A question for the Police Officers....

[Thor]

See, that i do not agree with, letting other cops off. What make you cops so special that you can get away with it? I think it is completely wrong and you should get the same treatment as everyone else, and if you continue to keep getting tickets, i do not think your entitled to have that job. When sworn in, you are also sworn in to abide by the law, and most cops have the attitude that they can get away with it all. Not all, but a good portion.

Okay first off let me make it clear I am no longer a police officer. After I got married we both agreed that was not the line of work best suited to raising children.

Now on to your rather bias statement. I would submit that MOST officers do NOT have "the attitude that they can get away with it all". Most cops I know, and I know a whole firggin’ lot of them are normal people just like everyone else who initially felt they could do some good for the community.

I find most people who have your attitude are folks who have had bad run ins with the police. Normally stemming from a dumb choice on their part.

 

[mehlert74]

Okay first off let me make it clear I am no longer a police officer. After I got married we both agreed that was not the line of work best suited to raising children.

Now on to your rather bias statement. I would submit that MOST officers do NOT have "the attitude that they can get away with it all". Most cops I know, and I know a whole firggin’ lot of them are normal people just like everyone else who initially felt they could do some good for the community.

I find most people who have your attitude are folks who have had bad run ins with the police. Normally stemming from a dumb choice on their part.

First of all, I know a lot of police officers too, and as a matter of fact, I happen to be married to one; so don't you sit there and judge my attitude and assume that i have had run ins with the police stemming from dumb choices. I have yet to have a run in with the police, I have never been pulled over;yet anyway. I know that all policemen do a lot of good for the community, and that, they do well. However, there are a lot who also think that they can get away with speeding and what not because they are law enforcement, and my husband being one of them, and i think it is totally wrong, and he knows that is how i feel. You can do very well for the community and that's great, but i also feel you need to as well abide by the law that you are enforcing.
And when i was making my statement, I was not talking about you specifically, I was talking in plural.

 

[Thor]

And when i was making my statement, I was not talking about you specifically, I was talking in plural.

Actually you made a generalization which was incorrect, I was simply pointing that out.

 

[mehlert74]

Actually you made a generalization which was incorrect, I was simply pointing that out.

Look, you have your opinion/knowledge, and I have mine...simple as that

 

[Thor]

Look, you have your opinion/knowledge, and I have mine...simple as that

No harm no foul.

 

[smcop]

I don't think anyone has a problem with the officer having discretion. The problem is when the discretion is not evenly applied. I have received warnings before, and it is completely appropriate to extend that courtesy to your colleagues. However, if you pull me and an off duty cop over for 64 in a 50, we are both respectful and honest, and I get the ticket while he goes free, there is a problem.

Please don't tell me this doesn't happen. We all know it does. When you are sworn in to your thankless job, you have to realize you also get some extra scrutiny. As the taxpayers who pay your salary, we only want the law applied equally to all, no matter who they are or what their daddy does for a living.

Ken I can't speak for every police officer out there, but I can tell you if you gave me the courtesy of telling me the truth and you were polite to me for doing 64/50 you would drive away with a warning. Same as a police officer. I have never given a cop a break that I haven't given a non-sworn citizen. But if you want police officers to all act the same way and apply the law in the same manner, I would ask you if in the profession you are in does every person preform their duties in the same fashion? I agree we may get extra scrutiny, but it should be applied fairly!

 

[Richard Cranium]

Hypocrites. Gotta love em.

 

[DooDoo1402]

I think this thread is getting too heated

this thread is getting heated over nothing... c'mon people, lighten up. Being a cop has its quarks and good things, same as everyone else's profession. I will bet some of you have positions on the base that give you extra advantages over others. Every profession has their good ones and their bad ones... we should all know that... I am reading a lot of tension at each other over basically nothing... I don't want to start a flame thread... just asking to lightening up and think a little before you type...

 

[Ken King]

Yes I almost forgot, if a cop shoots someone they find some homeless person on the side of the road and hand the weapon to him to cover the cop.
You might have fell asleep during my entire posting and just woke up, but if you recheck almost all my responses, I clearly said "MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES" meaning some payable fines which occur on the roadway. As matter of fact, my quote you used to reply too has that same wording. If you feel that DUI or reckless driving is considered a minor traffic offense, you are mistaken. Sorry I can't make this more obvious without someone throwing some outrageous charges. Officers have been charged with DWI/DUI,domestic assaults, and other charges. Once convicted, I have seen officers get fired on the spot.
I'm sorry, but I've seen people in bodybags doing the speed limit and lower with a clean driving record so that isn't a factor here. Do you realize how many laws there are out there? If they charged for people that warm up the cars in the mornings unattended, run into the store with their car running, have a freshener, base I.D. card, anything in your rear view mirror obstructing the view, how are they expect to investigate crimes? All those examples are charging fines and against the law.
I always enjoy the people complaining when a cop goes the speed limit while they are on the way to work, but when the cop is speeding, you'll notice a row of cars right behind them following.

It appears that you are focusing on a dot and can't see the entire picture. What I am trying to get across is that we all are subject to the laws and that none of us are above the law.

The fact that a LEO or, even more so, a family member, would even identify themself as a LEO (or family member) when pulled over for a "minor infraction", to me, means that they are expecting special consideration for who they are. This is BS, why not just give your driver's license and registration and take what you deserve, namely the ticket? Oh, that is right officers that rack up tickets are in jeopardy of possibly finding themselves in a position not to be able to do their job. To that I say good. If you can't follow the laws why should you be enforcing them.

 

[Ken King]

Ken you should check into what the law dictates. I understand you believe discretion should be left to the courts, however the legislature dictates discretion first lies with the law enforcement officer.

Searching the Maryland Rules and Code shows the term "discretion" to appear in 156 various sections, none of those state that an officer of the law has the discretion to not enforce the laws or to issue citations for observed violations.

I might be missing it but would you cite the section that gives this power?

 

[somdwhiner]

It appears that you are focusing on a dot and can't see the entire picture. What I am trying to get across is that we all are subject to the laws and that none of us are above the law.

The fact that a LEO or, even more so, a family member, would even identify themself as a LEO (or family member) when pulled over for a "minor infraction", to me, means that they are expecting special consideration for who they are. This is BS, why not just give your driver's license and registration and take what you deserve, namely the ticket? Oh, that is right officers that rack up tickets are in jeopardy of possibly finding themselves in a position not to be able to do their job. To that I say good. If you can't follow the laws why should you be enforcing them.

I'm focusing on the "dot" for a specific reason. That "dot" is the only time it applies without being expanded. You're specifically stating the only people that get special treatment as you call are law enforcement and families which is not true. Everyday people who have no affiliation with law enforcement are given those same written warnings and verbal warnings. You're first statement indicated that officers do not have any type of discretion on minor traffic offenses and you were corrected, so now you want to fight a piece of the battle with little knowledge of the system just to prove your point. It seems as though the citizens believe they know more about the law than the ones that enforce them. In a perfect word it would work that way. It's obvious no matter what is said you'll think of some come back just to attempt to prove yourself correct. One question-have you put in the uniform and worked in their shoes? If you are getting corrected by current and former LEO's, yet still attempt to prove a point, you are wasting your time on here and really need to speak with them face to face.
I searched the net and came md dmv which adds the following:
Traffic citations are cleared through the local district courts. There are two brands of infractions that an officer can issue you upon a traffic stop. You can also receive a warning, which might result in some written paperwork, but is usually of the verbal variety. This entails you going on your merry way, possibly to buy a lottery ticket, because luck will be on your side.

In the case you are issued the more severe of the infraction types, "must appear," there is a good chance you will not need to worry about what to do or where to pay the ticket at that point. This is usually due to your immediate arrest and transport to the nearest police station.

"Must appear" violations are usually handed down for the more serious traffic infractions: driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, eluding an officer, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving with a suspended or revoked license. These tickets usually require the services of an attorney and a bit of legal finagling. So your options are rather limited and determined for you.

In cases of a DUI the defendant can possibly prevent the full revocation or suspension of a license by attending the state's alcohol education program. For more details, see DUI/DWI on this site.

Here is the actual link itself: MD DMV LINK

If this still does not help you, I don't know what will. I'm sure you'll still find some type of argument no matter what is thrown at you.

 

[pingrr]

You're specifically stating the only people that get special treatment as you call are law enforcement and families which is not true. Everyday people who have no affiliation with law enforcement are given those same written warnings and verbal warnings. .

Your stated that LEO and their families are treated exactly the same as a random person and are not given special treatment.

Yes anyone can get a warning. But a LEO officer or a family member can get away with a lot more and still get a warning. This is an undeniable fact. I am not even taking sides on the issue. You keep stating that no special treatment is given to LEO when they are pulled over. That is simply not true.

Trust me I know what I'm talking about from experience. If any part of my statement is not true please explain what.

 

[chess]

Your stated that LEO and their families are treated exactly the same as a random person and are not given special treatment.

Yes anyone can get a warning. But a LEO officer or a family member can get away with a lot more and still get a warning. This is an undeniable fact. I am not even taking sides on the issue. You keep stating that no special treatment is given to LEO when they are pulled over. That is simply not true.

Trust me I know what I'm talking about from experience. If any part of my statement is not true please explain what.

oh skeet skeet pingrr... get em...

 

[somdwhiner]

Your stated that LEO and their families are treated exactly the same as a random person and are not given special treatment.

Yes anyone can get a warning. But a LEO officer or a family member can get away with a lot more and still get a warning. This is an undeniable fact. I am not even taking sides on the issue. You keep stating that no special treatment is given to LEO when they are pulled over. That is simply not true.

Trust me I know what I'm talking about from experience. If any part of my statement is not true please explain what.

LEO has perks just as any other job. I'm adding that anyone can get a verbal warning for those same offenses. If you work for a car dealership and you get an employee discount on brand new cars. Is it right that you get the discount but not everyone else? Me personally I could care less what the employee gets, it was a perk for them.
I'm stating that a cop could get pulled over 20 times for speeding and get a verbal warning almost every time where if a citizen does this, 15 out of 20 times he/she most likely will get a citation. For examples purposes only, say if you were loitering in the Target parking lot or street racing, got a citation, and came back the next night doing the same thing, most likely you'll get another citation.

 

[mehlert74]

02-13-2007 09:51 PM take the stick out.

EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OPINION, BUT MINE ARE ALSO SOME FACTS. BUT THANKS FOR THE KARMA, VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, AT LEAST I KNOW I ANNOYED SOMEONE!!

 

[mehlert74]

02-14-2007 10:30 AM I bet you sit inside your house and get yourself off listening to police calls


NO, actually I do not, because I do not have a scanner, do not see the need to have one, but thanks anyway. I have a life.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Those are two responses I'd expect to get from our resident spineless PIGS.

Thanks for the karma comments....they're enjoyable!

 

[Ken King]

I'm focusing on the "dot" for a specific reason. That "dot" is the only time it applies without being expanded. You're specifically stating the only people that get special treatment as you call are law enforcement and families which is not true.

You aren't even seeing the "dot", which is that certain people make an effort to entice preferential treatment by stating when stopped that they are either an officer of the law or one of their family members. The "picture" is that the laws are made to apply to all citizens equally. Warnings, as you have stated, are within the officer's discretion to give and are not special treatment whereas I am saying that a person flashing a badge or stating that they are a family member of a badge holder upon being stopped are seeking, nay, let's call it what it is, whimpering for special treatment.

 

[chess]

LEO has perks just as any other job. I'm adding that anyone can get a verbal warning for those same offenses. If you work for a car dealership and you get an employee discount on brand new cars. Is it right that you get the discount but not everyone else? Me personally I could care less what the employee gets, it was a perk for them.
I'm stating that a cop could get pulled over 20 times for speeding and get a verbal warning almost every time where if a citizen does this, 15 out of 20 times he/she most likely will get a citation. For examples purposes only, say if you were loitering in the Target parking lot or street racing, got a citation, and came back the next night doing the same thing, most likely you'll get another citation.

but hanging out in target parking lot isnt illegal I dont see any signs that say you arent allowed to be there or am I wrong

 

[Richard Cranium]

A question for the Poli... 02-14-2007 11:33 AM You better hope I don't catch you driving down the road. If so I am going to lock you up. Even if you are not doing anything wrong. Trust me I can just make somthing up and it's my word against your tuff guy.

A question for the Poli... 02-14-2007 11:28 AM You have serious issues. You should shoot yourself.

vraiblonde, I expect you to uphold your end of the bargain.