WHY ARE ALL COPS SUCH ASSHOLES?

[Cheyenne]

Fake id? You deserved to be arrested. Quit whining and take your punishment like the adult you were pretending to be.

Traffic tickets? Same answer as above. BUT, I also agree with Payne. Go to court, be sweet as pie, and you may get lucky. I've had one warning ticket and two speeding tickets, and I deserved all of them and then some. In both cases with the speeding tickets, I went to court and didn't deny that I was speeding. I just asked if there were any other options. In both cases, the points were reduced. The fines stayed the same, but the points were reduced. Seemed like a good deal to me.

 

[Laurel]

I'd also like to think there are people like me, who aren't in the slightest bit religious (though that doesn't mean I'm not spiritual) who realize they're accountable for what they do....even when they fuck up.

no no NO patryn! Don't you watch the 700 Club? If you don't belong to one of the world's religions, or if (shudder) you make the choice to not believe, then you're doomed to be completely devoid of morals. You're also a communist, and you eat your own young.

What? You say some of the world's most depraved criminals were Christians, Muslims, or Jews? Ah, but that doesn't count, you see. THEY'RE saved.

 

[Bliss]

... Jews ...saved

Only if they're Messianic Jews

 

[teresafannin]

All cops are not assholes-there are always some bad ones, but I have found that most of them are good people trying to do a difficult job. When my son was killed, the police department did everything to help us, yes, there were some mistakes, but they genuinely tried to do the right thing. I have no sympathy for fake ID violations. My ex-husband spent too many years in the county ER putting drunk teens back together after they had one too many beers. Laws are to protect & I don't want to lose another young member of my family. Go to court, throw yourself on the mercy of the judge & clean up your act. If you want to be in law enforcement, breaking the law is not a good wayb to start. Good luck.

 

[Aranian]

I'm sure there are police who cross the fuzzy line and abuse their station from time to time, but more likely by mistake or misunderstanding than intent.

Have to disagree here. If I'm pulled over for abusing the speed limit, I get a ticket - period. The law delineates what is and is not speeding - there's nothing "fuzzy" about it.

I think my intent here was misunderstood because of that poorly thought out sentence.

Police misconduct, when it IS asserted as misconduct, should not be tolerated. However, some of the situations that law enforcers encounter go beyond what's covered in standard procedure. Meanwhile, the media are always circling like a bunch of carrion birds just waiting for the first tidbit so they might mutate it into some scandalous monster.

From a spectator's point of view it's easy to say "The cop should have done this, that, or the other thing," and in the mind's eye he suddenly becomes a power hungry, black hating, antisemitic, teenager loathing, red car hunting, harpy with a ticket quota to fill. -ie. the dreaded "Bad Cop"-

I think profiling works both ways.

Off topic, here's a bunch of rather amusing true cop stories by an ex cop. http://www.cherdoo.com/cop.html

 

[Laurel]

LOL, Aranian! That's a cool link...

 

[Lajo]

The Great Police Officer

Well, Mr. Citizen it seems you’ve figured me out. I seem to fit neatly into the category where you’ve placed me.
I’m stereotyped, standardized, characterized, classified, grouped, and always typical. Unfortunately, the reverse is true.

I can never figure you out.

From birth you teach your children that I’m the bogeyman, then you’re shocked when they identify with my traditional enemy..... the criminal !
You accuse me of coddling criminals: until I catch your kids doing wrong.
You may take an hour for lunch and several coffee breaks each day, but point me out as a loafer for having one cup.
You pride yourself on your manners, but think nothing of disrupting my meals with your troubles.
You raise hell with the guy who cuts you off in traffic, but let me catch you doing the same thing and I’m picking on you.
You know all the traffic laws.....but you’ve never gotten a single ticket you deserve.
You shout " foul " if you observe me driving fast to a call, but raise the roof if I take more then ten seconds to respond to your complaint.
You call it part of my job if someone strikes me, but call it police brutality if I strike back.
You wouldn’t think of telling your dentist how to pull a tooth or your doctor how to take out an appendix, yet you’re always willing to give me pointers on the law.
You talk to me in a manner that would get you a bloody nose from anyone else, but expect me to take it without batting an eye.
You yell something’s got to be done to fight crime, but you can’t be bothered to get involved.
You have no use for me at all, but of course it’s okay if I change a flat for you wife, deliver your child in the back of the patrol car, or perhaps save your son’s life with mouth to mouth breathing, or work many hours overtime looking for your lost daughter.
So, Mr. Citizen, you can stand there on your soapbox and rant and rave about the way I do my work, calling me every name in the book, but never stop to think that your property, family, or maybe even your life may depend on me or one of my buddies.
Yes, Mr. Citizen, its me.... the lousy cop !

The author of this article was Trooper Mitchell Brown of the Virginia State Police. He was killed in the line of duty two months afetr writing the article.

 

[Whispersecret]

Of course, 'cause you can always blame the evils of the world on those who don't follow your religion.

Laurel, I got the feeling you were teasing me, but I'm gonna answer anyway. <winks> I don't have a religion, per se, and the evils of the world are far too complicated to lay at any particular doorstep. I think "good" people sometimes unwittingly contribute to the evils of the world. While organized religion has been responsible for some really horrific stuff, the basic tenets (Don't steal, lie, murder, etc.) are valid.

I'd also like to think there are people like me, who aren't in the slightest bit religious (though that doesn't mean I'm not spiritual) who realize they're accountable for what they do....even when they fuck up.

Patryn, of course there are non-religious people who hold themselves accountable. I'm one of them. I didn't mean to suggest that people who don't believe in God have no morals or don't take responsibility for their actions. I'm embarrassed that you might have thought I was the type of person who would come to such a ridiculous conclusion.

I was just pointing out that there seems to be a general trend toward shifting blame away from ourselves and a decrease in the number of people who actively practice a religion, and that I suspect there may be a link. That's all.

I think that when you have kids you suddenly start looking at the world through a different set of eyes. At least, that's what's happened to me.

<glances down at her feet and tries to dislodge the soapbox, but is unsuccessful>

 

[April]

no no NO patryn! Don't you watch the 700 Club? If you don't belong to one of the world's religions, or if (shudder) you make the choice to not believe, then you're doomed to be completely devoid of morals. You're also a communist, and you eat your own young.

So what's wrong with being a communist? Why is that so bad? It's merely a different system of government.

 

[Laurel]

Of course I was just teasing you, WS - because you don't pay attention to me and it makes me feel like you don't love me anymore. You know, if we're through you should just say it. You don't have to lead me on...

April - I was just being a butt.

See what you get for being a smartass? I'm going to clam up for a bit.

 

[Fallen Angel]

One problem here is oh let's call it the peanut rule. You put a handful of peanuts in your mouth and start chewing. If one of them is rancid and rotten you spit out the whole mouthful. You also look real careful at all the other peanuts expecting some of them to be bad too. The same goes for law officers, you may meet 50 of them with a few of them nice, easy going people and the rest just guys doing their job but it only takes one asshole to ruin your day, your record, and your life.

SeXyReDHeD brings out one very good and seemingly overlooked point, why is it that when dealing with the law those who refuse to co-operate and raise a big stink tend to get off lightly while those that try and be nice and co-operate get shafted? Don't feed me the crap about if you broke the law you deserve what you got. I could go for that if the law was applied equally to everyone but it ain't and it never will be. Whenever you are dealing with law enforcement the first rule is never admit to anything even when they are waving proof in your face. This may seem a bit extreme but experience and observation over the years has shown that it is the best policy. When you start co-operating they think that you are hiding bigger things (it comes from dealing with the worse of society and leads to thinking everyone but cops is slime). Second rule is don't act cocky or beleaguerant.

Now my advice to you SeXyReDHeD is get a lawyer. The slicker the better. Ask around someone will know which one can make this just shrink down to nothing and probably get the last ticket dismissed too. Remember it only takes money. It is up to you to decide if you want to invest the time amd money to clean up your record now. This will not help if you don't stop getting into trouble and reckless driving will get you or someone else dead.

Good luck and remember to smile at the cop if you get stopped again. It may not help but it can't hurt.

 

[April]

I'm sorry, Laurel. Been bashing for so long, I've plumb forgotten how to play nice!

If it makes you feel better, you can whack me on the nose.

 

[SeXy ReDHeD]

Where to start.

Jade.
I think you understand where I'm coming from

CreamyLady.
I WAS polite. I didn't "abuse" the officer in any way. I never will be, and never have been rude to police officers. I was always brought up to respect them... that they're there to save my life and all that bullshit. Whatever. I respect them because they have power and can ruin me, not because they've ever done anything for me.

SS (and everyone else who said I should just 'accept' my punishment)...
believe it or not, I HAVE heard of this "new" system, and I would be perfectly happy to accept my punishment if the same rules applied to EVERYONE, and EVERYONE was punished equally all the time. I think it's bullshit that some people get off and others don't. Why should I be one that doesn't?

Patryn.
NO. There wasn't anything else to the story. I was calm and told the truth, they lied and cheated and had hissy fits. As for you saying, "All we have is your word," well. What can I say? That's all you ever have and you can believe what you want. Think about it, though... Why would I lie about it? To impress people I've never really even met? Umm. Not likely.

Whisper.
I just gotta say again. I will happily take my punishment, with a fucken SMILE even, if EVERYBODY has to take it.

Herbie.
I'm truly sorry about your son. I've also lost two of my friends to a DUI accident, and have even been hit by a DD myself, so I understand where you are coming from. I just DON'T understand, though, why I am facing even more jail time (18 months) for using a fake ID than that guy got for killing your son. It just doesn't make sense. Laws need to be changed. It's ridiculous.

In short, I must say that in my opinion (my OPINION), some here have to be hypocrites. Shit, some of you even said you'd gotten warning tickets before. Why didn't you guys beg for your punishment? I mean you deserved it, right? Why didn't you step up like the adults you are and take what was coming?

Sorry. Still mad. But I don't think I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I think I have a legitimate reason to be upset. I admitted that I was wrong at the very beginning when I cooperated with the officers, and admitted my guilt. In a job as hard and dangerous a police officer's, you'd think honesty and cooperation would be rewarded and not punished.

 

[Bigdog]

Points to ponder

You seem to be concerned about everybody getting the same treatment and you getting slammed for being upfront and honest. Be patient. You got your butt in a sling this time, but I guarantee that the day will come for your friends soon enough. If these guys/gals are cocky enough to be giving lip to a cop it won't be long before they meet up with the WRONG cops who aren't so restrained about using force or don't have a video camera on the dash. You are feeling a bit persecuted right now, the day will come when you realise that you got busted for things you actualy did by officers who kept within the bounds of the law and didn't violate your civil and legal rights. Flip on the nightly news and you will see that this isn't always the case.

Consider this a wake-up call, one that didn't get anyone hurt. I speak from personal experience when I tell you that causing injury to an innocent person while driving too fast will haunt you forever. When you are paying your fines, remember that not everything can be fixed with money.

Please don't take this as a personal attack, I am just offering my input. I wish you well.

 

[Softly]

The Best of the Best

My observation is that NOW, right now, Police Officers at all levels, are the most educated, best trained, most professional that they have ever been.

Be advised that officers hate to stop and arrest people for traffic violations. They know that it is while doing this that they harm their standing in the city wherein they live. They have no choise. The city fathers direct them to enfore the law.

At the "International Association of the Chiefs of Police level," there has been debate for years as to wheather it would be better to have people called "Traffic officers," who would only control traffic, thereby freeing fully trained officers, to work on crime related matters.

In 1991, while in Canada, I was in an accident. A RCMP officer saved my life.

 

[Expertise]

Bravo Lajo.

Laurel this wasn't about the abuses of a few or the protection of them by others. Your point is well taken but it is certainly not applicable in this case.

SexyRedHead you did the right thing with the fake ID. You were responsible for your actions even though you had to pay a price. Why aren't you repeating that laudible and far too uncommon charachter trait in the case of the speeding ticket.

 

[Jade]

Re: Not Murhpy's Fault

Drunk drivers are everywhere.. people driving recklessly or speeding WAY too fast... and you go 4 miles over and BLAM you help them meet their quota right? Well... it has just GOT to be Murphy's Law.. all I can figure...

Jade and especially Sexxy Redhead, paint your car blue or grey, and your tickets will go away. Of course, If you continue to speed and otherwise flout the laws, you're eventually going to keep getting caught and ticketed, no matter what color car you drive. A blue or grey car will reduce the minor tickets for four or five miles over the limit though.


Which is more important to you? Getting there thirty seconds faster, or getting there alive?

huh?

Woah there Harold ranger!
I never said I "flout" the laws... I was just simply pointing out that I would rather a cop pull over someone driving recklessly or drunk.. as oppposed to someone who is perhaps only "passing" someone at say "4" mph over the speed limit.
Trust me, I know first hand about the dangers of disobeying traffic laws and I only have one speeding ticket to my own person record (possibly two) so this is not even a common thing for me. I was just trying to make a point.
But thanks for the advice all the same.
And yes you are right about the red vehicles... that is why I never drive one that color myself haha!

 

[CreamyLady]

Re: Where to start.

CreamyLady.
I WAS polite. I didn't "abuse" the officer in any way. I never will be, and never have been rude to police officers. I was always brought up to respect them... that they're there to save my life and all that bullshit. Whatever. I respect them because they have power and can ruin me, not because they've ever done anything for me.

Sorry. Still mad. But I don't think I'm just feeling sorry for myself.

You wasted her time. By your own admission, you begged, you pleaded, you even CRIED. You referred to her here as "the BITCH." And you were in a hurry, and she was slowing you down. There was a reason for that.

As for police officers never doing anything for you -- please tell me you are going to reconsider that statement. As for ruining your life, no one can do that but you, and it looks as if you are off to a good start.

 

[Patryn]

Oh Whisper, hon...I know you weren't getting all sanctimonious and trying to say that us heathens had no morals. Don't be embarrassed.

My only point was there ARE those who think "nonbelievers" are demon seed.

 

[Sxxyangl]

its true that if you go to court over a matter and tell the judge the reasons you need to keep your license, they usually will let you.
as for quotas...i dont know about the rest of the country, but i know that new england has abolished them.
also, going 4 miles over the speed limit does not amount to 80 dollars. going 20 miles over the speed limit is total to 72 dollars your first offense.
and using a fake id, you know your breaking the law, so you need to be willing to accept the consequences when they occur.

 

[SeXy ReDHeD]

Sxxy Angel. Do you live where I live? Do you know anything about OUR laws? I don't remember the breakdown... but I paid some in fines, and the rest to take a mandatory "driver improvement" class.

Creamy Lady. I did do all those things while admitting that I was wrong. I told her that I don't usually drive like that, etc. I didn't intend to cry. This week has been rough. Sorry. It's not like it was a well thought out plan, or anything.



[Edited by SeXy ReDHeD on 08-08-2000 at 08:57 PM]

 

[CreamyLady]

Well, what I'm seeing here is a self-destructive young woman who breaks rules and indulges in risky behavior. If you want to know why I see you this way, maybe it is because I was 19 myself and doing my damnedest to kill myself without actually pulling a trigger or swallowing pills.

I was attacked at 20; I called the police. The first officer asked my why the hell I didn't "put something on." The others looked around, and noticed that almost every other girl was dressed as I was -- halter top and jeans.

I lived in an apartment unit where there were a lot of cops. One of them heard the report and knew who I was; he called the manager, who rounded up the other women in the apartment. They took me in, gave me a stiff drink and a cigarette, held me while I cried and provided some of the best therapy I've ever had. The cops in the building dropped in from time to time, to make sure I was okay.

Yes, the first one was an asshole. The others were great.

Please -- get counseling and therapy for yourself, and think about your future. You are too bright to go on doing stupid things, especially when they are fueled by pain and anger.

 

[Bonnie Wee Lassie]

I can understand some of the tickets they give out but sometimes they could let you off with a warning.

I just got a ticket for 105.00 for having a burnt out bulb above my licence plate. Hell how do I know when its out. I mean a warning would have been great so I could have had time to replace it.

Bonnie

 

[Weird Harold]

Woah there Harold ranger!
I never said I "flout" the laws...

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you routinely flouted the law. It was a reference to SR's fake ID and multiple tickets.

 

[Jade]

Woah there Harold ranger!
I never said I "flout" the laws...

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you routinely flouted the law. It was a reference to SR's fake ID and multiple tickets.

Oh Phew! Good.
I was sort of worried I may have come across a little too forcefully there WH. Thanks for not taking it personally and thanks for the explanation of your post.
I enjoyed your words, as always.