Interesting article about a State Trooper

[Ncostello]

Once, for a brief period, the Indiana State Police used a yellow Ford F250 Crew Cab Long bed all set up exactly like a INDOT work truck. Except it had hidden red and blue lights. That didn't last long. The complaints reached the top brass and the truck was quickly removed from highway patrol duty.



I've also seen local sheriff's office use cars seized in crimes. They used a Hyundai Santa Fe unmarked for a while. Seemed to surprise quite a few.



I got an "ordinance violation" in a small town once. Not a real ticket. This way they get to keep the money. They guy even told me he needed new tires which is what this money was going for. I was doing like 40 in a 30. I told him if he had just pulled me over and said his tires were bad... I'd have gave him a donation more then the ticket.



Worst one was when I got pulled over in my Blue and White Ford F150 with a white camper shell. I came from the direction of gas theft report I hear. The State Trooper was looking for a green Chevy truck (I know this cause I had my fire portable radio with me and heard the report). When he cut a 180 I knew what I was in for. So he didn't tell me what I had been pulled over for and kept asking me if I knew what this was for. I said no and he said it was for speeding. I knew that wasn't true. I was doing 30 in a 35... engine braking down a hill in 2nd gear when he saw me. (Thats what my old truck does on this particular hill I drive every day). Then he comes back and starts telling me he suspects I stole gas etc etc etc and I was in big trouble. So I spilled the beans and told him he's supposed to be looking for a green Chevy according to my authorized radio chatter... . AND AND AND... my fuel gauge was on 1/16th of a tank. If I stole gas I'm going to fill it up. He made me late to the Dairy Queen and it closed before I could get my ice cream. I was ******. He knew he'd been made a fool. I was promptly let go.



Its no secret. Police drive faster than everyone else, most of the time, even when not on duty. I've seen it. I have some personal friends who are police. To me its not a big deal. Mainly because I speed too when I think I can get away with it. So I don't care. But if I get caught... I'll deal with it then.



I guess I always thought police couldn't break the law to enforce the law. IE: A cop can't actually do drugs to catch a drug dealer. Nor should they be able to drive a car illegally to catch a traffic offender. Unmarked or not.

 

[duckcarvr]

The WA. State Patrol is avery disiplined unit and very aware of public image. while that officer couldnt be arrested you can bet he suffered and is still suffering. Fire, medic unit and police can break the law to preform their job. this is not without guide lines and restaints. If a car is speeding or fleeing a crime how do you catch the person if you cant speed. waiting till he runs out gas is not an option. If one of your loved ones is in danger do you want them doing the speed limit? An officer cannot preform his/her job without breaking the law. Now the trooper above that was just stupid he couldnt wait to use his new car. I bet his sgt. was not aware of it. The law is vauge and protects him in the preformance of his duty. If it had been for his own use... ..... different story. I too agree that a marked patrol unit is a far more effective tool to defer all types of behavior. 95 percent of the officers out there are good. One bad officer making ten stops a night for a year. Lord how many people did he leave a bad impression with. robert

 

[Buck88]

As an aspiring San Diego County Sherrif, I've got a few comments...



The one thing that pisses me off to no end is the officers that think they can brake laws. I see an officer on the freeway every morning on my way to school, on his way to work in a neighboring county. He had the balls to turn on his lights to get a civilian car out of the way so he could continue doing 80 in a 65! If your an officer, set an example and dont break the law!



Also, people cant accept responsibility for there actions. A guy in one of my classes has gotten out of 5 speeding tickets by using loopholes in the law. One of them was when he got caught on radar doing 23mph over the speed limit. Apparently in SD County in order to radar a street, that street has to go under an evaluation once a year, and the street he was caught on hadn't been evaluated. Judge threw the reckless driving charge out the window. What happened to justice?



As for the trooper, he was in the wrong by not having the proper plates, and he should have been repremanded accordingly. However it seems as though the guy that was pulled over is trying to get out of the ticket. He admits he was in the wrong, so pay the ticket and let the government deal with the officer.

 

[daveshoe]

If I was pulled over by an unmarked car and the plates did not match,It would be 911 time fersure. I would stay on the phone and continue to inform the dispatcher how this was scaring the poop out of me, and that if this were the real thing,then the dispatcher could advise me that the stop was legitimate. The officer also would be engaged in a slow speed chase until the proper units showed up or the dispatcher informed me that the stop was legit. I would also make sure that the 911 operator advised the officer why I had not complied with his order and that I was ready to do so. I have enough back trouble that the thought of being jerked out of my car and slammed on the ground would probably put me in the hospital.

What was the officer thinking? Is this not an excellent way to become a dead "hero" --and I use that term loosely--once the civilian thinks you to be a carjacker or felon or who knows what? With so many civilians with concealed permits these days,Officer Phyfe better be aware that a great number of people may be more attuned to their own goal of getting home in one piece than to take a chance with a police officer they think to be a fake.

If you want to run unmarked, get a camera, record speed and agressive driving,and have a properly marked support vehicle make the stop. A little common sense could go a long way

BTW,when I am stopped,I sit there with both hands on the wheel and when the LEO wants to see my liscense, I tell him which pocket it is in and should I remove it now? I treat them with respect and try to remain calm:it does seem to result in more warnings and fewer tickets. [3 lifetime so far]

 

[Thunderbolt]

I hate to throw gas on the fire... But, here in Jersey the Tactical Patrols use a combination of unmarked and marked troop cars. They use the unmarked cars for aggressive driving enforcement. I am sure everyone has said, "Where is a cop when you need one!" Well the unmarked patrol principle allows observation of violators in their "natural habitat" meaning that if they are going to drive agressively they will do it when they believe no one will catch them doing it.

I've watched people do absolutely stupid things right next to my marked troop car. Acts of stupidity you would not believe.

As a few others have already said the bottom line is this: If you are acting responsibly you have nothing to worry about. If you're running 95 in a 65 and get a ticket for speeding, take your lumps and learn your lesson.

 

[daveshoe]

So,Thunderbolt,what is the proper way for a civilian to make sure the unmarked is a LEO,and not someone else? How would I keep from getting into more trouble when all I want is to be sure that I am not rolling down my window to a police impersonator? Or do the marked units initate the contact with the traffic offender in your area?

 

[Chief USA]

You guys want to have some BIG fun stirring the pot? Post this over on DTR. It is run by a bunch of authority and power hungry cops. They are already gunshy over all of the taser video's. :-laf

 

[hammersley]

I hate to throw gas on the fire... But, here in Jersey the Tactical Patrols use a combination of unmarked and marked troop cars. They use the unmarked cars for aggressive driving enforcement.



If you are acting responsibly you have nothing to worry about. If you're running 95 in a 65 and get a ticket for speeding, take your lumps and learn your lesson.

You live in "Jersey" ... NOW If one of those UNMARKED Police Cars stopped you with say a "New Mexico" Plate - and you noticed the plate -- would you still think this was OK????????



The use of the "Out of State Plate" is the REAL ISSUE IMO... ... .

 

[Buck88]

One thing isn't clear to me, were the plates civilian plates? I couldn't find that in the article. Maybe I missed it?

 

[Greenleaf]

I kinda liked it. Reminds me of Buford Pusser. I agree there should be highway patrol in unmarked cars. Careful who you speed past and cut-off.



It's sorta like folks carrying a gun. You never know who has one.



Our locals drive around in an Amish buggy. Be careful what Amish you choose to harass.

 

[BMH95]

The "as long as you are following the law, you have nothing to worry about... " mentality makes my blood boil. I've seen so many cases of innocent citizen abuse it isn't even funny. I saw a cop knock over a buddies bike because he didn't like crotch rockets, and he could. Come to find out that he had som schmoe outrun him on one earlier that day. He was just taking his frustration out on the first one he saw sitting unattended in a parking lot. When the guy came out to say something, the cop told him he'd arrest him if he didn't shut up. ... many more stories where that came from

 

[BMH95]

Also COPS ARE ALSO CIVILIANS!!! It's rediculous to refer to police as officers and we civilians. They are not military. They are just as subject to the law as we are.

 

[DCreed]

Also COPS ARE ALSO CIVILIANS!!! It's rediculous to refer to police as officers and we civilians. They are not military. They are just as subject to the law as we are.

Theoretically

 

[Buck88]

Also COPS ARE ALSO CIVILIANS!!! It's rediculous to refer to police as officers and we civilians. They are not military. They are just as subject to the law as we are.

Civilians? So they dont have any more authority than you or I? I'll agree that they should be held accountable for their actions just like us, but they are officers. Anybody that is willing to put their own life on the line to protect the citizens of the United States should be held in a higher regard, just like firefighters.

 

[Chief USA]

Civilians? So they dont have any more authority than you or I? I'll agree that they should be held accountable for their actions just like us, but they are officers. Anybody that is willing to put their own life on the line to protect the citizens of the United States should be held in a higher regard, just like firefighters.

No, the FACT stands that police ARE civilians. PERIOD.



If they are not civilians then maybe they should ALL be subject to being shipped off to Iraq and Afghanistan at a moments notice like the REAL military folks are and then let's see how many cops want to delusionalize about being military.



With very few exceptions most police I have encountered are "egotisitically, maturationally, and common sensically challenged" not to mention grossly obese, incapable of passing a physical fitness test, and need to be schooled on how to wear and present a clean, pressed, professional appearing uniform and appearance. NOTE: all the things REAL military folks are required to do everyday. Most police see themselves as "the sheep dog" and the rest of "US" as the sheep. Don't compare the police to the military, that is a HUGE insult to REAL military folks who have earned and greatly deserve our respect and support.

 

[Buck88]

Maybe you should re-read my post. I never compared them to the military. I know that the military men and women go through far more than a cop. The fact is, police and firefighters put their lives on the line everyday. Take 9-11 for example. I think that they deserve more respect than you're giving them. And whether you like it or not, police have more authority than you, the government grants them that.



I agree about fat cops though. If you cant pass a physical fitness test, theres no room for you on the force. All your doing is putting peoples lives at risk.

 

[Buck88]

Before you go on, I am a type 1 diabetic. That is the only reason I am not in Afghanistan or Iraq. I think that some people that join the police force are in it because they got beat up to much in highschool. As for me, I am joining the force as an alternative to the Military. I want to help people who are in trouble, not put someone behind bars cause they mouthed off. I'm joining to protect YOU from the injustices of modern society. Now tell me you don't have respect for that and I wont post in this thread anymore.

 

[DCreed]

Good luck Buck! Hope it works out for ya!

 

[BMH95]

Civilians? So they dont have any more authority than you or I? I'll agree that they should be held accountable for their actions just like us, but they are officers. Anybody that is willing to put their own life on the line to protect the citizens of the United States should be held in a higher regard, just like firefighters.

Well the first and foremost problem with your line of thought is that the cops are there to protect us. It is unquestionably true that the job of the police is NOT to protect the citizens of this country. This has been upheld and confirmed by the SCOTUS.



And as far as protecting citizens, it is your legal duty to protect or help a fellow citizen in need. It's the libel code of this country, based on the facts of what is right for humans to do. If you don't believe me, look it up. So if you happen upon a robbery, it is just as much your duty as a human to intervene as it is the cop's. There is no logical reason why you should walk away from a rape in progress because it's the police departments job to take care of it. No, their job is to report on the incident, and find the criminal in order for the court system to bring justice. You have the exact same authourity and duty as the cops, and it is in fact your duty as a human to put your life on the line to help your fellow man. You can be sued if you witness a crime and do nothing to help.



Who is responsible for protecting your family in your house? The cops? Nope. Who has authority to bring justice to criminal behavior in your home? YOU, RIGHT NOW. Why? Because that's your God given right - to protect you and yours, and its your duty as a human father and husband.



Here it is broken down in easy to understand terms: Who has the right to use lethal force (obviously if necessary only) to protect another human? We all do. Who has the right to hold criminals under arrest until the court system can take over the situation? We all do. Who has the duty to protect each other? We all do, not the cops in fact, but the men and women who happen to be cops - but not because they are cops, rather because they are humans and that human duty supercedes their choice of employment. So what makes cops different than we "civilians"? They can write tickets, have radios, have an organized group of force on call to back them up, and they get to drive cool cars. That doesn't make them better than me.

 

[BMH95]

Now bring a new basic graduate of any size, gender, or race into the picture - they are better than me, because they truly are doing something for us that I can't do myself. And it is their job to protect us from foreign invasion. It is the only job of the federal government, really. I have a huge respect for our military personnel. They put themselves in real harms way, and are doing something for all of us.



Seriously, cops don't do anything we can't do for ourselves. Society and television liberals have tuned our poor young generations into a state of dependency. That's the real problem in this country. Men don't know what it means to be men anymore, they think it's someone else's job to take care of them and their family.