Originally Posted by Guest

I am going to make some assumptions here:
I assume that most, if not all, the posters on here are white.
I assume that most, if not all, the posters on here are over 55.
I assume that most, if not all, the posters on here are in the middle class or above.
I assume that most, if not all, the posters on here have relatively clean, if not totally clean criminal histories.
I assume that most, if not all, the posters on here live and have lived for many years, in relatively crime-free environs.
BTW, all of those assumptions fit me.

And so, I hear many saying - just be courteous, and respectful and you will not be shot or otherwise harmed unjustly. True indeed, and easy to say, and do, for all those of us that fit the prior assumptions. In my few encounters with officers as an occasional speeder, I have been courteous and respectful and accepted my ticket without name calling or violence.

But.....what if the law officers assumed that your type fit their vision of a troublemaker? What if they treated you with disrespect and derision? What if they physically abused you without cause? What if they called you offensive names? What if you knew people who were roughed up by the law enforcers without cause? Would these things tend to make you nervous, defensive, angry? Would they possibly cause you to react in a less than courteous and respectful manner. Would they even possibly cause you to run away even though you were innocent of any wrongdoing? I don't know the answer because none of those things are in my background, but I can only guess that courtesy and respect might come a little more reluctantly. Most, if not all of us on this forum, can't even remotely relate to people who have grown up in impoverished, crime ridden, drug infested, gang dominated neighborhoods. I am not condoning bad behavior, but am simply trying to understand the problems, and am not sure I am capable. Thank you to all the great dedicated ethical devoted law enforcement officers out there who make our lives safer and easier.