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I am from the UK and more so than ever I feel suspicious/guilty when I see a police officer, as opposed to safe/protected.
Post your country and your opinion in the comments.
If a police officer stops me, I would actually be very defensive, a police officer or a gangster stop me I would have the same kind of state of mind, nothing good can come out of it, the best outcome is nothing happens.
I was also in Cameroon for a month (still white) and boy every time I saw the police I knew I would be arrested and asked for money. Being white I knew I would be arrested every time they saw me but make no mistake, they arrests and steal everyone including their fellow citizens. Good stuff.
I feel relaxed and safe when I encounter the police. Were I stopped an officer I would do my best to assist them, and to be courteous. I would be surprised if the courtesy were not returned. My interactions with the police have all been positive.
FWIW I'm white British and I live in a pretty 'typical' area, crime-wise. I accept there's a good chance I would feel differently were I a young black male living in London.
Reminds me of that old saw, Heaven is where: The French are the chefs The Italians are the lovers The British are the police The Germans are the mechanics And the Swiss make everything run on time.
I used to be scared of police, but as I got to know a few cops and ex-cops and as I researched more statistics about police in America, I've grown to sympathize with them.
I think my attitude towards them is most similar to my attitude towards my immediate superiors at work: they could make my life hell if they wanted to, but they're generally good people.
I worry about non-LEOs that carry guns. Cops don't worry or bother me anymore. They're unpopular right now (thank you, sensationalist media), but they're generally doing a good job. I feel safe.
First I wanted to say USA may be different from others in the fact that silence can't be hold against you. If police detain you, the advice I hear from lawyers is to zip it. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGgKLgVNfAo is a great presentation featuring a former detective and a defense attorney)
In other countries, like UK - not giving an alibi in situ can be used against you.
In USA - I trust the integrity of the legal system, but the police are trained to use deception - ranging from gigantic pretexts, like posing as your telephone repair man, to simple bluffs and lies. (Funny spoof: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfF8OSlGhKk)
This creates a chilling effect of distrust which discourages informants. No one worth his salt can take a cop at his or her word. And I think the cumulative result that has on communities is drowned in relation to what we see with cop violence in the public eye.
Not having a line between community and police means cases can go unsolved and serious crime can go unpunished.