"public relations"

[13B to 13D]

How do police deal with civilians hasseling you? Police reputation is constantly under assult from the media as well as other sources. As a soldier, it is sometimes very hard for me not to beat the snot out of people who criticize the Army. You as police deal with the public a lot more than I do, so I'm wondering how do you deal with civilians who talk constant trash about you?

[S.O.444]

Off duty, I just ignore them.

On duty, it depends on what part of town I'm in and what time of day it is at the time. On my current assignment and shift, I talk smack right back. A few times though, I've call them over and in a low voice told them "I don't like cops either. I just like to drive fast and beat people up." It usually throws them off their game. :D

[Blackdog F4i]

It all depends.

I "modify" my grooming standards off-duty and usually don't get recognized as a officer. If someone DID recognize me and wanted to have a debate I would probably tell them to **** up a rope and walk away. I don't have to be nice on my own time.

Now on duty, I have to be a little nicer. I generally just ignore them unless they ask for my name and badge number, then I comply with department SOP's. The biggest problem I have is when someone want's to get up in my business and "criticize" my actions when I am in the middle of an arrest. Then I am generally not so "nice" and explain to them that if they don't back off, they are free to join their friend at lockup. That usually ends with other friends of the critic dragging them off.

Many times once things have stabilized I take the time to explain to the critics why I did what they saw. You can pretty much tell right away if it's a waste of breath or not. If they listen, then you can usually save a supervisor some time, and they like that. Plus you leave the scene with one less person thinking all cops are *******s.

[Smurfette_76]

Let me tell you something that it has taken me YEARS to understand.

What someone says about you really says more about them.

[Gene L]

We either don't have that problem of criticism where I live, or I'm so used to it I ignore it.

Generally, I think the press FOR THE MOST PART doesn't treat cops badly until cops treat others badly. Or, there's corrupition, or a cop does something stupid, like Sen. Craig. Then they print the story, because it is a story.

Never had anyone approach me off duty and hassle me. I've had plenty of people approach me on duty and give me a lot of ****, but as George Thompson, who wrote the book "Verbal Judo," as a cop, you're in the ****-taking business."

That course, Verbal Judo, helped me more than anything I've ever taken in dealing with irate or hostile people. They have a right to be irate and hostile, so long as they don't break any laws. Verbal Judo teaches you how to disassociate yourself from what you're being called, which is a helluva advantage, as it puts you in the power seat and makes you master of the situation.

[C-Charlie42]

I don't let it bother me. If they wanna talk trash then that's their right. Doesn't mean I have to stand around and listen to it though.

[CruiserClass]

I don't argue with idiots, drunks, or drunken idiots. If they are under arrest I'll stand there silently until they wear themselves out. As long as they are doing what I say, I don't care what they say, I just stand and listen and document anything interesting. Unless they are screaming in a residential or something, then I'll explain to them if they don't berate me quieter I'll tack on a disorderly charge.