LJI XI-5: My enemies are all too familiar. They're the ones who used to call me friend (~1050 words)

[kehlen]

1.1. The police in the Soviet Union, and later, in Russia, were called militia until several years ago. A slogan about them, popularized by newspapers and movies, read "Our native (own) militia keeps us safe".

I have never had much to do with the militia. I have been to a precinct thrice of my own volition: at 18, to receive my first passport; at

Comments

[adoptedwriter]

I've only had one negative experience w a police officer. Not a bad record in all, but when you grow up being taught and wanting to believe that the police are there to help and protect you more than they are to punish you, (especially in a punitive way), the one negative moment stands out strongly.

My husband once was involved in a traffic accident (in 2012). (Not his fault) The cop refused to help much because he was retiring and did not want to do the work involved in citing the other driver! As a result, our insurance had to pick up our tab when it should have been the other driver's insurance...(and the other guy was insured!)

So frustrating!

[kehlen]

when you grow up being taught and wanting to believe that the police are there to help and protect you more than they are to punish you, (especially in a punitive way), the one negative moment stands out strongly.
Very well said. When you expect something different, those moments (even if they are quite rare) feel like a betrayal.

I am sorry your husband's accident was treated this way!

[fbhjr]

Some of my wife's family are police officers here in the US. So, I've never seen them as anything other than regular people. And, my trust is based on the person in question.

[kehlen]

I am not acquainted with a single one, so I never really "looked" at them before reading those books.

[roina_arwen]

Wow. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

Question here: Several people are still detained attending court dates - I think you mean “awaiting” or “pending” court dates?

[kehlen]

You're welcome :).

Oh, yes. I meant "awaiting". Thank you for the catch!

[elderwoodpixie]

I see what's happening over there on the news and I genuinely wish I knew how to help. I'm sorry that you don't feel safe in your own country. That's not the way it should be.

[kehlen]

Thank you!

Alas, yes, it has been going steadily south, but the current outbreak is remarkably violent as well as pointless.

[static_abyss]

Ah, the police. That's a whole other issue here in the US. It is very difficult to trust the police when you aren't sure whether the one in front of you is one of the ones who will shoot first or not.

In any case, I really like the way you presented this. The structure was very smart and effective.

[kehlen]

Thank you! I am glad it worked :).

While police are allowed to carry guns here, they don't use them anywhere near as often as they do in the US (thank god). We do see armed arrests on the news, but I have never seen a police officer draw their weapon in my presence.