Bill Maher: We Need to Stop Saying Most Cops Are Good Until There's More Evidence

[SummerMadness]

Bill Maher: We Need to Stop Saying Most Cops Are Good Until There's More Evidence

Bill Maher suggested there should be a movement for people who have been victims of police brutality after a discussion on his show about police brutality.

During a segment on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher, Maher called out abusive police officers and the people who protect him on Friday.

 

[Snappy1]

Eh it's a fair point.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

I think most people have a dark side. I guess cops would be on that list too. Did Bill Maher play on groundhog day?

 

[Shiloh Raven]

Eh it's a fair point.

It is a fair point. I definitely would like to see such evidence before I can even start to trust the police without having some sense of suspicion and apprehension every time I see one standing near me.

 

[super animator]

Eh it's a fair point.

Based on no evidence.

 

[dysert]

Bill Maher: We Need to Stop Saying Most Cops Are Good Until There's More Evidence

So we need to start saying most cops are bad until there's more evidence? ("Most" is a pretty big word.)

 

[W2L]

How many police officers are in the US? Lets compare that number to the number of police misconduct incidents, and we will know how many cops are good verses bad.

 

[Snappy1]

So we need to start saying most cops are bad until there's more evidence? ("Most" is a pretty big word.)

No. Just don't say anything or reach any conclusion until you have said evidence.

 

[whatbogsends]

So we need to start saying most cops are bad until there's more evidence? ("Most" is a pretty big word.)

That's not what he said.

 

[Aldebaran]

Bill Maher: We Need to Stop Saying Most Cops Are Good Until There's More Evidence

Maybe you should search for positive stories about them rather than just the negative and race-based ones.

Here's a start for you: 10 Police Officer’s Amazing Acts of Kindness for Strangers

 

[Kenny'sID]

I think most people have a dark side. I guess cops would be on that list too. Did Bill Maher play on groundhog day?

Agree, and thing is, IMO, a lot of them join the force because it allows them to facilitate that dark side.

Then there are those who join for all the right reasons...I've seen both in action. But that doesn't do away with what I feel is a fact, the job tends to draw controlling as well as those with other undesirable issues.

"Insecurities" is a term that comes to mind right about now.

 

[whatbogsends]

[Staff edit].

What evidence do you think he needs to say that there's not evidence to say that most cops are good?

Maher isn't making a claim that "most cops are bad", his statement is about the lack of evidence supporting the claim made by some that "most cops are good".

 

[bhsmte]

I guess, one could take the number of demonstrated improper actions by certain police officers and compare that to the total number of police, for starters.

 

[Shiloh Raven]

You guilty of something?

No, I am not. I'm just an Indigenous person being wisely cautious since I have encountered some very rude and obnoxious police officers and state troopers over the years. I'm leery of them all.

 

[Aldebaran]

No, I am not. I'm just an Indigenous person being wisely cautious since I have encountered some very rude and obnoxious police officers and state troopers over the years. I'm leery of them all.

It's true. They do exist. I went to an airshow yesterday and was met at my normal spot by a police officer who told me I couldn't go that close and had to stay further back, followed by the question, "Is that okay?" The way he asked almost sounded like he was inviting me to argue with him. I simply said "yes" and found somewhere else to go.

 

[Ana the Ist]

No. Just don't say anything or reach any conclusion until you have said evidence.

What's going to be the evidence in this case? And who's definition of "good" are we going by?

 

[Ana the Ist]

No, I am not. I'm just an Indigenous person being wisely cautious since I have encountered some very rude and obnoxious police officers and state troopers over the years. I'm leery of them all.

Pretty sure we all have.

 

[SummerMadness]

Relevant to this discussion: most police officers (84%) have witnessed colleagues use excessive force on civilians, and most admit (61%) they don't report even serious criminal violations.

 

[whatbogsends]

[Staff edit].

I've seen nothing to suggest that cops are any more "good" than other people.

I don't agree with the statement "cops are good people".
I don't agree with the statement "cops are bad people".
I think the correct statement is "cops are people". That's the only one of the 3 statements that is supported by evidence.

[Staff edit].

 

[dysert]

I wonder who Maher would call if, God forbid, someone was trying to break into his house.