Cops...do we need to make changes?

[IdaH.O.Train]

I think alot of you are forgetting that cops are just "people. " There are good people, there are bad people. There are good cops, there are bad cops. There are honest people, there are dishonest people. There are honest cops, there are dishonest cops. Get the picture? As with any profession out there, and I can't think of one exception, there is good and bad.



For those of you who have never worked in Law Enforcement, trust me when I say, you just can't understand. It's tuff to be a cop these days. You not only have to worry about the crooks out to get you, you also have to worry about everyone else. That target on your shirt isn't just on your front any more. If you dealt with the people and situations we deal with on a day to day basis, you just might have a better appreciation of what it means to be in Law Enforcement. It does not excuse the actions of some, but you can understand why some people just lose it. Imagine, you chase a guy in a stolen car for several miles, at high speeds, in and out of traffic, who's possibly armed, you finally get him stopped by whatever means and you're just supposed to calmly deal with the situation and treat him as though he just stole a pack of gum? Think about it.



I find it kind of ironic that a few have mentioned the idea that cops should be out stopping crime and not writing speeding tickets. I compare that to those of us who have bombed our trucks and p'ss and moan when we get beefed at the dealership if we have a problem we want warrantied. We feel as though the mechanics should just fix the problem and not worry about what caused it. Stops for traffic violations often lead to more serious law violations. If you are going to play, you have to be willing to pay.



I am a Probation Officer, so I get to see it all, from the time these people are arrested, all the way through the Court system. You want to talk about screwed up? Go to Court some time. We have people risking their lives out there, pouring their blood, sweat and tears into their jobs, only to find out that it was all for not.



Do some changes need to be made? Sure. However, I think that if you look at the whole picture, the changes needed to Law Enforcement will make up only a small part of it.

 

[Koa Man]

Originally posted by Pit Bull





Write a letter to the Chief of police and send it certified, state that you are afraid that a child will be killed because of the lack of enforcement at your location. You will get enforcement, big time!!!

OK, I will do that this weekend and send it out Monday. I'll see if anything happens when school starts up again in 4 weeks. I'll let you know what transpires.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Patriot (Eric), you never really thought of Kentucky as a police state? Believe it. We are overtaxed and over-regulated, thanks to big coal money funding the leftist stranglehold on the state capitol. That may change soon, we are fighting hard to get Republicans seated during the next few elections.

I keep saying it's the system. Not the individual LEO's. But LEO's everywhere do need to understand that excessive traffic enforcement definitely IS recognized by the public, and does not earn them any kind feelings . Repeat: excessive We do need a reasonable amount of enforcement. But it's often way past the bounds of reasonable, in many areas of Kentucky.

Again, let me say, my LEO friends here in Kentucky agree with me 100%. My trooper friend had harsh words to management about the rookie that drew down on my kid, then needlessly called in reinforcements.

I do not believe in stereotyping, and that includes police officers. I look at all on their own individual merit. Most are well-respected and much loved.

 

[98rammer]

i agree with a lot said. some are good cops, some are bad. doing way over the speed limit in a residential area? yes, i highly agree with being pulled over, but on the highway that's just rediculous. It's one thing for a police officer to check people out, but there is a lot of harassment that goes on... especially towards younger people like myself. the officers in my town have a reputation of profiling and doing ludacris stops (26 in a 25 to check you out, TONS of harassment-for window tint or legal custom added car options, etc. ). and i've heard worse if some making false statements to the minors. i can't say all bad as there are a few that i do really respect and like, just the others are wicked bad! we are all people. we all do make mistakes. we sometimes speed on accident and realize the problem (while we also speed regularly too). the law tells us to be perfect, and that's just not possible-so we get fined. i feel that more attention should be paid towards more serious crimes/violations than the simple stuff. it's tough out there for officers, i can understand to the best of my ability.



I guess there's always the good with the bad.



^^not meant to offend anyone... just my opinions.

 

[Mike Ellis]

I like your comment on the "copper" origin illflem, it is one of those words that is often used but poorly understood. Like the reference "pig" - came from the pigs in the book Animal Farm, who exploited and controlled their fellow "citizens" aka farm animals. Growing up, I always thought it was implying that cops were crude, sloppy, etc, didn't understand the reference until I read the book.



As a couple of folks have pointed out, there are good cops and bad cops like there are good people and bad people in general. The difference? Cops have authority over everbody, and a bad cop can abuse people in ways a regular "civilian" would never get away with.



Although police might disagree with people pointing it out, it is a fact that "speed traps" are alive and well in the USA, primarily because they can be used for generation of revenue. On the large highways, both light vehicles and 18-wheelers speed as a matter of course. However, at least in my observations on Texas highways, there are far fewer big trucks pulled over and getting tickets than there are cars. During my recent trips to Houston on a regular basis, I've seen about 40 or 50 tickets being given. None of them were to big rigs. The cynical thought floats in that there must be more money or profit involved in stopping cars than big trucks, it always seems to come down to $$$$ somewhere. Not really an issue for me since I am apparently the only guy in Texas who drives the speed limit, but the law ought to be enforced equally across the board. And police departments and municipalities should not profit from writing tickets, the profit motive can lead to abuse.



The real problem in all of this is the number of laws. It is almost impossible to go anywhere without breaking some sort of law that can get you ticketed. A really strict cop could wear out a ballpoint pen mighty fast if he wished. The answer? Scrap all the "me too" laws and have a clearer, simpler system for everybody to deal with.



Aside from the speed trap issue, a LOT of our problems in America could be solved if we legalized drugs and controlled our borders more thoroughly. Let the crooks lay in the ditches high on smack if they want to, it's cheaper than jailing them even if you have the road crews drive by and throw them a Big Mac from time to time. Then they'd be too busy to victimize everybody else... .

 

[Rob Thomas]

Originally posted by sdalton

Rob, you brought it on yourself by "juicing it" to get to the speed limit. There are laws against that. You yourself were antagonizing the situation with what you did, and brought negative attention to yourself when you knew a police officer was watching. I would have pulled you over and given you a talking to, about the juicing stunt. It was disrespectful and immature. Your attitute when pulled over would have then decided whether you would have received a ticket or not.

sdalton,



There are laws against goin' the speed limit now? I blipped the throttle to let him know I was ******, you call it antagonizing, I call it, givin' my opinion.



You would have pulled me over, and givin' me a talkin' to? Man, get off your high-horse, who do you think you are? I was real close to pullin' over on my own, and givin' him some words, but unsure if I would have been beat to death, I chose not to. Don't think you are any better than the rest of us, your a person to, and I have gave my two-cents to several cops in the past, and I'm sure I will in the future. Your badge and fancy car don't worry me, I know the laws, and you would have givin' me ZERO tickets, my attitude, give me a break!



You are obviously one of those cops that think you are above the rest of us, which your not! You may want to use your head for somethin' other than a place to put your pretty hat, and maybee use some common sense when your potroling, there are plenty of morons on the road, that need a "talkin' " to.



Remember, HE broke the law, twice, failier to use his turn signal, and a u-turn, not to mention holdin' up traffic. I have things to do, thats why I was on the road, I don't have time for his "high-horse" games.



Later, Rob



Edit, Disrespectful? You guys need to earn my respect, so far most have not. I belive there are great cops out there, but they are few and far between. DId I mention I was pulled over twice, a year apart, for the simple reason, the cop wanted to know if I would sell him my truck, thats it, no other questions, just how many miles and if I would sell it, WTF? So there I am on the side of the road, with my company name splattered all over my truck, his lights flashin', people think I did somethin' wrong, and all he wanted was to buy my truck. Disrespect huh, yea right.

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

Hey, Rob, FYI, emergency vehicles are exempt from certain laws, ie. speeding, parking along red curbs, turning around in the medians of freeways, posessing drugs, carrying weapons that would otherwise be illegal, etc. The list goes on. Believe it or not there are people out there, and I'm not saying you are one of them, that will do things to intentionally draw attention to law enforcement, just to provoke them and cause a confrontation. This can be an extremely dangerous time for a cop. Me personally, even though I am in Law Enforcement, I try not to do things that draw attention to myself, especially when I'm outside of my county.



Mike Ellis, please tell me you don't believe for one minute that ANY of our problems would be solved by legalizing drugs. For ANYONE that knows ANYTHING about drugs, especially controlled substances like methamphetamine, PCP, cocaine, etc. , knows that these drugs have such a drastic effect on a person that if legalized, could lead to problems you can't even imagine. Until you have dealt with someone on a stimulant such as meth, you really don't how dangerous and unpredictable these people can be. Not to mention all the health related concerns associated with users of these substances. So, if you think that by legalizing drugs, there would be ALL this extra money and manpower freed up to deal with other problems, think again.

 

[Steve M]

When I was 14, I was accused of breaking into an ugly lime green house. Took a lie detector test and failed as did my friend. After my parents laid out several hundred dollars in lawyer fees, the kid that lived at the house admitted he broke into his own house because he lost his house key. He pointed the finger at us so he wouldn't get into trouble for breaking his own window. The detective was later let go after he arrested a couple of girl scouts for trespassing on his property. They were selling cookies.

When I was 17, we used to get our good weed from a sheriff's deputy three houses down from ours. I never knew his name. We just knew him as Teco. He never caused us any problems. Just an unusual source for shrubbery. He was very clean cut and I'm sure it put on a good show for the oldsters seeing the local teenagers befriending the nice deputy.

When I was 23, I was pulled over by a deputy for doing 55mph in a 45mph zone. I was riding a black chopper so backup was needed for the safety of the officer. Four more cruisers showed up with two deputies in each. My ex wife wouldn't shut her mouth and when the deputy went to handcuff her and set her in his car so he wouldn't have to listen to her mouth, she hit him with her fist. By that time there were eleven deputies there. They attacked me with there nightsticks and knocked me out cold. I started to come to and one of them cracked my ankles with his club. These guys were scared of one man with his wife on a black chopper so they had to make their own gang to handle the situation. I spent the night in jail. It was dangerous though. One of them got hit by a girl. :{

When I was 26, my three year old daughter was having a birthday party at a local public park. I waited for my mom to show up from out of town so I could lead her to the park and find the party. The park is 2. 5 miles of winding road with picnic areas all over. I entered the park on my Harley. With bicyclists passing me by and the heat scorching my head, I committed a heinous crime. I remove my helmet as I putted at jogging speed through the park looking for my daughter's party. The deputy exploded into lights and siren. He called for backup just in case I decided to pull a fast one on him with a kazoo or something. He detained me for a full 45 minutes for a helmet ticket. What an A/H. My mom went on to find the party and explain to the kids that the cops were keeping daddy from the party.

Then when I was 30, I got pulled over at the corner by my house for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign for a right hand turn. He cried that a complete stop means putting both feet down. I can come to a complete stop on my Harley without putting my feet down for a couple of seconds. My right foot is on the brake and my left foot is shifting back to first gear. He was just being an A/H. Just to prove he was an A/H, he ran the stop sign at the next corner after he finished harassing me.

So no, I don't have much respect for cops, pigs, whatever you want to call them. The ultimate in big brother mentality. Control freaks with a gun and a badge. The bullies from grade school that never grew up, just got bigger. What a shame that these cops give the few good cops a bad reputation with the general public.

 

[Hammer]

Now why did I read this crapola......

Well its quite obvious some here have a serious axe to grind with law enforcement personel,,Law enforcement personnel have one of the most thankless jobs in our country(next to our military personnel) and you either applaud what they do or you disrespect them for doing what had to be done to neutralize a situation,,With growing up with parents in law enforcement and seeing both hospitalized from gunshots(my father on a routine traffic stop and my step dad trying to stop a robbery)I see most of the negative comments here as insults to the badge and those who wear it proudly to defend our streets and neighborhoods. .



Are there good and bad in the line of duty,certainly,not everyone is perfect and this would include the jobs you all do,,But,with that said don't you ever wonder why you never see a local workplace dispute(fight or what ever)between a boss and his employee that turns into a brawl on tv like you do with a law enforcement problem??,,Reason,sensationalism brought on by the media,whats going to sell papers or raise ratings,a employee who beats the snot out of his boss(his authority figure) or a criminal who crosses the line and then that one moment of little film shows the cop adjusting his attitude,not the whole deal as it went down,,There is way more to every story than we all see and its always the cops who pay for it.....



Law enforcement people are those you love to hate the most,BUT,those are the same people you will call when a intruder drops in unexpectedly and you'll want the full benefit of his training and expertise to rid the person from your household or business,,9-11 was one of the saddest days of this countries history and yet numerous police officers and firemen gave their lives in the line of duty doing what they were trained to do... . To Serve and Protect..... ,,Not for the love of money,god knows they are some of the most underpaid people in this country,but for the duty in which they were called for,yet most still continue to slash and bash officers,to them I ask why??...



Now that my dander is up I'll leave and say thanks to those who serve and protect with their lives on the line everyday and do it with the honor,dignity and respect they deserve,not for the money,but for the love of the job... ... ... . Andy

 

[Steve M]

I would love to see the pay doubled. That would greatly increase the number of good people applying for jobs in law enforcement. Right now there's a shortage of applications in our area so we have to settle for less than desirable applicants just to fill the positions that are needed. Better pay gives the employer the flexibility to weed out the bad guys and keep the good guys. Lower pay opens the door for the good guys to seek higher pay elsewhere and leave the bad guys to corrupt the organization. That's been the problem here for a lot of years.

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

Andy, if I didn't love my wife so much, I'd consider leaving her for you. That was inspiring. As I previously stated, those who don't deal with this on a daily basis, just don't/can't understand. We deal with the lower end of society. The people who could give a rat's anus about anyone but themselves. I have no time for THOSE people.



As for you, Steve M, it sounds like you have had some negative contacts w/Law Enforcement. However, it also sounds like you may have brought some of that on yourself. You will find that 99% of the time, if you're cooperative, things will go quite smoothly. Of course there's always exceptions to any rule. Contrary to what you said, it's the FEW bad apples that are giving the GOOD MAJORITY of Law Enforcement a bad name.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Rob Thomas









Remember, HE broke the law, twice, failier to use his turn signal, and a u-turn, not to mention holdin' up traffic. I have things to do, thats why I was on the road, I don't have time for his "high-horse" games.



Later, Rob

When I was a Kansas LEO, I had a Missouri Highway Patrol Officer pull me over, just to check me out, and hassle me. Said I was speeding, said he got me on radar. Said the speed limit was 35 when it was 55. I was driving a Black Porsche 911. He pulled me over in a freshly oiled shoulder. Really ****** me off. I asked him what the deal was but did not pull out my badge. Thats when he lied to me as stated above, hassled me but never issued any tickets (lucky for him, I had a remote radar detector so I knew he was not using radar), at that point I ID myself as a LEO and asked him what was going on??? He still acted like an ahole so I drove off. After I got to my destination I called the Troop HQ and talked to the Sargent asked him why I was stopped and hassled, told him I was a LEO and did not understand the Officers actions. He played dumb too. So when I got home I wrote a nice letter to the Head of the Highway Patrol and the Missouri Governor. Got some action. A Captain and Sargent came clear over to Kansas to ask me to withdraw my complaint. The Trooper that hassled me just got off of an under cover drug assignment and my Porsche resembled one of the bad guys. I told them it did not excuse his behavior and I would not withdraw my complaint. I figured they did not need to promote this ahole. Remember the pen is mightier than the sword

 

[Mike Ellis]

I am not very familiar with the pay police get so I can't comment to the fairness of it. It is probably not enough, I understand that police are paid more highly than our nation's servicemen, but since servicemen get the short end of the stick to start with the cops are probably still underpaid.



I harbor no disrespect for police, but I don't put them on a pedestal either. They are our centurions, and their job is the same it has been for centurions since the dawn of time - keeping the populace in line. Since we are part of the populace, we have a vested interest in ensuring that justice is meted out fairly and honestly to all. Holding cops to high standards or questioning their actions isn't an insult to the badge, it's no different than subjecting somebody to a random polygraph exam because they hold a Top Secret clearance. If you are in a position of responsibility, you must be responsible. Some people take issue with this and believe responsibility is a license to steal or abuse, but thankfully they are a small minority. It is our job to keep them a small minority, so we had ALL better keep a close eye on our centurions eh?



NoCal, I actually do believe that a LOT of problems would be solved if we legalized drugs. It all depends on how you define "freedom" for the individual. If you think a responsible adult should be allowed to do anything with his/her body he/she wishes, then it is illogical to ban drugs and such. I have never experimented with recreational drugs, in fact I am the only person I know of for sure in my high school class who never even TRIED marijuana. Never had a particular urge to. But if I did, what the heck business is it of the government or local law enforcement? My body, my choice, my life. At least it should be.



My view is that a certain percentage of society will always be willing to spend their life fried regardless of the consequences. If drugs are illegal and expensive, they will rob and steal if necessary to get the fix. If they can't get "good quality" drugs, they will use meth or crank or whatever they can find, often manufactured in the local trailer park by Apu. If the crap was legal, and taxed, and regulated by the FDA, they could buy it at the local liquor store for cheap $$$$$ and they could stay stoned and leave the rest of us the heck alone.



People think that everyone who uses drugs ends up a complete loser, but heck look at the Rolling Stones and Ozzy. Some of these guys are poster children for drug abuse, but they still keep going and are entering old age with some cognitive dissonance but by and large still pretty darned functional. Paul McCartney smoked enough weed to fill several Texas haybarns and he is doing OK. Toking up didn't stop Clinton from being President, so obviously mainstream America isn't as outraged by drug use as they may pretend on Sundays.



As far as the PCP crazed idiot going beserk and being unstoppable, under the Ellis Plan Uncle Sam would pay tobacco farmers to raise opium poppies and then give the stuff away for free at the local smack house to all folks with an approved ID, so the drug-susceptible berserker would be too busy lying around in an opium fog to even bother with PCP. There are lots who would end their lives doing free drugs, and that's sad, but if they want to smoke out like that it should be up to them. Heck they'd probably do it even if the drugs weren't legal, they'd just take longer to get it done and steal your stereo 3 or 4 times along the way.



A lot of the rest of them would have their fun, and get on with their normal lives. Anybody who thinks they wouldn't has obviously missed the large number of graying ex-hippies who are clogging up the Walgreens and Eckerds of the world as they race toward retirement.



People in my Sunday School have scolded me for this viewpoint, saying that I would be completely writing off these susceptible addicts and losing their potential productivity. My answer: what's the difference between letting them dope up into a stupor in a safe smack house, versus consigning them to life in a predatory prison environment that just breeds more criminal behaviour? If you're gonna write 'em off one way or another, do it in the manner which produces the most net good for our society. IMHO, this occurs when you allow individuals the freedom to choose what they do with their own bodies. Just my opinion... .

 

[Warpig]

TIME OUT!!!!!!!!!!!

For one" COP " originated back many, many years (dunno) it means Citizen On Patrol (COP) We are from all walks of life. Lets stop the cop bashing here please. I think this thread has gotten way out of hand, and I think alot has been said, and taken in the wrong context. Let me start by giving you a brief biography of myself (I am an avarage cop). I am 37 yrs. of age. At 18 yrs of age I elisted in the US Army Military Police Corps. At 21 yrs old I joined a Police Dept. in Ct. (no problem so far right?) I spent 5 years in the Patrol Division where a brother police officer died in my arms after being shot in the head by a drug dealer. Ya, he could of been hiding in a bush waiting for a speeder, but he wasn't. What a freakin joke and stereotypical BS. Six months later I was assigned to a narcotics team, T. N. T. (Tactical Narcotics Team). I spent 5 years there serving approximately 1200 search and seizure warrants a year. I have been hit in the head with bottles, shot at, and had pit bull dogs knawing at my legs regularly. All in a days pay right??... . lol I'm not complaining about the profession I chose, I love my job, and It's what I get paid to do. I've been a Sergeant for the past 5 years, and my job is to supervise Patrol Officers. I am currently assigned to the midnight shift. I work weekends and holidays, do you?

Your avarage police officer deals with things the avarage citizen could not deal with. Did you ever respond to a traffic accident where you found small children in pieces, I have. Who do you think deals with this everyday, the mailman?

You people who bash the avarage cop (citizens on patrol) or stereotype cops in general need to grow up.

Your preception of Law Enforcement is based on your limited, ignorant, immature mind.



I still love you guys, and the TDR



Timothy Wright

Sergeant Waterbury Police Dept.

Waterbury, Ct.

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by illflem

You sure about that? None of the officers I've known have taken offence to it at all. It's just an abbreviation for copper, the material early badges were made of.

Huh. I was told this came over from England, short for "Constable on patrol". ???

Guess either one works good.

Eric

 

[Redneck Toadstomper]

Two things has become crystal clear on this topic. Everybody has that place from where yesterday's lunch reappears in a different form. Others have an opinion about subjects that they have not a clue about.



Legalize drugs??? Let the crooks lay in the ditches high on smack if they want to? Throw 'em Big Macs? Why not steaks and baked taters w/ tossed salad.



"Speed Traps" are like live traps, jaw traps, or snare traps. They only catch the ones foolish enough to tempt fate.



Most of the time you can find your problem with a cop - with the help of a mirror!!

 

[Warpig]

Re: Hi Tim

Originally posted by GLASMITHS

My youngest son's name is Timothy also. He is the same age as you (Jan'65), and he hates cops. The main reason is because he choses to wear a full beard and longer hair, not pony tail or sholder length, just a full head; and he also likes to drive a jacked up 4X4 Dodge, and out of state plates. When He comes home from up North, he gets stopped at least twice for no reason other than his looks; never mind that he makes twice, or more per month than any leo. It kinda gets old.



You are trying to say that there are only a small percentage that are monosters - that is wrong.



The state troopers here in LA are educated and trained, and we just almost doubled their pay, the others---------some good, lot of bad ones... ... ... ... ... ... .



I have to say that the Texas HP is good also-some bad. I knew one-------Raped a teenager--so come down off your throne--we are all human.



You choose to be a Police Officer, no one forced you. You should be held to a higher standard than us A... ... H... ...



(That is what PO's call us civies)

SO WHAT"S YOUR POINT????????

 

[merryman]

I think with 32 years on the bench trying criminal cases, I have had about as much "cop" watching as most.



First; No group is with out problem members



Second; Police officers Do in fact have a bit too much of a "us vs. them" attitude



Third; Many officers do over react to seeing a firearm.



That said, as I have listened to litterally thousands of cases where the defendant and his witnessess described what happened out on the street, as well as the officers version, my overall reaction many, many times has been amazment that under the circumstances the officers were able to keep their cool and behave with restraint and fairness.

As Tim Wright has noted, most people have NO IDEA what officers have to deal with on a regular basis, and most likely would not be able to handle the job at all.



Sure there are a few who misbehave---just as some religious leaders, some corporate officers and others, but to give blanket condemnation is unfair and reflects lack of understanding and maturity.



I also suspect those who have a lot of conflict with officers of in someway being responsible for a large part of the problem.

I travel a lot, both in state and across the continent. My '01 Ram has 44K miles on it now, and that is typical of the amount of driving I do.

I was stopped for speeding last year (and yes I was doing 15 miles over the designated speed), but it was my fourth time to be stopped since graduating from high school in 1953.

And no, when I am traveling in the L. A. area or the Phoenix area where I often go twice a year, the "cops" on patrol there do not know I am a retired judge--but they don't stop and hassel me because I am out of state or what ever.



Traffic enforcement is one of the most important jobs officers can do-----that is if you think saving livers is worth while. Traffic accidents are mostly caused by traffic violations and accidents are one of the major causes of death in the country, not to mention serious injuries. To say that more time should be put to real crime, is to not really understand the factor traffic violations and especially speed play in people safety. Take the trouble to learn what an increase in speed from 65 to 80 does to violence of an accident!



Well, enough of the soap box-----



Vaughn

 

[Rob Thomas]

Tim, your gonna give yourself a heart attack,



I appreciate MOST of the duties you guys do, and admire that you have the brass to do it. Your takin' this out of context, I'm talkin' about traffic, and the average "joe", not creeps, and hardend criminals.



I'm not bashin' cops in general, just the traffic instanses. You want to talk about stereotype's, I was a OTR driver for eight years, and as far as the world see's us, all truck drivers suck. And yes I do work week-ends and holidays, as I'm self- employed, and when I was drivin', I spent way to many Christmas's and Thanksgiving's 2000 miles from my family, and didn't get home till the following week, not 8-10 hours later, but I knew the job when I took it though.



I'm not a a-hole, contrary to what you might think, I have stopped countless times at accidents as I witnessed, and helped pull people to safety, till the "real" medics arived. I have seen enough blood and gore to sufice me, but if needed I will help someone who needs it. I watched a semi truck crash through a gard rail and go over a bridge onto the railroad tracks below, at 3:30am in the middle of nowhere, and no wittnesses except me, I had to tell the cops where he was, cause there was no evidence of an accident. The driver had his wife and 6 month old baby in the truck with him, the wife died as did the baby, and he had both his legs amputated, so he could be removed from the wreckage.



I do my part in calling in drunk-drivers and any other problems I encounter, and what do I get for it? A clear consious and knowing I helped make a differance, and an occasional speeding ticket.



Later, Rob

 

[Bigsaint]

Originally posted by GLASMITHS



You choose to be a Police Officer, no one forced you. You should be held to a higher standard than us A... ... H... ...



(That is what PO's call us civies)

Actually, the only one's we refer to as a$$holes are the ones we deal with on a regular basis. If you met them, you would have the same impression. As to be held to a higher standard, we already are.



I'm fortunate enough to work in a rural 68 square mile Twp, that used to have more cows then residents. I'm in my 16th year now, and still get alot of statisfaction out of the job. I also get frustrated by the entire judicial system, it plain sucks. I'm not talking about petty bs traffic court, I mean criminal court. It's just a revolving door, in and out for most in less than 5 years prision time. First offenders get PTI ( pre-trial intervention) or offers for lesser pleas. We have a death penalty here in NJ, when was the last time we used it . IMHO, if someone is convicted of a crime punishable by death, KILL THEM. Sorry to say that's way to harsh in the NE states, we are much kinder and gentler. We'll just foot the bill to keep the scumbag alive for 50 years. What we need is more states like TX, they do it right.



As for the cop gene pool, it's shot to hell. Forget about height restrictions, it's all about affirmative action now boys and girls. I remember when I walked into the Marine recruiters office in 1981 and stated that I want to enlist and be a MP. The FIRST thing he did was to check my height, as there was a height restriction at the time that required you to be at least 6' tall. Tim, you may recall a similar experience when you enlisted in the Army MP's, as I only have two years on ya. Now the hiring process, for the large departments, is all about runts and *unts. You'll have to do the math on the first letter of 'unts', bet you can figure it out.



Scott W.