Cops over here carry guns, so it'd be highly unlikely for them to hug anyone, children included. The safety risks are just too high.

I've been hugged by a cop, on more than one occasion. The vest is a little strange, but overall, it's not a bad experience.

It's true, the "Kevlar undershirt" does feel a little odd. It has a sort of leaden, faintly flexible resistance.

Worse, if they're wearing the trauma plate like they're spoasta.

*hugs*

I can honestly say if I were holding a sign offering "free hugs" and some cop decided to ban my sitting there holding the sign trying to bring some, much needed cheer into the world... I would have a new offer for him.

Doesn't an active attempt to provoke a negative reaction so that you can get medieval on someone's buttocks set you back a couple miles on the road to enlightenment or something?

Nope... because I would not do this just to be a pain in the ass to a cop.
Though I bitch a great deal about cops, I'm actually a HUGE fan of the ten-or-so good ones.
That is why the majority fucked ones piss me off so badly.
*Hugs back Phil*
I hope everyone had a good holiday. Mine was mixed.

The vast majority of police officers are good, honorable men. Its just the negative ones seem to get all the press making them all look bad. Thanks to them for making (at least) my world a safer place.

the vast majority of police officers are bad, its just the positive ones cant stay the distance, because when they speak up about corruption, abuse, institutionalised racism, sexism etc., they dont get back-up when they call in for it.

Hmmmm. I have no doubt there are bad police officers, in the same way there are bad soldiers. Human nature dictates that the wrong people will be drawn to professions where they can mis-use power.

But the vast majority?

My Mum worked for the police for over 15 years - my experience of the police is of hard working, dedicated and reasonably fair-minded people - bearing in mind they deal with the dregs of society. They were all to the right of me politically speaking, but I rarely hold that against anyone, especially if they are the people I would turn to if I was attacked, raped, burgled etc.

(This does refer specifically to British police - I didn't want to enter the discussion when it referred to American or Australian cops as I have no personal experience with them)

Milgram anyone? Whenever someone gets power over another human, they become corrupt. Only a select few can avoid these forces.

They have to remain in control of every situation because things can get beyond their control very quickly. That's why they react aggressively to any resistance to their authority. Anyone that tries to do anything, even reason with them, other than obey, causes them to fear losing control.
They don't know you, they don't know if you're dangerous, so they have to assume you (and everyone) are. Sure, they are mostly A types, but their lives are on the line, every day.
I'm not excusing illegal behavior but try to understand where the attitude comes from.

When I Give public hugs, do I have to ask for proof of age (18+) to prevent child molestation charges? :confused:

You don't actually spend a lot of time with police in a good way, do you?

no .. i have to train the knuckleheads to be professional when dealing with drug users, dealers, prostitutes and pimps.
i very much understand what Sundae Girl and XOBruce are saying, but all of my dealings with the police has only re-inforced my dislike of them.
how bout you? squeaky clean and wholesome or got some background? ;)