Reading these stories
the one thing that strikes me is that most UK cops are pretty decent folk. Some of the things that earned you crims a ticking off would have got you locked up or shot in the USA. It's no wonder that 1% of the American population is in jail. US police could learn a lot from their British counterparts.
(ianisme, Sun 8 May 2011, 11:44, 14 replies)

I dunno though, the American police were very nice to us hapless Brits a couple of years ago
when we variously trespassed and speeded over there. Very polite indeed - the bollockings we received left us feeling warm and freshly-massaged.

That may have been partly relief at not getting shot, though.
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sun 8 May 2011, 12:12, closed)

I suspect
most US police officers would have a great deal of difficulty learning anything from anyone.
(apeloverage committed the vile act of onanism on, Sun 8 May 2011, 12:24, closed)

^
Exactly
(CactusZack Shaved his coin purse on, Sun 8 May 2011, 14:32, closed)

You know many US police officers, then?

(Godwin's Lawyer is more evil than Hitler, Mon 9 May 2011, 3:24, closed)

British cops are generally a reasonable bunch who, if you are nice to them, will be ncice to you. I suspect the people who complain the most abput the police are those that have felt the long arm of the law on their collar. I have only had official contact with the police in the role of 'victim' (that was fun) and they were great, I loves 'em.
(G-Lo, Sun 8 May 2011, 19:25, closed)

I should add that them being nice to you is also conditional on you being more or less on the right side of the law
(G-Lo, Sun 8 May 2011, 19:28, closed)

And, according to some,
on the right side of the colour bar.
(apeloverage committed the vile act of onanism on, Mon 9 May 2011, 0:45, closed)

The amount of US prisoners freaks me out and the number of those who maybe shouldn't be.

United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, DOJBJS), admits that statistically 8% to 12% of all state prisoners are either actually or factually innocent. The DOJBJS finds that 4% of all federal prisoners are either actually or factually innocent. (10,254 federal prisoners and 131,943 state prisoners (using 10%) that's more than the total population of Dayton Ohio)
('tin'tintin, Mon 9 May 2011, 2:43, closed)

actually or factually?
What's the difference? We'd just say "are innocent", I suspect
( Ungersven would support SpankyHanky's patreon, Mon 9 May 2011, 11:58, closed)

tbh I was astonished
walking through the streets of San Francisco (presumably the more liberal side of the States, but still) I came across a woman berating a police officer so hard - motherfucker this and fuck you that - and raising her arms and shouting that I thought she was going to hit him. Yet all the while the police was saying "Yes ma'am, I understand why you feel that way, ma'am, if you could just calm down for a moment ma'am..."

I couldn't help thinking your average British copper would have thrown her in the back of a van and be done with it.
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Mon 9 May 2011, 9:05, closed)

thrown?
thrown fucked.
( Rotating Wobbly Hat That's not a banana. THIS is a banana., Mon 9 May 2011, 10:31, closed)

Dunno about the getting locked up part,
but the not getting shot bit has a lot to do with having an unarmed policeforce. I think the UK and NZ are the only two countries where the police don't carry guns as a matter of course.

Long may it continue.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 9 May 2011, 12:11, closed)

here
here
(andythepieman Is surfing the waves of indifference on, Mon 9 May 2011, 16:34, closed)

The Gardai don't carry guns...
...do they?
(stalinism, Wed 11 May 2011, 7:36, closed)