> Cops deserve respect and deference, if only because they stand for public order and that deserves it.
I'm a firefighter/paramedic, and am very familiar with many of the scenarios you described. Many of my drinking buddies are cops, and I'm very grateful that they have my back night after night.
That being said, I disagree completely with your statement that cops deserve respect simply because they 'stand for public order'. There have been more than enough examples in recent history where cops have very clearly _not_ been acting in the public's interest, and I think it's prudent for average citizens to be wary of cops. It's an unfortunate reality, but it's the culture that law enforcement has chosen to create.
Having had a handful of interactions with LEOs while 'off the clock', it really amazes me how different their attitude is from when I'm in uniform.
I'm a firefighter/paramedic, and am very familiar with many of the scenarios you described. Many of my drinking buddies are cops, and I'm very grateful that they have my back night after night.
That being said, I disagree completely with your statement that cops deserve respect simply because they 'stand for public order'. There have been more than enough examples in recent history where cops have very clearly _not_ been acting in the public's interest, and I think it's prudent for average citizens to be wary of cops. It's an unfortunate reality, but it's the culture that law enforcement has chosen to create.
Having had a handful of interactions with LEOs while 'off the clock', it really amazes me how different their attitude is from when I'm in uniform.