Monday, September 28, 2015
Police
A few years ago during my sophomore year, I just got out of cross country practice and started walking home. I just passed Rengstorff Park when a police car stopped me. I was confused as to why I had been stopped, as far as I knew I did not look suspicious, nor have I done anything wrong. The police man was alone in his car and never bothered to get out. He pulled over beside me while I stood there shaking. He asked me where I was going so late at night. With a little bit of attitude I told him it was 7 o'clock. He asked where I was going, where I had been before this, where I was going at the moment, and even asked if he could look through my backpack (um no the f*ck you can't). After he asked a few questions, already irritated I asked "Is there a real reason why you stopped me?" He told me he was just "doing his job". I asked him again, "but why did you stop me", no response. After about 20 minutes of random unnecessary questions he finally drove off. A few months later, I read an article about a police officer who had been suspected of having child pornography. He was the same officer who had stopped me, and harassed me a few months back. I was so angry, and afraid, and disgusted. It was just so easy for him to take advantage of the uniform and badge he wears. Children are supposed to be able to trust the police, not question them or their morals, these officers have a duty not to betray the communities trust. After that moment, and a few other incidents I have encountered with the police, it became close to impossible to trust anyone in uniform.
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Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI remember reading about that incident online, and it is crazy to think that you had an encounter with him. You bring up a good point, that why do police think that they are above the law? Even the other day when I was driving on the freeway, a cop on a motorcycle went speeding by me in the carpool lane, isn't a double violation? For non-authority/non-law enforcement officers, that would be a huge fine. Even on a show I was watching, Boston EMT, the EMT's were saying that even they have to try to follow the rules of the road as best as possible because even they are not above the law. So why do these police officers continue to think that they are untouchable? Maybe one day when an officer breaks the law, their badge wont protect them anymore..
Wow Lauren, that's crazy to hear about your encounter, let alone be in the situation you were in, because I also heard about the incident with the officer. That is one thing I am disgusted with, the fact that officers take their badge as a gateway to doing whatever they feel like doing. Whenever I'm on the freeway and I see CHP or any officer, they speed like no other--usually not for an emergency. If it was a regular vehicle going at those speeds of probably 100 or higher, they would have been pulled over in an instant. And yes, exactly what Haley said, hopefully one day the authorities we look at for help and guidance in a community stop abusing their badge for their own benefit.
ReplyDeleteLauren, I actually feel disgusted at the fact that you had that unfortunate encountering with that man. I, as well, recall hearing about this incident on the news and was shocked that this was occurring. I think you make a very valid point when you question the authorative figure of a police officer. Nowadays, individuals have lost much of their trust and comfort in authority figures because of cases like these. I definitely agree with your take on how simply owning and wearing a police badge and uniform gives a sense of superiority and the right to take advantage of things beyond what normal citizens would. It is also important to question and wonder whether or not it ties in to cases such as the Ferguson and Rodney King cases, do police have somewhat of a slight advantage due to the fact that they work for the government and are authority figures therefore are more "superior?"
ReplyDeleteLauren, I actually feel disgusted at the fact that you had that unfortunate encountering with that man. I, as well, recall hearing about this incident on the news and was shocked that this was occurring. I think you make a very valid point when you question the authorative figure of a police officer. Nowadays, individuals have lost much of their trust and comfort in authority figures because of cases like these. I definitely agree with your take on how simply owning and wearing a police badge and uniform gives a sense of superiority and the right to take advantage of things beyond what normal citizens would. It is also important to question and wonder whether or not it ties in to cases such as the Ferguson and Rodney King cases, do police have somewhat of a slight advantage due to the fact that they work for the government and are authority figures therefore are more "superior?"
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