Sorry for the rant, but between my interaction with LE (as a student, internships, interviews, etc) and my academic studies, I have become quite disallusioned with law enforcement, and government as a whole.
Then get out on the street, with REAL cops, not some folks in the classroom. You'll see the difference real quick.
as a Criminal Justice major, i encounter more potential officers who view it as "us vs 'The scum" and ofcouse any one in the system is guilty, or they wouldnt be in the system.
Then you're learning the wrong thing. Listen to your professors, not your fellow students, who probably learned about law enforcement from watching TV.
That makes two of us. I'm also a CJ major, and the vast majority of my peers disgust me. They buy into the police subculture that anyone that isnt a cop is "the enemy."
Unfortunately, you are falling into the same trap. Listen to your professors. Don't worry--your militant "peers" will not last one week into FTO with that attitude.
It seems to me that law enforcement nowadays puts more emphasis on tactics and training for physical confrontation, rather than learning and understanding the statutes that they're supposed to enforce. Most students who complete a freshman level "Intro to Criminal Justice" course will be better versed in law than most cops.
For your first sentence, wait until you get into a police academy. Yes, you will be taught defensive tactics, but the amount of criminal law that is thrown at you is almost frightening for the uninitiated.
As for your second sentence, not a chance in h-e-double toothpicks.
That being said, trueblue1776 is spot on. There is too much "tacticality" on the street nowadays. I can see jumpsuits in bad weather, but not for everyday wear. As for me, I take pride in my uniform--shining the footwear to a mirror shine, polishing up the collar pins, the belt buckle and brass, and spending some time with Simichrome on that REALLY nice silver badge is a requirement for me. And, putting on the leather? There's just something about it that most folks warm up to. Look professional, and act professional--that's the key to having others warm up to you at a glance.
Plus, it is a proven deterrent. A well fitted, crisp uniform with gleaming accoutrements, shined shoes and a well groomed man or woman says it well: "No, I'm not working security and I'm not here to play Rambo. I am a professional Police Officer, working for you and the community."
Really, folks, before you start to bash, get out there, and get into uniform! Instead of jumping on the cop-bash bandwagon, get out there--and make a difference! Change CAN occur, and it CAN start with you. Any coward can stand on the sidelines and throw snide comments. Show some spine--and make a difference!
