ding So we were traveling around yesterday in our taxi cab role. We were at Keswick Hall for a few days working out wedding plans and we had to deliver my mother to Shepherdstown, WV., where my step-father was with his mother. So we're driving along I-81 -- Berkeley County, WV, specifically -- and there are two trucks driving side-by-side, both driving below the 70 mph speed limit and blocking traffic. So I flashed my lights. Suddenly, a cop turns on his lights behind me. I think, 'Great! They are going to get these trucks to move so people can move.' But he pulls me over.
He asks me if there was a problem with my lights. I answer, "No," of course.
He takes forever, of course, and eventually writes me up for 'following to closely' and 'deffective equipment.' (Yes, that is how he spelled it.)
DMV, of course, wants to blow up at him. We don't, needless to say.
If it had been speeding, I wouldn't have been thrilled, of course, but there are so many cases where I don't get caught... but this is just some small town sheriff deputy who gets to show the DC gay boys who is boss.
I have to say that I have not always had such a negative image of cops because, when it comes down to it, they are much like journalists -- these are people who often choose their profession because they want to help people and they are trying to get to the facts. Unfortunately, in all too many instances, they have too much power that allows the person's personal faults and biases to influence their judgment -- and they often take matters into their own hands. (Last night, I couldn't help but think about the fantastic movie, Crash.)
So I hope he makes his monthly quota... and meanwhile, I get to trek to god forsaken Berkeley, WV to fight this thing. Great!
You know what? There are a lot of cops out there who pull people over for little things, like following too closely, flashing head lights, or talking on the cell phone. To me, that is petty stuff. But if you understand the law, those simple infractions give the police their probable cause to stop someone. A person can commit an offense as simple as jaywalking, and once their name is run through the system, they may have an outstanding warrant for homicide. A lot of police officers recover a lot of illegal narcotics and guns off of traffic stops, thus making your neighborhood a safer place to live. In the police academy, they tell officers that when conducting a traffic stop, you should make up your mind whether or not you are going to issue someone a ticket or not before you approach them. Bullshit. A good cop is not a robot. A good cop is someone who uses his/her own disgression. A good cop is someone who knows and understands people, and has common sense. Yes, there are a lot of cops who have large ego's, and want to feel important. There are small town cops who have nothing better to do, and to them, you flashing your lights is the crime of the century. But just use this as food for thought. When you are out at a bar, or spending Christmas with your family, or in the comfort of your home at night, there are police officers out on the streets protecting you. Everyone hates a cop until they need one.
Posted by: Mike | 2006.01.25 at 02:24
I used to be thankful for cops and I still am, at least the good ones. I married one and got a first hand look of why people hate them. Some of the stories my Husband would tell me about what they do to people would make me sick. he hated working for this Township b/c they were so corrupt and he wasn't. he was actually there to help people. so, in the end, they found a way to get rid of the good cop, my Hubby
you can read the true story on my site-I am also writing a book about the corruption-
please sign my guest book, it would mean alot to my Husband
peace and love
chrissy
Posted by: chrissy | 2006.01.27 at 14:12