Why do cops use illegal force?
107545
You've not really asked a question, you are making a statement. Why the officer committed a crime is something only he can answer.
887206
because they usually are in no position to go to the cops.
502496
No, that's unethical and illegal, and not correct law enforcement practice.  Take it up with a superior at your local police station and make them pay for it.  This is why I don't think much of cops...they always seem to want to abuse their power...
233591
Because...THEY ARE CRIMINALS! And besides, we need them to keep cops busy!
912378
Folks flee from police and get clean away every day.  It's no major accomplishment - usually just good judgement on the cop's part not to chase some idiot who'll probably get himself or someone else hurt in the chase.  It's really amazing that the cops, who are encumbered with heavy equipment, unfathomable rules of engagement, and an almost totally hostile operating environment, ever catch anyone at all - especially young, healthy, and nimble kids who know the terrain.  My personal favorite tactic is to arrest the friends of the guy who runs and make sure I load them up with charges so that they'll kick the crap out of the runner later.
750149
Because ILLEGAL means NOT LEGAL.
1006075
I do believe that refusing a lawful order from a policeman, such as to get out of one's car, is a clear violation of the law, and is considered resisting an officer. \n\nPersonally, I think such people should have some teeth knocked out with a truncheon and a few lumps put on their heads, but that's just how I roll.\n\nAs for the dog, if the owner can't control it in a crowd, while the police are arresting someone on the ground, it certainly is the correct call.\n\nAgain, personally, I think that breaking it's little spine with a well placed truncheon blow would be better, but that's how I roll. I don't take kindly to vicious dogs on the loose.
646710
Oddly, there are some really good answers here.  I usually have to wade through all the donut cracks and Patriot Act garbage to see anything worth reading.\n\nHowever, the question leaves something to be desired.\n\nYou've said you hate to generalize, but that's exactly what you done, and you've done it on a grand scale.  On what do you base your hypothesis that cops get annoyed when people exercise their rights?  Talking about the Los Angeles Police Department alone, there's right around 10,000 cops there.  Your question makes it sound like you've witnessed an awful lot of them get annoyed when people exercise their rights...and that's just Los Angeles.  I'm assuming you don't know, and haven't watched, even 0.01% of the law enforcement officers in this country do their jobs and yet your question assumes cops get annoyed when people exercise their rights, that "almost all" law enforcement officers want people to know as little as possible about their rights, and that "every" time people exercise their rights, the police are "always" there ready to violate them.\n\nSounds to me like you have an agenda.\n\nHaving said that, I'm sure some cops do get annoyed, that they do it for the reasons others have mentioned here, and probably for other reasons as well.  Some cops are jerks...and so are some lawyers, some dentists, some plumbers, some senators and some housewives.  As a group, though, we take an awful lot of precautions in the hiring practices for people who are given the authority they are...something few other career fields do.  \n\nPersonally, I am one of the exceptions you say "may" exist.  I dealt with a 16 year old kid recently who adamantly refused to allow me to search his car.  I was very impressed with the way he communicated his wishes to me and his exercise of his right to be free from unreasonable search - and I told him so.  Then I searched his car, because it reeked of marijuana (which, as it turned out, is because marijuana was in it).  And no, he didn't get a ticket...the weed was destroyed, I thanked him for his time, and he drove away somewhat surprised.  I know I am not alone in my profession when it comes to my respect for people exercising their rights.\n\nAnd having said that, I have two last comments:\n\nI have been annoyed by people who *thought* they were exercising their rights.  People who stand there and demand to have a lawyer before they decide which chemical test to take (no such right in California), people who demand to see a search warrant that allows me to search a vehicle (don't need one, in 99% of cases), people who think they know the laws of arrest ("you can't arrest me, you didn't see me do it") when very often we don't have to actually witness a crime to make an arrest.  I don't mind people asking, and I will bend over backwards to answer and educate them, but this holier-than-thou, I'll-have-your-badge, I-know-the-law-better-than-you, and of course, I-know-my-rights-and-you-can't-do-that attitude does get annoying after a while.  \n\nI don't make enough money to go around violating someone's rights because I couldn't afford the punishment if I did...I don't know a single cop who does.  I know there are certainly some idiots out there who have, but if you consider the total number of police officers in this country, and the relative scarcity of news related to this topic, I hope you'll see that perhaps you aren't giving the profession a fair shake.  Sure...when we screw up we do it BIG...but we really don't do it as often as you're making it sound.  \n\nSorry for the length...it's a subject I could talk about for quite a while.
875820
In other words it is a police action.
174351
It is when police are breaking the law, as in taking bribes,\nand the 'higher ups' are in on it.
845433
My thought is that If you would just obey the law. This stuff would not happen. How easy is that. That is 2nd grade material. We all learned it. Plus we did not see the whole tape becasue of the Liberal left media is always portraying the police as bad cops.
286147
Cops don't lie. Don't be rediculous!\n\nRead the article below for more information.
633462
The sad reality is, the police are also our enemies.  To make money for the State, they have quotas.  They will actually stop a person going 5 miles over the limit, to reach their quota.  \n\nOften, the bad guys get away;people who are only slightly breaking the law, wind up footing the bill.\n\nThis truly is an act of war:  many people simply cannot weather a huge ticket.\n\nTruly, the police are not friends....they are money makers for the State.\n\nLearn the lesson: the policeman is not our friend.  They are instruments of the State to STEAL our money.  That's the gist of it.
92489
Partly because of interference from the civic officials who oversee them - law and order is a lot of what elected politicians make their stock in trade, and so interfere a lot to be seen doing something.\n\nAnd also because police unions tend to be quite powerful and influential with the public.
1009293
Police officers are taught to use their baton, or any force for that matter, as part of an overall escalation of force.  First and foremost\n\n1. Verbal.  Any cop who doesn't know how to diffuse most problems with his command presence should turn in his badge and get a job at Home Depot.\n\n2. Weaponless defense. (this is why I think all police officers need more training in the martial arts - or just be stronger than most of the general public.  (it would cut down on the use of higher level weapons.\n\n3. Mace, pepper spray or equiv.\n\n4. Baton.  A flex baton works the best.\n\n5. If all else fails, and the person is committing a felony and their is imminent danger which could result in death or great bodily injury to the officer or someone else, then the use of firearms is usually appropriate.
547317
They are illegal in NY, HI and CA. Because they view them the same as switchblades. Stupid states. Really they would be illegal in any state if the police wanted to arrest you for it.
330436
You know, it's probably best for me not to vocalize on this subject but I'm going to take the plunge and do so.\n\nI have had the same problem so far in my life.  I find that the Police are very arrogant and misuse their authority.  I know policemen that break the law regularly: smoking pot, taking steroids, and blowing off illegal fireworks on the 4th.  Yet, turn around and give me a ticket for going 5 miles over the limit.\n\nTruly, someone needs to do some undercover type work and expose many of the corruptions in the police force.  They are in a position to abuse authority...and they do so, and don't get caught.  They don't seem to view the public the same as other people do.  They have exalted themselves, in some way, above the public.\n\nIn the average cop, you'll find a good portion of Arrogance.