Courtesy

[USAF_2T2]

As most of you know most Police Officers don't write other Cops.

I'm a little different in that I also don't usually write other Cops, but extend that to CDL A holders. I'm not saying I won't ever, but for the most part I don't. Unless it is DWI or something like that.

My reasoning:
The violator with said license needs that piece of plastic to earn a living. What I do is write the name down and tell them that if I see you again you will be holding something. It is like an automatic verbal/written warning the first time around, and maybe second depending on the violation.

What is your opinion on this? Should I consider a CDL A holder in the same light as any other violator? If you were in my shoes what would you do?

[Bikerboy]

Your a kool guy. Some cops around here are the same way, i got off a speeding ticket in my pickup once cuz i have a class A licence. I didn't mean to be speeding and i never speed very much over limit cuz i'm terrified of getting caught for anything. Thats the only time i ever been stopped for anything since i got the class A.

Most times when a class A drivers gets caught for something, is was just a mistake that they were speeding or whatever. I would think a class A driver is the most experienced and safest drivers on the road, so they should be let off sometimes for simple mistake like speeding or whatever.

It will save you more work in court too, cuz alot of class A drivers will go to court trying to get off ticket. They almost have to, cuz that ticket could ruin their life.

[Crystal Pistol]

I, on the other hand, have no reservations about writing anybody who can't obey simple traffic laws, especially those who know them better than grandma does ... or those who certainly should. I will consider giving a truck driver or off duty LEO the same break as I will consider giving anyone else in like circumstances. I will likewise write them the same ticket I would anyone else.

Before I ever got into law enforcement, I discovered that when I obeyed traffic laws better, that I got fewer tickets, much like "Pavlov's Dogs" learned. I learned early on, when I was 16, that there is indeed life after a ticket. I learned when I was 20 that there is even life after the license is suspended for 60 days. I also learned before a families income depended on it, that the loss of a license can cost one a job (that lesson was best learned then I think, but some have to learn it later, when it really hurts). I didn't like getting tickets any more than the next guy, and I preferred the warnings, but I took them all without giving the trooper or officer any grief. I even made some lifelong friends over several tickets I recieved. They are lessons I haven't forgotten and keep in mind to this day.


Well, I hope I can get down from here now without falling .... :cool:

Later ................................ :)

[Deputy Dogg]

Well said CP!! :cheers: Fortunatly ( or unfortunatly) I don't have the time to due to many traffic stops unless I have been detailed to do so. Being a former Trucker, the son of a OO and the brother of one also, I may be a little more tolerant of a trucker trying to make a living. But I will show zero tolerance for certain offences ie DUI, speeding over 20+ and speeding in a construction zone, and attitude ALWAYS plays a major role in my decision. If you use a professional attitude toward me you will get one back-use a s**ty attitude and well you know your ticket might take me a additional 20 minutes or so to write( or long enough for the CMV officer to meet up with me) :harhar:

[MoonRunner]

I follow the same guidelines as USAF but if the operator has a bad attitude, I will not give them a break for any reason.

[USAF_2T2]

Moonrunner and CP nailed what I forgot to add. My leniency will diminish with a poor attitude.

Pulled over a prior 17 year Sheriff's Deputy with Cabarras County and current Old Dominion driver yesterday. He was 15 over but slowing when I locked him. I approach the vehicle and he says, "you got me, I was wrong." I did not even return to my vehicle, but ran his license number. When that came back clear I told him, "slow it down and be more cautious."

Then after I returned his license and registration did I learn that he was a prior LEO and current driver. He says, "you have every right to write me and I would accept it." I reply, "it is just nice to get someone that can accept responsibility without blaming it on someone or something else."

The reason I didn't cite him primarily is that he owed up to his mistake and didn't give me an excuse or attitude. I'm not perfect and make mistakes, just like the next guy. I'm easy to get along with if the violator is honest and doesn't take me for an idiot for inconveniencing them.

Like I said, for the most part I can cut a break, but if you want to drink and drive, drive carelessly, or plain reckless, then I will not hesitate to give you a written reminder.

[vacavalier]

Same here....Give Attitude....Get Ticket... :deal:

[Arresting_Quack]

Oy, let me say I don’t write moving violations, and I’ve never driven a patrol car.

At the age of 18 I spent time in a red line brig on Treasure Island, CA.

At the age of 21 years old my driving record was so bad I had to have a wavier to join the Army.

I’ve always accepted my punishment when I’ve stepped outside the law and never expected an officer not to do their job when I failed to conduct myself properly. I have NEVER argued with an officer during a traffic stop and on more than one occasion stopped and waited for officers to flip a uie to make the traffic stop at a safe location. If I disagree I go to court.

I am notorious for speaking my mind and have taken more than one tongue lashing for disagreeing with those appointed over me.

With that said.

I have issues with LEO’s who fail to apply the law equally. When an officer of the law fails to apply the law equally then the officer has subjected the public to the officer’s law and is disregarding the laws instituted by the people voted into office by the public.

Can the officer honestly say the citation was issued for non-personal reasons or was the citation issued because the officer had a bad day and an off-the-cuff comment struck the wrong nerve?

By subjecting the public to the officer’s whim the officer is failing to perform the duties he/she has sworn to perform.

How often have officers here responded to fatal accidents? Has the investigation ever revealed the driver was; speeding, drinking, on drugs, on the phone, or in a hurry and driving erratically?

Personally defensive driving is dead. I believe the problem is two fold, one every one is in a hurry and doesn’t time to wait, two not enough traffic enforcement officers to act as a serious deterrent.

In an attempt to correct the shortage of traffic enforcement officers cities, and states ask the public to report reckless drivers using their cell phone. In my opinion having the public become the watch dog is a poor substitution for traffic officers.

In closing, I ask that all officers do their job. Enforce the laws equally and protect the public from drivers that are unsafe at any speed.

Officers of the law are not above the law and when caught acting inappropriately should be cited the same as any other driver.
Drivers with CDLs are no different than any other driver. We all need a driver’s license to earn a living. Without a driver’s license we cannot drive to and from work and if our job requires us to drive while performing our duties it is mandatory we have a driver’s license.

Don’t be the sheriff’s deputy in Cook County, IL that drove on a suspended license and considered himself to be above the law.

Be safe.