seem to be under the impression that the Gates case has changed some sort of law which will now make policework more difficult. Nothing has changed.

The cop is supposed to take it like a professional? Yes, actually, because that's his job. You seem to be advocating the idea that cops' emotions and feelings are more important than following actual laws and procedures. Which is quite childish.

CommunityDisorganizer:

Police work isn't like working in customer service. It's often confrontational. The only thing that stops a lot of people screaming at cops is the knowledge that they'll be arrested if they do.

Customer service can be confrontational too. Dissatisfied customers sometimes scream at customer service representatives. They're generally not arrested for doing so. No one likes to be screamed at but there are laws that govern what kind of verbal offenses one can get arrested for. Police officers are indeed professionals, and no matter how stressful their jobs may get they are only supposed to arrest people for committing crimes.

I don't understand your reasoning about "giving people the right" to speak profanely to police officers. No one is talking about "giving people" that right; they either already have it or they don't.

....freedom isn't free. Risking arrest when a cop oversteps his authority is the patriotic duty of every true American. Cops are also capable of receiving messages.

Freedom isn't kissing a cops ass, especially in your own house.

Ketone:

CommunityDisorganizer:

Police work isn't like working in customer service. It's often confrontational. The only thing that stops a lot of people screaming at cops is the knowledge that they'll be arrested if they do.

Customer service can be confrontational too. Dissatisfied customers sometimes scream at customer service representatives. They're generally not arrested for doing so. No one likes to be screamed at but there are laws that govern what kind of verbal offenses one can get arrested for. Police officers are indeed professionals, and no matter how stressful their jobs may get they are only supposed to arrest people for committing crimes.

I don't understand your reasoning about "giving people the right" to speak profanely to police officers. No one is talking about "giving people" that right; they either already have it or they don't.

Let me start by saying I think the arrest of Gates was an overstep. But in general, no you should not yell at the cops. In customer service the people yelling don’t become violent; in police work they often do. Do police have to wait until some idiot actually swings at them or should they be allowed to make a judgment call? That is what vague laws like disorderly conduct are designed for.

Not necessarily, and there's the rub. It's such a gray area....some cops will permit loud displays as long as no threats or dangers are created, some are less tolerant, some will take a nightstick or pepper spray to you the minute they think you're "out of line" (IOW, say anything they don't like).

That's the problem here, there's no real guideline as to what's acceptable and what isn't. But cops don't deserve too much protection, and deserve criticism for arresting anyone they think is "lippy" or whatever.

. . . no matter the legality.

When a cop is confronting or questioning you, there are two possibilities:

1. The cop is a law abiding cop, committed to sticking to procedure and, when in doubt, will err on the side of peace. In which case, screaming at him makes it more difficult for him to complete his investigation. and in general makes her job more difficult.

2. The cop is not a law abiding cop, is not necessarily committed to sticking to procedure, and/or when in doubt, will not err on the side of peace. In that case, the cop is dangerous. Screaming only puts yourself in more danger.

Can't think of a situation where screaming at a cop would actually help the situation. Unless someone actually wants to get arrested. Should screaming at a cop after they've crossed the line be an arrestable offense? No. But screaming at a cop is stupid in 99% of the situations. And I would be interested to hear what 1% of situations wouldn't be stupid.

maybe there's some middle ground between screaming at them and kissing their ass

It would be one thing if Gates was screaming at the cop in such a way that the cop had reason to believe his safety was threatened. Does anyone think that Crowley arrested Gates because he feared for his personal safety?

The cop thought he could arrest anyone who criticized him. Period.

you're probably right

disturbing the peace, and it's various permutations, don't really speak to anybody fearing for their safety. that would be assault

But it occurred for me as a choice of behaviors that Muzza was offering, and that's what I was addressing.

gmat:

maybe there's some middle ground between screaming at them and kissing their ass

Of course there is but here is a tip. When they take out the handcuffs and give you the second warning. Shut up and file a compliant later.

agreed

when a cop shows up in my life for whatever reason, they occur for me like a thunderstorm on the golf course. I have every right to walk up to the top of that hill with my 3 iron in my hand and hit that next shot, but I choose not to.

The lefts position about dealng with cops stems from their juvenile insistance on having to "rebel" or "question authority" at every turn. They (you) are like little kids trying to test boundries and for the same reason need to be smacked down occasionally to maintain a peaceful environment

right

why would the choice be between screaming at a cop or kissing a cop's ass?

why not simply engage him as another responsible adult (who happens to have a lot of power in the here and now) who has appeared in your world for some reason which may as yet be unclear

I just don't get it. If you are worried about a police state, and want to do something about it, this is not the venue.