For twenty years as a uniform police officer I was often walking the beat and the number of times I heard an adult saying to their small children"there's a police lady there ,if you don't behave she's going to lock you away in a dark cell"..so I'd make a point of taking the time to be friendly with the child and reassure them I wasn't going to do this.parents/carers/family responsible adults,please do not say this to your child.if s/he is lost,will they come to a police officer if they fear that they might be in trouble for wandering off and they will be shut in a cell?there's a chance not.so please don't use this,or a similar phrase,whatever your personal views of the police,they will always protect your child,don't make them think seeking out a police officer is scary .