This is why you should NEVER NEVER Talk To police....

Well all-righty then. Works for me.

Huh? That sticker basically says that I have an officer of the law who thought enough of me to give me that sticker. It doesn't mean anything other than that. If it matters enough to some cop to let me off because of it, then that's something else.

When I took chemistry a semester or two ago, I got an A. The grade I actually earned was a B. The teacher saw me in tutoring. She saw me studying in the library. I participated in class enough to demonstrate my knowledge of the subject. The only issue was that I had trouble memorizing every aspect on which we were tested. She knew my level of understanding and how hard I worked, so she bumped my grade to an A. To tie this into the sticker thing above, in other words, she could vouch for my level of understanding that wasn't necessarily reflected on the tests I took, so she rewarded me accordingly.

They are held to a higher standard. I agree that they should be. I'm not advocating a cop covering up a murder, rape, spousal abuse, selling drugs, etc. That's something else entirely. If such is the case, I'm of the opinion that maybe they ought to come down harder on the cop, given what he does for a living and the sworn oaths he has taken. All I'm saying there are certain courtesies ("perks," if you will) that one cop may give to another cop.

My friends is a manager at a Luby's. If he ever goes to another Luby's, he gets a free meal. If I'm with him, I get a free meal. Neither of us gets to rob the place, which certainly wouldn't be right, but we do get that freebie; that "perk." It might piss off some other people, but it happens and its pretty harmless. Its just a freakin' perk is all that it is.

That's also a different scenario. My first post was more addressed to people griping about red lights and speeding. Perhaps I should have said that. (Edit: I did, actually.)

Dude....life doesn't work like that, man. This ideal black-and-white scenario you're envisioning doesn't exist. There is no black and white. Only shades of grey.

 

I think everyone has valid points...I can see where DaDa is coming from though...for instance...WWR is talking about the perks, running red lights and speeding are things that put others lives in danger. Arent car crashes one of the leading causes of death? Thats a little different than stealing ice cream from blue bunny...especially with all the talk of higher standards...if you wanna be held in that light, IMO, no perks allowed.

I also understand and see where WWR stands on searching cars....though it seems a major gray area, I would say most of the time cops will only search if the person is acting strangely....major gray area as I said, what defines acting strangely..but I think most cops know when somethings more than likely up more than not.

 

What I meant was police officers should be held accountable for their actions. They shouldn't be allowed to treat others like crap or get away with crimes simply because they put their lives on the line everyday, after all they chose to take the position and nobody is forcing them to do so. I respect the ones that respect me.

 

I'm not saying I don't care if they get harmed, shot or killed. I just don't think that should give them leeway to do as they please which many people seem to think.

I'll respect the ones that respect me and the law themself.

I agree.

 

Isn't that basically what you said in the original post? You said it's helped you a time or two. That's what kaleidosky is referring to I believe. How is that something else?

So you think every officer on the street is knowledgeable in the subject of law in order, not abusing their power, using the best judgment, etc.?

I don't know of any other job you can have outside of law and order that gives you breaking the law perks. Nobody is above the law, nobody.

That's because he is an employee of the business just like Wal-Mart employees can use their discounts at any store. Police officers get perks. In my city, they get discounts to every restaurant in town and they get to eat free when on duty, they get into movies for like 50 cents, they get in free at the local college's sporting events and other activities, and a host of other things. Those are perks I'll agree, breaking the law is not a perk I don't care how small it is.

 

I spent a full summer in the DA's office dealing with cops who think just like you do. It's really sad.

I can't tell you the number of times cars were searched due to the "smell" of mar1juana only to find out there was a trace amount that is undetectable to normal humans.

I'm not saying you can't make up circumstances in which you can search a car. If you say there are exigent circumstances even when there aren't you can get in. I know this. What I'm saying is that if you're being honest and not abusing your authority you can't search my car just because you want to.

 

A lot of you people just don't understand the basis of the is argument. Most law abiding citizens want the police to have the power to arrest criminals and stop crimes from taking place. However, in the process we must insure innocent civilian's rights are not violated by those with such power. That's what is keeping this country from becomin

 

Becoming what?

 

Sorry hit enter then Firefox crashed. Anyway I was saying that is what is keeping us from becoming another totalitarian police state or simply the next gestapo where people can be randomly searched and be arrested for no good reason.

Look I don't support the idea of giving law enforcement too much power without repercussion. This kind of thinking leads to abuse of power regardless of what kind oath a police officer may taken. Power corrupts and is no different for police officers, judges, politicians or any person that has any authority over the general public.

All laws have dual nature, one to protect people and the other to be used against them. IF a cop pulls someone over and finds drugs then it was a good law and great civil service. However, if you are the person that is unreasonably stopped, detained and searched unlawfully with the police finding nothing then that is where real danger lies. Your rights have been violated and it is a very shameful and embarrassing feeling to live with that kind thing.

 

You know...all he said was (at least the part you quoted before this post) was that you don't need a search warrant to search a car - and he's 100% accurate on that.

 

Late to the party and missed the point I see.

I am honest. I do not abuse my authority.

I know I can't search a car because I want to search it.

Again.......late to the party and miss the lecture on probable cause.

 

I don't understand your point. 'Something else' what? My point about the sticker was that I basically had a cop vouch for me, which, if another cop was so inclined, might cause him to let me off. Kinda like those people with 100 Club stickers all over their car. That's a note to any officer saying "Hey! I contribute to you guys! Help me out!"

All I was saying about my chem teacher is that she knew I understood, knew how hard I worked, and rewarded me accordingly. She could justify bumping up my grade because she could vouch for me is all I was saying. It was just an analogy.

Of course not. That's why I said what I did about murder, rape, spousal abuse, etc.

So if you change lanes without using your blinker, and a cop sees you and doesn't do anything, are you going to go down to the precinct and turn yourself in? You're going 45 in a 40 zone. Cop sees you and doesn't pull you over. What do you do then? You're breaking the law, after all. Ever been given a warning re: speeding, doing a "rolling stop" at a stop sign, not having a front plate, or inspection/registration being out, or because your tint is too dark? I've had warnings for every damn one of those.

And a cop is an employee of HPD. What's your point?

 

Well it's pointless trying to explain the blue brotherhood to you.

 

See, I don't agree with that. I just don't think some people should get beneficial treatment because they contribute more or because a officer can vouch for you. Nearly everyone that deals with police pay for them by way of taxes. Treat everybody equally.

I understand your analogy I just don't think you can apply it to police departments unless everybody knows everybody on a one-on-one basis. Your teacher saw you in class, during tutoring sessions, study sessions, participation, etc. I doubt the police officers know much about all other except the fact that they are police officers.

And I am saying any law. Sorry, I don't think anybody is above the law no matter how small it may be.

It's not my job to enforce the law, it is my job to obey it. If I do not obey the law it is the police's job to enforce it so if a cop let me slide then they are not doing their job.

Never been given a warning, every one has been a citation. I've only been given three citations and only one of them showed any professionalism. I've been pulled over multiple times but after nothing was found wrong I was let go.

Police officers are not allowed to break the law is my point. You stated that officers receive perks. I believed you were talking about letting traffic citations slide on each other and other minor infractions. Is that not what you were talking about? If not, then I apologize. If so, I don't think breaking ANY law should be a perk. Police officers are not above the law and should obey it just like the citizens they enforce them upon.

 

It seems that some of you think that off duty officers drive around recklessly running red lights. This is not the case.

 

Did I say that? No, I didn't. My point is they shouldn't be allowed to slide at any time, who cares if they are on or off duty. I've seen police on duty turn the lights and sirens on real quick so they could pass a red light or stop sign to get to Country Kitchen with the rest of the gang a little bit faster for breakfast. Breaking the law is breaking the law and if you as a police officer cannot see that, well that's pitiful.

 

You guys make good points. WWR, you're right, these guys who are consistently abusing their power are most likely weeded out via supervisors. Of course, if you have a chain of people who are all corrupt, then that's a different story...hopefully that's rare.

And Lynus is right in that I am looking at this and thinking that it *should* be a black and white type thing.. and life isn't like that.. but I wish it was in a lot of cases

 

I haven't really had problems with any officers (HPD, Metro and etc)...I've only gotten a citation and a ticket for failing to stop and speeding.

I give them same respect that I give everybody else but I do have to agree that it is not cool that cops run red lights, speed or turn on sirens just to get through the traffic.

My only problem with them is the high speed chases...are they really necessary? I thought HPD put in a policy regarding that. Yesterday, there was a high speed chase during the rush hour. The reason was the guy wasn't wearing a seat belt and he decided to take them on a chase. He claimed he was scared to be stopped by the cops. Why not let him go and arrest him later?

It is not worth it injuring or killing civilians out there over a seat belt or any traffic violations. One of my close friends' dad in high school was killed by a high speed chase in process 10 years ago.

So they really need to re-think the policy for high speed chases for minor offenses.

 

Well if it is a minor offense just pull over and get it out the way otherwise the offending citizen has just turned one minor charge into several minor and major charges.