Above The Law?
By tentwo67
@tentwo67 (3382)
United States
July 24, 2007 4:20pm CST
Have you ever noticed a police car turn on its flashing lights just to get through a red light, or drive really fast without lights or sirens (as if they're driving fast just because they want to and know they won't get a ticket)? Why do these guys think they are above the law?
I have a lot of respect and appreciation of law enforcement officials, but I can't stand this habit of acting like regular rules don't apply to them. Perhaps they don't, but is that right? To me it's very wrong.
I have had the thought many times when I see an officer driving way over the speed limit that I want to tail that car and keep up with the speed. Then if the cop realizes I'm driving just as fast as he/she is and pulls me over, I can say, "My speedometer was malfunctioning and I couldn't be sure how fast I was driving, so I followed you on purpose because I knew that YOU would be driving the speed limit!"
(It's silly, but it offers me some smiles)
What do you guys think about this, has anyone else noticed it?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
25 Jul 07
Yes, it’s a common occurrence in a lawless country like India. Here we have not only police officers, but even members of bureaucracy and judiciary who are entitled to govt. transport take advantage of their position. They flash a red light atop their official car and expect right of passage through the most congested roads. Its very annoying but there is precious little you can do about it. The same goes for ambulances. If they are carrying emergency patients then it is OK. Most of the time they just flash their lights and sirens to go through the traffic fast. OK even we did it once, and I got to admit it. We were on vacation at a hill station and from there we had to travel for half-day to reach the nearest railway station and take the train back home. Somehow something happened (I don’t exactly remember) but we got delayed and there was no hope of us catching the train. My dad then bribed a local ambulance driver and with blue light flashing and siren blowing, we just rushed through hilly roads and congested intersections and reached the platform just in time. that was the only time we did anything illegal, but it was fun…whizzing past the roads so fast!
1 person likes this
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
26 Jul 07
Maybe, but in a poor country like India, most people in power and position are more than happy to have their palms greased, starting from the bottom rank to the top.
1 person likes this
@nbhzlw (7)
• China
25 Jul 07
Well, i know a person who is a police. He also has a restaurant himself and usually use the official car to pick up customer to his shop. I know the car number but i won't accuse him, caz i think it's useless. But well, i think it's single not normal situation. I still believe most of officials who we said as live depend on taxpayer are well and have conscious.
1 person likes this
@myjudy (2)
•
25 Jul 07
In China,to understand college students in the legal sense of the situation,newspapers in the south China Nonal University,the University city school campus five Academy ramdom survey sent out 200 questionnaires. More students pointed out that"if we all go through our own storm will not be as a fool."
1 person likes this
@DJ9020 (1596)
• United States
25 Jul 07
From the other side, how do you know that they are doing it only because they 'want to'? Most cities have very strict policies about running code, that is, lights and sirens. But they may very well be en route to a call that does not meet code three requirements, but is an emergency. For example, a fight without weapons does not get a code three response. But if you're the one getting your lights punched out, wouldn't you want the officer to get there as fast as he could? Also, many times an officer is sent on a call that seems to be an emergency, only to have the caller call back a few minutes later and say 'never mind'. I've been in law enforcement for over 20 years, and can tell you that abuses do exist, but it is not all the time by any means. There are always two sides to every story.
1 person likes this
@DJ9020 (1596)
• United States
25 Jul 07
And here's a suggestion: next time you have a few days off and wonder what to do, contact your local police department and ask about their ride along program. Go out with an officer for a few hours or a day. You might be very surprised at what you see.
1 person likes this
@tentwo67 (3382)
• United States
25 Jul 07
You are right in that there is more than one side to the story. I'm sure that I'm not always seeing officers just using their role for their own convenience. (I think I'll pass on the ride-along idea, though. I really do respect and appreciate them, but there's a reason why I did not go to the police academy myself).
I wonder if you can come up with a legitimate reason to explain what I watched yesterday, that actually inspired this discussion? I saw an officer weaving in and out of traffic, moving very fast, get to a red light and put on his lights to go through it, then immediately take them off. Then a little further down the road, I saw him put his lights on again to allow himself to turn left without waiting for traffic and then turn them off again. I don't know police code, but if whatever hew as doing was important enough for him to put on his lights at those 2 points, then I would think that maybe they should have stayed on. But that is a complete civilian perspective there.
I want you to know that I really do appreciate your perspective though, and you are absolutely right. There are 2 sides to the story. Thanks for responding.
@youless (112164)
• Guangzhou, China
25 Jul 07
Yes, sometimes I see the officers, soliders, police etc. drive over speed. Frankly, that's so annoying. Because some don't have a business or something emergent. They just want to show their power or use their rights in a wrong way. Some are just doing their personal business. I think they should be punished. Otherwise who will care about the law?
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
24 Jul 07
Yes, I have noticed it and when it happens I do get a bit irritated. In all fairness, I have to say that I have been pulled over countless times for speeding myself and been issued a friendly warning. I guess I'd be a hypocrite to say much. huh? What really burns me is when a cop abuses a drunk person or a troubled kid with a bad rep. ...If you try to report that...it just is useless. they all band together.
cell phone cameras have helped that alot.
1 person likes this
@jlee30 (3)
• United States
26 Jul 07
i understand, ive seen it many times it is not fair u should bring it up with the goverment because martin luther king jr. said dont let there be segragation and that is segragation.Everyone should have the same right and policn oficers should be arested for drive like you explained
