On Thanksgiving, give thanks to the "sheepdogs"

Mr. Kinsey,
While I respect your years as a law enforcement officer, the attitude you have expressed above is a good part of the reason a good number of people have a negative opinion of all cops. Too many cops treat people exactly like you have promoted above: stupid sheep that need to be bullied and abused. I understand that cops need to maintain an attitude of control but I have known many good cops that can do that while maintaining a respectful and courteous attitude to any person they have contact with. I am retired law enforcement myself so I am not just talking out my hat. Since my retirement I have had the occaisional encounter with a cop(s). Out of those contacts I have been verbally assaulted during a traffic stop for no reason: the cop started screaming at me the minute he approached my car, I was threatened with arrest for "felony littering", the tirade continued until I pulled the "law-enforcement card". Immediately there was a big change in the cops attitude. I was stopped because the renewal sticker had fallen off my license plate. I hadn't even opened my mouth when the officers tirade started. His explaination was "People need to know that cops are in charge and that they have to do what we say when we say it." Exactly the attitude you have expressed. Cops complain all the time that they get no respect. Well, you get what you give. Sheep dogs do not respect the sheep, they look at sheep as something to be bullied,bit and controlled. Any cop with that attitude should not be a cop.
Also, your dismissive attitude towards dispatchers ("operators", really!?!) tells me you have as much respect for them as you do for the citizens you were sworn to protect and serve: zero. Seems you have forgotten what role dispatchers played in keeping YOU safe on the road. The person on the answering end of the 911 line is responsible for making as sure as is humanly possible for the safety of every person who can access the phone as well as every cop/firefighter/ems on their radio. We won't go into the role the dispatchers played in helping you solve crimes,identify people,etc. I doubt you gave them credit for it at the time.
I agree with about 80% of what you have written in the past but this time I can agree with none of it. I really believe that cops who operate like you have promoted in this article have done much to degrade the publics' opinion of all cops. And I find that a very sad state of affairs.

nekkidfish- I am not sure I believe a word of your narrative.

Fish,

First of all, Kinsey uses the term "operator" instead of dispatcher because if you call the Communications Section in A2, they usually answer the phone with "Ann Arbor Police, Operator xxxxx". That is part of their title at the AAPD. Maybe most other agencies call them dispatchers but the Agency Kinsey worked for did not.

Also, a sheepdog does not go around and bite all the sheep, just the ones that stray from the group. Remember, this is an analogy, not a perfect description.

What was your position in law enforcement? Most people do not have "had the occasional encounter with cop(s). Why are they so drawn to you?

Yes, cops should be courteous and respectful. But sometimes the courteous behavior does not work. Maybe you have been mistreated. That is not right. Maybe your behavior was not the best either. What in the world would you have thrown to the ground get threatened with arrest for "felony littering"? And why would you have thrown anything to the ground when the cops were there?

NekkidFish,
After your negative encounter with that rogue cop did you call and report him to his/her to Internal Affairs department? If so, what was the outcome? Your commentary comes off as someone that had a personal beef with Kinsey. I've re-read his commentary and quite frankly, I can't find where he was disrespectful to dispatchers or civilians. I should note that I know Kinsey personally, and he's admired by both.

NekkidFish,
After your negative encounter with that rogue cop did you call and report him to Internal Affairs? If so, what was the outcome? Your commentary comes off as someone that had a personal beef with Kinsey. I've re-read his commentary and quite frankly, I can't find where he was disrespectful to dispatchers or civilians. I should note that I know Kinsey personally, and he's admired by both.

I had a problem with an officer who was abusing his power. I filed a complaint and never heard anything. Most of the AAPD i have dealt with have been courteous. But herding people? That mentality sux! In addition, most AAPD don't even have decent people skills. You can be arrested if you tell them "This is Bulls---!"
Instead of trying to herd "sheep", they should be trying to form solid relationships in the community. That's the problem: trying to control. Aren't they supposed to serve and protect??

Could the name of that book be any longer?

I am thankful that the police officers in Ypsilanti are very respectful and nice. Also they are very much on the ball. I havent had many recent encounters with Ann Arbor police officers but my experiences from 20 years ago are less positive. I sometimes wonder if it is because middle aged ladies are less threatening or because 20 year old women can be obnoxious. Ah well. Thanks to the Ypsilanti police department for always being cool even in the worst of situations.

Hey Kinsey another useless pos.

Have you ever watched a sheepdog work. No. I didn't think so. The sheepdog only moves on command. He is always aware of the shepherds where abouts. He is always ready to only do what the shepherd commands him to do. They do not just nip a the heels or "butt". A dog out of control is useless to the master. Cops out of control, continuing to nip at the heels is also USELESS. Don't forget the citizens are THE Master.

3Jimmy