Speeding

[ponyfool]

Oh, and as has been suggested, yes, I am quite certain there are cops out there that believe speeding is a perk. At the same time, I can't even begin to express how many times I've exceeded the speed limit to start heading for a call that didn't sound good on the radio (ie: officer calling for a cover car, but their voice was amped up or you could hear screaming in the background) and didn't use lights and siren, but went quickly anyway to make sure there was no undue delay in my response, possibly using the lights and siren to get through a red light, only to have the need for expedited response get canceled (suspect in custody, another officer arrived first, etc). I am relatively certain after many of those responses, someone, somewhere posted something on a forum talking about how some cop was speeding and going through a red light for no reason only to pull into the 7-11 after blowing a red light and other comments follow that talked about Slurpees being on sale, etc.

 

[ponyfool]

But, here's what some people think of cops:

 

[Patriot]

But, here's what some people think of cops:

wow, good point

thanx all you LEO's for your service and hangin' here with us

 

[EODSarge]

I hate downgrading code on the way to a call; i.e., starting off lights and siren to something that's serious and then getting told never mind... for that exact reason. I know as soon as I turn off the lights and pull off someone's thinking "Oh, late to lunch, huh?"

 

[FarWestFastEddie]

I do remember well the look on the turds face, when on my way to court, 10 miles north of the

city that I worked as a City LEO, whizzing by me on the freeway doing about 80, then telling me

I was out of my jurisdiction and could not write him a ticket, When I informed him that even

though I was a city cop, California is my jurisdiction. That was an expensive lesson

learned for him, so, do take these other well intentioned and capable LEO'S free advice and

avoid that "Geez, I'm a dumbass look"

 

[madmike2]

There is a city motor officer that I sometimes "commute" with on my way home (if the time matches us together). The first time he passed me (actually, since we lane share here, I saw him gaining on me and I waved him past----uh, for all you doubters, he waved as do the CHP if one is riding reasonably).

When we are heading South on Hwy 99, sometimes I lead and sometimes he leads, depending on timing when he merges. Sometimes there is a certain amount of exuberance (10+ mph faster than traffic) but nothing stupid. I would certainly recognize, and have, when he is riding even more briskly and always reason he is "on call". Sometimes he's taken a different off-ramp than his normal so I deduce my thought process was correct.

It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it!?!? I still would not match speed with him should he choose to ride 10+ mph over the speed limit. At some point my brain is my friend and the best ally I have to prevent a written performance evaluation.

 

[worldbound4now]

But, here's what some people think of cops:

Paul Harvey.... I miss his broadcasts. I grew up listening to him. A great tribute to the men and women who serve the population.

 

[exskibum]

For the other questions that are out there, yes, a police officer driving does indeed have to obey the traffic laws, unless circumstances dictate otherwise. For example, emergency call, or during other course of their required duty. Every state and many jurisdictions have varying rules regarding this. In Oregon, a police vehicle can violate traffic code if responding to a call for service, positioning or attempting to apprehend a violator where the apprehension could be hindered by the use of lights and/or siren. So, sitting in a No Parking zone waiting for someone to run a red light is permissible. As is speeding to catch a speeder.

I'm going to suggest that beyond the question of how stupid it is to tweak a LEO in an attempt to get away with breaking the law, we civilians actually have a defense very similar to what Scott states as their justification for breaking laws here. That is the defense of "necessity."

E.g., if your wife is dying and you're speeding to get her to the hospital, and the cop cites you (typically, after you drop her off at the emergency room), you can argue to the judge that your speeding was justified by necessity -- there was a paramount reason that you were exceeding the speed limit and ignoring the LEO's lights and siren until you got there: haste was necessary to save your wife's life. You have to convince the judge of that paramount necessity, but you do have that defense, and therefore, that limited right to break the law.

So, do LEO's sometimes speed when their duty does not require it? Human nature being what it is, I would expect so. Do citizens try to weasel out of tickets with excuses -- from diarrhea to claims of being late for court or other inventive stuff? Same human nature rule in effect, I imagine. But arguing that the cop was doing it so I can too will likely just impress the judge that I never grew out of the excuses I used in the sandbox as a child.

Doesn't mean I like getting cited when I'm bad, though. <_<

 

[brazos parker]

Maybe I am missing something here....shouldn't the LEO be setting the example? Why was he just traveling at high rate of speed? If it was an emergency, he should have been displaying his emergency lights. Maybe he would have felt guilty himself for pulling you over when he wasn't setting the example. Just a thought, thats something I would fight in court.

LEO in Texas told me LEO's in a marked vehicle are not subject to traffic laws. It is NOT mandatory to display lights/siren when speeding, etc. Right or wrong, a LEO can violate any/all traffic laws w/ minimal consequences.

Ummm...what was it you said abt setting an example?

EDIT: The LEO that said this was responding to a question abt the subject matter in this thread. He said this to a class attending traffic school...don't ask.

 

[Jeff Q]

Like ponyfool said laws from state to state vary WIDELY...

 

[old&slow]

I've been told that they can pace you from in front of you. (We were at the donut shop when discussing it, not on the side of the road. )

All that being said,what gives chp the right or what makes it safer for them to cruise along at 90+ for half an hour. Or is that just another place some cops feel they are above the law?

Because they have the ticket book ,, and a badge....

Do cops sometimes "bent" the rules a bit ??

Do I sometimes bent the rules a bit ??

If I get pulled over ,, it's usually because I deserve it ,,

Son-in-law is a cop ,, drives rather fast most of the time,, and usually gets away with it..

Life is tough ,,,, then you die,,,,

However ,, I do get to tell my son-in-law every time I see a cop car speed by ,,

" Must be late for a donut run". ...... so that sort of evens things out..... :yahoo:

 

[Yort]

I was aggressive on a country road one day and came up behind a LEO. Saw him at 150 yards out and backed it down. Still, I was sweating a ticket when another driver passes me up and then almost passed the LEO.

Sometime you have got to be lucky.

 

[reecebike]

They can do what ever they want to do thats the bottom line!!!

 

[Tim05fjr]

Did this just this morning on the way to work.

County Cop on State parkway, he was cruising through reletively light rush hour traffic. So I dop in behind him at a very good distance and pace him for about 3 miles. He was doing 75 in a 55. Cutting through the traffic quite gracefully, I hung with him until he got off at his exit. I then slowed to my usual cruising speed and got off my exit a few miles further. The whole time I was thinking that if he dropped back and pulled me over, I would just tell him that since he had the lights on the top of the car I thought that he was the Pace Car. Then I would just wait for a laugh or a ticket.

Tim

 

[Fred W]

Did this just this morning on the way to work.County Cop on State parkway, he was cruising through reletively light rush hour traffic. So I dop in behind him at a very good distance and pace him for about 3 miles. He was doing 75 in a 55. Cutting through the traffic quite gracefully, I hung with him until he got off at his exit. I then slowed to my usual cruising speed and got off my exit a few miles further. The whole time I was thinking that if he dropped back and pulled me over, I would just tell him that since he had the lights on the top of the car I thought that he was the Pace Car. Then I would just wait for a laugh or a ticket.

Tim

:lol:

I'm betting on the latter.

 

[Lambo]

Maybe I am missing something here....shouldn't the LEO be setting the example? Why was he just traveling at high rate of speed? If it was an emergency, he should have been displaying his emergency lights. Maybe he would have felt guilty himself for pulling you over when he wasn't setting the example. Just a thought, thats something I would fight in court.

LEO in Texas told me LEO's in a marked vehicle are not subject to traffic laws. It is NOT mandatory to display lights/siren when speeding, etc. Right or wrong, a LEO can violate any/all traffic laws w/ minimal consequences.

Ummm...what was it you said abt setting an example?

EDIT: The LEO that said this was responding to a question abt the subject matter in this thread. He said this to a class attending traffic school...don't ask.

I was always taught if you don't think it will stand up in court...don't do it! I could not imagine being the cause of an accident for speeding for no reason or speeding to a call without lights and sirens. I don't run in any cruiser but, as a FLEO community perspective is BIG.

 

[Malve]

But, here's what some people think of cops:

Great link Ponyfool

Thanks for all the input gang. Doesn't sound like too many people have been pulled over from a LEO in front of them although it is more than possible and not very bright to put yourself in a situation where you might be. As far as coming up fast on a LEO and breaking accordingly (when done a good ways behind) and trailing someone at a good distance, I have a sneaking suspicion that some (i said some, don't argue) LEO's at least appreciate the awareness. In other words they may say to themself... "he may have been speeding but at least he's paying attention". I have even twice, noticed a police vehicle too late (as I passed them)...saw them look at me, and literally pulled right over without being lit up. Once, I received the slow down wave and the other time we had a brief chat that ended ticketless.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[FJR_pig]

I was going to bite my tongue, but I can't. (Sigh)

Some of you know who I work for. Some don't. For those that don't know me, I am a Lieutenant with the Oregon State Police. I am in my 14th year with OSP. Currently, I'm the Portland Area Commander - that means I oversee and manage our three offices in the Portland metro area. I am the top OSP officer in Portland. I'm not telling you to this to toot my own horn. I only mention it to put into perspective the job I have and the level of management I engage in 7 days a week with lots state troopers who work the road here and the lots of challenges that come with it.

Our call load is about 50/50 between 911 calls for service and self-initiated activity. For the self-initiated activities, most of that is traffic related. We're the State Police after all, not a city PD or a county SO. We work traffic. It is what it is.

My troopers (including myself if I ever get out on the road instead of counting beans or handling personnel issues) routinely drive faster than the rate of traffic. We have to. We just have to. It is the only way to proactively patrol a state highway and especially an interstate. If we were to drive the speed limit, we would follow the same couple of cars for miles and miles and miles. If there was nothing wrong with those cars we were following or they were being driven by Mr. and Mrs. Jones from the farm down the road, what good would we be doing? Our mission is to promote traffic safety through enforcement of traffic crimes and hazardous traffic violations. Mr. and Mrs. Jones don't drive that way.

By driving at a rate faster than traffic, i.e. 75 in a 65, it allows us to look at many, many cars and pick out the worst of the worst. One could argue that we could drive slower than the rate of traffic, i.e. 55 in a 65 and let cars pass us, but there are two problems. The shit heads that we want to find would never pass us and the good citizens that think we're actually concerned with someone going 66 in a 65 wouldn't pass, either, causing a monumental back-up. Those back-ups cause crashes, something we're trying to avoid.

So, there have been a couple of good reasons a cop is driving through traffic posted here. I totally agree with the quiet and invisible response to an emergency call. It is sometimes critical to get somewhere w/o the siren or lights so as not alert the bad guy. It is also very routine (at least in Oregon) to drive faster than traffic so you can "work traffic."

I'm not so naive to say that every cop speeding has a reason like one of these two. That's not the case. I've known cops that have done a lot worse than speed - I know some cops that have gone to jail. Like any profession, there are bad seeds. But, in all the years I've been a cop, I have certainly seen cops speed for no reason. It's not right, I agree with you...but don't assume that they're all doing it just because they can. I don't and I know most don't...at least in my Area Command!

Sorry, couldn't keep my mouth shut any longer and admittedly, just my two cents. Hopefully those that know me, but didn't "know" what I really do will still talk to me...sniff, sniff.

If anyone doubts or questions what I have said here, you have a standing invite to come ride with me or one of my troopers. As mentioned, it is tough for me to get out on the road with my Sergeants or the troopers, but I will make the time if anyone wants to come out and see what it's really like. It would be fun and I promise you would have a whole new way of looking at things the po-leece do.

ig_ball:

 

[madmike2]

Well said, Jason.

Ladies and gentlemen, it really boils down to perspective. Of course, I know that 110% of you do everything "by the book" 110% of the time at your work place and that everyone is dependent upon your abilities at the same level we are of our local revenooers..er..gendarmes..uhm..law enforcement officials.

 

[Mooseonagoose]

Jason, Good input from both you and Scott! Thanks for the invite, might have to take you up on it someday, I'm sure it would be enjoyable as well as educational!