We need to be supporting our police forces and officers. These guys and gals are doing a darn tough job that most of us don't want to be doing. They deserve our respect and support. Yeah, yeah, I know...there are a few bad ones out there. But you know what...there are a few bad accountants out there. There are a few bad postal workers out there...heck...we even have a phrase for it...going postal. There are a few bad car salesmen, bad doctors, bad lawyers, bad electricians, bad plumbers, and so on. There are bad folk in every job or career.
Here's the thing... When a cop gets up in the morning and kisses his family goodbye, he doesn't know he'll ever see them again. When a cop pulls over a car with a taillight out and approaches...she doesn't know who or what is waiting in the vehicle. It may be a simple, "I didn't know it was out." kind of thing. Or, it may be a criminal with a gun who has decided he's not going to go to jail.
Not long ago, we rented a car for a roadtrip. We had barely made it out of town when a trooper pulled me over. Come to find out...the rental car had two different plates on it...from out of state. And switching plates is one thing drug runners do. When he approached us, he didn't know if we were out of state drug runners...we were on a road noted for that...he had no clue he'd meet two authors on the way to a book event with a rental car. We treated him with respect, answered his questions, cooperated with his instructions, and it all worked out fine.
Here's where my 2 cents come in...
If you don't want cops to pull you over while driving...obey the law. Don't speed...make sure you use your turn signals, drive safely, etc.
If a cop does pull you over...don't be a smartass. Treat them with respect. If they ask you to do something, don't give 'em any lip...just do it. If you think you are in the right...wait and tell the judge.
If you don't want to be arrested and have to deal with the police...don't break the law. It's that simple.
A couple years back, my daughters and I took a women's safety course. One of the cool things we did was to get to use the FATS...FireArms Training Simulator. This was so cool. What it does is project an image on a big screen and you "role play" the simulation. For example...approaching someone in a parking lot, or the cute guy standing on the corner, or even the domestic disturbance. It was an interesting, enlightening, intense experience. Unfortunately, the first scenario...I died. It was a well-dressed, well-groomed gentleman, he wanted to chat so we stood on corner and all of a sudden, he pulled a gun from behind and killed me. Let's just say, I shot first and asked questions later next time.
Cops are doing a tough job. They deserve respect and admiration. They deserve our support and consideration. If not for cops, our cities would be overrun with crime and complete chaos. Let them know you got their back...tell 'em thanks and let them know they are appreciated.