I'm not sure police officers do the job for the right reasons anymore, or that they are educated to the standard that should be required. What is the entry criteria thesedays?
Too often I get the impression that coppers are the people that were bullied at school, they are now on a power trip and are more interested in showing these powers off, or telling you how right they are, usually being patronising and sarcastic - rather than being helpful, which is primarily what they are there for.
These 'cops with cameras' shows dont help them either - they all come across as bellends and bullies.
The only very tiny dealing Ive had with police in recent times was a few years back when someone crashed into me on camp hill roundabout in town. I pulled over but the other fellas car was knackered so me, him and another helpful passer by, pushed it up to mine at the side of the road. It was rush hour, busy, and a couple of old bill turned up within seconds. There was no problem, we exchanged details etc... and the blokes car started okay with a few goes, but the one copper pulled open the blokes boot and said 'you've got a triangle in the boot, did you know this?' looking at the other copper with a smug grin. I just interupted and said 'well it's all sorted now anyway so not to worry.' whereas I really wanted to say, 'yeah thanks for your time, which we didnt request or need, you sarcastic smarmy bastard, now why dont you tootle down to mcdonalds before they sell out of doughnuts you little fat twat?' ......but I didnt.
I dont distrust them, I just dont think they do anything worthwhile. If someone burgled my house, honestly I would phone the police only because it's expected and probably (I assume) required for insurance claim. But as for doing anything about it there's just no point in calign them, and I wouldnt expect them to do anything nowadays. I'd phone other people for that and would almost guarantee my stuff back and the burglars to get some justice too.
When i was a kid it seemed that coppers were scary, they knew the law and they upheld it and I had a respect and a healthy fear of them. Nowadays I'm inclined to think they've taken an easy career option, and probably arent the sharpest tool in the box.
I blame the fact that they arent allowed to do the job in it's traditional sense and are instead too concerned about paperwork, budgets, health and safety, human rights etc...