"The Danger of Bored Cops with a Quota to Meet"

[C. Lee]

A few times in my life, but what does that have to do with anything? Everybody who gets pulled over is not some drunken psycho that's going to take their shirt off after beating their woman.

What it has to do with is this....you stated that they should have done nothing more after asking for his ID and he said he didn't have it...you also basicly said that because he was sitting in the passenger seat, there was no way for him to be doing anything wrong.

I referenced the show COPS....because it shows all the time people "just sitting in the passenger seat" being wanted for one thing or another. Do you really think that a policeman should say "Well, no reason to check on that guy....he's just sitting in the passenger seat."? The nightly news is filled with stories that begin "Wanted criminal caught after routine traffic stop" or "Policeman killed while performing a routine traffic stop."

The point is....the police have to be prepared for the fact that everyone pulled over for a routine traffic stop has the possibility of being a psycho. I have been pulled over by the cops a bunch (a made a post describing a particular instance earlier)....it's annoying, but I don't take it personally....it's them doing their job to make the city safe for the rest of us to go driving about in the middle of the night.

 

[Cosmic]

My buddy Reggie calls me at 11-something last night.

Him: Hey man, help me move this big ass tv from my mom’s house to my apartment.

Me: Alright.

This struck me as odd at first, but then again, I can remember a time in my life when I might have also helped a buddy in this situation. Thankfully, those days are long gone. Now, If somebody was to call me late in the evening asking for a favor, the default answer is "no." But more importantly, nobody calls me late in the evening asking for favors anymore.

 

[Drakon]

Well, if you'd pick up the damn phone....

 

[Drakon]

Well, if you'd pick up the damn phone....

 

[jks]

Wow man. What was this cop thinking?

Questions like that are asked and your reaction is what they pay attention to.....

 

[Majic Walrus]

A few times in my life, but what does that have to do with anything? Everybody who gets pulled over is not some drunken psycho that's going to take their shirt off after beating their woman.


Labeling people never protects anyone. All labeling does give rise to stereotypes to prejudge people by. Cops are humans, and people unfortunately think in stereotypes. The law should be about protecting other people's rights, not labeling people as criminals because it(the law) says so. Stupid laws like having to register you vehicle every year do nothing to keep the whole of society safe.

The law is about protecting people. Law enforcement is about protecting people by investigating and apprehending suspected criminals.

And I really don't want to get into a debate about which minor laws are useful or not, I don't fully support all laws but I still obey them because they're the law.

And yes criminals do ride shotgun, but what reason did the cop have to suspect RSP? What did he do to make him seem like a criminal outside of sitting in the passenger seat? It's fine that the cop asked him a question or two, but after he said that he didn't have his wallet there was no point in going further. If the cop ran the plates and found out that the car had warrants, then I can see him going further. But there was enough reason to believe that the guy simply forgot his wallet. I'm sure that RSP and his friend told the cop the story, what more does he want after that? Is it such a far fetched story that you have to waste time digging up who the guy really is? While he was focusing on RSP's last name was fake or not, somebody else somewhere could've needed that cop's help. Someone could've been getting robbed or beaten, but oh no, we have to play the bureacracy game because someone might be "suspicious."

I have no idea what reason the cop had, neither does RSP. Frankly the only person that needs to know is the cop.

The point is that the cop acted on his suspicion to determine if RSP was in fact possibly participating in illegal activity. I would hope that the officer would do the same thing in ANY case where he felt that someone was acting suspcious. The one time a cop doesn't follow a possible suspect could be the one time that your wife or daughter is stuffed in his trunk.

Obviously I'm not saying that RSP had your family member in his trunk... In fact, RSP didn't do anything wrong. Which the cop was able to determine in a relatively short amount of time.

 

[Eric Brooks]

Cops aren't always right but very rarely do people have ANY sympathy for cops whatsoever.

I'm just going to pretend you're not naive enough to actually think this

sympathy for cops?

when most of the time they're complete *******s for no apparant reason?


again, sympathy?

I'm just going to laugh that one off

 

[Heretic]

Of course, had your buddy been calling you to give you a copy of the constitution, both of you would have been tossed in jail as potential terrorists....

 

[Majic Walrus]

I'm just going to pretend you're not naive enough to actually think this

sympathy for cops?

when most of the time they're complete *******s for no apparant reason?


again, sympathy?

I'm just going to laugh that one off

When was the last time you had a conversation with a cop that didn't start with you being caught for committing a crime? What's that? Never?

Of course people don't like cops the average person is only going to be having interactions with them during traffic stops and when they are in some sort of trouble.

Cops are trained to not be overtly and exceedingly friendly because it works to lessen authority which might well be needed during a conflict.

But I'd bet that if you were mugged or robbed or attacked or one of your family members were mugged or robbed or attacked you'd damn well call the cops, right?

 

[The Guard]

Once again...

It is highly unlikely that the officer ever actually suspected him of anything, that he matched the description of a robber, or anything half as dramatic. This is just a routine traffic stop with some mild flags (late night, no ID) that officers are obligated to check out.

And again, was the taillight actually out?

 

[Paradyme]

I don't like cops because I'm constantly being profiled for the type of car I drive. I've been pulled over for 'speeding' which I wasn't. I've been followed all the way from my subdivision to my office. I've had them stare at me as I pass by.

I respect the ones that do their job and actually catch people who are selling drugs and what not but cops who just sit there and pull people over for going 5 miles or whatever over the speed limit need to get off their high horse.

 

[JStorm]

This struck me as odd at first, but then again, I can remember a time in my life when I might have also helped a buddy in this situation. Thankfully, those days are long gone. Now, If somebody was to call me late in the evening asking for a favor, the default answer is "no." But more importantly, nobody calls me late in the evening asking for favors anymore.

You fail as a friend.

I don't care what mood, how old, sick, ****ing, whatever - if I friend calls me, I am seeing what's up.


Hence, "FRIEND!"

 

[JStorm]

When was the last time you had a conversation with a cop that didn't start with you being caught for committing a crime? What's that? Never?

Of course people don't like cops the average person is only going to be having interactions with them during traffic stops and when they are in some sort of trouble.

Cops are trained to not be overtly and exceedingly friendly because it works to lessen authority which might well be needed during a conflict.

But I'd bet that if you were mugged or robbed or attacked or one of your family members were mugged or robbed or attacked you'd damn well call the cops, right?

This reminds me of an application most Universities are using now. I hope all can keep up with the analogy:

Each Professor at my college had a Myspace type page within a website that we a rating system - teaching, helpfulness, awareness, etc.

What I quickly learned was this - each student that passed the class - or a high majority - did not "fail" the Prof. Each student - or a high majority - that failed the class - gave the Prof a horrible grade.

I mean some of the wall post were hilarious: "she sucks.......cant teach. for real dont taek her."

And the class was World Literature 2100. Get it.




My Pop always said "I bet you don't call them 'pig's' when you need 'em."

 

[Eric Brooks]

But I'd bet that if you were mugged or robbed or attacked or one of your family members were mugged or robbed or attacked you'd damn well call the cops, right?

you damn right, because I expect them to do there damn jobs. That's what they're there for

doesn't change my opinion of them or the fact that most of them are *******s for NO REASON WHATSOEVER

when you get pulled over down the street from your house and accused of coming out of your next door neighbors house and buying drugs when you were clearly backing out of your own damn driveway, and then get ticked because "he's got to write you up for SOMETHING" right. To meet his quota

I've got plenty of stories involving cops not doing there jobs properly. I'm pretty sure you've heard a ton load yourself on the news that you didn't quite agree with, right? am I right on that one? Because I know I am

yea, I expect them to do there jobs and not be *******s in the process of it. Not a damn thing wrong with that

now I'm going to continue laughing my ass off at the thought of you defending these legalized street punks

 

[terry78]

I don't call the cops, I take matters into my own hands.

 

[Cosmic]

You fail as a friend.

I don't care what mood, how old, sick, ****ing, whatever - if I friend calls me, I am seeing what's up.


Hence, "FRIEND!"

A friend can be reasonable about asking for favors. Everybody knows they can call me or come get me to help move heavy stuff around. But they also know not to ask for stuff like that when it's damn near midnight.

 

[mrvlknight21]

you damn right, because I expect them to do there damn jobs. That's what they're there for

doesn't change my opinion of them or the fact that most of them are *******s for NO REASON WHATSOEVER

when you get pulled over down the street from your house and accused of coming out of your next door neighbors house and buying drugs when you were clearly backing out of your own damn driveway, and then get ticked because "he's got to write you up for SOMETHING" right. To meet his quota

I've got plenty of stories involving cops not doing there jobs properly. I'm pretty sure you've heard a ton load yourself on the news that you didn't quite agree with, right? am I right on that one? Because I know I am

yea, I expect them to do there jobs and not be *******s in the process of it. Not a damn thing wrong with that

now I'm going to continue laughing my ass off at the thought of you defending these legalized street punks

Wow, a lot of broad generalizations about law enforcement there. I am sorry if you feel like you have been mistreated by a police officer or if you feel like they dont do their job properly.

Keep in mind, police are people too. You have some bad people and some good people, same way with just about any job. Usually the good police officers, which in my opinion, are the majority, you dont hear about. You see the news about the officers who violate the law or their use of force policy or code of ethics. But the majority of them, the ones that abide by policy and maybe even help some people out, you probably will never hear about.

"Legalized street punks"....wow.

 

[Eric Brooks]

Wow, a lot of broad generalizations about law enforcement there. I am sorry if you feel like you have been mistreated by a police officer or if you feel like they dont do their job properly.

Keep in mind, police are people too. You have some bad people and some good people, same way with just about any job. Usually the good police officers, which in my opinion, are the majority, you dont hear about. You see the news about the officers who violate the law or their use of force policy or code of ethics. But the majority of them, the ones that abide by policy and maybe even help some people out, you probably will never hear about.

"Legalized street punks"....wow.

not saying there's not good cops out there

but around here, the bad ones out number the good ones, easily.

and the bad ones, simply put, "ruin it for the good ones"

not my fault it has to be like that but it is and my opinion is not going to change until the bad ones change, flat out

 

[JStorm]

A friend can be reasonable about asking for favors. Everybody knows they can call me or come get me to help move heavy stuff around. But they also know not to ask for stuff like that when it's damn near midnight.

Sure. And dually noted.

But I think differently, as does the group I am friends with and related.

A common saying among us is "he/she will be pissed about it, but he/she will do it."

Meaning we do just about anything for friends. If I called Devil in the middle of the night and asked, even something as rudimentary as your example - "he'd be pissed about it, but would do it."

I'm talking CLOSE friends - people one considers family. In your defense, and to the point, I would not do that for certain friends - even the ones I see on a regular basis.

 

[mrvlknight21]

not saying there's not good cops out there

but around here, the bad ones out number the good ones, easily.

and the bad ones, simply put, "ruin it for the good ones"

not my fault it has to be like that but it is and my opinion is not going to change until the bad ones change, flat out

See this is the part I disagree with. Obviously I dont live where you live (who knows, maybe I do), but my point is, maybe the ones you have had contact with have been rude or whatever, but that doesnt mean that the majority are, even at your local department.

If the bad ones were to change, or more good ones came in to outnumber the "bad ones", how would you know? How often to you deal with the local police? I know you said you had a ton of incidents, but really, how would you know to allow your opinion to change?

A page or 2 back I listed a situation where I felt the police had acted like an ass to me. I have another situation I will mention now.
I had a friend that worked at a sports store in the mall. Naturally, when I went there, I would stop in and talk to him. Well, we happen to be talking near the entrance of his store one day and a police officer (not a mall security guard) came and told me that I was blocking the entrance and causing a problem. I fired back at the officer that I wasnt blocking anyone's way and that I was talking to the co-manager of the store. Surely if there was a problem, the co-manager (my friend) woudl let me know. The officer and I exchanged a few more pleasantries and I eventually went on my way (which probably prevented an arrest).

Whats the point?
That that guy surely had something better to do than tell me I was standing in the doorway of a store and I shouldnt be. Obviously I wasnt causing any type of problem whatsoever.

Does that make that officer a bad person? Heck no.
Does it make him a "legalized street punk"? Clearly not.

Do I still think his issues with me were ridiculous? HELL YES.

Do I hold that against every other officer? NO
Do I think the majority of police act like him and the other guy who tried to make a DUI charge on me? NO

The point is, the majority of these guys just want to do their job properly and go home at the end of the day. They have to deal with all kinds of crazy crap that you definitely dont want to deal with on a daily basis.
Treat them with respect and they will probably do the same for you.

 

[RockSP]

A friend can be reasonable about asking for favors. Everybody knows they can call me or come get me to help move heavy stuff around. But they also know not to ask for stuff like that when it's damn near midnight.

Well I guess the time being an issue is for each individual to determine. In my case, it wasn't an issue at all. I'm an adult...no curfew.

 

[Majic Walrus]

My Pop always said "I bet you don't call them 'pig's' when you need 'em."

Exactly.

you damn right, because I expect them to do there damn jobs. That's what they're there for

doesn't change my opinion of them or the fact that most of them are *******s for NO REASON WHATSOEVER

when you get pulled over down the street from your house and accused of coming out of your next door neighbors house and buying drugs when you were clearly backing out of your own damn driveway, and then get ticked because "he's got to write you up for SOMETHING" right. To meet his quota

Quotas are not determined by number of tickets written, they are determined by monetary amounts paid for fines AFTER the scheduled court date. If you get a uniformed officer summons for something that you didn't do there's no reason that you shouldn't contest it.

Cops will rarely give you a ticket for "no reason" because they understand that it reflects poorly on them if the ticket is contested and you are found not guilty for a minor traffic violation.

However if you are speeding... You know just five miles over the speed limit then you have no right or reason to complain. Speed limits are posted and if you really wanted to avoid a ticket that badly then you'd go the speed limit.

I've got plenty of stories involving cops not doing there jobs properly. I'm pretty sure you've heard a ton load yourself on the news that you didn't quite agree with, right? am I right on that one? Because I know I am

I really don't dig on rhetorical questions dude. Really though even if I see a "bad cop" once a month every month on the news it's a horrible representation of the number of cops that actually exist versus the number of cops caught in "questionable" circumstances.

I'd like to add that they are questionable circumstances. When a cop writes you a ticket or arrest you you are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. But when a cop does something that you think is fishy you automatically condemn him without hearing his side of the story at all.

Not that you seem to care at all about due process.

yea, I expect them to do there jobs and not be *******s in the process of it. Not a damn thing wrong with that

now I'm going to continue laughing my ass off at the thought of you defending these legalized street punks

Seriously though... Maybe cops are ***** to you because you apparently very ferverently despite them. That probably shows when you're in a conflict with a police officer. And let's say that you're in the position of authority, how nice would you be to someone who thinks you're a legalized street punk?

 

[mrvlknight21]

I'd like to add that they are questionable circumstances. When a cop writes you a ticket or arrest you you are innocent until proven guilty by a court of law. But when a cop does something that you think is fishy you automatically condemn him without hearing his side of the story at all.

I was going to bring this up as well. If there is an officer who does something illegal or not complying with their code of conduct or whatever, the victim can send it up the line and/or file charges, make a civil suit, whatever. Obviously, depending on the circumstances.