So I'm driving down the highway today in my work truck, and get a phone call that requires me to write down some info. I use my better judgement and pull over onto the very wide shoulder to write down this stuff, since it was very windy, I figured I'd better be safe. I'm just finishing up and a state trooper pulls up behind me. I figure he wanted to see if I needed help. He asks me whats wrong, and I said no problem, just pulled over to take a call. I figured he would be supportive of my responsible act and be on his way. Wrong. I got bitched out for using the shoulder for a "non-emergency" purpose. Guess I'd be better off using no hands on the wheel and trying to do 70 mph while talking, writing, and not paying attention. What a d!ck. Not only that, but he was stupid. He kept telling me that 65 was the minimum speed on the highway, even though the sign said minimum 45 maximum 65. Whatever dude. I'd better do 65 on the money, cuz 1 mph over or under and I'm breaking the law. I have the utmost respect for police officers who actually do their job, they are underpaid and under appreciated, but this guy was worthless. Last night I pulled over twice to help stranded motorists who'd lost control of their vehicles and ended up in the ditch. Both times the State police were there, and no one else stopped to help. But I get lectured on proper use of the shoulder!? Maybe he didn't get the memo that there were real criminals out there, that he's supposed to be fighting, not honest, hard working responsible people. Nice use on my tax dollars there.
Friggin' cops....
- Thread starter turbosam6
- Start date
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I have a lot of respect for the police. They have a tough job to do. Unfortunately, the police service seems to attract a large concentration of a particular personality combination:
- enjoy having authority and exercising it
- unwilling to admit making a mistake
Like any profession, there are professionals, there are those who just coast on through the job doing what they have to, and the blissfully incompetent. Technically, you were probably in violation because you did use the roadside for a non-emergency purpose. However, an intelligent person would have done as you suggested, and realized that you've made a choice which makes you better than 95% of the people who use the phone while on the road. This guy sound like he had something to get off his chest and decided to take it out on you.
I say this all from the perspective that you actually stopped someplace relatively safe. I do occasionally see knuckleheads that insist on stopping right downstream of merge lanes, which just isn't a good idea - if somebody has to do an evasive maneuver, that's a good place to take one in the back.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune; I've had a few myself, including 2 yellow light tickets which were completely out of my control.
- enjoy having authority and exercising it
- unwilling to admit making a mistake
Like any profession, there are professionals, there are those who just coast on through the job doing what they have to, and the blissfully incompetent. Technically, you were probably in violation because you did use the roadside for a non-emergency purpose. However, an intelligent person would have done as you suggested, and realized that you've made a choice which makes you better than 95% of the people who use the phone while on the road. This guy sound like he had something to get off his chest and decided to take it out on you.
I say this all from the perspective that you actually stopped someplace relatively safe. I do occasionally see knuckleheads that insist on stopping right downstream of merge lanes, which just isn't a good idea - if somebody has to do an evasive maneuver, that's a good place to take one in the back.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune; I've had a few myself, including 2 yellow light tickets which were completely out of my control.
Oh yeah, this shoulder was wide enough to be a lane itself, and I pulled way over, like tires in the grass, just so other drivers would have room. You can bet if I'd have killed a family in their suv because of talking on the phone and not paying attention, this cop would have been the first one there, TV cameras on him, saying "He should have pulled over or something." Eh, what ya gonna do? He's got the gun. A buddy of mine is a state trooper, who kinda owes me one, I thought about maybe having the guy talked to, but he'd probably just go psycho on me. Besides, I'm saving my "favor" for when I screw up. 
John Larkin
Sublime Master of Turbology
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- May 25, 2001
- Messages
- 4,990
I was taking my car out for some work and my car crapped on the interstate. I pulled into the median in a paved construction area amidst a lot of orange barrels to turn around and head home quickly. As I started to get straightened out to merge in the opposite direction, a trooper pulled over in front of me and hit the blues. He walked back to see what's up. I gave him license, reg, and told him of my car trouble. I showed him all my parts in the seat ( I had the ECM out in the floor from checking it ) and explained my "emergency". He reminded me that my turn was illegal but he'd let me go given the circumstances. It was an ok experience; he wasn't nutted up and it was 7:30am on a Saturday so not much skullduggery was going on anyhow.
wlaukaitis
3rd Member
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- Aug 5, 2003
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- 789
You think your cops are underpaid, tell them to get a job in Suffolk County NY. This was printed in yesterdays "Newsday"
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/wjl82871/detail?.dir=/e8ca&.dnm=6472.jpg
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/wjl82871/detail?.dir=/e8ca&.dnm=6472.jpg
Sounds like a delivery problem
If the officer gave you that same information in a calm well mannered tone you might not be talking about it. Just as in the our workplaces if we give instructions to others in a kirt, cold , snappy fashion it most likely won't get done. Same instructions in a reasonable way it should done with an acceptable conclusion. It also sounds like the officer was having a bad day! Drew
If the officer gave you that same information in a calm well mannered tone you might not be talking about it. Just as in the our workplaces if we give instructions to others in a kirt, cold , snappy fashion it most likely won't get done. Same instructions in a reasonable way it should done with an acceptable conclusion. It also sounds like the officer was having a bad day! Drew
XXQUICK6XX
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2001
- Messages
- 2,617
Maybe somebody you beat before!
Steve
Steve
Vector, have you been dealing with Ho Co Po again, or MD State Troopers?
I usually don't find troopers too bad. But the local county guys can get gung ho until they calm down.
Turbosam, you did the right thing. I get SO sick of driving and seeing cars weaving and swerving around because they're on the phone. I've been to court for stupid tickets like this (not being on the phone but something just as stupid). The judges actually get annoyed at these claims and will often 'set the record straight'. Unfortunately you have to take time from work to do this.
First off, let me apologize to you from the police community. You did the right thing and it sounds like you got an ass ache for it.
Maybe he was having a bad day, but there is no need for that. That is why most departments have weightrooms for.
I have noticed that most new hires are different than ten years ago when I started. Here is the bad trends I've noticed:
1. Everything is black and white. Discrepancy is a word these guys don't seem to understand.
2. Very selfish. Everybody out for themselves.
3. Friggin crybabies. Holy **** I've never heard such whiners.
Maybe he was having a bad day, but there is no need for that. That is why most departments have weightrooms for.
I have noticed that most new hires are different than ten years ago when I started. Here is the bad trends I've noticed:
1. Everything is black and white. Discrepancy is a word these guys don't seem to understand.
2. Very selfish. Everybody out for themselves.
3. Friggin crybabies. Holy **** I've never heard such whiners.
gn85, luckily I have never had any trouble with the Howard County Police. I got a ticket from them for speeding, but I was speeding so I can't complain. Same with the MD State troopers.
Now, if you ask me about the PG County police...I have had a frivolous dealing with them.
I agree with you, gn85, it sounds like turbosam did the right thing, did the responsible thing, and did it with thought and consideration of others.
Bis spater - sorry for the spelling, my German isn't the best.
Now, if you ask me about the PG County police...I have had a frivolous dealing with them.
I agree with you, gn85, it sounds like turbosam did the right thing, did the responsible thing, and did it with thought and consideration of others.
Bis spater - sorry for the spelling, my German isn't the best.
wlaukaitis i feel ur pain.... isnt it amazing how we have the highest paid cops in the WORLD but we still have volunteer firefighters all over the island.. personaly i think some people need to re-think who is more important... who is pulling u out of that burning car???? 9 out of 10 its a fire fighter... besides the fact that i just saw their new 5 million dollar heli..... do not run from cops... this thing is out of control... ive seen them scramble in like 25 seconds...
Cops underpaid?.
Look at the grunts in Iraq dealing with hostile fire, and think about underpaid.
Don't get me wrong, I in general deal well with troopers, some of the locals are nutzos.
Going thru a little *berg* here in OH, to visit a friend I had a string of cops line up behind me, and then hit the lights. I forget it was like 3-4 cars. I guess they figured I was gonna run or something. My crime/excuse for being pulled over, was failure to maintain control. Seems like my avoiding chuckholes attracted their attention, and this *swerving* wasn't to be tolerated.
Then there was this problem of mine for sounding irrated. But, with insurance card, reg, license, and nothing to really get in a twist over, they *let me go*.
Likes been said in general they're too often taken for granted, and they have to deal with way too many jerks. I guess after awhile everyone looks that way to them. That in it's self is sad.
Look at the grunts in Iraq dealing with hostile fire, and think about underpaid.
Don't get me wrong, I in general deal well with troopers, some of the locals are nutzos.
Going thru a little *berg* here in OH, to visit a friend I had a string of cops line up behind me, and then hit the lights. I forget it was like 3-4 cars. I guess they figured I was gonna run or something. My crime/excuse for being pulled over, was failure to maintain control. Seems like my avoiding chuckholes attracted their attention, and this *swerving* wasn't to be tolerated.
Then there was this problem of mine for sounding irrated. But, with insurance card, reg, license, and nothing to really get in a twist over, they *let me go*.
Likes been said in general they're too often taken for granted, and they have to deal with way too many jerks. I guess after awhile everyone looks that way to them. That in it's self is sad.
hhm, some cops know how to take advantage of the system and make more than most lawyers.....recently read a story about a traffic cop, yes his only duty was traffic, and he made a base salary of $60k and put in overtime for an additional $70k in one year! That $130k in one year! He later got busted because he really didn't put in the overtime, which was a special grant for special ops he never did! All at tax payers expense of course...
You're right Bruce, our REAL troops are often underpaid. My good friend left a good paying job AFTER 9/11 to join the marines at a severe pay cut. That, my friends, is the definition of balls. He knew he was going to war before he even signed up. He wanted to defend our country. He gets paid jack sh!t and is going to Iraq for his second tour in a few months. He has no money for his hobbies, and no time for his new baby girl. I respect him for making these sacrifices for our freedom and protection. Seeing some fat lazy worthless pig of a cop sitting on his ass doing nothing makes me wanna break the law just to mess with him. Heres my friend, living in some peice of crap country, defending our rights, and this prick has the nerve to call himself an officer. I probably help more people than he does, just out of kindness. Half the cops out there are cowards, thats why criminals run rampant. Give some cops a choice, they will harrass the meek looking people, who they know won't fight back, or hurt them. Meanwhile, I have personally witnessed drug deals made out in the open, gang violence, and numerous other offences. Chances are, these criminals will fight back, so the cops don't mess with them. The pays the same, right? So why bother?
To all the good cops reading this, thanks for everything you do, and please try to help your fellow cops become more like yourself. We need them!
To all the good cops reading this, thanks for everything you do, and please try to help your fellow cops become more like yourself. We need them!
BlackBuick84
What's a turbo?
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2001
- Messages
- 741
You'd think the cops would have something more important to do. Like bust some drug dealers or somethin....not pick on citizens who are doing one little thing wrong. what a waste of time
And since we're on the subject of cops I think I'll throw this in:
"You know how fast you were goin?"
"65...?"
"63"
"Officer, isnt the speed limit 65?"
"Yeah.....it is"
And since we're on the subject of cops I think I'll throw this in:
"You know how fast you were goin?"
"65...?"
"63"
"Officer, isnt the speed limit 65?"
"Yeah.....it is"
There is actually a documented psychological phenomena that many police officers develop which causes them to class people into 2 general categories - law enforcement, and criminals. It's a side effect of the depersonalization that develops as a defense mechanism for the environment that they constantly work in. Not unlike the tendency to make really tasteless jokes about horrific situations as a method of coping.
A study outline with some links to interesting works is here:
http://www.faculty.sfasu.edu/gford/APSHCMPI.SUM.htm
A study outline with some links to interesting works is here:
http://www.faculty.sfasu.edu/gford/APSHCMPI.SUM.htm
And since we're on the subject of cops I think I'll throw this in:
"You know how fast you were goin?"
"65...?"
"63"
"Officer, isnt the speed limit 65?"
"Yeah.....it is"
That has to be one of the best movies ever! I have it on DVD, watch it all the time.
"Dude, you ate like $100 worth of pot and $30 worth of 'shrooms! So I'm gonna need that $130, ya know, as soon as you get a chance."
Damn thats funny!
A
AsphaltAnihil8r
Guest
YUP-- troopers & Suburban cops suck A$$,Chicago cops are rule..
