I have been pulled over 3 times in my life, and been given 2 tickets. One time (and the worst) I was speeding and the cop called me an "f***ing stupid girl" multiple times. I was 16. At 16 I was not the confident, hard a** woman you see before you today. Who am I kidding? I'm still as fragile as I was at 16; then no one had ever sworn at me before, especially not the f word. I had never been called stupid, especially not by an authority figure. Yes, I am complaining because I have had a pretty nice life without any bullying. But this shook me up, and still shakes me up if I think about it. More on this later.
The second time I was pulled over, it was dusk and I forgot to turn on my lights. No big. The third time I was pulled over I did a California stop through a stop sign, and was given a ticket with traffic school.
Now for the reasons why I do not like cops:
1. I Need Closure: These cops have had a serious and severe impact on my life, and because I am a total people-pleaser, I have forever upset these police officers. Forever! I will never ever get a chance to redeem myself to these mean men. I wish I could see these cops again, cry at them, tell them how mean they were to me, and let them know what a great driver I am. Because my California stop was coming out of my apartment complex, sometimes I see the cop that pulled me over and try to smile at him, but to no avail. You'd think the guy would know how to return a smile! I will keep doing this until I get results, because one simple smile from him might be the kind of closure I need.
2. No Incentives: Sometimes, I wish there was an incentives program for good driving. When I make a correct turn, endure a tailgater while driving the correct speed limit or stop 100% at a stop sign, I want a cop there to tell me I did a good job. Sometimes I even look around to see if any cops are around to see what a good driver I am. There never are, and if they are, they could care less. Really, the police force system is flawed, I should get something for being a good driver, like a "get out of one ticket" card I could show them, or maybe a pat on the back every once in a while. Punishing the wrong-doers and ignoring the law-abiding citizens is not the right approach!!!!!
3. They are Terrifying: Every single time I see a cop car, I tense up. One time I was on the freeway (about 2 years after my first experience with a cop) and I saw a cop on the freeway as well, and I almost had to pull over because I was hyperventilating. Yes, I realize I am severely messed up. But every one of those cops was mean to me, and for no good reason. For about a year after I was pulled over, I couldn't talk about it because I would start crying so bad. Police officers pull over hundreds of people, why do they have to be mean to me, the sweet little lamb?? I have never met a cop I have liked, even in normal situations (not being pulled over). Sorry cops. None of you have been particularly nice to me.
4. Crash and other Media: Watch the movie Crash, and you will never regain your faith in the police force system. In the media, police officers are portrayed as corrupt, mean, power tripping people, and I wish I didn't believe that.
5. Their Dogs: Really? I understand that you are catching "bad guys", but do you have to train your dogs to be blood thirsty killers? No.
6. Their Guns and Brutality: Yes, I realize I am probably going too far, but I hate guns, and I get physically sick when I hear about a police officer beating up/killing someone before they knew the whole story. How many videos have you seen with police officers beating up some homeless guy or some kid? It makes me sick, so much so I can't talk or think about it without feeling severely awful.
7. I Just Don't Like Them: I'm sorry. I just feel like they think they are better than everyone else, and above the law because they enforce the law. This is the emotional scarring coming out, but no matter how much I respect the position of police officer, I just can't like them.
