Common Stereotype: Good or Bad?

By: Samantha Martinez

One of the most common stereotypes about police officers is that most eat doughnuts and drink coffee throughout their day. Even in television shows like, " The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" the stereotype is portrayed. The stereotype goes way back to the 1950's because their was a lot of doughnut shops frequently visited by police officers.  I mean what is so harmful about eating doughnuts and coffee during break? I think even people who are not police officers usually have  a doughnut and coffee throughout their day, but they do not get stereotyped off it.Even some police officers may not like to eat doughnuts. In my opinion,  I wouldn't mind eating doughnuts on my break and the public judging me off it, but people should not assume thats what cops do all day.  Cops have duties to complete like protecting the people and the community.

More often,during night shifts back in the day, doughnut shops were usually opened 24 hours a day. So cops would go there to fill out paper work or any other duty.Former Seattle Chief of Police Norm Stamper stated, " They could pack lunch, pray for all night diner on their beat, or fill up on doughnuts. Doughnuts usually won out. They were, to most palates,tasty, and they were cheap and convenient." There is still a few doughnut shops that are opened 24 hours a day and are visited by police officers. A website named  The Policy Daily even posts picture of police officers with donuts or any sugary foods.There is actually some doughnut places named, " Cops and Doughnuts," in Michigan. I find that very amusing and maybe one day I will visit one. 

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-doughnut-loving-cops-became-stereotype-180956730/
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/09/started-cops-eating-donuts-stereotype/