I'm having a "debate" with another forum member as to the general opinion of LEO in general.. please post...
So you are stating that it is perfectly OK for LEOs to treat non-LEOs differently from LEOs in the performance of their duties? That the laws being broken by LEOs should be treated differently than the same laws being broken by regular citizens? In effect, "do as we tell you to do, not as WE can get away with."?
And you wonder why LEOs have issues with the publics perceptions of them?
YES !! Its called a "PERK" of the job!! And I have no problem of the publics perception of me when I was "On the job"
I'm not to familiar on how to work this forum, but if you or maybe Bob can post a "Poll" we'll see what most think of LEO either + or - ...
If you can please start a poll...:thumbsup:
what would be good is for the leos on this site to give some pointers as to what to do and what to say when you do get pulled over.
Just a couple of short points if I may.
1) Having spent my entire career in Law Enforcement for a good sized agency and having interaction with many agencies all across the country I have NEVER met a corrupt LEO. Have officers,deputies/troopers made mistakes that cost them their jobs or careers? Yes they have.
2) Professional curtesy to other officers is not a given. I remember giving a ticket to an NYPD because an attitude about being exempt or above the law. It was his attitude that got him the ticket (just as with anyone I ever stopped). I was never a "big on traffic unit" but if faced with an obvious infraction I would work them as necessary and with all the curtesy I was allowed by the driver.
3) Have I ever shown professional curtesy to another officer, yes. We walked in the same dangerous shoes and pursued through the same dangerous streets and gone through the same dangerous doors after people who would take our life with no concern for us or our families.
4) What you say about attitude of officers is a bit misguided. Most (not all) are truly super people. Take them out of uniform and get to know them and you'll probably like what you find. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Were their LEO's I didn't care for, yes. Were their ego's, yes. Just don't use too broad of a brush.
Just my observations.:thumbsup:
Just a couple of short points if I may.
1) Having spent my entire career in Law Enforcement for a good sized agency and having interaction with many agencies all across the country I have NEVER met a corrupt LEO. Have officers,deputies/troopers made mistakes that cost them their jobs or careers? Yes they have.
2) Professional curtesy to other officers is not a given. I remember giving a ticket to an NYPD because an attitude about being exempt or above the law. It was his attitude that got him the ticket (just as with anyone I ever stopped). I was never a "big on traffic unit" but if faced with an obvious infraction I would work them as necessary and with all the curtesy I was allowed by the driver.
3) Have I ever shown professional curtesy to another officer, yes. We walked in the same dangerous shoes and pursued through the same dangerous streets and gone through the same dangerous doors after people who would take our life with no concern for us or our families.
4) What you say about attitude of officers is a bit misguided. Most (not all) are truly super people. Take them out of uniform and get to know them and you'll probably like what you find. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying. Were their LEO's I didn't care for, yes. Were their ego's, yes. Just don't use too broad of a brush.
Just my observations.:thumbsup:
1. Suppose I'm at an Eric Clapton concert. Do I get to go backstage and see Eric?
2. You have NO idea what the LEO just came from! Maybe he just left the scene where a speeder hit a minivan killing or severely injuring one or more small children, or from the funeral of a co-worker. They might have just come from a situation where they got shot at. I've been shot at with the intent to kill, and I can tell you that it isn't any fun....PERIOD! YOU might just be the beneficiary of something like that and don't even have a clue what's pissing him/her off, and they DAMN SURE ain't gonna share that info with you! That's why I always try to be polite and pleasant with the LEO. Hell, if you were pulled over it was probably because you were "noticed" and deserved to be pulled over anyway.
There are probably a million more points, but these 2 just jumped out at me
Very sharp Andy and oh so true. thanks
Ken
COP= constable on patrol (UK)