I need a law enforcement perspective ...
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Absolutely. I was taught at the Idaho POST academy that profiling is the quickest way to lose my house (and truck). I kind of like those things, so I tend not to profile. I have 9 years experience, 7 as a full time patrol Deputy. Be honest with cops and MOST will be cool with you. Those of you complaining about the amount of times being stopped...obviously you're doing something wrong. Regularly. I've NEVER been unfair to people. I generally talk to people like they're talking to me. And I let them know that.
Not sure about the laws in Canada, so I can't help you with your initial question. The amount of cop bashing is pretty disheartening though. There are those of us that try to be honest, fair, and cool with people and this is how people see us no matter what we do. We're all "rookies with an attitude." I fully admit that there ARE dicks out there, but not nearly the amount everyone seems to think. Go on a ride along for ONE day to see what kind of crap we put up with on a daily basis. It looks to me like most of the general public is profiling US as a bunch of badge heavy rookies. I accept that and still kiss my 4 year old and my wife goodnight while I work 12 hours of dealing with drug dealers, murderers, and people that hate me the second I contact them, with the hopes that I will make it home at the end of the shift to say good morning. I still love my job and will do it the same way I have been. And yes...I make mistakes. I own up to them, though.
You wanted the law enforcement perspective, here's mine. Good luck and hopefully you don't have that kind of negative contact again.
If any of you have a negative contact, call and ask to speak to the watch commander. We ARE held accountable for every action we take.
Not sure about the laws in Canada, so I can't help you with your initial question. The amount of cop bashing is pretty disheartening though. There are those of us that try to be honest, fair, and cool with people and this is how people see us no matter what we do. We're all "rookies with an attitude." I fully admit that there ARE dicks out there, but not nearly the amount everyone seems to think. Go on a ride along for ONE day to see what kind of crap we put up with on a daily basis. It looks to me like most of the general public is profiling US as a bunch of badge heavy rookies. I accept that and still kiss my 4 year old and my wife goodnight while I work 12 hours of dealing with drug dealers, murderers, and people that hate me the second I contact them, with the hopes that I will make it home at the end of the shift to say good morning. I still love my job and will do it the same way I have been. And yes...I make mistakes. I own up to them, though.
You wanted the law enforcement perspective, here's mine. Good luck and hopefully you don't have that kind of negative contact again.
If any of you have a negative contact, call and ask to speak to the watch commander. We ARE held accountable for every action we take.
well put
I have been in law enforcement for just over 5 years not civilian but federal, so i dont have to go through what you do on a daily basis, thanks for what you do.
A few years back a city cop was gunned down (while off duty and not in uniform while at a 7-11) by a gang banger because a few weeks prior the cop pulled him over for speeding and found dope on him. Wife and three kids left behind.
Record Breaker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 2
From: Milledgeville, GA
I don't see anything wrong with profiling. I don't mean picking one aspect like race or age to go after. I mean a legitimate, compiled-from-experience profile of who is the most likely to be committing a crime. After all, why waste your time watching those statistically unlikely to be a perp?
If experience shows that "group X" is prone to criminal activity it only makes sense to keep a closer eye on them. It's not personal, it's not out of hate, it's simply statistics.
If experience shows that "group X" is prone to criminal activity it only makes sense to keep a closer eye on them. It's not personal, it's not out of hate, it's simply statistics.
Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 582
Likes: 0
From: California
lets face it, african americans and hispanics are more likely to be suspected of crime then a white guy would (unless u live in like a mostly white area where there arent many other ethnicities.)
that being said, it brings me to my next point. some places have more or less strict police then where u live.
from my experience, the only times i have gotten pulled over were all out of town. over where i am (the capital of california) i have done some dumb things that could of gotten me booked. like peeling out at stop sign, peeling out in all ailes of the parking lot, loud music as in having subs in the bed, no front plates for 2.5 years, no rear plates for 1.5 years, mirror tints
and yes all this in front of cops. ( i miss being 17) the peeling out in the parking lot and making fast turns was a daily behavior for me so i eventually got pulled out of class on day by po-po. but it was nothin.
all that and never gotten in real trouble nor tickets. but when i go out of town, I try and be the best driver i can becuz u never know how strict po-po can be over there
that being said, it brings me to my next point. some places have more or less strict police then where u live.
from my experience, the only times i have gotten pulled over were all out of town. over where i am (the capital of california) i have done some dumb things that could of gotten me booked. like peeling out at stop sign, peeling out in all ailes of the parking lot, loud music as in having subs in the bed, no front plates for 2.5 years, no rear plates for 1.5 years, mirror tints
and yes all this in front of cops. ( i miss being 17) the peeling out in the parking lot and making fast turns was a daily behavior for me so i eventually got pulled out of class on day by po-po. but it was nothin.all that and never gotten in real trouble nor tickets. but when i go out of town, I try and be the best driver i can becuz u never know how strict po-po can be over there
Amateur
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Going on the, you never know who is in the car you are pulling over thing and our job is hard enough thing, this is our patrol cars. Mine is in the back with 3 bullet holes in the front windshield and my partners has 18. This was from a simple running a stop sign, we were just gonna give a warning and let them go. He decided to pull out an auto AK47 and unload on us.
Now, all agencys and states are different. Each city, county, state, and country have different laws. I've been doing this for a while and I don't like giving tickets. Espically now that people are loosing their jobs and ticket prices are increasing. If you commit an offense, I will pull you over for it, but usually will let you off unless it it something really bad. I am more concerned about finding other things than messing with people over traffic infractions.
For the original poster, look up the statute number they wrote you the ticket for and see what the law says. I know in Florida you can look up the laws online. Traffic infractions (in Florida) start at chapter 316-324. Link to Florida Statutes
Now, all agencys and states are different. Each city, county, state, and country have different laws. I've been doing this for a while and I don't like giving tickets. Espically now that people are loosing their jobs and ticket prices are increasing. If you commit an offense, I will pull you over for it, but usually will let you off unless it it something really bad. I am more concerned about finding other things than messing with people over traffic infractions.
For the original poster, look up the statute number they wrote you the ticket for and see what the law says. I know in Florida you can look up the laws online. Traffic infractions (in Florida) start at chapter 316-324. Link to Florida Statutes
Last edited by sudnit5; Aug 14, 2009 at 10:50 AM.
Record Breaker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Ohio
Going on the, you never know who is in the car you are pulling over thing and our job is hard enough thing, this is our patrol cars. Mine is in the back with 3 bullet holes in the front windshield and my partners has 18. This was from a simple running a stop sign, we were just gonna give a warning and let them go. He decided to pull out an auto AK47 and unload on us.
