PATH
Member
There have been quite a few threads where LEO's have been painted in a less than flattering light. I think in terms of fairness there should be a thread where we can post some of our positive experiences.
Positive LEO stories
- Thread starter PATH
- Start date
- Status
TallPine
Member
Virtually all of my personal experiences have been positive, even including the one incident that two lawdogs "surrounded" the cabin that I was in and called me out at gunpoint. That they were looking for someone else was apparent by the relaxation of their attitudes when they saw me. I for one was relieved when I realized they were lawmen and not BG's as I had first thought when I saw armed men running around outside (it was winter and their uniforms were not apparent).
Another time I had a highway patrol pull me over to tell me that the back door on my pickup camper was swinging in the breeze.
But one cannot dismiss all the bad episodes that one hears about, and I am not so trusting anymore.
The local guys around here are so short-handed that they don't have time to go around messing with people. I live an hour at best from getting a deputy to come out on a 911 call, and they probably wouldn't even come out at all unless there was a violent felony involved.
Another time I had a highway patrol pull me over to tell me that the back door on my pickup camper was swinging in the breeze.
But one cannot dismiss all the bad episodes that one hears about, and I am not so trusting anymore.
The local guys around here are so short-handed that they don't have time to go around messing with people. I live an hour at best from getting a deputy to come out on a 911 call, and they probably wouldn't even come out at all unless there was a violent felony involved.
In all honesty, I don't think that anyone is really anti-LE (possible exceptions), they really are just anti-idiot. It's kind of like being anti-grocerystoreclerk. No, they aren't all idiots, but somehow the one checking out the line you're in seems to fall in that category.
My grandma fell and broke her hip when my sister was 6. All she knew how to do was dial 911. The police beat the paramedics there.
Ed Brunner
Member
Friday night my wife and I attended a classy shindig in Jackson MS. I did not anticipate a security screening, but due to the nature of the function, they has deputies, x-rays and metal detectors. I didn't want to cause an incident so I told the nice lady that I was carrying and could I please deposit it with her until I left. We went into a nearby room where I handed it to her and it was placed in a filing cabinet. There was no talk about laws, danger, safety etc. and I was admitted to the function.
When I was finished in the "secure area", She and I went together and retrieved it.
No pain, no strain. Very nice lady and very professional. I was seriously impressed.
When I was finished in the "secure area", She and I went together and retrieved it.
No pain, no strain. Very nice lady and very professional. I was seriously impressed.
MountainPeak
Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2002
- Messages
- 784
My brother's daughter ran away from home when she was just shy of her 15th birthday. I won't bother you with all the details, but one of the local Deputy Sheriffs went WAY beyond the call of duty. The time and effort that man put in were unbelievable. He expended PERSONAL funds in finding her when his dept. denied them to him. He brought her home safely. Today that girl is 24, with a degree in nursing and very happy. There is no doubt in my mind, without his efforts, she might not even be alive today. God Bless Him and all of the great work, often unmentioned, that LEOs do. By the way, none of our family knew this guy prior to him showing up to take a "run away" report.
thefitzvh
Member
I've had a couple...
Police officer from an unnamed department arrived at my bar to help us with an incident... I had my firearm on my seat (stupid!) because the drunken fool in question had hands in pockets, bluffing about a gun (but I didn't know he was bluffing at the time.)
upon discovering that I had a loaded weapon in my car (I'm in cali... that's a big no no), took the weapon, cleared it, handed it back, and said "Not gonna do you much good without a round in the chamber, is it?"
Smiled, and left me alone.
Another incident where I went to inquire as to my local PD's CCW policy. I was pulled outside by the officer I asked, and told "Our chief doesn't issue... It sucks, but contact me in private and I'll give you some pointers on getting one from the sheriff. If I had it my way, we'd do it like vermont! By the way, let me know if you see any interesting C&R stuff for sale... it's good to see another collector"
I was like
I love running into cops that turn out to be gunnies. Common ground helps...
Got pulled over once for doing 15 over the speed limit. I was racing to the range to try out my new pistol :-D and I had a 500 round box of ammo in the back, next to the Springfield hard case.
Officer asked for my stuff, ran it, came back, and said "Have fun at the range."
Like i've said before... the few jerkoff cops out there give the rest a bad name. there are MANY top notch cops in my area.
James
Police officer from an unnamed department arrived at my bar to help us with an incident... I had my firearm on my seat (stupid!) because the drunken fool in question had hands in pockets, bluffing about a gun (but I didn't know he was bluffing at the time.)
upon discovering that I had a loaded weapon in my car (I'm in cali... that's a big no no), took the weapon, cleared it, handed it back, and said "Not gonna do you much good without a round in the chamber, is it?"
Smiled, and left me alone.
Another incident where I went to inquire as to my local PD's CCW policy. I was pulled outside by the officer I asked, and told "Our chief doesn't issue... It sucks, but contact me in private and I'll give you some pointers on getting one from the sheriff. If I had it my way, we'd do it like vermont! By the way, let me know if you see any interesting C&R stuff for sale... it's good to see another collector
"I was like
I love running into cops that turn out to be gunnies. Common ground helps...
Got pulled over once for doing 15 over the speed limit. I was racing to the range to try out my new pistol :-D and I had a 500 round box of ammo in the back, next to the Springfield hard case.
Officer asked for my stuff, ran it, came back, and said "Have fun at the range."
Like i've said before... the few jerkoff cops out there give the rest a bad name. there are MANY top notch cops in my area.
James
"In all honesty, I don't think that anyone is really anti-LE (possible exceptions), they really are just anti-idiot"
Oh? Check out these sites and tell me they aren't anti-LEO:
http://hard-talk.com/6/ubb.x?a=frm&s=3676079532&f=5116013865
http://www.copcrimes.com/
http://www.copssuck.net/
http://www.massbrutality.org/
http://www.policeabuse.org/
http://www.geocities.com/ericsquire/articles/dogs.htm
http://www.twistedbadge.com/
Oh? Check out these sites and tell me they aren't anti-LEO:
http://hard-talk.com/6/ubb.x?a=frm&s=3676079532&f=5116013865
http://www.copcrimes.com/
http://www.copssuck.net/
http://www.massbrutality.org/
http://www.policeabuse.org/
http://www.geocities.com/ericsquire/articles/dogs.htm
http://www.twistedbadge.com/
Butch
Member
First I will say that there is noone who admires a good cop more than me. I think they are the backbone of civilized society. I was a dispacher at the local SO & loved all these guys.Every one of them were standup people. I've gone to the range with them & even shot in pistol matches with them.
However I dont think that just because a man wears a badge he should get my trust on site. He has to earn it by showing me that he is worthy of that trust. Most police do just that, in thier demeanor as soon as they start talking, but there is the badge heavy guy out there, who thinks that the badge makes him god, & that guy , I will treat like a rattler, & never take my eyes off him.
As for good, well lets see , How about the time that a state trooper pulled me over for speeding, When he asked why the hurry? I told him that I was just driving & not paying attention to my speed, & that he had me. He said that I needed to watch my speed then let me go. How fast was I driving 70 mph. That was back when the speed limit was 55mph everywhere.
However I dont think that just because a man wears a badge he should get my trust on site. He has to earn it by showing me that he is worthy of that trust. Most police do just that, in thier demeanor as soon as they start talking, but there is the badge heavy guy out there, who thinks that the badge makes him god, & that guy , I will treat like a rattler, & never take my eyes off him.
As for good, well lets see , How about the time that a state trooper pulled me over for speeding, When he asked why the hurry? I told him that I was just driving & not paying attention to my speed, & that he had me. He said that I needed to watch my speed then let me go. How fast was I driving 70 mph. That was back when the speed limit was 55mph everywhere.
I was actually referring to the contributors here on THR. I'm aware that there are anti-LEO people in the world. Some of them seem to run websites. However, some of these websites just look like they're just pointing out the idiots.
*******************************************************
http://www.copcrimes.com/texas.htm
State Capitol (11-21-03)The Associated Press reports a TV crew snuck up on State Trooper Cynthia Salinas who was apparently watching movie on duty. Trooper Cynthia Salinas was caught watching the movie on a portable DVD player in her patrol car while on duty outside of the State Capitol. Several other movies were scattered also present. The Department of Public Safety initially responded to the incident by saying as long as the trooper was paying attention to her job, she also could view a movie. (?!) Trooper Cynthia Salinas remains on duty and no disciplinary action has been taken against her. With heightened security due to fear of terrorism -- and the huge price tag -- how are your tax dollars being spent?
Dallas (11-8-03) - The Dallas Morning News has done an excellent job of investigative reporting with the below officers and their checkered past.
Officer Watt Carroll Jr. - in 2 separate incidences, he was discharged previously for excessive force upon a student, and arrested for a Class A misdemeanor family violence charge. The dismissal was overturned to a mere reprimand, and the charges were dropped by the alleged victim. He was also terminated from the police academy in for failure to qualify on firearms and flunking the final firearms test, but given another chance and passed. Officer Carroll was been arrested and charged with battery in Oct. 2001 after allegedly attacking his former wife's new husband -- prosecutors declined to press charges, but Dallas police internal affairs gave him a 1-day suspension. Assistant City Manager Charles Daniels overturned the suspension. In Feb. 2002, internal affairs investigated him for intimidating prosecution witnesses, including a police detective who testified against his stepson in a robbery trial.
Officer Ralph McAfee - a former correctional officer who was reprimanded twice for failing to report to duty and not properly checking out a weapon. He was previously fired as a security guard in Houston, had more than 10 offenses on his driving record and was arrested in 1988 on suspicion of misdemeanor assault. Houston police arrested him in 1990 for giving a false name, investigated (but exonerated) in Dec. 2000 for allegedly threatening a woman over a dent in the officer's personal car, received a 3-day suspension for taking a Christmas sick leave without a doctor's verification in 2001, issued a 5-day suspension in Sept. 2002 for failing to respond to five calls and for misleading a supervisor, and received counseling that same month for leaving his division without marking out and then driving 91 mph in an attempt to get back and answer a call.
Officer Thelan Craig Boyd - previously rejected by Arlington police for failing the interview and by the Texas Department of Public Safety for failing the written exam. Hired by Dallas police in July 1995, received a minor discipline for failing to submit 2 surveillance tapes for evidence, was investigated by internal affairs for selling his used car while he was in uniform (findings were inconclusive), and counseled about wearing his uniform only on appropriate occasions. He was fired in July, along with his wife, Officer April Washington Boyd, after they were indicted in Collin County for allegedly setting fire to his car.
Officer April Washington Boyd - previously been fired from her telemarketing job, and another employer said she was not eligible for rehire because she lacked initiative and "could not take constructive criticism." She has admitted to signing her former husband's signature on a check but said she had his permission, failed 3 exams and was fired from the academy in Dec. 1995, was unemployed since being fired, reapplied and graduated nearly last in her Class in Jan.1997, was filed against by her estranged husband who alleged she had committed welfare fraud and had harassed him (unfounded by Internal Affairs).
Officer Wanda Gerardino - was repeatedly cited for an inability to retain information and for firearms safety violations during academy training, failed 7 of 16 academic tests, failed the state certification exam on her first attempt, during training pointed a loaded gun at a firearms instructor or other recruits in 3 separate incidents, was termed as a "danger to herself by the Academy Instructor, received a letter in her file "Under NO circumstances should she be allowed to carry a weapon," graduated last last in her class, has acknowledged she didn't know whether she could use her weapon in a deadly force encounter and that she didn't know whether she could fight to protect herself or her partner, and after 6 weeks in the field was terminated for "field training failure."
Officer David C. Phillips - had been placed on probation as a corrections officer with the Department of Criminal Justice for fighting with another officer, was previously rejected from employment with Dallas for failing the psychological test and for falsifying his application by omission or deception, failed the state certification exam 3 times and was recycled to a second class, recently fired for unspecified reasons in May during his probationary period.
Officer Jo Ann Booker - applied in 1993 but was rejected because she was under investigation on suspicion of theft (she was receiving tax-free disability payments for a job related injury from the US Postal Service, while she was also working for the Dallas Police as their dispatcher), was fired by the US Postal Service for being absent without leave, failed her preliminary interview with Dallas PD, failed the state certification test 3 times and was recycled to another class, she failed her annual firearms qualifications test 2 times.
Officer Fidel Ortiz Jr. - while he has received 34 commendations for assistance to citizens, dedication to duty and professionalism among other things, he was suspended for 20 days in September 2001 for damaging his squad car, failing to follow procedure and giving conflicting or misleading statements to supervisors (for damages to his patrol car that cost the city $10,821 to repair).
Officer Lavar Horne - failed the civil service exam and the interview by a three-officer screening board, was deemed "unable to logically process information," according to records, claim he had not been cited or convicted of any traffic violations in the previous two years but was later found to have been ticketed in May 2000 for not having auto insurance and had been cited at least 4 times in Dallas for an auto registration violation, having no insurance and speeding, was issued an arrest warrant in June 2000 for carrying no auto insurance, paid nearly $1,200 in outstanding fines and court costs, sentenced to 5 days of community service, and while still in field training, was notified by a supervisor that his driver's license had been suspended for the past eight months for the Class C misdemeanor conviction of not having auto insurance, placed on desk duty and subsequently fired.
Officer Pamela Hampton - was terminated from 3 of her previous jobs, failed the physical ability test, was arrested on a warrant charging her with interference of custody, was disciplined for violating the department's code of conduct after she and her boyfriend threatened a 12-year-old girl, was cited for disorderly conduct-abusive language, disciplined for reporting to duty late (the 8 incident of tardiness in the last 12 months), put on administrative leave after being accused of sticking a loaded handgun in her husband's face during an argument, and was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (a second-degree felony).
Officer Raymond Caskey - discharged for failing to make acceptable marks during field training, fired after an internal affairs investigation into his arrest on charges of driving drunk before reporting for duty, and has a Class B misdemeanor is pending in Grayson County.
*******************************************************
Is this type of information considered anti-LEO? Should we not police the police?
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2002
- Messages
- 22,510
Was on the bicycle heading home and stopped at the crosswalk for the light to change. A police officer pulled over two motorcyclists in front of me (and another bicyclist) and had them dismount. They had ran a stop sign right in front of him and when told, they admitted seeing him, running it and apologized. After talking with them briefly, he cut them lose. He grinned and us and said, "Attitude is everything." I smiled back and said, "Have a nice day, officer." That was just this Friday (March 12). Not that it matters but the officer was white and the motorcyclists were black (and no one could tell until they removed their helmets).
In my Hometown the Local PD were usualy raided by the State PD once a year due to a lot of new & young Idiots who thought that having a Badge somehow gave them automatic imunity to the law...
They were allways being caught dealing drugs and stuff, but there was One Cop that had to be the most down to earth and fair guy you could meet, he'd been there for as long as I can remember, was usualy the only one that didn't get canned for illegal activity that the Trigger happy morons usualy were up to.
and since he was never promoted above captan I figured he was probably a State PD or Iternal Affairs Plant.
You could Open Carry a Pistol or Long Gun and depending on what you were doin or where you were going, he would either complement your choice of gun or say to shoot a few rounds for him.
(This was in Callifornia btw...)
Realy Great Guy!
They were allways being caught dealing drugs and stuff, but there was One Cop that had to be the most down to earth and fair guy you could meet, he'd been there for as long as I can remember, was usualy the only one that didn't get canned for illegal activity that the Trigger happy morons usualy were up to.
and since he was never promoted above captan I figured he was probably a State PD or Iternal Affairs Plant.
You could Open Carry a Pistol or Long Gun and depending on what you were doin or where you were going, he would either complement your choice of gun or say to shoot a few rounds for him.
(This was in Callifornia btw...)
Realy Great Guy!
CZSteve
Member
I don't remember ever having a run-in w/ the police where THEY were out of line.
Laying all (some) of the cards on the table.
In my youger days I was your typical teenager/youngster.
Grew-up as a 'gearhead' w/ a '71 Camaro that I loved to 'play' with; had a few 'go-fast' goodies.
Also typical partying that one does @ that age.
Been pulled over or caught drinking out @ the bon fires countless times.
However, I have always been one to respect officers:
*Pull to right & stop immediately when I realize 'tag; I'm it'.
*Left window rolled down.
*Both hands out the window as he/she approaches.
*Very polite and accomidating.
You would be amazed at how many 'warnings' I would get.
One stop in particular (Remember, I was young & dumb. Have since matured).
Heading back to my appt. during college after a keg/birthday party for a buddy of mine.
About 3 am when I left to head home; about a 45 mile drive back to my town.
Had WAY too much to drink and in a hurry to get home (remember I was young/dumb).
Runing upwards of 130 mph when I blow past a TX State Trooper between Lewisville and Denton.
Pull over and am escorted to the rear of the vehicle.
Trooper: "Son, have you had been drinking?"
Me: "Yes Sir"
Trooper: "How Much?"
Me: "Honestly; probably too much"
He puts me through the paces. Somehow, manage to prove to him that I'm not as bad as I probably was.
Trooper: "If you promise to slow it down, I'll write you-up for 97mph (or something like that). Have to take in if I write the ticket for your actual speed (either being over 100mph or a % over posted; can't remember)
Me: Yes Sir, Thank You, No Problem.
Get back in my car. 'click'. Dead battery, apparently shredded my alternator belt during the 'cruise'.
Officer is kind enough to try and jump start my car off of his. No good.
Then was kind enough to give me a ride some 30 miles back to Denton.
Sat up front and discussed HotRods as best we could considering my mental state.
(FYI: Yes, that stop was a wake-up call re: drinking and driving)
Laying all (some) of the cards on the table.
In my youger days I was your typical teenager/youngster.
Grew-up as a 'gearhead' w/ a '71 Camaro that I loved to 'play' with; had a few 'go-fast' goodies.
Also typical partying that one does @ that age.
Been pulled over or caught drinking out @ the bon fires countless times.
However, I have always been one to respect officers:
*Pull to right & stop immediately when I realize 'tag; I'm it'.
*Left window rolled down.
*Both hands out the window as he/she approaches.
*Very polite and accomidating.
You would be amazed at how many 'warnings' I would get.
One stop in particular (Remember, I was young & dumb. Have since matured).
Heading back to my appt. during college after a keg/birthday party for a buddy of mine.
About 3 am when I left to head home; about a 45 mile drive back to my town.
Had WAY too much to drink and in a hurry to get home (remember I was young/dumb).
Runing upwards of 130 mph when I blow past a TX State Trooper between Lewisville and Denton.
Pull over and am escorted to the rear of the vehicle.
Trooper: "Son, have you had been drinking?"
Me: "Yes Sir"
Trooper: "How Much?"
Me: "Honestly; probably too much"
He puts me through the paces. Somehow, manage to prove to him that I'm not as bad as I probably was.
Trooper: "If you promise to slow it down, I'll write you-up for 97mph (or something like that). Have to take in if I write the ticket for your actual speed (either being over 100mph or a % over posted; can't remember)
Me: Yes Sir, Thank You, No Problem.
Get back in my car. 'click'. Dead battery, apparently shredded my alternator belt during the 'cruise'.
Officer is kind enough to try and jump start my car off of his. No good.
Then was kind enough to give me a ride some 30 miles back to Denton.
Sat up front and discussed HotRods as best we could considering my mental state.
(FYI: Yes, that stop was a wake-up call re: drinking and driving)
Bob F.
Member
Stopped on WVTP by WVSP 5/03. "Sir, your inspection sticker is expired (wich I knew, pushing my luck) and your registration's expired (OS, I didn't know)." Wrote me for dead tags and exp inspection in 4/02 when it actually exp in 2/02. "If you get a new sticker, they'll drop the charge since it's only a month". They actually dropped both charges and sent my $115 check back.
Stay safe.
Bob
Stay safe.
Bob
LOL. I've got a couple "positive" experiences where they let me off, but also a couple positives where they gave me the ticket, but were very professional about it. Hey, I was driving too fast, I can't object to the ticket, though I do appreciate it when they are professional about things.
A couple others. I was out of town once upon a time. Wife heard a bump in the kitchen, called police. They showed up promptly and found the source of the noise outside (a real estate agent had hung something from the outside door, and it blew off in the wind). Despite that, they were kind enough to come in and look around to make sure, she really appreciated that. They were also very professional about things.
Besides that, I can't count the number of times a cop has stopped by a school or boy scouts or whatever and talked to the kids (my kids, or me when I was one) about various things. Time that is very appreciated.
I've never really had a bad experience with the police, though I never forget that it happens, and always watch things. No different than anyone else.
patent
PATH
Member
TechBrute,
When my mama took a heart attack it was the cops who got there first to help her.
When my mother-in-law took ill and the ambulance was called it was again the cops who helped her before the ambulance arrived.
When my wife had an accident it was the Troopers who helped her and treated her with every possible courtesy.
While some of the positive stories involve what you mention a great many more involve the fine things the men and women of law enforcemet do on a daily basis.
In those stories that relate the story of a LEO cutting someone some slack remember they are not called upon to cut anyone any slack. They do so because they are just regular folks like everyone else. The purpose of this thread is to show they are folks just like everyone else!
By the way I was almost delivered in a cop car but they just made it into the ER before I checked into the world. Again the cops got there before the ambulance.
I have heard the pipes play, at the funerals of LEO's, " Amazing Grace" and I have cried like a little girl. Greater love hath no man.........than to lay down his life for a friend. How much greater than to lay it down for those you don't know..........
Thanks to all our LEO's for all you do !
When my mama took a heart attack it was the cops who got there first to help her.
When my mother-in-law took ill and the ambulance was called it was again the cops who helped her before the ambulance arrived.
When my wife had an accident it was the Troopers who helped her and treated her with every possible courtesy.
While some of the positive stories involve what you mention a great many more involve the fine things the men and women of law enforcemet do on a daily basis.
In those stories that relate the story of a LEO cutting someone some slack remember they are not called upon to cut anyone any slack. They do so because they are just regular folks like everyone else. The purpose of this thread is to show they are folks just like everyone else!
By the way I was almost delivered in a cop car but they just made it into the ER before I checked into the world. Again the cops got there before the ambulance.
I have heard the pipes play, at the funerals of LEO's, " Amazing Grace" and I have cried like a little girl. Greater love hath no man.........than to lay down his life for a friend. How much greater than to lay it down for those you don't know..........
Thanks to all our LEO's for all you do !
Stand_Watie
Member
I'll give you two positive experiences, although I have had many more than that, and several negative as well.
Shortly after I first moved to Texas (before CCW) I was carrying a cut-down (legal length) shotgun between the front seats of my vehicle. This was legal in Texas as longarms are not restricted from carry. I was pulled over by a small town police officer for a headlight out. Coming from a part of Michigan, where at the time you could be expected to at least get the third degree if you had a firearm on you, I expected to get at the least a hassle - to be taken out of the car, put in cuffs and grilled for a while, to have the gun carefully inspected, documented, dissasembled and put in the trunk - I turned on my dome light, rolled down the window and put my hands out where he could see them - when he approached the car I told him I had the shotgun and asked him if he wanted me to get out of the vehicle or whatever for his safety. He didn't bat an eye, just looked at it and said (he was incorrect on the law) that it was illegal for me to have it between the seats, please to carry it on the rear seat from now on. Of course I said "yes sir" and left with a warning write up on the headlight.
A couple years ago I got pulled over by a state trooper on the way home from the movies. Another headlight out. When he came to the window I told him I was a CCW holder and had a firearm in my posession. He asked what/where and I told him one in my coat pocket and another in the glovebox. Again, he didn't bat an eye, told me to just leave them there, wrote a warning on the headlight, even called me sir
Texas police are way more laid back about about firearms carry than Michigan police (at least the ones I've been in contact with). That's probably changed some since Michigan is CCW now.
Shortly after I first moved to Texas (before CCW) I was carrying a cut-down (legal length) shotgun between the front seats of my vehicle. This was legal in Texas as longarms are not restricted from carry. I was pulled over by a small town police officer for a headlight out. Coming from a part of Michigan, where at the time you could be expected to at least get the third degree if you had a firearm on you, I expected to get at the least a hassle - to be taken out of the car, put in cuffs and grilled for a while, to have the gun carefully inspected, documented, dissasembled and put in the trunk - I turned on my dome light, rolled down the window and put my hands out where he could see them - when he approached the car I told him I had the shotgun and asked him if he wanted me to get out of the vehicle or whatever for his safety. He didn't bat an eye, just looked at it and said (he was incorrect on the law) that it was illegal for me to have it between the seats, please to carry it on the rear seat from now on. Of course I said "yes sir" and left with a warning write up on the headlight.
A couple years ago I got pulled over by a state trooper on the way home from the movies. Another headlight out. When he came to the window I told him I was a CCW holder and had a firearm in my posession. He asked what/where and I told him one in my coat pocket and another in the glovebox. Again, he didn't bat an eye, told me to just leave them there, wrote a warning on the headlight, even called me sir
Texas police are way more laid back about about firearms carry than Michigan police (at least the ones I've been in contact with). That's probably changed some since Michigan is CCW now.
Back in the early 80's when I was a LEO I had to go rescue an 8 year old who had choked down a bottle of prescription pills. It was snowing like hell and the ambulance couldn't get up the hill to the kid's house. I thought I was going to buy it driving like a maniac in a blizzard, but I reached the house, got kid and mom and *somehow*, got them to the emergency room. Never got so much as a "thank you very much".
I busted a burglary ring once, cost the citizens a pile in stolen goods until I nabbed the scumbag. Organized crime dirtball from down country hiding out in NE. No thanks, not even a Good Job letter in my file.
I stopped a mom with a 2 month old baby once for speeding. Didn't give a ticket, just a warning and advice to buckle up for the baby's sake. Got reprimanded for it because it was a buddy of the "chief" (who was later busted for assault, burglary, etc )
Crap like this happens all the time. Its about the most thankless job there is. Just try doing crowd control at a nightclub sometime.
99.99% of cops are trying their damnedest to do a job properly.
I busted a burglary ring once, cost the citizens a pile in stolen goods until I nabbed the scumbag. Organized crime dirtball from down country hiding out in NE. No thanks, not even a Good Job letter in my file.
I stopped a mom with a 2 month old baby once for speeding. Didn't give a ticket, just a warning and advice to buckle up for the baby's sake. Got reprimanded for it because it was a buddy of the "chief" (who was later busted for assault, burglary, etc
)Crap like this happens all the time. Its about the most thankless job there is. Just try doing crowd control at a nightclub sometime.
99.99% of cops are trying their damnedest to do a job properly.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Positive LEO Experiences
Greeting's All-
PATH my friend, after I finally decided to give up
the sheriffs department reserves program and go full
time with a really modern state of the art local PD, just
about all my experiences were positive ones. This was
about an 80 officer strong department, in a affluent
city with plenty of funds to spend on personel and
equipment. We had among other things, an ultra
modern crime lab that would rival that of even the
F.B.I. Crime within our city was minimal, with the
highest number of cases resulting in persons being
charged with negotiating a worthless negotiable
instrument or issuing worthless checks. Shoplifting
would rank second, with the different degrees of
assault coming in third.
Even though I probably made a lot of enemies; I
feel like I made a lot more friends, especially those
within law enforcement circles. Coming in just about
daily contact with other agencys such as the U.S.
Marshals Service, the F.B.I., I.N.S., and occassional
visits from the Secret Service and Border Patrol made
for a rather exciting career. Violent crime in our city
did happen every now and then; but usually days
or even months apart.
My biggest thrill, arresting a former female Hee-Haw
star for N.W.N.I. Sorry, but I won't disclose her name
under the privacy act. Turned out she was indeed a
very nice person, who failed to balance her check
book!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Greeting's All-
PATH my friend, after I finally decided to give up
the sheriffs department reserves program and go full
time with a really modern state of the art local PD, just
about all my experiences were positive ones. This was
about an 80 officer strong department, in a affluent
city with plenty of funds to spend on personel and
equipment. We had among other things, an ultra
modern crime lab that would rival that of even the
F.B.I. Crime within our city was minimal, with the
highest number of cases resulting in persons being
charged with negotiating a worthless negotiable
instrument or issuing worthless checks. Shoplifting
would rank second, with the different degrees of
assault coming in third.
Even though I probably made a lot of enemies; I
feel like I made a lot more friends, especially those
within law enforcement circles. Coming in just about
daily contact with other agencys such as the U.S.
Marshals Service, the F.B.I., I.N.S., and occassional
visits from the Secret Service and Border Patrol made
for a rather exciting career. Violent crime in our city
did happen every now and then; but usually days
or even months apart.
My biggest thrill, arresting a former female Hee-Haw
star for N.W.N.I. Sorry, but I won't disclose her name
under the privacy act. Turned out she was indeed a
very nice person, who failed to balance her check
book!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Cops are just like anyone that if you meet if they have these traits:
Honest
Polite
Professional
No superiority complex
No Swagger
I will get along with them just fine and give them a glowing recommendation on their resume.
I have met administrative cops that had everyone of these criteria.
Also Texas Department of public safety officers have a score of 100%
City police get a resounding 25% and usually lack 3 or 4 of the criteria.
County, sheriff and peace officers get a 60%
I have a better opinion of police officers that say:
Cop 1:
"Sir you were travelling 75mph in a 65mph zone so I am going to have to write you a ticket." May I please see your license and insurance information"
Me: Yes sir.
As opposed to cop 2:
Cop: What in the F*** are you doing. Do you have any reason for driving like that?
Me: Sir, I wasn't aware of any particular problem. How fast was I going?
Cop: When I ask you a question you better F****** answer it.
Me: I am not aware of anything sir, If you tell me what I did I may be able to answer your question.
Cop: Just get the F*** out of here and don't ever let me see your face again ever!
Cop 1 cost me a hundred bucks due to my own actions.
Cop 2 let me go (still don't know what I did) but also made me angry, apprehensive and distrustful of police.
The mere presence of police officers makes me very nervous because I have had too many very negative experiences. (No arrests) Just spittle flinging tirades, searches against my consent, insults, baiting, threats.
I want to feel safe and relaxed when I see a police officer in my rearview mirror or in a public place but unfortunately past experience has obliterated any chance of that.
Honest
Polite
Professional
No superiority complex
No Swagger
I will get along with them just fine and give them a glowing recommendation on their resume.
I have met administrative cops that had everyone of these criteria.
Also Texas Department of public safety officers have a score of 100%
City police get a resounding 25% and usually lack 3 or 4 of the criteria.
County, sheriff and peace officers get a 60%
I have a better opinion of police officers that say:
Cop 1:
"Sir you were travelling 75mph in a 65mph zone so I am going to have to write you a ticket." May I please see your license and insurance information"
Me: Yes sir.
As opposed to cop 2:
Cop: What in the F*** are you doing. Do you have any reason for driving like that?
Me: Sir, I wasn't aware of any particular problem. How fast was I going?
Cop: When I ask you a question you better F****** answer it.
Me: I am not aware of anything sir, If you tell me what I did I may be able to answer your question.
Cop: Just get the F*** out of here and don't ever let me see your face again ever!
Cop 1 cost me a hundred bucks due to my own actions.
Cop 2 let me go (still don't know what I did) but also made me angry, apprehensive and distrustful of police.
The mere presence of police officers makes me very nervous because I have had too many very negative experiences. (No arrests) Just spittle flinging tirades, searches against my consent, insults, baiting, threats.
I want to feel safe and relaxed when I see a police officer in my rearview mirror or in a public place but unfortunately past experience has obliterated any chance of that.
JohnBT
Member
When I was senior in college I got pulled for weaving down Main Street in broad daylight. I also had the headlights on for some reason and managed to blip the high beams a few times by stomping on the floor switch. The nice town officer approached the car and asked "What's your problem?" Then he saw the problem. My girlfriend was a 5'10" redhead, former homecoming queen and was proud of the new miniskirt she was wearing.
The nice officer removed his sunglasses, looked me square in the eye and said, without cracking a smile, "Keep your eyes on the road."
John
The nice officer removed his sunglasses, looked me square in the eye and said, without cracking a smile, "Keep your eyes on the road."
John
XLMiguel
Member
When God made Police Officers
A little OT, but here's to the Good Guys -
When God made Police Officers
When the Lord was creating police officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you read the specs on this order? A police officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform.
"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.
"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, "May I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all right ma'am, when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the police officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop... and still it keeps its sense of humor.
This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the police officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," said the lord, "it's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.
Cop on the Take
First he takes the oath. Now look at all he takes:
He takes it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes time to stop and talk to children.
He takes your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes your injured child to the hospital.
He takes the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
He takes his life into his hands daily.
He takes you home when your car breaks down.
He takes time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
He takes the job no one else wants--telling you a loved one has died.
He takes criminals to jail. He takes in sights that would make you cry. Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to. If he is lucky, he takes retirement.
He takes memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear for even one day.
Sometimes, he takes a bullet.
And yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.
Then one day he pays for all he has taken, and God takes him.
Please remember that the "He" in all this represents all police officers, both men and women who have served and are serving our cities and their citizens we have all sworn to protect.
Yeah, a little schmaltzy, but the only other thing to say is "Blessed are the peace keepers -"
A little OT, but here's to the Good Guys -
When God made Police Officers
When the Lord was creating police officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you read the specs on this order? A police officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch, and not wrinkle his uniform.
"He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.
"He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord, "it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, "May I see what's in there, sir?" (When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job.) "Another pair here in the side of his head for his partners' safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, 'You'll be all right ma'am, when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the police officer very slowly, "Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet," said the Lord. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop... and still it keeps its sense of humor.
This officer also has phenomenal personal control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family, and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects."
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the police officer. "There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," said the lord, "it's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, for justice."
"You're a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," he said.
Cop on the Take
First he takes the oath. Now look at all he takes:
He takes it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes time to stop and talk to children.
He takes your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes your injured child to the hospital.
He takes the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
He takes his life into his hands daily.
He takes you home when your car breaks down.
He takes time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
He takes the job no one else wants--telling you a loved one has died.
He takes criminals to jail. He takes in sights that would make you cry. Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to. If he is lucky, he takes retirement.
He takes memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear for even one day.
Sometimes, he takes a bullet.
And yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.
Then one day he pays for all he has taken, and God takes him.
Please remember that the "He" in all this represents all police officers, both men and women who have served and are serving our cities and their citizens we have all sworn to protect.
Yeah, a little schmaltzy, but the only other thing to say is "Blessed are the peace keepers -"
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
On our honeymoon in 1993, I idiotically locked our keys in the car at an overnight stop in Madison, Georgia. We couldn't afford a locksmith, and it was past 10:00 at night. Corporal Willie Brinkley of the Madison police dept. (or sheriff's dept, I don't remember which) came out with a slim jim and very graciously unlocked our door. I've never forgotten that.
cratz2
Member
I've only had two run-ins with a police officer that I think was well beyond what he should have done or how he should have acted... Probably having a very bad day but it was pretty unprofessional of him... But I've done the same.
I've had two very positive situations, one of which I was let go from a situation (involving 88 in a 45 late at night, not having my license on my person and not having the registration in the vehicle) that I wouldn't have let myself go from... Just told me to slow it down and reminded me that my family would rather have me home late but in one piece.
Another time, I think I posted on the forum, I was pulled over in Tenn for having tint that was too dark. Noticed my holster and asked about the gun... Very surreal, but very positive.
Law enforcement officers probably do have the most thankless jobs. I've even given the trash guys a bonus here and there when they go above and beyond, but never a police officer... You can't, really.
I am very glad they are willing to do their job and and very thankful most of them do it well.
I've had two very positive situations, one of which I was let go from a situation (involving 88 in a 45 late at night, not having my license on my person and not having the registration in the vehicle) that I wouldn't have let myself go from... Just told me to slow it down and reminded me that my family would rather have me home late but in one piece.
Another time, I think I posted on the forum, I was pulled over in Tenn for having tint that was too dark. Noticed my holster and asked about the gun... Very surreal, but very positive.
Law enforcement officers probably do have the most thankless jobs. I've even given the trash guys a bonus here and there when they go above and beyond, but never a police officer... You can't, really.
I am very glad they are willing to do their job and and very thankful most of them do it well.
- Status
