Author Topic: Cops Above The Law (Read 1722 times)

Gunslinger · « **Reply #45 on:** September 26, 2007, 04:44:12 PM »

What I find most ironic is the military police that I work with have a saying.

"we eat our own"

That is they bust there own for doing wrong more than they do others. It's not that they are a bunch of F ups but rather they hold themselves to a higher standard. How can you police others when you can't police your own?

Maverick · « **Reply #46 on:** September 26, 2007, 05:41:39 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Torque
why so defensive... it's a simple question?

Actually I'm not being defensive. I was trying to put your comment into perspective. You made a claim regarding all Police everywhere. I asked what your basis of experience was. You didn't answer the question.

In regards to your question. I can recall writing 3 Officers a ticket. I also wrote a DEA agent one. I participated in a line up for one Officer who was accused of rape. He was convicted and I am still pissed at him over 20 years later that I had to be in the same line up with him and I'm ashamed that he was guilty and an Officer.

As I stated earlier I wrote a City Councilman from my city, but that really doesn't count since to be honest, I didn't recognise him at the time. I would have written him anyhow if I had. I also wrote a City Judge. I thought about not writing him ( I was a rookie at the time) but he was a stand up guy and told me to treat him just like anyone else. He knew he blew the stop sign. Later on every time I showed up in his court he called me "dead eye". He also told each of my defendants the story and finished with "I had to pay my $35.00 and so do you". He was just one heck of a good guy ands I was sorry to see him retire some 25 years ago.

I didn't write every Officer I stopped. I didn't write my friend when I stopped him either. I also didn't write every stranger I wrote. I exercised my discretion as best I could but wasn't going to be some chickens**t salamander to those I cared about over something trivial.

If you think all cops let each other go for everything you are wrong. If you think they hammer each other over everything you are wrong again. We are still people, not some robotic ticket machine.

Dichotomy · « **Reply #47 on:** September 26, 2007, 05:50:10 PM »

The problem is Maverick there are less and less police officers like you and more and more of the 'you broke a law you scumbag' types gravitating towards your profession.

At least that's been the last couple of experiences I've had with my interactions with officers of law enforcement.

Maverick · « **Reply #48 on:** September 26, 2007, 06:06:17 PM »

Dichotomy,

Obviously I know nothing about the situation you are referring to. Let me give you another perspective to think about.

Try walking into a situation because you either saw something or were sent to a call. You know very little at all about the participants or even the situation. Yet you have to deal with both the situation and the people. Now realize that the attitude of the folks you are dealing with is intensely negative even before you have had the chance to say hi. They do not want you there and are expressing that feeling in very colorful language referring to you, your family and your profession. Keep in mind that everything you are dealing with there is regarding a rather petty situation. Now try this several times a day just about every day. What do you think your attitude might get like?

Rich46yo · « **Reply #49 on:** September 26, 2007, 06:08:07 PM »

Ive given so many breaks with tickets I could in no way count them. Ive given a lot of breaks with DUIs. I given a lot of breaks to young kids, and others, with small amounts of drugs just cause I dont want to pound them for life with a felony conviction. Ive given tons of breaks to all kinds of people from every race.

I am a "public servant". Not some little robot for this wretched system. They can stick their ticket books in the ears for all I care.

The whole thing started with these whiz kid college moron Bosses and their obsession with stats. That and they wanted to turn us into ticket potatos for their crummy revenue.

Im just glad my sun is setting and I'll be off this job in a few years.

Rich46yo · « **Reply #50 on:** September 26, 2007, 06:12:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by KONG1
Only one way to deal with these scoff-laws:

Citizen Arrest! Citizen Arrest!

But seriously folks. Rick46's post is most telling. A law enforcement officer who has no sense of objective morality, thinks there's something wrong with anyone expecting it, and assumes everyone else to be just as immoral.

Thing is, this type of "courtesy" (read criminal enablement) extends beyond traffic violations.

Junior isnt your mommy calling you?

Walk in my shoes for a week and then step in and talk like a fool.

Torque · « **Reply #51 on:** September 26, 2007, 06:44:58 PM »

easy mav... the initial thread was about officers ticketing each other for minor traffic violations and i never said anything about other serious crimes like rape.

my experiences... i grew up with cop culture, cop parties and having a brother who is a detective.

sure cops aren't robotic ticket machines and neither are they immune to the politics and pressures in the workplace.

i've just seen it too much to think otherwise.

Gunthr · « **Reply #52 on:** September 26, 2007, 07:14:19 PM »

from my experience, cops will most often not write other cops for minor infractions. but when it comes to more serious things like crazy speeding, careless or reckless driving, you will find more and more cops either writing them, or making a phone call to their superiors. also, you will find that for DUI, the cop's supervisor's will be called to the scene more and more, or just flat out arrested. these days,driver's liability is such a big factor in retaining a cop that there isn't much tolerance for driving issues.

cop culture is dynamic just like everything else, it changes over time. things are much different now than when i started, particularly in the Use of Force and so-called "professional courtesy" and the big "point five-oh", or 50% off meals and freebies... these sentimental traditions are falling by the wayside, often due to departmental rules and regulations, general orders or policy.

Dichotomy · « **Reply #53 on:** September 26, 2007, 07:17:02 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Maverick
Dichotomy,

Obviously I know nothing about the situation you are referring to. Let me give you another perspective to think about.

Try walking into a situation because you either saw something or were sent to a call. You know very little at all about the participants or even the situation. Yet you have to deal with both the situation and the people. Now realize that the attitude of the folks you are dealing with is intensely negative even before you have had the chance to say hi. They do not want you there and are expressing that feeling in very colorful language referring to you, your family and your profession. Keep in mind that everything you are dealing with there is regarding a rather petty situation. Now try this several times a day just about every day. What do you think your attitude might get like?

Ahhh yes but my attitude is always respectful and polite when dealing with peace officers. I understand that they (you) do a crappy job full of dealing with the scum of the earth on a day to day basis that is underpaid, under insured, and generally disrespected by the masses.

When I extend courtesy I generally expect to get it back. This wasn't the case in these situations. If you pull me over for any reason as you approach my car my hands will be in plain sight (side by side wrists on the steering wheel), the engine will be off, and if it is at night my dome light will be on. Even if you write me a ticket I'm going to continue to be as polite as possible but I have taken the time to get to know the laws and when I have the right to shut up. Reacting with the courtesy that is extended goes a long way towards building a positive relationship with the local citizens. I have to admit that I do tend to look at police cars with an air of suspicion these days.

Of course seeing as how I don't speed, know the fact that if I take a benydril and drive and run up against the wrong one I can be charged with a DUI, my tags are up to date, etc, etc, etc, I doubt I'll have to deal with very many of this ilk.

No slight intended towards you in any way, shape, or form, as I've said before I think you may be part of a, sadly, dying breed.

Gunth

I'll grant you that. We used to let any cop, fireman, etc, in for no cover if they showed proper id. Too many people started using fake badges and id's to skip the cover and we had to shut it down unless we personally knew the guy.

That, to be blunt, sucks.

Neubob · « **Reply #54 on:** September 26, 2007, 07:29:18 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Rich46yo
Junior isnt your mommy calling you?

Walk in my shoes for a week and then step in and talk like a fool.

Are you even a cop, Rich? You sound like a blowhard salamander to me, and nothing else. Generally speaking, the ones that blow the hardest on this board are also the ones who are full of it.

I'm betting that those 'shoes' you walk in are either flip-flops or Nike Air size 8s.

M36 · « **Reply #55 on:** September 26, 2007, 09:07:13 PM »

I'm a dick!!!!!!! And a jerk!!!!!

BTW, Maverick wrote me a ticket once, but I was 18 at the time. Still havn't forgotten that. Red light, Broadway/Rosemont, 1977 ring any bells??

Maverick · « **Reply #56 on:** September 26, 2007, 09:35:48 PM »

Yup and you deserved it too.

In 1977 I was fresh out of the academy and that location is not the area I was working in. That's Team 3 and I worked Team 2 at that time for most of the year then Team 1 for the last part of it. You sure it was me? 1987 I was in Team 2 and also Team 3 as a Motor

FWIW I got stopped on the afternoon before my High School Prom by a Motor that was still there as on the Dept. when I got assigned to Motors. He gave me a warning too.

Hey BTW tell Crouch and Kenny I said congrats on their National Police Motorcycle Competition win. Outstanding job! The competition is one of the things I really miss about the job.

AKIron · « **Reply #57 on:** September 26, 2007, 09:45:03 PM »

Contrary to what some probably believe, cops are human too. Most of us give special consideration to those with whom we share a bond. You want to get out of more tickets? Join the police force.

Slash27 · « **Reply #58 on:** September 26, 2007, 10:02:55 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Maverick
Frankly the ones most likely to get away from a traffic ticket were the Fire Fighters and their Para-Medics. Those were the guys that busted their butts to try and keep us alive.

jaxxo · « **Reply #59 on:** September 26, 2007, 11:53:12 PM »

cop gave me a ticket for "driving" in the HOV lane depite my blown transmission and smoking undercarriage...185 bux plus 4 grand for new transmission ..thanx for the break...Cops break the law and get a break great..give em a ticket and they post that junk..no pity from me