Posted on 09/25/2007 7:57:49 PM PDT by B-Chan
I’ve been stopped for no more reason than I was driving a new car. “Whut yew got in that trunk, son?” My wife and I ended up standing on the side of the road in our sock feet while the cop called in another car and the three of them tossed our luggage. (Two of the cops did the actual rifling though our belongings; one cop just stood there and kept a close eye on us during the search.)
This was in Mississippi.
I and my wife are both lily-white, BTW.
Did you have out of state plates?
Yes. Mississippi is famous for that.
I would say that resentment is well deserved. If you don't believe me, ask the lucky folks in Virginia who are now required to pay fines in the thousands of dollars for traffic offenses.
roadtrooper [1/15/07 3:04 pm] It was just a couple weeks before Thanksgiving, near the first part of November, I'm working midnight shift, it's in the wee hours, traffic is light, road is still damp from an earlier shower, I spy a lone vehicle rapidly overtaking me (and the one big truck that has been behind me since I passed him a few miles back), I watch it for a few moments in my mirror, it's still 1/4 mile or more back, easily running 100+ I guess after a a few moments, it gets closer, it's lights are tall like a PU or SUV maybe, it passes that one lone tractor trailer only several hundred yards back, it's headlights look to be on bright, he's getting closer now, truck's driver calls out on 19 "smokey wake up, you got one that's going to blow your doors off", smokey doesn't answer, I release hold on Eagle (rear antenna-moving-same direction mode), target 107, patrol 63, do speed discrimination test, tone varies with speed, 107 so steady it's like he's on cruise, he comes up near rear of car, he in left lane still (I in the right lane) and then slams on brakes to try not overshoot me when he "finally" sees the decals (on the back of my car), I hit brakes to get him in front while his speed is still high, he shoots past me still slowing, I call in stop and tag # on large SUV from foreign state, luggage piled high on top, see what looks like Christmas gifts in back glass, he's at 50-55 mph now, I stop him, I approach, see he has family in vehicle, two teens, a child, and wife it appears, before I can open my mouth hardly here comes large gold shield out window, I have to ask for OL & Reg 3 times, comment on the pretty badge, he's not happy but civil, I go to my car & write & run check & request transcript for court, return to his left side door with only one summons, return OL & Reg., listen to some more heated words on his part, he even theatens my days off with the promise of many court appearences, he get's all red faced, I start to worry he's going to pop a vein, he then signs summons finally (I only wrote it at 99 mph) after I mention my only alternative, kids watching, wife watching (but her jaw has dropped open now), the child is crying, and his last words were a promise to nominate me for Dick of the Month as I leave the side of his vehicle and walk back to mine, this after I wished him and his family a safe holiday!...
Some replies from other CWC members:
dep214 [1/15/07 6:31 pm: sounds like some kid wrote the story. you are still a dickSo let me get this straight: A cop busts another cop for doing 107 on a rain-slick highway, and he's a "dick" for doing so? Unreal.chicagocop [1/15/07 6:53 pm]: sounds to me you are bragging about writting another copper,You The Man!!!
Just like the politicians: “do as I say, not as I do”
All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible. Such people have a tendency to become drunk on violence, a condition to which they are quickly addicted.
Missionaria Protectiva Text QIV (decto)
Chapterhouse: Dune (Frank Herbert)
Where I live cops (after 5 years), and teachers (after about 15 years) will both make in excess of $100K. This does not even include the free health care, or almost free, unbelievable pensions and other incredible benefits. Yes, the politicians on Long Island and New York State know what Unions butter their bread....
Where I live the average teacher salary is $58,425.
The average police officer salary is $54,574.
Top pay for teachers after 12 years of service is $95,000. Also if a teacher wants to coach a sport and do some driver’s education, they can make up to $130,000 a year.
Our police have no legal opportunity to do that.
taken to its logical absurdity, at what point does professional courtesy end?
When it is abused, when the infraction being overlooked at the discretion of the duty officer is a serious danger to public safety.
10 mile over the speed limit isn’t a big deal, 30+ is IMHO. Life isn’t all black and white, I wish it was but unfortunately there is a giant zone in shades of grey between the the two.
A traffic ticket is very different then say drug dealing, assault, murder, etc.
I would argue that the seat belt laws are more of a way to provide police an opportunity to go fishing and get access to a vehicle they have a hunch about. The Money is gravy.
I thought laws such as speed limits, parking in front of fire hydrants, etc. existed for important public safety reasons. If that’s true, then it’s not “only a ticket” — it’s telling cops that they are not permitted to endanger their fellow citizens.
If it is “only a ticket” rather than a matter of public safety, then repeal those laws — they obviously aren’t that important.
Same pay scale. That looks like $4000 a month each, figuring teachers work 9 months and cops work 12.
“Same pay scale.”
Same education requirements as well. (I know. People will say teachers have “teaching credentials”. Baloney. They are some of the worst losers in society and know far less than they think they do. It’s where we get many of our Communists. The “education” industry breeds Communists like rabbits.)
Q: Did you have out of state plates?
A: Yes. Mississippi is famous for that.
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You were very lucky one of them didn’t throw down a nickel bag and confiscate your car.
This web site really makes many claiming to be officers look pretty bad to say the least.
“i have NEVER NOT ONE STINKING TIME gotten a warning”
Me either. In fact, once I was on leave between Basic Training and AIT and I turned right on red. I didn’t see the sign that prohibited it, but I did see the motorcycle cop monitoring the intersection. When he pulled me over and ticketed me, he was one of the biggest jerks I have ever run into in life. I treated him with the same respect that I treated the Drill Sergeants, yet he basically laughed in my face while writing me the ticket.
I know people that tell me they have never gotten a ticket, that they only get warnings. I guess I am the wrong sex.....
Ya. For some reason, big boobs seems to equal less tickets.
Are you implying then, that the military is above the law, because they aren’t “civilians”?
My philosophy was simple. Another cop would risk his life to save mine. The general citizenry just drove on by while I was rolling around on the ground fighting with some gorilla. That’s why the cop got “professional courtesy” unless he acted like I owed it to him. It has to do with loyalty to a comrade, someone you’ve shared some hairy moments with or may. It extends all over the world. My mom got in a crash in Germany. The German cop saw my picture in her wallet, and gave her a break. While in France, a few years ago, I was waved through customs by the french inspector when he saw my occupation listed on their form. It is human nature to bond with, and be loyal to people of the same background, experiences, livelihood, etc.
Most cops I knew didn’t expect to get off, didn’t routinely break traffic law, and were embarrassed if they were pulled over. Some were total jerks, and were treated appropriately.
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