Should cops have to pay their speeding tickets?
By lisado
@lisado (1227)
United States
March 9, 2008 1:01am CST
I saw this story and was curious what others think about it. I think that they should have to pay these fines, unless they were out on a call or had another "good reason" for speeding. Why should they be above the law? Why should we have to pay when they don't?
"Md. police officers ignore speed cameras
ROCKVILLE, Md. - No matter what the cameras say, some drivers are refusing to pay dozens of $40 speeding fines. Who? Police officers.
In the last eight months of 2007, Montgomery County's new speed cameras recorded 224 cases in which police vehicles were recorded traveling more than 10 mph over the speed limit, according to department records.
Supervisors dismissed 76 of those citations after determining the officers were responding to calls or had valid reasons to break the speed limit.
But that left 148 who didn't have that excuse, and about two-thirds of those citations haven't been paid, said police Lt. Paul Starks.
The police union says officers shouldn't pay because the citations are issued to the owner of a vehicle, in this case the county, and not to the driver.
Police Chief Thomas Manger doesn't buy that argument.
"We are not above the law," Manger said. "It is imperative that the police department hold itself to the same standards that we're holding the public to."
Manger said officers who continue to ignore citations might be disciplined."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080308/ap_on_fe_st/odd_speed_cameras_police
1 person likes this
6 responses
@kareng (80243)
• United States
15 Apr 08
I think they should have to pay up just like everyone else. I also think it is a bad example for a police officer to break the law. Running a red light or speeding when off duty or on duty and not on the way to an emergency call, is breaking the law. I call these guys who do this--the bad cops. They need to find another job in my opinion.
@lisado (1227)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Exactly, but who can we tell? I mean, what are they gonna do about it, really? Probably nothing. Even if I had proof (video tape myself speeding and show the officer flying by me or whatever) no one would give a rip, at least anyone high up enough that could do something about it. :(
@loujac3 (1188)
• United States
9 Mar 08
I firmly believe that all people should be fined equally. No one is above the law.
This reminds me of higher ups in government. They don't have to worry about living on Social Security, they are finacially secure because of the office they held. In either of these cases, all people are not created equal.
@lisado (1227)
• United States
23 Apr 08
You know, I've heard them say that but it seems they don't actually enforce that. "No one is above the law". They shouldn't be, but they are and I think it stinks. The police here are horrible about parking in fire lanes and stuff, but their worst is speeding. They don't have their lights on, so why should they be going 20 MPH over the limit? Just because they can? It's wrong but since no one does anything about it they get away with it. It stinks.
@motorheadbanger (441)
• United States
23 Apr 08
They should have to, my uncle doesn't do the speed limit when he isnt working(he's a cop.) and he has actually been pulled over a few times, and according to my aunt all he has done was pull out his badge and then he was free to go.
