honestly, why would you be a cop

[krisandkev]

I retired last year after 30 years in the job, 13 years as a Sergeant.  It is a fantastic job.  If your sons or daughters are thinking of aiming for a career in the Police, encourage them.  Yes, there are higher paid jobs about, but when I joined the pay had nothing to do with it.  And it shouldn’t now. 
But it has changed a lot over the years.  That is one reason why I got out not long after I turned 55, just got sick of a lot of things that have changed in the job.  I think one thing the new state government in Queensland could look at is why there are so many bosses now. Not enough Police on the front line, doing the hard work. It would be the same in any work force.  If you believe there is a need for more supervisory positions then you need to ask why.   What has changed?  Police are more accountable than ever, but why. 
And like all things in life, there are the good and the bad.  But the media love the bad and that is mostly what they will target. 
Kevin

[Blinky Bill]

My attitude is simply 'thank goodness for the cops'.

Where would society be without these blokes? Someone has to be there with authority to say enough is enough. And for this we the community need to get behind them. After all, they are our safe guard.

I admire anyone performing essential service for the community. Those is dangerous fields get even more respect.

They are after all the good guys! 

- Wayne

[dazzler]

  It is a fantastic job. 

Agreed.  I had a ball for most of my 18 and only gave it away after my wife was severely injured doing the same. 

I found the effective cops always had a bit of rogue,  some black humour and didn't take it all too seriously.  The idealists seem to burn out a bit early.

I used to work with a great sgt who was the king of appropriate one liners.  My favourite, that still cracks me up, was a politicians son who was half cut and full of mouth.  As he was being put in the back of the wagon he goes;

Young bloke: 'do you know who my father is?"
Sgt             : 'that may be a question for your mother son."

 
 

[Tjupurula]

I normally keep quiet on what I do for a living (for various reasons) but it is time to come out.......I've been in the 'job' in Qld for 24 years.... worked in some of the good places.... like Gold Coast.... Inala, Ipswich, Oxley, and Acacia Ridge, been shot at, spat at and assaulted ....... but I work indoors now and at the end of the day I enjoy what I do and wouldn't change it (unless I win lotto). Some days I miss being on the road but lifestyle comes first now.....no shift work for me....

We all appreciate the good people out there and the support we get.

Regards

Jenko.

Good on you Jenko. thanks for doing thejob that you are doing.
Tjupurula

[Bird]

I ve  just read the first post and link to the story, as far as I'm concerned the police have done nothing wrong. I actually think considering the circumstances they did what they had to in order to preserve public safety.

The police involved should be commended as heroes, as far as the criminals are concerned who were responsible for this event, they broke law and put other peoples lives in danger so they should be punished.

I agree.. Sadly they wont get punishment, but some piss ant thing like a 'community based order'.. Sweepa dunny for a day, and dont show up.

But if you watch todays TV "News" programs, the bacon are bolloxed with videos from bystanders, interviews with some scrotes (its kings x) and
"the cops were rough on them"... not one person "Good on the cops for saving my life"

No no.. the cops werent rough on them, the cops were doing their jobs.
Infact I hope the cops get them back to the cells and give em a copy of the 1984 yellow pages for an hour.. 

Remember the last great kings x witness?

[Jason B]

I agree.. Sadly they wont get punishment, btu some piss ant thing like a 'community based order'.. Sweeet a dunny for a day, and dont show up.

But if you watch todays TV "News" programs, the bacon are bolloxed with videos from bystanders, interviews with some scrotes (its kings x) and
"the cops were rough on them"... not one person "Good on the cops for saving my life"

No no.. the cops werent rough on them, the cops were doing their jobs.
Infact I hope the cops get them back to the cells and give em a copy of the 1984 yellow pages for an hour.. 

Trial by media it's a joke they can any d head to say whatever they like and without consequence. I just read the story and agree with your comments Lost, however it doesn't look great when they are punching the crap out of a 18 year old that has been shot and is lying motionless on the ground.

I do understand the emotions and adrenalin that would be involved, and how the cops feel and the community still needs to stand by them until all the facts are known.

[Bird]

.. it doesn't look great when they are punching the crap out of a 18 year old that has been shot and is lying motionless on the ground.

they have to handcuff him, and make sure he isnt armed...

anyway, one punch for each injury on the victim stuck under the car...

[Frostd]

I have been in the job for the past 22 years and still love it. Majority of my service has been in Criminal investigation.  It is like every job, you have your good days and bad, but I have never woken up, not wanting to go to work. 
Throughout my service, I have met some very, very nice people, but I have also met some scum.  When everything goes wrong, even the scum call the police for help.
With want happened at King Cross and all the other critical incidents across Australia recently, Police are made so accountable for their actions, but before the truth can come out, the media are all over it fabricating stories, so headlines can be written so papers and airtime are sold.  The media don’t care about the cops, all they care about is the story.
 
It was good to see Assistant Commissioner Murdoch come out straight after, in a news conference and strongly support the police involved.

[95cruza]

I'm also a cop with over 30yrs experience and appreciate the support on this forum - my only question to the media and others who deride the coppers involved in this type of incident - please tell us what we should have done - come up with the alternative where the bad guys can get arrested but no-one gets hurt.  Funnily enough this is never forthcoming and they quickly forget that the police don't start these things but are forced to end them.

[Blinky Bill]

What the......? So many cops or ex cops on here that I feel like I'm listening to the Police channel. 

As one of the few who are not a Policeman  this comment says it all "they quickly forget that the police don't start these things but are forced to end them". 

I've actually spoken to an off duty copper and let him know my feelings of support towards Police and he just gave me a suspicious look. So I haven't done that again. 

Does anyone have an idea on how to engage the community and have them supporting the Police Force? I was thinking drivers could give a friendly wave as they go by a highway patrol car but then they might think you were being a smart ar#e. 

[Manjimike]

Does anyone have an idea on how to engage the community and have them supporting the Police Force? I was thinking drivers could give a friendly wave as they go by a highway patrol car but then they might think you were being a smart ar#e. 

I always do.

I remember geting pulled over for speeing when I live in Mackay on Xmas eve. I admitted I was speeding, said I would keep a better eye on it and then wished him a Merry Xmas. He was doing his job and I was in the wrong - end of story!

[Frostd]

A simple wave or a simple G'day.   We dont want to be any different to any of you.   We go camping , drink lots of the amber fluid , love cars and everthing else that goes with this type of forum. 

[MarkGU]

A simple wave or a simple G'day.   We dont want to be any different to any of you.   We go camping , drink lots of the amber fluid , love cars and everthing else that goes with this type of forum. 

we have lots of camping. & amber fluid down here as well Terry 

[singo-26]

What the......? So many cops or ex cops on here that I feel like I'm listening to the Police channel. 

As one of the few who are not a Policeman  this comment says it all "they quickly forget that the police don't start these things but are forced to end them". 

I've actually spoken to an off duty copper and let him know my feelings of support towards Police and he just gave me a suspicious look. So I haven't done that again. 

Does anyone have an idea on how to engage the community and have them supporting the Police Force? I was thinking drivers could give a friendly wave as they go by a highway patrol car but then they might think you were being a smart ar#e. 

I was driving through Wellington last week just inside the 60 zone and passed a highway patrol  car who gave me a wave, I knew i was doing the speed limit but as i waved back i was checking the gps  speed.

As I see it now the civil rights movement is winning, The rights of the criminal must be protected at all costs, Dont worry about the people they offended against or the Police doing their job.

It is like every job, you have your good days and bad, but I have never woken up, not wanting to go to work. 
Throughout my service, I have met some very, very nice people, but I have also met some scum.  When everything goes wrong, even the scum call the police for help.
With want happened at King Cross and all the other critical incidents across Australia recently, Police are made so accountable for their actions, but before the truth can come out, the media are all over it fabricating stories, so headlines can be written so papers and airtime are sold.  The media don’t care about the cops, all they care about is the story.
 
It was good to see Assistant Commissioner Murdoch come out straight after, in a news conference and strongly support the police involved.

It would seem to me that the scum are quicker to call the police than the average decent person.

At the end of the day it's pretty easy to be polite or have a bit of a joke when pulled over for an RBT or any other issue.

[krisandkev]

We cops and ex cops have a million stories, some funny, some not.  Some funny ones that are only funny if you were there.  Some stories we would love to forget.
I recall one.  It was about 2 am and an elderly lady called 000 to say someone is in her house and she lives alone.  Blue lights and siren we get there ASAP.  Yep, a little old lady, scarred as hell because she heard a noise.  (Her husband had passed away some years back.) We did notice on arrival electricity workers were working on power lines outside her house, thus the noise.  We explained this but still did a search of her house.  She was so thankful and apologised for troubling us.  Nearly brought a tear I tell you.   :'(    But then as we were leaving she gets her purse out and asks us how much she owes us!  What a lovely lady and experiences like that makes it all worth it.  Plus the very good comments from fellow myswagers.   
Kevin

P.S. we didn't charge her too much.....  Just joking...

[dazzler]

Does anyone have an idea on how to engage the community and have them supporting the Police Force?

I think its hard to.  The main problem is the vast, vast majority of public interaction is with traffic cops when they get stopped.  And most of the public determine the cops worth very simply;

If they let you off their a 'top bloke'.
If they book you they are a revenue raising, quota writing, good for nothing pig.

So traffic cops like I was for half mine just turn into autobots.  "Licence please. Do you still live at the address on the licence, thank you I will be with you shortly" - then - "Here is your licence, here is an infringement, you have 28 days in which to pay, the procedure for payment is set out on the rear of the form, have a safe day."

Loved booking hot chicks wiggling their bits.  Watch em turn into bitches from hell when they get the ticket - gold 

[Tjupurula]

I am not a police officer, never have been, never will be, I am just a tradey.  The police will always enjoy my support, and receive my thanks whenever I see them.  I have a son in law in the ADF, and a niece who is an Air Force Cadet or whatever they call the trainees, and they both reckon that very few people give respect to a uniform, they respect the person behind the uniform.
I really don't care what people do for a living, if they are law abiding, and they don't mind a cuppa, or an ale, I will sit down with them and have a yarn.
Heck, I would even share the video my wife took when a police officer was checking my vehicle, and my dog mistook his leg for a tree.  There was no problem though, it ended up with a good laugh, and me offering to pay for the dry cleaning.  hey, we all just people living our lives and paying our bills, saving the pennies to go camping.
Regards
Tjupurula

[fuji]

Hi Dazzler, I recall saying what you quoted,  ten times today. Mr Balleiu will be happy. But there is one problem in payment. Its  "Sir/Madam you have 42 days to pay, and if you dont agree with it , it may be heard in court."

Wayne 

[Kit_e_kat9]

I'm not a cop, not dating a cop, not married to a cop, don't have much to do with them really.  I truly believe that if they shot at or into someone, that someone really bloody deserved it.  To be honest, I think those that steal, harm, con, speed, speed drunk, kill ... should be shot at or into.  Yes, I realise that people do make mistakes, do things that they normally might not when under the influence ... however ignorance (regardless of your state of mind etc) is no defence in a court of law.  I do agree, the laws protect the lawless more than the victim ... it's something that one just has to put up with ... kinda like going to work to make a living which we all do in one way or another.

I'm not sure if they need more $ or not ... I just know we need more of them on the ground ... protecting the community from itself.

Kit_e

[Jason B]

they have to handcuff him, and make sure he isnt armed...

Yes mate but once they are subdued, under control and no longer a threat you are breaking the law. Not passing judgement as I wasn't there and there's always more to the story.

The law is an ass. The cops would have had Naden a couple of weeks earlyer if the law supported them. In NSW they are no longer allowed to shoot a fleeing felon (to catch or arrest him) even though Naden was alledged to have committed multiple murders, they were not able to shoot him at the house (in the incident a month or so prior to his arrest) because he wasn't a threat to the officers safety, so he walk away into the scrub. 

[briann532]

Reading this thread has been somewhat enlightening, but furthermore confusing...................

I though I was reading the joke section for a while.........

They are coppers for heavens sake. If you don't do the wrong thing they are no threat to you.
they don't just shoot people for sport......

Its a job. Like any other trade or profession.
Unfortunatley they have a hell of a lot of responsibility and are not backed by the law or government.
Imagine how you would feel as a copper, just out doing your job.
Arresting some ar$e whole who has been drinking then though it would a good idea to drive at 95kph through an 80 zone.
However many moons later, in court his lawyer gets him off the charges for some ridiculous reason or plea.
4 days later you have to attend an MVA where a drunk driver has killed someone.

Then get up in the morning and go do it all again. 
Then go see some rock ape who's flogged his missus because she brought home the wrong packet of ciggarettes.
Then put up with some pre pubescent thinking its his right to abuse you.

Now after a couple years of this some drugged out wierdo lunges at you with a knife and you have a loaded sidearm.
Please let me know what you would do?

Half the problem is the prison system and juduciary.
3rd offence for a violent crime and they are allowed to apply for bail and good behaviour etc etc. ?WTF.
I know how much a bullet costs and I know how much it costs to accomodate them in the system with foxtel a gym and 3 good meals a day, medical service, dental and education!!!

Its a crap system, its  unfair, its unjust and we try to fix it by venting on a forum. (well I do anyway - guilty  )

Why not change it?
Put a myswag counter up which we can all place our name in after we've written a letter to our MP asking them to do something about it.
I'm sure a couple hundred thousand letters over the space of 2 or 3 weeks with a hint at which way you'll be choosing to vote if they assist in your concern, may alter things slightly.

P.S. I'm not a cop, never have been, and no bloody way I ever will be..............
But I take my hat off to all of you who are.

Cheers
Brian

[austastar]

they were not able to shoot him at the house (in the incident a month or so prior to his arrest) because he wasn't a threat to the officers safety, so he walk away into the scrub.

Hi,
    I can live with that, it is a price to pay, (expensive perhaps) but the legal system can (and be seen to) run its course.


I have no time for armed criminals threatening police, it should be one warning "Stop or I will shoot" and then its aim for the center of the seen mass.
As long as the forensics provide a front entry wound and a firearm.


Others may disagree, possibly quite strongly, but I believe a consistent policy as above would strongly discourage the illegal use/carrying of firearms.


Now off to solve the middle east problem!


cheers

[Maîneÿ . . .]

Half the problem is the prison system and judiciary.

3rd offence for a violent crime and they are allowed to apply for bail and good behaviour etc etc. ?? WTF.
I know how much a bullet costs and I know how much it costs to accommodate them in the system with foxtel a gym and 3 good meals a day, medical service, dental and education!!!

Its a crap system, its  unfair, its unjust and we try to fix it by venting on a forum.

No, I can't agree  :'(

"half the problem is the prison system and judiciary" the problem IS the Judiciary
we have these guys who get caught then get off and do the same thing again and get off again by smart lawyers only to repeat the same offence.

Bring back the noose for 'proven' convicted persons who have taken a life in a premeditated way - murder - a life for a life.
( Port  Arthur )

We have some arsoles sitting in nice airconditioned accommodation getting the 3 meals and everything they need and they are costing us hundreds of thousands $$ and they are never to be released, it would be cheaper to give them an injection and put them to sleep, just like they did to a fellow human.

Just my own personal thoughts on the subject of 'life in imprisonment' the way it is now it's a joke

 

[Tjupurula]

Hi Brian
Although I agree with 99% of what you say there, could you have aused a couple of different terms in there.
Regards
Tjupurula

[Jason B]

Now after a couple years of this some drugged out wierdo lunges at you with a knife and you have a loaded sidearm.
Please let me know what you would do?

Cheers
Brian

Shoot him no question. He has a knife is a threat to your safety and others. Legal use of force (next level - blade to firearm) he is GOOOONE!!! Game over, night night. (presuming of course that tazers etc were considered a non viable alternative because of the situation)


Regards


jas