Police get a bad rap. From the negative stereotypes, to the dread felt when you pass a cop car on the street, wondering “am I driving to fast?” or “are my stickers up to date?”

And anyone who’s gone to a house party in high school surely knows what “5-0” means.

Thanks to Hollywood, our collective perceptions of police officers tend to be a little skewed, often portrayed as crooked and jaded individuals, when in fact they’re just your average men and women.

If you were to go down to your local RCMP office and talk to the members, you’ll find they enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending time with their family. They like Star Wars, fried chicken, and video games.

Nobody’s perfect, and without a fathom of a doubt, every single person reading this has broken the law at some point in their lives, whether it be speeding, smoking a joint in college, or littering.

And while you might curse and swear on those flashing lights when you get pulled over going 60 in a 40 zone, it’s important to remember the person behind the wheel is concerned only with your safety, and the safety of others.