dakota.potts said:
When she went inside she was pointed to a couple of police officers who were already there after having made a different arrest. She asked the police officers if one of them could walk her to the car. One informed her he was busy and the other laughed at her and asked what she was so afraid of in the middle of the day He finally relented but walked far behind her.
Okay, let's understand this. A nice lady is pointed to two police officers who are there after having made an arrest. They're probably making sure that they have all the information that they need, names, addresses, dates of birth, witness statements, inventories of goods, everything that they need to successfully make the case.
I've been there, done that. It normally takes 30-45 minutes to make the case after you've made the arrest. If a cop has his notepad out, or if he's talking to witnesses, or if he's inspecting merchandise on a shoplifting case, he's busy doing the job he was sent to do.
We get it. Lots of time our job doesn't look like we're doing much, but in many cases, it's all important. Little things that make cases work. We've got to get it all down.
orionengnr said:
They work for us. When they forget it, it is time for a reminder. A rather forceful and public reminder usually lasts a bit longer.
We sure do, all cops are public servants. However, that doesn't mean that we're available immediately to everybody, especially when we're already on a call. Would you go into a mechanic's bay and demand that he drop what he's doing to look at your problem? Would you walk into a teacher's classroom and demand that she stop what she's doing to help you with a concept? No, you wouldn't, but people walk up to police officers all the time and demand immediate service.
Sometimes the answer is, "I'm busy.", but no one wants to hear that. Granted, the cop could have been a little more diplomatic, and I'd have probably asked if he could wait five minutes until I've finished talking with someone else.
I've even had people, not satisfied with the answer I gave them, whip out a cell phone and call 911. Really? Is that the best you can do when you get an answer you don't like? Yeah, I work for you, but right now I'm helping this fellow. You're next! Just wait your turn.