I spun a dad out today in the restroom at the courthouse.
When I walked into the restroom, this guy and his little boy, maybe four or five years old, were walking toward the sinks. The dad said to the kid "See, I'll have the police take you". I bit my tongue and did what I came in to do.
While I was, ummm... doing, I heard dad say "Wash your hands or the police will arrest you".
When I went over to wash my hands, the dad said "Be quiet or I'll give you to the police". Out of the corner of my eye I could see the kid look at me.
I looked at the kid, smiled the biggest smile I could muster without ripping dad's head off, handed the kid a badge sticker and told the kid:
"I haven't seen you do anything wrong little man. Don't listen to what he says."
I patted dad on the shoulder, winked and said "Way to go dad."
As I walked out of the restroom the kid was grinning from ear to ear, and the dad kept saying "HEY MAN!"
I just kept walking...
I'd love to see him file a personnel complaint...
Asshole...
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13 comments:
What a jerk. "Way to go dad", indeed. I hope that kid remembers your kindness. I HATE when people do that sort of thing to their kids. It teaches them fear of police and plants the seed of disrespecting authority.
I hope this jerk does file a complaint, just so he can be laughed out of the station.
Well done sir - I HATE parents who turn us into the boogie man they threaten them with - the same parents who wonder ten years later why their kids have no respect for police or authority...
When I was working at a grocery store fresh out of high school, this potential Mother of the Year candidate told her child that if he didn't take his hand off the belt, I was going to turn it on and it would eat up his hand. Sweet.
I've seen parents do that too. Surprisingly, I hear the same thing in my job as well. Some moron mother will have her kid out in the waiting room and instead of saying, "Sit down or I'll tan your hide.", she says, "Sit down and shut up or they're going to come give you a shot.". (I work at a dental office)
I'm too old and too ornery to let it slide anymore and tell them if they want to threaten their kid with something, it best not be something we're supposedly going to do to them.
It is so wrong to make children afraid of those who are their to help- be it the police or the dentist.
I heard the one that *Goddess* mentioned just today! I keep meaning to ask management if I'm allowed to put those parents in their place. Along with the ones who tell their kids to "shut up" in the meanest voice they have and so forth.....
Good for you for letting that kid know he was just fine.
I really hate it when parents see me in a uniform and then try to use me to threaten their kids into doing whatever. So frustrating. No wonder we have kids growing up to hate cops. All because of their parents.
My brother used to say "Aunt Meadowlark is embarrassed about how you're acting. She doesn't want to be around you when you act that way". I finally got smart and said "Oh, no, not at all, I think it's cute... go ahead and keep it up".
That stopped him from saying THAT!
Way to go!! There is not one day that has gone by that parent hasn't called in asking for an officer to come out and scare their child so they will be good!!!
"I'm sorry (ma'am or sir) we're not into scaring children to behave. If they are ever introuble, in the future, we would like to think that your child would trust the police enough to seek our help!!"
-Dispatcher
As a 23 yr officer , I TELL parents that your attempts to frighten your child will backfire BIGTIME if they ever get lost. Then, they will remember to be afraid of the Police.
What are you going to do then mom and dad ??
Oh, I hate it when people do that. Great job for turning it around on him!
I had one once where I was going into the 7-11 in a pretty ghetto area and this little boy about 4 or 5 saw me and smiled and said "Hi Mr. Policeman!"
As soon as he did, his momma/auntie/sister/whoever grabbed his hand and snatched him away and yelled "You don't EVER talk to the police! NEVER! That man is NOT your friend!"
All of that "thug life" crap is learned behavior, and that day I saw a nice little boy get his first lesson from a supposed parental figure. And there and then, there wasn't a damn thing that I could have done about it.
There are couple of little girls who I regularly see walking with their mother in my city. Every time they make it a point to yell out in unison "HI OFFICER!"
Some parents are doing the right thing.
I hate it when parents do this. Nice to see you put one in his place.
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