A Simple Poll - Do You Trust the San Antonio Police Department? (apartments, insurance)

[majormadmax]

I would like to get an idea of how people feel about this topic. It has been debated in numerous threads, and there are several individuals who feel strongly on both sides.

So, a simple question...in general, do you trust the San Antonio Police Department?

Thanks for your input. How each person votes will be kept anonymous.

Cheers! M2

[RodLu]

I do not blindly-trust S.A.P.D. 100%, no.....I figured that I should at least give the respect of being honest about it.......

[ShaneSA]

I've not had any direct dealings with them. I've observed incidents and did not like the attitude that was displayed by the police. I'm not sure I could count on them to be nuetral and fact finding in a situation. They seem to make up thier mind on good and bad immediatly,

[sapphire]

Trust? No. I want a police officer who shows up at my house, and refrains from saying "well, we're only making a report, we'll never find out who stole your XXXXXX". I'm a realist, but seriously, is it not the job of the police to at least TRY to figure out who stole my crap, messed up my stuff, or whatever?

I've lived here over 25 years now, and I've never been "pulled over" by a San Antonio cop, so I can't speak to their professionalism as they're writing a ticket. I was guilty (along with several who some 25 years ago cut across the access road divider when the traffic on 410 was backed up during one of the many construction projects).....yep, I deserved the ticket and learned my lesson about waiting my turn....still got to work about as late as I was going to be anyway, it just cost me a little more. During that "stop" which was actually an assembly-line type of operation with one cop identifying who crossed over and the other one a few hundred feet waving us over (I assume there was a 3rd cop ahead who would actually chase anyone who chose not to pull over when waved over)....either way, he was nice enough, I guess.

I see cops texting, on their cell phones, driving horribly every single day. I have a real issue with this. They should be setting the example, in my simple little world, but they don't.

Would I want their job? Nope. I know they deal with the worst of the worst. But, they had to have known that before voluntarily signing up for the job. It's not like they're forced into it.

[Paul56]

No direct dealings with the SAPD.

Been here driving around for a year... never been ticketed. My insurance guy says that is unusual. though, I count on one hand the number of tickets after 40 years of driving.

I trust and respect them... until something happens to change that.

Blocking another vehicle that is not the subject of their attention shows a lack of respect for others.

Coming within an inch of my rear bumper when they pull in at a light behind me isn't a good thing either.

Do I still trust and respect them... sure.

[Sonny Chiba57]

Neutral on this one. They do come to the house when I call then chastise me cause I shoulda or coulda done this or that to avoid the incident I call them for. When they tailgate you on purpose (yes they do) to make you speed up so they can stop you for speeding makes me not trust them aytall....

[Bo]

It's clear from the media that there are bad apples in the SAPD, but the same is true in most large organizations with hundreds of employees. Chief McManus seems to be weeding out some of these. I'd like to think that most members of the force are well-intentioned and in the job for the right reasons. No organization is perfect, so I don't hold SAPD to that standard.

[Kin Atoms]

I've had many dealings with the SAPD to address civil issues. I've never had a problem. When I asked one officer if he could help quell my child's concerns about the police being 'bad people,' the officer allowed my child to look into the front and back seat and was very gentle. He spoke with him at his level and in a very nice manner.

I've called them many times for the apartments where I currently reside and they've been incredibly helpful. To be honest, in other towns where I've lived as a younger person, I've had problems with officers - 17 stops. And actually as I think of it, in one town, to avoid giving out a ticket, an officer provided concierge service, and drove my wife's car out of a tight parking spot. I actually like SAPD and I have tried to maintain my membership in their 100 Club.

[Azure110]

I think that overall SAPD has shown more professionalism than smaller towns surrounding San Antonio.

Bexar county deputies is another story however.

[HillCountryHotRodMan]

Why am I not surprised that less people trust the SAPD?

QA: Because so many people in this city are shady and they know it.