Road Rage Cured !!

[merryman]

Disclaimer;

I have never been a LEO, No one in my family is or has been since my pternal grandfather who died many years before I was born. (actually he was a U. S. Marshall in the Indian Territory--"True Grit" :>).



But with 30+ years on the bench trying cases---probably on the order 60% criminal--I have had a whole lot of cop watching. In a fair number of cases, there is a controversy about the conduct of the people involved, including that of the officers involved.

Rules;

There some bad apples in every barrell-----whether its a barrell of preahers, doctors, plumbers or schoold teachers, therefor there are some bad officers.



Everyone will accasionally have a bad day and fail to measure up to what they ordinarilly are.

That all said, I have manytimes been impressed by the responsibility, restraint and concern exhibited by officers in bad or trying situations; on a very few occasions I have been disapointed in conduct of officers, on twoccasions, I initiated action that resulted in officers being disciplined and on one occasion, removed from the Oregon State Police.



The number of officers who willfully disregard the law or unduly take advantage of their situation, is, at least in Oregon, too small to be of any concern.

In vertually every situation where I have encountered a "cop hating" attitude, the cause lay in the conduct/history of the person involved---not in that of officers. The one clear example that comes to mind is that of a former deputy prosecutor who became very anti- cop. I did some inquiry in the county where he used to practice and found that inspite of his former position, the cop who stopped him for bad driving went ahead and arrested him and he was convicted of DUI; now he hates cops.



The only real criticisms I have of officers as a group is there is a small tendency to develope an "us them" attitude, but I guess with the frequent negative attitude they see that might be to be expected. The other criticism I would make is that too many officers get over excited when they see or think there is a gun on or near a person they stop, when they have no reason to believe they they are encountering other than regular person.

Sorry this is so long and I have no time to proof read---my fingers and my brain often differ on which key "we" are hitting.



Vaughn

 

[Bob Cochran]

I think that there is only one word to cover everyone "responsible". No matter who they are. While I am an avid hunter and know my weapons well I have not applied for a CHL. A personal choice I my change my mind about later but for the moment that is mine. My temper at times overrides my good sense. I hope I never regret it!!!

 

[JStordahl]

Hmm: Me thinks the us versus them shows up mighty plain in this thread with some of you doing a word stomp on JTMcracken. JTM stated some of the negatives, and perhaps he is justified in his opinion... ... but you guys just lumped him into your special little file for "someone who's had trouble with the law" just because he stated something that tarnishes the gold of the law enforcement community. The fact that you immediately did that shows the bias. We know you guys have a tough job. So what? Maybe others do too. It's been my experience that most local policemen are good people... ... you know, not perfect, but like the rest of the citizens. And there are a few with that cocky, arrogant, attitude that people remember. I personally believe a lot of the negative attitude concerning law enforcement comes from the way the Feds have acted in the past. NRA members know what I'm talking about. Enough said.

 

[JTMcCracken]

Well as I said, this is really not the place for this but I think I'll quickly respond to some of the comments thrown my way.



1) "you don't know anything about cops" - I have several close family members in law enforcement, and yes I get along fine w/all of them. In the past I've held jobs that required close contact w/cops daily.

2) "You got a ticket"- well of course I have, I never held that against anyone.

3) "Youv'e been arrested"- no I haven't, I've never been close.

4) "Your a nut"- my kids think so, but not in the way you mean.

5) "You've recieved many speeding citations( that were probably deserved)" - see #2, and yes they were deserved.

6) "Arrested for something serious"- see #3, never arrested.

7) "Whacko backwoods militia member" - no but I did proudly serve in the United States Army and would have done 20 years if not for a medical problem. I do live in a rural area because I choose to, that doesn't qualify me for whacko status however.

8) "on the fringe of paranoia"- this is the first time I've been diagnosed with a mental disorder, who'd a thunk you could do that over the internet!

9) "cheat on my taxes" - nope, I firmly believe that we are overtaxed but I don't steal, peroid.

10) "***** about how I hate all police officers"- go back and re read every sentence I wrote, you will find nothing of the kind.

11) "narrow minded, immature,ignorant"- at least thats better than being called a whacko paranoid.

12) "If you are in fact an NRA member"- I don't lie and if I was to start it wouldn't be about that.

13) "put down behold a pale horse"- you got me there, I assume thats a book but I've never heard of it.



I am in fact a rather stable individual, I own a business, I employ several other nice folks and have for over ten years, as I said, no arrests, no criminal record, I shoot, hunt, work, go to church, picnic with my kids and I believe every word I posted here. Thank goodness I didn't say anything about amsoil or automatic transmittions! Have a nice day JTMcC.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Good for you JTMcCracken there are entirely to few of us around; just normal ordinary. Who believe all are basically honest and no matter the job have a few bad apples. God glad somebody can do police work Oo. Applied when I was yonger to be policemen and at the last minute I decided I could not handle it. Not the right temperment or is that temper!!!



This thread sorta got off track anyways. So will not read anymore post or respond either I think.

 

[Warpig]

No one will dissagree with the fact that in every profession there is a small percentage of "bad apples" Police Dept's included. What I have a problem with is when people like Mcwhacken make ignorant statements like " By the way your avarage cop would love to see me and the rest of America disarmed" Maybe someone got the idea of you hating cops (JTMcC) after you said,

"I'm just no great admirer of your avarage policeman" and "I have little respect for your occupation.

I had a brother Officer die in my arms after being shot in the head by a drug dealer. I suppose you have no respect for him either.

If you've been "wronged" by the police, maybe it's because of your lack of respect. Walk the "beats" I've walked over the last 15 yrs. You'll either be dead, or you will be alive with a profound new respect for "your avarage cop"





Timothy G. Wright

Sergeant Waterbury Police Dept.

255 East Main St.

Waterbury Ct, 06702

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by Bigsaint





If you get a DWI confiction against you, will you lose your job ? I will. If your wife files for a restraining order against you and it becomes finalized in Superior court, will you lose your job ? I will. If you get convicted of a disorderly persons offense, will you lose your job ? I will. Nuff said.



Scott W.

A little off topic.

In Alaska, I believe youre allowed two DWI's in the last 10 years if you want to be in the highway patrol.

http://www.dps.state.ak.us/ast/recruit/akNonResident3.htm



I've been very lucky to have never been in a road rage situation.

I did "call out" a carload of smartly dressed black gentlemen once after my wife and I were nearly hit by them.

They just looked at me like I was nuts. And stayed put. Afterwords my wife asked me "what is nation of islam?" I came to find out that theyre car had this licence plate frame on it. :--)

Somedays youre really lucky.



I used to work with someone that would start a road rage incident nearly every day on his way to work. He was 5'2" tall and about 100lbs dripping wet, with the additude of king kong.



Eric

 

[sdalton]

JTM, you bring the wrath of the members on you all by yourself, with the way you choose your words. First impressions mean a lot to most people, and especially Police Officers. So I would give you a little advise, Think before you type. I would rather not hear any more of your "Word Rage", especially directed at those chosen to protect you.

 

[Shovelhead]

I am always amazed at the persons participating in some of these road rage incidents.

As Eric stated,

"I used to work with someone that would start a road rage incident nearly every day on his way to work. He was 5'2" tall and about 100lbs dripping wet, with the additude of king kong. "



This same individual would NEVER think of starting something in a checkout line at the supermarket, or Wally-World.

It never ceases to amaze me how brave some people can be when they're travelling around "Protected" in their 4,000lb coccoon.

(But an engineer boot in the door can be a HUGE wake-up call )