Not only are they "exempt" from wearing seatbelts, obeying usual traffic laws, awarded generous salaries with virtually unlimitied overtime, and countless other "perks", in Wisconson they'll not even shovel shit from their own animals.

No shit for these kops (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295605,00.html)


:rant:

If that article really bothers you that much you've never seen what the Mounted Unit can do to a street.

Let them clean after their own, or pay to have it done, just like anyone else does.

Not only are they "exempt" from wearing seatbelts, obeying usual traffic laws, awarded generous salaries with virtually unlimitied overtime, and countless other "perks", in Wisconson they'll not even shovel shit from their own animals.

From the article you posted:

"Lt. Victor Wohl, who oversees the police department's five-dog canine unit, wasn't aware of the proposed change, but he said it isn't likely to affect his officers' work.

"The K-9 handlers are in most instances going to pick up after their dogs," he said."

Doesn't seem like the end of the world.

BTW, I believe policemen are required to obey traffic laws unless they've got the lights and siren going, and to describe the salaries of most officers as "generous" considering what they do, is an exaggeration IMO.

BTW, I believe policemen are required to obey traffic laws unless they've got the lights and siren going

Just try to make a "citizen's complaint" about the driving behavior some time. You may as well try talking to a brick wall.

I know quite a few cops and I don't know a single one who obeys traffic laws. They speed constantly because they know they will not be ticketed.

Well, in the great state of Texas they are Ticketed just like everybody else and cut NO slack for VERY little pay! We should be damn glad they are ready to put their lives on the line when we call.

Well, in the great state of Texas they are Ticketed just like everybody else and cut NO slack for VERY little pay! We should be damn glad they are ready to put their lives on the line when we call.

That's bullshit. I called TX home for over 25 years and watched kops in a variety of cities completely ignore traffic laws for no good reason. Nobody calls them on their behaviors.

No doubt they're out in front when the time comes, but that does not excuse their driving behaviors. If anyone is to be seen as a model for proper driving behavior, it should be a kop.

It probably depends on your location. Rural cops, IMO, tend to be a little more courteous to the laws they enforce than Urban/City cops do.

WTF is a kop? Like seriously?

There is a need in every society for rule of law. What's not needed is the arrogant, condescending, back stabbing badge wearing idiots that tend to populate that career field. My term for them is kop - a takeoff on the comedic legends of the silent screen. http://truelegends.info/bayport/keystone.gifThey represent everything that's wrong with badge wearers: in it not for the love of the law or a desire to serve and protect but to bully the very public that employs them. I've encounterd them both in the civilian and military worlds. Their job is not to punish or judge, but to apprehend and deliver a service to their community. They provide little or no service, rather putting face and name to the most unworthy of government employees.

Not only are they "exempt" from wearing seatbelts, obeying usual traffic laws, awarded generous salaries with virtually unlimitied overtime

Uh huh, next time you call 911, I bet you would be making the opposite complaint if the cop has to stop at every stop sign and obey all of the neighborhood speed limits on the way to your emergency.

I understand the frustration of watching cops break traffic laws. I've certainly seen it on occasion. In fact, a cop once gave me a ride and he went well over 20 miles over the speed limit for most of the ride.

However, I'm not sure how you want to solve this problem. You want police to be reported for speeding to legitimate emergencies? I don't. First and foremost, I want police to be able to ignore lesser laws in order to serve their most important function: coming to our aid when in need. As for who's going to police the police? I guess you could have an internal affairs cop who writes tickets to other police, but I really would prefer to spend our police resources in far more important ways...particularly since police aren't among the dangers I'm worried about in day-to-day activities.

As for the "generous salaries," it's simply a matter of supply and demand. I can tell you cops in my city frequently get paid more than I do, but I don't have to work holidays, overtime, or irregular hours. Besides that, I don't have to worry about being attacked and confronted by the surplus of cophaters that populate our society today. That might explain why cities frequently have recruiting shortages despite their "generous salaries."

My dad got a ride from a cop once to get some gas, and the cop was turning his strobes on to run red lights and speeding like crazy. My dad gave him a 20 dollar tip.

My dad got a ride from a cop once to get some gas, and the cop was turning his strobes on to run red lights and speeding like crazy. My dad gave him a 20 dollar tip.heh. what a crooked fuck.

I know quite a few cops and I don't know a single one who obeys traffic laws.
That's a gigantic generalization, don't you think?

My dad got a ride from a cop once to get some gas, and the cop was turning his strobes on to run red lights and speeding like crazy. My dad gave him a 20 dollar tip.The police officer, as well as your dad, broke the law.

What's not needed is the arrogant, condescending, back stabbing badge wearing idiots that tend to populate that career field.
What percentage of the police force would you say they represent?

*shrugs* What's my dad to do? Report him?

he could tell the media and the media could crucify him... that's usually the norm these days.

What percentage of the police force would you say they represent?

The majority of the ones I've encountered over my lifetime fit the bill.

That's a gigantic generalization, don't you think?

It is not a generalization at all, Brooks. In fact it is quite specific. I do not know a single cop who obeys traffic laws. I didn't say there aren't any. I said I know quite a few cops and not a one of them obeys traffic laws.

I don't mind them breaking traffic laws when they are on duty and responding to a call. In fact I expect them to break those laws at those times. I do object to their breaking traffic laws simply for convenience sake or when they are off duty, two things they do constantly.

Perhaps you are one of those police officers who diligently obeys traffic laws. If you are you are in the minority and to be applauded.

I don't mind them breaking traffic laws when they are on duty and responding to a call. In fact I expect them to break those laws at those times. I do object to their breaking traffic laws simply for convenience sake or when they are off duty, two things they do constantly.


I don't see how you could tell whether an officer is breaking a traffic law because he is responding to a call or because he is getting his kicks.

I don't see how you could tell whether an officer is breaking a traffic law because he is responding to a call or because he is getting his kicks.

Usually, and I say usually, the flashing lights and sirens give it away.

Usually, and I say usually, the flashing lights and sirens give it away.

Cops often don't use their flashing lights and sirens for minor emergencies. Frankly, I think this is the source of the problem; The public tends to assume that if a cop does not have sirens and lights on, then they are not engaged in their duties.

Edit: It's funny cause I just wrote this post and immediately stumbled on a cop who is not being treated as if he's above the law.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/06/police.dog/index.html

Go to YouTube and do a search for Jimmy Justice. He catches cops violating traffic laws all the time.

*shrugs* What's my dad to do? Report him?Your dad could only report him for accepting an illegal gratuity if he was also confessing to giving an illegal gratuity.

A gratuity is when you give a civil servant a gift for performing a task which was within their jurisdiction to perform anyway (such as a Christmas tip for the mailman - yes, that's illegal).

If, on the other hand, you believe the officer only gave your dad a lift in order to earn the gift, then they have broken a more serious law (in NY it's called Official Misconduct / Rewarding Official Misconduct).

The majority of the ones I've encountered over my lifetime fit the bill.51%+? Are you sure?

Besides those you've encountered, how many do you believe this represents?

It is not a generalization at all, Brooks. In fact it is quite specific. I do not know a single cop who obeys traffic laws. I didn't say there aren't any. I said I know quite a few cops and not a one of them obeys traffic laws.

I know many cops and not one of them sound the way you describe.

Maybe your acquaintances in general are just jerks.



edited.

Usually, and I say usually, the flashing lights and sirens give it away.Lights and sirens are also a giveaway to people you don't want to alert to your presence. Not every response should utilize them.

Go to YouTube and do a search for Jimmy Justice. He catches cops violating traffic laws all the time.YouTube also has three year olds who can play Mozart.
But I don't think there are too many.

I don't know how many times I've watched a police car pull to a controlled intersection, hit the bubble lights, drive through, turn off the lights & continue on at 20-30mph. Just about the same with turn signals .. is that little lever to the left of the wheel forgotten? Seat belts get about the same treatment. Over the years watching cop behavior behind the wheel has become somewhat of a passtime. If I had a dime for each infraction I've witnessed (none of which apparently occur when there's something going on) I'd not have to work at all - the bed of my pickup would be full of dimes.

How many does that actually represent? A good question. I've lived in 3 states over the past 20 years & haven't seen any significant difference.

I don't know how many times I've watched a police car pull to a controlled intersection, hit the bubble lights, drive through, turn off the lights & continue on at 20-30mph. Just about the same with turn signals .. is that little lever to the left of the wheel forgotten? Seat belts get about the same treatment. Over the years watching cop behavior behind the wheel has become somewhat of a passtime. If I had a dime for each infraction I've witnessed (none of which apparently occur when there's something going on) I'd not have to work at all - the bed of my pickup would be full of dimes.

How many does that actually represent? A good question. I've lived in 3 states over the past 20 years & haven't seen any significant difference.
Well, Es... you could always pull a Gomer Pyle and chase them down, hollering "CITIZEN'S ARREST, CITIZEN'S ARREST!"

Well, Es... you could always pull a Gomer Pyle and chase them down, hollering "CITIZEN'S ARREST, CITIZEN'S ARREST!"

I have called the local cop shop & shared my views. What I got in return was 11 cubic yards of yadda-yadda BS from some LIFER (low-intelligence fuckoff expecting retirement) about how the everyday citizen has no idea of what a cop's ..... Interestingly, the things I observe, if corrected, serve only to help add duration to the cop's life ... but, what do I know - I'm only one of those everyday citizens.

Protect & serve? Yeah, each other.

I have called the local cop shop & shared my views. What I got in return was 11 cubic yards of yadda-yadda BS from some LIFER (low-intelligence fuckoff expecting retirement) about how the everyday citizen has no idea of what a cop's ..... Interestingly, the things I observe, if corrected, serve only to help add duration to the cop's life ... but, what do I know - I'm only one of those everyday citizens.

Protect & serve? Yeah, each other.
You're a brave man, darlin. Personally, I'm more of a 'look the other way and hope they don't notice me' kinda citizen.

Not to mention I spent a year working with the Dallas Police Foundation, helping them audit funding for their police memorial here.

I tend to believe there are always a few bad apples, but the majority don't consider themselves above the law. However, it's also been my experience that long-timers tend to get really jaded and develop a 'what the hell' attitude. When you see one too many crime scenes, riding without a seatbelt just doesn't seem like that big a deal.

I have great respect for the law. They've got a huge job to do and are paid very little for putting their lives on the line. If they wanna speed, it's okey-dokey with me.

;)
SMW

1. I don't know how many times I've watched a police car pull to a controlled intersection, hit the bubble lights, drive through, turn off the lights & continue on at 20-30mph.
2. Just about the same with turn signals .. is that little lever to the left of the wheel forgotten?
1. Personally, I have done that exact same thing when responding to a legitimate call for service. Though not an emergency per se, the person calling still wants a quick response.
Just curious. If you think the cop was on his way to nowhere and had nothing to respond to, why would he go through the light? To continue driving?

2. And how often do you think a police officer writes a citizen up for that particular infraction?


I may be at a disadvantage in understanding this problem. Where I work, we are the second highest paid police department in the country, 2 years of college is required to get on, more is required if you want to get promoted, a dented or dirty car is considered unprofessional, retraining is constant and every civilian complaint is entertained.

You get the police department you can afford, I suppose.