As I neared work this morning, happy and relaxed because I had just come from signing a client who has been dithering about for over a year, I stopped at a four-way stop sign. Another car pulled up on my left, and made a small false start until he saw the woman with kids and a stroller ready to cross the road in front of us. Once they were more than half way across, I resumed my driving. By the next corner I had flashing lights in my rear-view mirror and two strapping young(ish) Sheriff's Deputies asking for my license and registration. Genuinely surprised, I asked what I had done and my own personal crime fighter told me that I had "totally blown through the stop sign". Huh?
I replied that I had been stop, stop, stopped and stationary and that there was no way and he countered by saying he didn't see how I could have been at the speed I was at when he pulled in behind me, if I had been at a full halt. "What speed was that, Officer?" "Twenty miles an hour" he said, checking his notes.
I would be the last person to claim that I never speed on the freeway. If they pull me over one day for that, I will graciously accept. "You got me" "I've earned this" is my preplanned response. However, I really don't expect law enforcement to make things up.
In thinking about it afterwards, I deduced that they must have been parked in the street perpendicular to that on which I was driving. The car on my left obscured me from their view. They were not paying attention and made an assumption, which, as we all know, makes an ass out of you and me. The inconvenience and lingering angst of being chastised by an authority figure are negligible in comparison to the disappointment and disillusionment of one who has always respected and admired our public servants. I have even testified in their favor in court, when I was a witness to an unavoidable police shooting.
I didn't get a ticket. There was another, more pressing, call for their services, and a fire engine went speeding by, as well. My license and registration were thrust back through my window with the words, "We'll take your word for it, this time."
I've been stewing about this all day. It's not O.K. I feel as though they cheated on a test or in sports and were not called to task. I expected a higher standard of integrity. I also ask myself if they were not relieved to be called away once they had a taste of a coherent, credible and English-speaking defendant.
I wonder if the person who painted the car in the photo above, the day before his retirement, had had a similar experience? Per the story I read; Kern County Sheriffs took delivery and drove this car for days before reading what had been written on the side:)
I feel very bad for you. I've lived my own hell living next door to a what "policeman" spare me. He's finally IN the jail, but his buddies are around and allowed to retired etc...things aren't what they used to be...doesn't seem to be any standards anymore to weed out the psycho's.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo. Really like it. And your post too. The part that makes me nervous is that we are actually ALL of us at the mercy of the police. In my youth, the police and sheriff personnel were like heroes to me. I was always into heroes back then. The reality is they are overworked and stressed like most professions dealing with the public and they make mistakes. And they need more vacations.
ReplyDelete@eloh & Technobabe, yup! agreeing with both of you. I'm thinking that a copy of this post might go to the community relations office of the Sheriff's Dept.
ReplyDeletep.s. I understand "mistakes". This was pure invention. That's what got to me. He did not see me do anything. He made it up in his head.
I've always tried to impress on my sons that the police are there to help, and that one bad apple doesn't...etc etc. However, they'd probably just nod at your story - unsurprised altogether by the lack of integrity of a police officer. I still cling to my naivete, but can completely understand your angst. Hope you do let the appropriate dept know your view.
ReplyDeleteMy boss is a former police officer here in blighty and reckons the biggest crooks are to found in the ranks of law enforcement. I guess they're only human and humans lie, cheat and nick stuff all the time. At least they didn't give you a ticket, which is something. Love that car though!
ReplyDeleteOnly those of us who actually believe in and try to obey the law are every upset by being stopped and chastised by the police. The crooks never are.
ReplyDeleteTry to forgive and forget. Even the police can make mistakes. Sounds as if your self defense made an impression and left him thinking perhaps he had not actually seen what he thought he saw.
Glad you wriggled out of their grip with the aid of "more pressing concerns." Wouldn't be a cop for all the tea in China.
ReplyDelete"Absolute power corrupts" is not repeated for nothing...
Nothing agreeable about being stopped by mistake, but at least they let you off. I once had an officer threaten to break my guitar into kindling wood if I didn't clear out of a train station in Philadelphia where I'd been trying to earn some change... not a pleasant feeling... I'm sure their job is not an easy one, far from it, but the sort of power they hold is dangerous...
ReplyDeleteToo tired to be very pithy this evening, after a Labor Day beach barbeque with perfect company in perfect weather. Thanks for recent comments. More thoughts will surely follow once brain restarts tomorrow. 'Night all.
ReplyDeleteWhen i was a kid i remember being in awe and frankly scared shitless if a cop approached - you immediately felt respect and slightly scared that they would know you'd done something
ReplyDeleteBut having briefly worked with them a few years ago i can tell you that most cops are dissilusioned, feel unsupported and despite everything you hear are still looking to stop anyone for an easy arrest if it can go on their statute books - especially if they correspond to their racist points of view
Living in a poor area has also taught me that i absolutely cannot rely on the Police if i have a problem: every time i've had to call them they've made it very clear they just aren't interested.
As mentioned by yourself on our blog.. do they get trainig?.. or even watch t.v?...lol... I love the story of the car, gave a great giggle, If only they hadn't noticed!.. eejits!
ReplyDeleteToday I had a telephone conversation with someone in the Professional Standards Office. This incident will be discussed and possibly improve future training, or at the very least, be food for thought. I gave my name and phone number and faxed a copy of this post, including the invitation to any officers who wish to read this comments section. Dialogue is always good.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit to your blog and I love the story about the Police Car's signwriting. I'm glad you didn't get a ticket for the other incident, though. As you said, what chance would you have with your word against a dishonest officer. I have also always had respect for the law, and those who uphold it (quite a few of my relatives are serving Police officers). However, it is awful when you know that you have been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Last year, I acquired 6 points on my otherwise clean driving license, when someone else drove it through a 30mph speed limit, and I could not establish who was driving - only that it wasn't me, as I was able to prove I was driving a different vehicle at that time. The Police made no attempt to investigate who was driving my car and so I was penalised for failing to identify the driver! British justice sometimes really sucks!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Weevil,
ReplyDeleteI am thinking misguided rather than dishonest, but poised at the top of a slippery slope for sure. I visited your blog and enjoyed what I saw.