I really hate that phrase. That's the phrase people break out when they have tried all of the other excuses in the book and failed. "You just stopped me because I'm black!" "You just stopped me because I'm Hispanic!" "You just stopped me because I'm Asian!" Just once I'd love to hear someone say "You just stopped me because I'm white!" That person will likely not get a ticket because they will have made my friggin' week.
I have many theories on why people bust that one out. They think it's a trump card, like it's going to beat anything in my hand. They think it's going to scare me into not arresting them or giving them that ticket. They may even really think that I'm racist. It really torques me off when people play the race card like that. "You wouldn't have stopped me if I was white!"
Do these people really think that the police let people get away with crime just because they are not a minority? Do they really think I would look the other way if I saw a white guy beating on his girlfriend, but I'd arrest a black man I saw doing the same thing? If you honestly think that I will only act upon crimes committed by a certain race, that would make YOU the racist, not me. I carry equal opportunity handcuffs. No matter what race you are, take responsibility for your own actions. Admit you screwed the pooch.
Just once, I would love to reply with "You know what sir? You are absolutely correct. I stopped you because you're black. It had nothing to do with the red light you ran back there, or the expired registration tabs on your car, or your extremely loud music, or your pretty blue lights on your windshield washers...... yup, it was just because you're black. Even though it's night time, I could tell through your midnight tint on your back windows that you were black." So far, I have been able to bite my toungue, but I'm sure I won't be able to help myself one day.
By the way, every single person who has used this line on me has either gotten the ticket for which I stopped them, or been arrested. The moral? Don't try to bullshit me. I'm a professional bullshitter and I'll win.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Can You Cut Me A Break?
I had a driver ask me for a "break" today on a ticket for 13 miles per hour over the speed limit in a school zone. He wanted a warning!
I will not even pull out if you are doing less than 11 miles over the speed limit. If you see me and jam on your brakes in time for me to lose the radar lock, you will see me scowl at you as you drive by. That is your warning.
If I feel the need to pull out on you for a radar speed violation, you're very likely going to get a ticket unless you have a really convincing reason that I should not scratch out that ticket. And, let me tell you, I am not easily convinced.
Do I have a low tolerance for speeders? Yes..... yes I do.
I will not even pull out if you are doing less than 11 miles over the speed limit. If you see me and jam on your brakes in time for me to lose the radar lock, you will see me scowl at you as you drive by. That is your warning.
If I feel the need to pull out on you for a radar speed violation, you're very likely going to get a ticket unless you have a really convincing reason that I should not scratch out that ticket. And, let me tell you, I am not easily convinced.
Do I have a low tolerance for speeders? Yes..... yes I do.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Guns don't kill people.......
You've probably heard it before. "Guns don't kill people, people kill people."
We in California have some pretty ridiculous gun laws. Our state legislators have found it desirable to limit the types and numbers of firearms we are allowed to purchase and own. They have even created new catch phrases such as "Assault Weapon". And even though the federal laws have "sunsetted", our archaic state laws live on.
I am not entirely sure what our fine senators and congresspeople think can be done with a so called assault weapon that cannot be done with any other semi-automatic rifle. I've seen some marksmen who could shoot a bolt action rifle as fast as a semi-automatic rifle.
The California definition of an "assault weapon" is any semi-automatic firearm with a detachable magazine and any one of several other features including a flash suppressor, a bayonet lug, a pistol grip, a thumb hole stock, etc...
By that definition, an AR-15 is an assault weapon and is therefore illegal, but a Mini-14 is not. Both fire the .223 caliber round, and both are capable of accepting 20-30 round magazines. Both rifles are semi-automatic and cycle at similar rates of fire. The difference? The AR-15 has a pistol grip and the Mini-14 does not.
Even with these laws in place, the number of street shootings involving AK type rifles is on the rise. Have these laws stopped the common street criminals and gang bangers from obtaining the "banned" weapons? Absolutely not. The only purpose these laws have served is to keep these weapons out of the hands of law abiding citizens and police officers.
Police officers? Yes, that's what I said. In this state, a police officer is not exempt from this law. A police officer can obtain a letter from his or her Chief Administrator allowing the officer to purchase an assault rifle for patrol use, but without this letter, the officer is still prohibited from possessing such weapons except in an on duty capacity.
Welcome to the Kalifornia Republik.
We in California have some pretty ridiculous gun laws. Our state legislators have found it desirable to limit the types and numbers of firearms we are allowed to purchase and own. They have even created new catch phrases such as "Assault Weapon". And even though the federal laws have "sunsetted", our archaic state laws live on.
I am not entirely sure what our fine senators and congresspeople think can be done with a so called assault weapon that cannot be done with any other semi-automatic rifle. I've seen some marksmen who could shoot a bolt action rifle as fast as a semi-automatic rifle.
The California definition of an "assault weapon" is any semi-automatic firearm with a detachable magazine and any one of several other features including a flash suppressor, a bayonet lug, a pistol grip, a thumb hole stock, etc...
By that definition, an AR-15 is an assault weapon and is therefore illegal, but a Mini-14 is not. Both fire the .223 caliber round, and both are capable of accepting 20-30 round magazines. Both rifles are semi-automatic and cycle at similar rates of fire. The difference? The AR-15 has a pistol grip and the Mini-14 does not.
Even with these laws in place, the number of street shootings involving AK type rifles is on the rise. Have these laws stopped the common street criminals and gang bangers from obtaining the "banned" weapons? Absolutely not. The only purpose these laws have served is to keep these weapons out of the hands of law abiding citizens and police officers.
Police officers? Yes, that's what I said. In this state, a police officer is not exempt from this law. A police officer can obtain a letter from his or her Chief Administrator allowing the officer to purchase an assault rifle for patrol use, but without this letter, the officer is still prohibited from possessing such weapons except in an on duty capacity.
Welcome to the Kalifornia Republik.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
To Speed Trap... Or Not to Speed Trap
I hate it when I'm working radar and I stop someone, then the driver loudly proclaims (in his or her best internet lawyer voice) that "speed traps" are illegal, and I was hiding, so I should just let them go without a ticket. I have heard many excuses for speeding. Some are amusing, and some are downright asinine.
People who try to tell me the law really torque me off. People who tell me how to do my job really torque me off. People who refuse to accept responsibility for their own mistakes, or try to blame their own stupidity on me really torque me off.
For the record, a speed trap is defined by the California Vehicle Code as a stretch of roadway with markings or landmarks set at a known distance apart, through which an officer can time the passage of a vehicle with a stopwatch and determine its speed. As such, speed traps are illegal. A speed trap IS NOT an officer who is crafty with his or her hidey holes.
I have become very creative when it comes to hiding for the purpose of working radar. I've been known to hide behind trees, bushes, buildings, and even other cars. Sometimes I hide in plain sight. I often stand outside my car with a hand held radar unit, and still people fail to see me and slow down.
The moral of this story is, DO NOT try to blame me for catching YOU speeding. I am not responsible for your irresponsibility. If you're going to tell me the law, you'd better be sure YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, because it's my job to know the laws I am sworn to enforce. Trying to "scare" me or "intimidate" me out of giving you a ticket is a sure fire way to EARN that ticket and a curt "Tell it to the Judge". If everyone would limit themselves to five miles per hour over the speed limit, or 25 in a school zone, we would never have to have these conversations.
On the other hand, I do not necessarily cite every driver I stop. I have heard some excuses that were so amusing, I simply could not write the driver a ticket. The best way to talk your way out of a citation is to BE POLITE, and NOT ARGUE. State your case and don't be condescending and I MIGHT not write you that ticket. It's not sure fire, but it's worth a shot.
People who try to tell me the law really torque me off. People who tell me how to do my job really torque me off. People who refuse to accept responsibility for their own mistakes, or try to blame their own stupidity on me really torque me off.
For the record, a speed trap is defined by the California Vehicle Code as a stretch of roadway with markings or landmarks set at a known distance apart, through which an officer can time the passage of a vehicle with a stopwatch and determine its speed. As such, speed traps are illegal. A speed trap IS NOT an officer who is crafty with his or her hidey holes.
I have become very creative when it comes to hiding for the purpose of working radar. I've been known to hide behind trees, bushes, buildings, and even other cars. Sometimes I hide in plain sight. I often stand outside my car with a hand held radar unit, and still people fail to see me and slow down.
The moral of this story is, DO NOT try to blame me for catching YOU speeding. I am not responsible for your irresponsibility. If you're going to tell me the law, you'd better be sure YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, because it's my job to know the laws I am sworn to enforce. Trying to "scare" me or "intimidate" me out of giving you a ticket is a sure fire way to EARN that ticket and a curt "Tell it to the Judge". If everyone would limit themselves to five miles per hour over the speed limit, or 25 in a school zone, we would never have to have these conversations.
On the other hand, I do not necessarily cite every driver I stop. I have heard some excuses that were so amusing, I simply could not write the driver a ticket. The best way to talk your way out of a citation is to BE POLITE, and NOT ARGUE. State your case and don't be condescending and I MIGHT not write you that ticket. It's not sure fire, but it's worth a shot.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Cops Have Fun Too....
One of the funniest things that's ever happened to me on the job was the time I was flagged down by a citizen regarding a hit and run collision. Occasionally we'll tool around on the outskirts of our neighbor city, technically not really within our own city you know? I was taking part in said "tooling" when I noticed a car sitting in the middle of a busy street. As I approached, the driver of the car got out and waved frantically at me. What could I do? I stopped to help.
The driver told me "this big ass truck" ran a stop sign and plowed right into her vehicle. Nobody was injured so I radioed dispatch to send the neighboring police agency out for a report, since it was their jurisdiction after all.
So, the other cop shows up and starts trying to "sweep it under the rug" so to speak. No vehicle description, no driver description, no direction of flight. He tells the victim driver that there's no point in taking a report because there's no information and it's not likely the suspect driver or vehicle will ever be found.
This really torqued me off, so I started looking around and, lo and behold, what do I find in the middle of the street right in front of the victim vehicle? A bumper! I flipped that bumper over and pointed out the license plate that was firmly bolted to it! The other cop was pretty heated.
I was satisfied, so I got back in my patrol car and left. I laughed all the way back to my beat.
You know, I actually kinda' hope that cop finds this someday. You know who you are.
The driver told me "this big ass truck" ran a stop sign and plowed right into her vehicle. Nobody was injured so I radioed dispatch to send the neighboring police agency out for a report, since it was their jurisdiction after all.
So, the other cop shows up and starts trying to "sweep it under the rug" so to speak. No vehicle description, no driver description, no direction of flight. He tells the victim driver that there's no point in taking a report because there's no information and it's not likely the suspect driver or vehicle will ever be found.
This really torqued me off, so I started looking around and, lo and behold, what do I find in the middle of the street right in front of the victim vehicle? A bumper! I flipped that bumper over and pointed out the license plate that was firmly bolted to it! The other cop was pretty heated.
I was satisfied, so I got back in my patrol car and left. I laughed all the way back to my beat.
You know, I actually kinda' hope that cop finds this someday. You know who you are.
Monday, September 17, 2007
In the Beginning....
First off, let me explain myself a bit. I have been somehow related to law enforcement, in various capacities, for a total of eight and a half years. I have been an Explorer, a Reserve Officer, and now a Police Officer. My intent with this thing is to share my feelings, experiences, and ideas, and sometimes just to vent my frustration.
I have read books written by cops that were formatted like a blog, and I don't think I will ever get a book published, so this seems to be the most appropriate format for my purposes.
Some things I write will be very graphic. I'll try to warn you at the beginning of the post, so the squeamish can skip to the next one.
Some things I write may be politically incorrect, or just plain incorrect. That's my prerogative. If you don't like it, feel free to read someone else's warm and fuzzy blog.
I welcome everyone's comments and opinions here, just as I do on the street. I will also tell you what I think about your comments and opinions, just as I do on the street. I figure if you can dish it out, you'd better be able to take it.
So, this blog thing is an entirely new experience for me. Bear with me, and enjoy the ride along.
I have read books written by cops that were formatted like a blog, and I don't think I will ever get a book published, so this seems to be the most appropriate format for my purposes.
Some things I write will be very graphic. I'll try to warn you at the beginning of the post, so the squeamish can skip to the next one.
Some things I write may be politically incorrect, or just plain incorrect. That's my prerogative. If you don't like it, feel free to read someone else's warm and fuzzy blog.
I welcome everyone's comments and opinions here, just as I do on the street. I will also tell you what I think about your comments and opinions, just as I do on the street. I figure if you can dish it out, you'd better be able to take it.
So, this blog thing is an entirely new experience for me. Bear with me, and enjoy the ride along.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
