Why do you guys think Firemen are so much more loved and appreciated then Policemen. Now before you think I'm just being a jerk, know this, I appreciate ALL men and women who are involved in law enforcement, and fire fighting. My best friend is a Firefighter, and I am a future Policeman. However, many people can tell you exactly how many Firemen died on Sep. 11, 2001 (242 I believe), but how many Policemen died? I personally have never, ever heard the news report those stats. Just kinda take offence to it I suppose. Maybe I'm just being dumb though.

 

Fireman don't pull my FORD OVER AND WRITE ME TICKETS.

I appreciate cops and the work they do. The difference, I believe, is that Fireman are always helping people. Saving them or their homes rescuing the cat from the tree, helping the old lady with a flat tire.
Police do all this stuff as well, but they also write tickets and do other things that upset people.
Thats the difference.

 

Police are trained to be dominating; some don't need the training, as it's a natural kind of thing for them. Most people are more than a little intimidated by any type of law enforcement.

I have two brothers working in law enforcement and appreciate the work they and their coworkers do. It is a thankless job until they are needed.

haulingboat is right and probably does have the best answer about ‘writing tickets’, firemen on the other hand don't worry too much about someone pulling a gun and shooting them when they are called out on the job, so they tend to do a better job in the community relations department.

 

People do not like being told that they are doing something wrong and they will be punished if they keep it up.

 

Policemen used to scare me, that was until I tattooed a whole bunch of them....
Did you know they make regular visits to ederly people who have no one just to be sure they are safe and well....
There are so many things that cops do, that we as the public will never know.
I have heard many heart warming stories and they have my respect as much as the firemen do

 

EXACTLY.

I'm not a big fan of law enforcement officers. (to put it nicely) I've never had a positive experience with one, especially when I needed them the most.

Waxy

 

It's a ticket issue. Most police officers are viewed as "the one that stopped me for speeding", etc. You are far more likely to be pulled over by an officer for a traffic violation than need one when someone is shooting at you. When you encounter a firefighter or paramedic it's almost always a bad event and you want the help. I'm a firefighter in North Texas and am always trying to teach my Son to respect officers in the area. There have been many times that we have needed them on a violent scene and was proud to have them protecting us so that we could do our job. Most are not bad guys and are just trying to do their job. A police officers positive image is harder to keep but they are also here to keep people safe just as the firefighter.

 

Traxxis

I don't believe you're "just being dumb". Law enforcement is a darn scary job. There is no such thing as a routine traffic stop. One never knows what kind of situation is going to be happening on any call.

I lost two good friends to convenience store robbery/murders back in '93. The officers and detectives were all over it. One set of suspects had been staked out at a restaurant. When they came out, they were told to give it up. They decided to shoot their way out. They lost. Thankfully, no officers were injured or killed.

I've personally come to know some folks in law enforcement and I get a first hand view of what these folks go through. It's a thankless job.

My hat is off to all the folks who go in harm's way in our civilized jungles, be it to deal with crime, fire, or health emergency.

My .02 worth.

Oldbones

 

Well - I believe I can speak to this topic with some level of expertese. I am currently a cop and am in my 21st year of being a cop.

For the informed - police and fire folks are viewed about the same. Fireman generaly only respond when you really need one, fire, heart attack and etc. All recognize that as a good thing.

Public safety for police on the other hand entails a whole bunch more. It is all in the preception of the mission or job. We deal with the best people at their worst and the worst people at their best.

Example - you live in a neighborhood and have small children. You can't afford a nice private house with a fence and your street happens to be busy with traffic. Much of which speeds to get to and from. You really wish the police would do more to help you. One day you look out your window and see an officer writting tickets. You really appreciate that. Yet on the other hand you are the one getting the speeding ticket. You look at the cop like he is a jerk because he couldn't give you a warning. Your warning was the speed limit sign.

Unfortunatley - like this forum has to have moderators to control behavior so does the public at large. Some laws are created to keep people safer like seat belt laws.

Another thing people may not realize is that the federal government will come in and do traffic surveys on their funded roads. It the amount of persons speeding exceeds a certain level they will notify the cities that they have a certain time to get the traffic within complaince or lose that funding.

Sorry I don't have more time to expand but maybe latter. Just remember - dislike of police officers in general is being biased and is as bad as any...racial or otherwise.

 

Hey DougD, my hats off to ya and the rest of the like. I'm a firefighter (25 yrs) and certainly appreciate what YOU guys in law enforcement do. I have a friend who is a cop and he spends alot of time alone as many people just don't want to associate with cops or are intimidated by them. It is a thankless job for you guys and gals. Well here's a thank you from me.

 

Yep - And they don't like it when policemen are not there for telling someone else they did wrong.

You pay them (taxes) to do a job and when they do it, you (people in general) condemn them for it - human nature, I reckon.

On the other hand, the firemen can't do enough to screw up and when they do, are forgiven right away. Despite having the same character as a policeman, a fireman never (it seems and I know you know what I mean) has to shove his job down your throat after pulling you over for speeding home for supper.

 

I guess the reason is pretty simple.

A fireman can and will only do something to help you.

A Cop can be on your side, or the other side. 50/50 chance, I guess.

 

Thanks and as a side thought.

I don't believe that folks are intimidated by cops...it is just that they don't understand cops. It is a different culture, but not really. I mean I can scrape brains off a wall from a homicide while I am wondering what I am going to eat for lunch. But that is just through exposure to that type of service. You have to laugh about it otherwise it would kill you. Some of the things I laugh at I have to do silently because others will feel it is totally out of taste - and may be I guess.

Divorce rate is up with cops (and everyone else)- although I have been married 24 years. People need to be willing to stay comitted..

I think most cops just want to be treated like everyone else. When I go out or to a party - I suddenly become the topic. Some want to make jokes, others just want to talk shop all night...Me - I just want to talk trucks and fishing...

What I do find interesting is that when I first became a cop my only friends were cops that I hung out with. Now after 21 years I don't hang out with any cops...much...

 

If cops want to be treated like everybody else, They should act like everybody else.Granted, I agree with WAXY. It's hard not to cop an attitude if all your experiences are negative.I have family and friends in law enforcement and in firefighting. Maybe I'm biased towards the ones I know. I just seem to think they put themselves on a pedestal too often.I have no problem having a laugh with a good natured cop even while giving me a ticket.I din't like the ones who try to make you feel two inches big. Maybe they are the ones who got beat up as kids and want revenge.There are more good than bad, but the bad make you want to dislike most.Lady cops have always been alot nicer to me. You respect me and I will do the same. It's not automatic just because you wear a badge. It's a free country, Choose the living you want. None is more deserving than the other.I guess it makes me mad when cops think they are in charge 24\7. If your off duty, act like everyone else, not"I'm an off duty cop."I'm not one to start trouble but I've had to teach more than one cop a lesson. Firefighters don't seem to act like that.All the badge wearers I know personally never thought of themselves as heroes, ever.Alot of things considered heroic should be done by any red blooded human being.

 

September 11 2001. Alot of "heros!!!!!! Some were some poor souls trapped in an airliner, trying to rush monsters with box cutters, to avoid a successfull terror plot against our country. Young men and women over in Iraq and Afganistan right now, defending our way of life while risking there own. The list goes on and on.
I am a fireman and I get embarrassed when so much attention is given to people of my proffession. I do this job because my heart's in it. Some people are in this job to feed their ego! Some cops are in that proffession to protect and to serve. Some are in it so they can bully people. I know several police officers and feel strongly that an overwelming majority of police officers are there to protect and to serve. The bullies give the rest of them a bad name.
Next time you see a policeman, smile and say hello.