[elliotness]

Originally posted by Mr 5 0

I posted that 1999 Associated Press wire story only because you questioned Unit 5302's veracity. He wasn't lying - was he? Your acknowledgment that he was correct in his original statement that alluded to that case (and that you dismissed out of hand) would be welcomed, I'm sure.

ELLIOT:
Read my post. I did not say he was lying. I said I did not believe him. I stand corrected. One agency, out of how many, did this in 1999. That does not speak for all police agencies. Hence my anecdote "there once was a man from Nantuckett......" There probably is someone that can accomplish that feat. Most can't.

5.0
I take the position that there are good cops and bad cops and unlike TV, a lot of the lower-rung local cops are on
traffic duty and are the ones the public deals with. As far as 'The Law', well, it's not the law that's the problem but how the law is administered.

The cop pulling you over has many options and can harrass you or simply let you go with a verbal warning - if that.

ELLIOT:
You are leaving out another option which is ARREST. Remember in many states you recieve a citation in lieu of arrest. Next time thank him for not arrsting you. Just kidding.....

5.0
Unfortunately, some cops abuse the power we willingly give them. Most don't, but the average citizen doesn't meet high-ranking officers or detectives, just the patrolman in the squad car. Most cops don't have highly-developed people skills either, and it shows.

ELLIOT:
I agree, most don't. I still don't condone the tactic of removing the tint. I find that indefensible.

5.0
Yet the defense is that 'Police can't be everywhere' and 'They have to prioritize crimes to use resources effectively' so pulling over a motorist and issuing tickets for mufflers and tinted glass is a 'priority' but catching thieves who steal your car is hardly looked into, unless they happen to see the stolen car in front of them? Who's kidding whom?

ELLIOT:
My response to you is that traffic violations are a priority to traffic officers. Other divisions in Police offices have other duties and responsibilities and I would say auto theft is one of the priorities.

5.0
Look, we need laws - including traffic laws - and we certainly need police to enforce those laws, fairly. Not all police do that and the attitude of some is offensive to many.

ELLIOT:
Playing devils advocate, did you ever consider that @$$holes don't always wear uniforms. I'm sure police officers have dealt with many an offensive driver.

5.0
Personally, I don't have a problem with cops. I don't do dumb things and as I'm white, not a kid, middle-class (no nose-rings or freaky hair) and I treat police with respect when I'm stopped (rare) I don't get into trouble. Granted, if you 'cop a 'tude' with a cop at a traffic stop, you're begging for tickets and worse. That's stupid. Fight the ticket in court if you feel it's bogus but don't try to argue with the cop as you'll lose.

ELLIOT:
I agree with this statement. The theme of my post is a response to the behavior after the ticket was issued. My stance is while you are fighting the ticket, a midemeanor window tint violation. Don't commit a felony (obstruction of justice, perjury, tampering with evidence) by clandestinely removing the illegal tint prior to court to avoid a ticket and make the police look bad. That line of thinking is devoid of deep thought and plain dumb. Not to mention officers may start taking samples of tint to prevent people from doing what Blwn93 did. Then we will have something else to complain about.

5.0
Finally, although I respect a police officer mostly because of the potential power he holds over me, I understand that he may put his life on the line at any time. I do respect that but it doesn't excuse a lot of the harassing things some cops engage in. It doesn't make any police officer immune from criticism, either.

Doctors save lives every day, researchers find cures for disease, mothers love their children and ministers help save souls. So what? They're all subject to criticism.

ELLIOT:
Again, read my post. I never said that police officers should be excluded from criticism. You must be directing this to someone else. To the contrary, criticism of bad behavior, hiring practices, etc. sometimes can be a catalyst for change.

5.0
Being in a dangerous job you volunteered for is admirable but not enough to make you above everyone else. Cops are human, they make mistakes. Unfortunately, a cop that makes a mistake can put you in jail and possibly ruin your life. That is a powerful position to be in and one that we have to respect but also watch the possessors of such power carefully and subject them to criticism when warranted. This thread is doing just that, while understanding that it's all just opinion and of course, we can't arrest you if you disagree.

ELLIOT:
Have you considered that a mistake by a police officer approaching a vehicle that he can't see in (ILLEGAL TINT) can result in his death. How is that for a mistake!

I appreciate your opinion.

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