Why are the police called "5-0" by some people? I've always wondered that!?
355660
It is a slang term for policeman, which began after the Hawaii 5-0 show-\n\n"The term five by five refers to the two measures of signal strength and readability; it is derived from older HAM radio instruments that were scaled from zero to 10 with 10 being the strongest. A five by five would be interpreted as 50 percent signal strength and easily readable, perhaps with some static or band clutter. A 10 by two would have a strong signal, but be broken and hard to understand, while a two by 10 would contain a weak signal, but be perfectly clear. A 10 by 10 would be very strong and crystal clear."\nHawaii 5-0" was the name of a (fictional) state police agency in a television series of that name. You can learn more than you could ever wish to know at http://www.mjq.net/fiveo/fiveofaq.htm\nWhy 5-0? Because Hawaii was the 50th state admitted to the U.S.
1055197
I have to agree with the majority of answerers....nowadays we see inverted racism with a bias against the whites.   I feel sorry for the police in having such a difficult job where they are damned if they do and damned if they don't!
793288
To clarify Randy D is correct about the origins of "Cop".  Badges use to be made of copper and the public would refer to the police officers as "coppers".  That's why you hear the term in older gangster movies.  \n\nAnd to ditto some others here, police do more then fight crime.  It would be incorrect to call them such.  They also assist in other calls for service like accidents and assisting citizens with non-criminal activities.
567210
HELL YEAH MAN! I mean that they may be at times ignorant and selfish and a bunch of dick heads but when it comes to dealing with crime all one needs to do is provoke them. Indian police tend to use all that a police man can and cannot do. They may be violent and all but they get the job done and dats all dat matters.
1077601
Because they live the reality of knowing that every day, every traffic stop may end up in some idiot blowing their heads off.  The stress kind of gets to them, as it would anyone.  Also, because of the low pay most officers get, many perhaps better qualified people will simply not apply for the job as they wish to provide a better standard of living for their family.
1102670
beating and using force to restrain is a very different kettle of fish. \nwhoever it is, whatever colour they are, whatever they might have done, the police have a responsibility of moral codes, codes of conduct and how to handle situations. this does not include beating anybody!!! the problem is the kind of people who want to become police generally have some power tripping problem, and therefore are not the people who you want in a police force. \nwas the black guy poor aswell? that would explain it.
417945
I don't know why they think the police are so above reproach.Like you said, there is a small number of people in every police dept. who use the badge to brutalize people, and do illegal things under the guise of authority.
1106720
As a 17 year veteran of the Security Business, I believe they feel threatened by us in that here are a bunch of untrained louts (which may have been true long ago) acting as Cop-wannabes. Police have a tendency to be a rather exclusive group, and they don't like any competition, and feel that they are the only ones to do the job of protecting the public and acting as a uniformed visible deterrence to crime. The difference is that we (Security Officers) protect private property, and the Police protect the public and public property. True, we don't take as extensive training as they do, and the reality is that some Provinces and States don't require any training at all. I live in British Columbia, Canada, and our initial and ongoing training is more extensive than most other Provinces. We don't carry any weapons, handcuffs or restraining devices, no pepper spray or taser devices and we don't wear any body armour, but are often expected to approach and restrain (until the Police arrive which could be 15 to 30 minutes where I am) the same dangerous criminals that the Police deal with, and they have all of the above equipment, including firearms, to protect themselves. I have been attacked by both unarmed and knife wielding assailants and luckily due to my extensive hand-to-hand combat training I have survived said assaults. So ultimately, I think it is jealousy and a "Good Ole' Boys" mentality that drives this attitude, and I mean no disrespect as I have a lot of respect for the Police and they do have to put up with some pretty horrific situations, that clearly has an effect on how they see the world around them. Not all Police officer think this way however and I have been at times both glad and disappointed at their response to our work. Chin up and be proud of what you do as we do provide a valuable service, and were created to fill a hole the Police were unable to as the crime rates increased and property crime was something they were no longer able to effectively deal with these crimes. Our Motto is "People, Property and Information" are the things we protect in that order without exception. Be Careful out there OK !!!!
1038965
Cops are not always the bad guys.  Just like in any profession there are those few who ruin it for the rest of us.  If you give a cop respect you will be surprised what he/she are willing to do for you.  But, when you get attitude and people who are not willing to cooperate unfortunately these things happen.  Yes, people bring this on themselves more than you know.  People tell their children that cops are the enemy and no good, that at times comes from parents who are up to no good themselves.  It's just easier to tell the truth, because once you lie, you have to continue to make up another lie and another and then you look stupid.
576076
I've been reading the news, and I've read that over 100 people, police, civilians and gang members have been killed in gang attacks on police stations.  Did you read or know of that?  Well, then guess what the police retaliation was all about.  Remember that the police in some countries, are not as restricted by the courts as our's here in the States.
711452
I cannot understand why we have to pay more out of our taxes for these people when the money should be spent on proper Police Officers.\nI find most of those that I have met to be very rude and offensive and all they seem to do is pretend they are real Policemen/Women.\nAll we need on this country (UK) is a professional well paid police force able to do the job by getting out of their high powered cars and back on the street where they belong rather,than getting part timers to do their work for them.
893477
That makes no sense...of course not - especially if you're court ordered.\n\n"The 5th" only protects the accused.\nIf you're a witness - you're not accused....yet
10614
There is a certain  mentality that it takes to be a cop, and its not really a good one. People who become cops usually do it because in ordinary life they think thier above everyone else, so they look for a job to compliment thier mental pattern.
1042931
"The Fuzz" is commonly used as a pejorative for the Police. It is unknown where this term came to its meaning, though it likely evolved from a code used on the streets to communicate the presence of a police officer. The Fuzz can also be seen as a smaller portion of "The Man", and large congregates of the Fuzz will eventually become more accurately described as being The Man.\n\nThe term cop likely comes from "constable on patrol"
665410
It's hard to say... I don't want to lump them all in one category.\nBut a police officers job is to Protect and Serve, and I think they forget that sometimes.
24791
does this question really need an answer? as a law abiding citizen, i am shocked at your callous nature. police men and women risk their lives every day protecting our streets and keeping our communities safe. if they want to take an extra few minutes to wipe the powder from jelly donuts off their uniforms, let them. if they can't call you back because they have three chocolate eclairs stuffed between their fat lips, fine. if they have just opened up a fresh box of ho hos, give them an extra minute or two to enjoy the aroma. \n\nyou don't happen to wear a sweater vest, do you?
607163
the real criminals are to dangerous or dealing for the cops. it's easier for them to pick on law abiding citizens who will take their crap, without fighting back.\never notice how the cops have an excuse for any wrong they do, very scary...