52

One of my new friends is/was a cop. Just found out about it. I genuinely believe ACAB, and this news has me conflicted because my new friend seems really cool and super nice. I don't know him super well yet, though. He's a big part of this new friend group and I don't know how to process this and how to deal with the fact he's a cop.

I don't want to look past the fact he's a cop, but I want to stay his friend and stay in this friend group.

Any advice for dealing with this shit?

I can't talk to my therapist about it until Thursday.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] Free_Opinions@feddit.uk 37 points 2 weeks ago

I genuinely believe ACAB, and this news has me conflicted because my new friend seems really cool and super nice.

What you’re experiencing is cognitive dissonance. New information is clashing with your prior beliefs, leaving you with a choice: either update your beliefs or double down and lie to yourself even harder.

[-] Susaga@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago

The thing is: which belief is the lie? Can cops not be bastards? Or is this guy not as nice as he appears to be?

[-] Free_Opinions@feddit.uk 4 points 2 weeks ago
[-] Susaga@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 weeks ago

How can you be so sure that's the lie? Is that not just your own prior belief? Why do others need to evaluate their beliefs, but yours should only be doubled down on? Is that not cognitive dissonance?

[-] Free_Opinions@feddit.uk 5 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

There are tens of millions of cops around the world. The idea that not a single one of them is a good person is so statistically improbable that I’d bet my life on it being false.

Can you name another broad generalization that applies to every single member of that group without exception?

[-] Susaga@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

It's not statistical probability. It's cause and effect. All cops are bastards not because of luck, but because only bastards remain cops.

Ever heard the phrase "Nazi bar"? You let one nazi stick around, then more nazis come in and people who aren't nazis have to either leave, be nice to the nazis, or put up with a lot of nazi attacks. Either way, the entire bar becomes full of nazis.

Law enforcement is a bastard bar. If you're not a bastard, you leave. If you stay, you're either a bastard, a bastard enabler, or you have a target on your back and won't be a cop for long.

[-] Olhonestjim@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

It's a private club that is only open to bastards. If someone stays, it's because the group decided they belong.

[-] Olhonestjim@lemmy.world -2 points 2 weeks ago

Oh yeah? You gonna open up to a cop? You gonna talk to him about stuff, maybe? You know, about that thing? What's he gonna do? Is he gonna write it down later? What if he finds out about your association with a minority? Is he gonna arrest your friend because of something you let slip? Does he hide when his friends and family commit crimes? Can you trust a friend like that?

Because the fact he chose a bastard job makes him a bastard.

[-] xigoi@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 2 weeks ago

I feel bad for you. The imaginary world you live in must be really terrifying.

[-] Free_Opinions@feddit.uk 1 points 2 weeks ago

Where I live, there’s a strict screening process to become a cop. It requires a three-year education, and you need a college degree just to apply. There are far more applicants than available spots, so even many good candidates don’t make it in. Trust in the police is generally quite high among the population, they’re respected, and every time a firearm is used for example, it’s investigated thoroughly. Officers do face legal consequences when malpractice is discovered.

So, yeah, I’d hang out with a cop and talk to them about the same stuff I’d discuss with anyone else.

[-] Olhonestjim@lemmy.world -1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Oooooh, so your opinion is irrelevant everywhere else. Have fun with the leopards. I'm sure they won't eat your face.

this post was submitted on 03 Dec 2024
52 points (69.7% liked)

Ask Lemmy

27210 readers
1449 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


6) No US Politics.
Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS