exactly what it looked like.

Would it change your mind if you knew that guy on the phone was a wanted pedophile and one of the bike officers recognized him from a wanted poster? Now, when witnessing such an incident, it’s logical to assume the police have a valid reason to arrest the

The strained relationship that exists between the police and too many people has concerned me from the moment my wife pinned my badge on my crisp new police uniform back in the early 90s. It’s especially lamentable, because so much of it is preventable and curable. The lack of understanding by the public of just what it is officers do and, perhaps more critically, why they do it, results in too much unnecessary animus.

Consider the following: You come out of Stan’s Market and stand on the sidewalk scratching your lottery ticket hoping for what you know won’t be. Suddenly two police officers skid their mountain bikes to a stop next to a man standing at a public pay phone. They order him to hang up the phone; they pat him down, and then slap on the handcuffs. A patrol car arrives; they stuff him into the back seat and whisk him away.

A frizzy-haired woman in a tie-dyed shirt stands nearby looking heartily offended. She looks at you and says, “Damn cops. Damn police-state. That guy wasn’t even doing anything but talking on the phone and the cops just drag him away like that." You nod, not necessarily in agreement, but knowing that’s exactly what it looked like.

Would it change your mind if you knew that guy on the phone was a wanted pedophile and one of the bike officers recognized him from a wanted poster? Now, when witnessing such an incident, it’s logical to assume the police have a valid reason to arrest the

g by the public of just what it is officers do and, perhaps more critically, why they do it, results in too much unnecessary animus.

Consider the following: You come out of Stan’s Market and stand on the sidewalk scratching your lottery ticket hoping for what you know won’t be. Suddenly two police officers skid their mountain bikes to a stop next to a man standing at a public pay phone. They order him to hang up the phone; they pat him down, and then slap on the handcuffs. A patrol car arrives; they stuff him into the back seat and whisk him away.

A frizzy-haired woman in a tie-dyed shirt stands nearby looking heartily offended. She looks at you and says, “Damn cops. Damn police-state. That guy wasn’t even doing anything but talking on the phone and the cops just drag him away like that." You nod, not necessarily in agreement, but knowing that’s exactly what it looked like.

Would it change your mind if you knew that guy on the phone was a wanted pedophile and one of the bike officers recognized him from a wanted poster? Now, when witnessing such an incident, it’s logical to assume the police have a valid reason to arrest the

nly two police officers skid their mountain bikes to a stop next to a man standing at a public pay phone. They order him to hang up the phone; they pat him down, and then slap on the handcuffs. A patrol car arrives; they stuff him into the back seat and whisk him away.

A frizzy-haired woman in a tie-dyed shirt stands nearby looking heartily offended. She looks at you and says, “Damn cops. Damn police-state. That guy wasn’t even doing anything but talking on the phone and the cops just drag him away like that." You nod, not necessarily in agreement, but knowing that’s exactly what it looked like.

Would it change your mind if you knew that guy on the phone was a wanted pedophile and one of the bike officers recognized him from a wanted poster? Now, when witnessing such an incident, it’s logical to assume the police have a valid reason to arrest the

d woman in a tie-dyed shirt stands nearby looking heartily offended. She looks at you and says, “Damn cops. Damn police-state. That guy wasn’t even doing anything but talking on the phone and the cops just drag him away like that." You nod, not necessarily in agreement, but knowing that’s exactly what it looked like.

Would it change your mind if you knew that guy on the phone was a wanted pedophile and one of the bike officers recognized him from a wanted poster? Now, when witnessing such an incident, it’s logical to assume the police have a valid reason to arrest the

exactly what it looked like.

Would it change your mind if you knew that guy on the phone was a wanted pedophile and one of the bike officers recognized him from a wanted poster? Now, when witnessing such an incident, it’s logical to assume the police have a valid reason to arrest the man, but some folks suspend logic when it comes to the police; they are quite happy to assume the worst. Police today don’t enjoy the benefit of the doubt they once did.

If you wonder why a cop does this or that, just ask him; (but wait until the incident is over; never question an officer while he’s dealing with a suspect) don’t resign yourself to think the worst of the officer. Or go to your police department’s website and ask why police do things a certain way. (Or go to www.stevepomper.com and you can ask me.)

There is usually a good reason and a simple explanation for what an officer does, no matter how silly or impractical it may seem to the average citizen at the time. Police officers take on a job that not many would do, or could do. All I ask is that you consider giving them the benefit of the doubt and remember you’re probably only seeing the ten percent above the surface.