Cops are often the target for some pretty nasty verbal ammunition. In fact, they endure some things that would make the average person explode into a fit of rage. But police officers have to stand there and take it. It’s part of the job, unfortunately.
And always, without fail, officers should keep their anger in check, even when people say things like …
1. “I pay your salary, Barney Fife. So do your job and find the crook who stole the three dollars from the purse I left lying on the seat of my unlocked car.”
These types of comments often spill and flow freely from the lips of unemployed crackheads and other folks who often do not pay taxes.
2. “I called twenty minutes ago. Where’ve you been, eating donuts?”
Normally said to cops by 325 lb. unemployed geeky guys who’re standing hiding in the foyer behind a locked screen door.
3. “I play golf with the chief and he’s going to hear about this tomorrow.”
Words spoken by a great number of people who’ve been arrested for DUI on Friday night.
4. “I’ll slap you if I want to because I’m a woman and you can’t fight back. That’s the law.”
Said the sobbing female who struck the police officer’s face and quickly found herself cuffed and stuffed. “I didn’t mean it. Please don’t take me to jail. Pleeeeeeezze!” she said from the rear compartment of the officer’s patrol car.
5. “What’cha gonna do, tough guy? There’s six of us and one of you.”
Of course, the other five are standing behind this nutcase, shaking their heads from side-to-side, indicating they don’t wish to support their friend during his sudden and foolish moment of stupidity, a time that often precedes pain compliance and the word “ouch” shouted repeatedly by the “brave” guy as the officer “gently” applies handcuffs to his wrists. The others usually and wisely go on their way.
6. “That badge don’t mean nuttin’ to me. Come and get me.”
It’s at this point that, and I’ve never figured out why, the guy starts backing away while forcefully removing his gravy-stained t-shirt, typically exposing one of two classic body types—that of a beanpole with xylophone-like ribs, or a belly that resembles a sideways beer keg encased in flabby and sweaty ,undulating, hairy skin.
Personally, I’ll take the blubbery obese guy any day over the wiry one because they’re slower and easier to handle. The skinny ones, well, you have to use an extra amount of caution when arresting them because when riled they’ll climb you like a squirrel, punching, clawing, gouging, biting, and kicking, up one side and down the other.
7. “Umm … there’s no need to tell my wife(husband) about this, is there?”
Spoken by most of the naked people who’ve been caught in the backseats of cars on deserted dead-end roads.
8. “I’m gonna %$^# your mama/wife/children/mother-in-law/family dog when I get out.”
Cops hear this, and other combinations of the same thing, all the time. Spoken by every drunk in town.
9. “You no-neck son-of-a-bit**. Take off these cuffs and I’ll kick your ass!”
Again, spoken by everyone who blows over a .12 on the Breathalyzer. And who, by the way, had every opportunity to open their cans of “whup ass” prior to the cuffs going on. It always amazed me how the application of handcuffs saved the lives of so many officers who arrest people, especially the people who couldn’t fight their way out of a one-man boxing match.
10. “You and who else is taking me to jail? ‘Cause you ain’t man enough to arrest me.”
These unfortunate words normally come from the smallest guy in the room, the guy who’s trying to impress his friends. And this is the guy who, when you make the move to handcuff him, flails his arms like a windmill, with fists balled up. He sometimes breaks down into some sort of martial arts stance. And, he often reaches into his pocket, pretending to go for a weapon that isn’t there. Luckily for these guys, the hospital and excellent ER physicians are often standing by between the point of arrest and the county jail.
And, as a bonus, the ever popular … “I know my rights, Kojak. My uncle’s barber’s sister’s husband’s third cousin on my mama’s daddy’s side of the family used to clean the floors at a law school. So I’m suing your ass. Yeah, that’s right. Things about to get real up in here.”
See everyone in the list above.
