"Cop"

[phillygirl]

I've always disliked newscasters and whatnot using the term "cop" when talking about police officers. It is such a slang term that I find it disrespectful. Does anyone else think that, or am I just too formal sometimes with regards to speech?

[Adam]

Once upon a time, I heard that it was considered a derisive term by some, almost a slur. But that was a long time ago and it was a pretty minor objection by someone who wasn't even related to law enforcement in any way.

I work with police regularly. As I've said before, I handle extraditions for the Metro Nashville Police. Every single one of those guys (and the one gal) I talk to has routinely referred to themselves as "cops."

*brrrrrriiiiinnnnngggg*
"Hello?"
"Hey, Adam! It's the cops calling."
"Hey, Tony. Where are you headed today? Where's our bad guy?"
"We're going to Chicago next Tuesday."
"OK. Are they in the Cook County Jail?"
"No, this one is at Joliet. John Smith, male white, D.O.B. 6-23-74."
"OK, who's going?"
"Me and Jerry. Can you get us a cop deal on the Embassy Suites?"
"I'll see what I can do."

In fact, I've yet to run into any police officer in the US who took any offense to the term. What I have seen is that in formal addresses, they like to have their titles correct: officer, detective, sergeant, chief, etc.




As a side note: those guys have been incredibly lucky for the last several weeks. Every single flying-trip extradition (meaning more than 500 driven miles) so far throughout the months of January and February, during all of this crappy weather, has been either in Florida, Arizona, or Southern California, with the exception of one in Alameda County (across the bay from San Francisco). No Chicago. No New York. No North Dakota. Every. Single. One. has been at a nice, warm location. More amusing still is that in almost every case, I have hit on fantastic hotels for the federal per diem rate. Just two days ago, they went and got someone out of the Naples, Florida city jail, and they had to slum it at the Waldorf-Astoria Naples. Tough duty.

Yeah, I'm a hero....

[phillygirl]

I had once heard it was derogatory as well...and again, that was a really really long time ago, but it's always stuck with me.

I also find that it's disrespectful in a formal setting. Calling each other cops is one thing, referring to them as such in a news report is like nails on chalkboard for me.

[Gingersnap]

I had once heard it was derogatory as well...and again, that was a really really long time ago, but it's always stuck with me.

I also find that it's disrespectful in a formal setting. Calling each other cops is one thing, referring to them as such in a news report is like nails on chalkboard for me.

I think news readers should use the formal term of "police" or "officers" or whatever the real title would be. A lot of professions have nicknames that are fine informally but should be avoided on the news.

I'm sure none of the new readers or journalists would like to be called "newsies" on the air.

[phillygirl]

I think news readers should use the formal term of "police" or "officers" or whatever the real title would be. A lot of professions have nicknames that are fine informally but should be avoided on the news.

I'm sure none of the new readers or journalists would like to be called "newsies" on the air.

Yes, I try not to refer to flight attendants as "flying waitresses" to their faces.

[Adam]

I think news readers should use the formal term of "police" or "officers" or whatever the real title would be. A lot of professions have nicknames that are fine informally but should be avoided on the news.

I'm sure none of the new readers or journalists would like to be called "newsies" on the air.

Oh, I dunno. Could make for some amusing news reports....

"Smith was arrested today on multiple counts of mopery with intent to creep upon a government reservation after dark. He is being held pending arraignment. His shyster, Paul Wilson, released a statement saying that "the cops are all wrong on this; Smith's shrinks clearly say that he's a loon...." The cops who arrested Smith are now desk-jockeys, having been caught with hookers just after booking Smith. Apparently, according to reports, they went to a bar and the wench there led them to a whorehouse specializing in coyotes, desk monkeys, WOPs, and chinks...."


The evening news would never be the same.

[Gingersnap]

Oh, I dunno. Could make for some amusing news reports....

"Smith was arrested today on multiple counts of mopery with intent to creep upon a government reservation after dark. He is being held pending arraignment. His shyster, Paul Wilson, released a statement saying that "the cops are all wrong on this; Smith's shrinks clearly say that he's a loon...." The cops who arrested Smith are now desk-jockeys, having been caught with hookers just after booking Smith. Apparently, according to reports, they went to a bar and the wench there led them to a whorehouse specializing in coyotes, desk monkeys, WOPs, and chinks...."


The evening news would never be the same.

Gee, you make it sound so.......interesting. I might watch.

[Adam]

Gee, you make it sound so.......interesting. I might watch.

I aim to please.

[Celeste Chalfonte]

Yes, I try not to refer to flight attendants as "flying waitresses" to their faces.

Shrinks get touchy when you call them that.

[Frostbit]

Shrinks get touchy when you call them that.

So do Ambulance Chasers.

[Gramps]

I had once heard it was derogatory as well...and again, that was a really really long time ago, but it's always stuck with me.

I also find that it's disrespectful in a formal setting. Calling each other cops is one thing, referring to them as such in a news report is like nails on chalkboard for me.

I think I have an analogy for you somewhere.

[Michele]

I had once heard it was derogatory as well...and again, that was a really really long time ago, but it's always stuck with me.

I also find that it's disrespectful in a formal setting. Calling each other cops is one thing, referring to them as such in a news report is like nails on chalkboard for me.

Same same. We were always raised to say "police" because the word "cop" was supposedly not respectful. I still say "police" now probably more out of habit than anything. The other day on a news program, I heard a policeman say "cop"..it made me do a double take.