Posted: 1/8/2006 8:05:45 AM EDT
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Looking for some honest opinions, clarification, etc. Do you folks think of the word 'Cop' as a trigger word? My uncle is a retired LEO from Detroit - he retired about 79 or 80. He was on the Metro Squad during the riots of 67, and rode a bike around Detroit for many years. And it was a Harley. IIRC he was in the 13th. Anyway, I used the word 'Cop' around him once as a teenager, and he schooled me about not using that word again. He told me it was disrespectful, and all LEOs felt the same. If you check my posts, you'll see I still use LEO instead. I spent almost 4 years working around LEOs back in the mid 80s, and that word was occasionally used by them to describe themselves. Was that a generational thing, regional thing? It was derogatory back in the 70s but not now? It came up in conversation this morning, and I finally said FI and asked here. Appreciate it. |
This may sound ridiculous, but I, a LEO (that’s JBT for some people ) have observed fellow officers describe themselves or others like that, but prefer others outside our line of work to call us police officers, deputies, etc.Most commonly when used by one leo describing another is "Mike, yea, I know him. Good cop, heck of a nice guy" or something like that. Maybe its just us watching too much TV?  Art in KY |
Cop to me means police officer as most of the negative meaning has been lost. I do not think just because someone calls me a cop it's disrespectful. Its all in the tone they use it.  Some folks can really tell off a LEO and use Sir and still be very rude. I have seen some LEOs get all upset by the use of the word cop, but I'm not as demanding of respect towards myself just because I'm a LEO. Either way, they get the last word and I get the last act. Hell, I'm even warming up to JBT.....ok maybe thats too far for in person conversations. |
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The other day - well last weekend - I was talking with 2 BPAs, and got around to a class they took; 'sensitivity, trigger words, etc.' I asked about this word, and they didn't see a problem, but like above as long as it wasn't used with disrespect. Also told me they knew it was a bad word, but in years gone by. I asked my uncle about 1.5 yrs ago when he visited, and just got the 'it's disrespectful' speech. Glock918, We used to use that 'heck of a nice guy' statement when a boss was around and we wanted to call someone an AH. Didn't take him long to catch on.  Anyway, thanks guys. |
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IMHO, the word is in such common usage that is is pretty much sterilized. At least the term has some historical significance as opposed to most modern disrespectful "street slang." Most little kids only use the term as that is all you hear on tv, games, etc... I really don't care either way. Its better than Rookie, Barney Fife, Youngster, Po-leece man, Cracker, Trick, A**hole, One time, Po Po, Whiteboy, Wiggum, Porky, Bull, Fool, Hack, Punk, Bossman, D***head, The Man, Motherf***er, Sweetchuck, C***s***er, County Mountie, Pig, Swine, Crooked-a**-motherf***er, Furman, Boy, Boss, Dudley Do-Right, Tired-a** fool, C**k, White Devil, Biz-natch, Puto, Five-oh, Fuzz, Meter Peter, Ca-fe, Maricone, and Bacon though. |
| My personal opinion is that being called a cop is no different than being called a deputy. It does not bother me to be called a cop, as most poeple simply associate it with being the police. I can think of many other things I have been called on duty that were much more disrespectful than being called a cop. |
What NorCal doesn't mention is he was called all that... in one shift. 
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| The word Cop first came about as an acronym from Citizens On Patrol I was told back in the first part of the 1900's. I haven't found out why it's supposed to be disrespectful. I don't take it that way. If I'm going to be set off, it's going to be something anyone can understand why. |
Citizen On Patrol, Constable On Patrol, short for the copper badges or copper buttons on the uniforms or the word cop from the 1700's that means to nab or apprehend. Take your choice. |
I do not think it is offensive and know a lot of cops that think it is a sign of maturity in the profession. You can be an officer when you come out of the academy but you are yet to be a "Cop" until you have experienced the job enough or have earned your way. It may also be which part of the country you are from as to whether it is offensive. That is the case with a lot of police slang, terminology, codes, et. My personal opinion is that if a cop is offended by the word cop, then he is too sensitive for the job. |
In a thread in the mod/staff forum 
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I don't take myself , or life in general, that seriously. I am a Texas Peace Officer....that's what my license says. I'm a cop. The TV show is called COPS. I do not consider it a slur. When it is prefaced by Fu**ing....it is not good. The word cop is now ingrained in our culture and means police. No big deal. I have been called many things on the job. What badguys don't know is that I run a lottery....call me "fuzz" one night and you may walk, "heat" on another, "the man" might get you in the pot. Pig....will get you a beating  Just kidding. I don't beat people that don't fight me.My family have been cops since the 1950's. Never heard any of them bristle at the word cop. But this was Chicago. |
Close, it comes from way back when the Brits wore copper helmets. I have no idea why any cop would feel being called a "cop" would be derogatory. |
Because at one time is was used as a slur against PO's Like calling someone from Japan a Jap. Just shortens the word up, but it is disrespectful. My father doesn't like being called a "cop", but he doesn't take offense, as that is the accepted term for PO nowadays. If you really want to get his goat, call him Law Enforcement.
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I think it's kind of a regional thing also-when I was a COP in Illinois, we called ourselves cops as did the general public. When I moved to Texas and was in the academy I made a reference to "cops" and was told not-so-politely that in Texas we are police officers or "po'leece." I'll take cop over "po'leece" any ol' day. |