Ask A Cop!!! Post Your Questions Here!

[TJcop]

When there is a law (like against using a cell phone while driving), and this law is not enforced (like in california) : does it mean a officer CAN'T issue a ticket for it ?

I ride a motorcycle here in CA and it drives me nuts to see SUV driver on the phone, changing lane (into mine !) without looking...

It seems to be the same kind of stuff with the front license plate (I don't carry one, and nobody seems to care..not that I didn't get pulled over...ahem ahem...)...

Usually, it only affects that individual officer. For example, if an officer never enforces the front license plate law, then does it once to get at someone, it MIGHT be an issue.

Speaking of the no front plate law...I actually do stop people for that violation, but I merely use it as a tool to dig for more stuff. So, I can show that I enforce it, but I've never cited anyone for it.

Clear as mud, right?

 

[Knight1989]

I agree with the part about the infractions that arent enforced as much. I pull people over all the time for front plates and other more insignificant violations. I have no intentions of writing a ticket, but it gives me a chance to see if your drunk, have a warrent, and maybe search your car. The only time I write a ticket for it is if I have discovered something else and need the citation as my probable cause for the traffic stop. But there isnt anything that says I cant write if I want to. Like I said before your getting a ticket depends a lot on your attitude during the stop. If your being a dick, you'll get a ticket, for no front plate, window tint, cell phone, maybe going below the posted speed limit, or whatever other obscure laws are running through my head as you scream at me. :14:

 

[Knight1989]

BTW, have you ever met an RCMP officer from Canada?

Weezy

I worked with them periodicly when I was working in North Dakota

 

[Knight1989]

I might have to see if I can make a video of the CQB training we are doing.

Somewhere I have a video of me being tasered and peppersprayed, might have to dig that one out too.

 

[TJcop]

...The only time I write a ticket for it is if I have discovered something else and need the citation as my probable cause for the traffic stop.

Why do you need the ticket to show your PC for the stop? Can't you just write that into your report? I rarely ever cite for the initial contact, ex: lane deviation for an OWI, front plate on a warrant/POCS charge, etc...

BTW: How much traffic, or activity in general, do you get on the base? Is there really that much going on? When I go to Ft. McCoy (for training at the state patrol acad, every once in awhile), the officers there pretty much sit at the gates.

 

[chip104]

Hey TJ and Knight,

Can you make your videos to the soundtrack of sabotage (Beastie Boys)? That'd be cool.

And you know what else? You guys would make awesome partners - your names sound like should be used in Law and Order (TJ and Knight). :14:


Seriously though: how do they choose your partners? Is it just Junior with Senior or is there more involved? And how long did you wait until you didn't have to be partnered anymore (I'm sure it varies between places)? And would you rather work shift with a partner or not? Thanks!

 

[Knight1989]

Why do you need the ticket to show your PC for the stop? Can't you just write that into your report? I rarely ever cite for the initial contact, ex: lane deviation for an OWI, front plate on a warrant/POCS charge, etc...

BTW: How much traffic, or activity in general, do you get on the base? Is there really that much going on? When I go to Ft. McCoy (for training at the state patrol acad, every once in awhile), the officers there pretty much sit at the gates.

I've found that it just helps in court if I have the ticket to document the original offense. Just a personall preferance of mine.

Usually the bases are fairly quiet, but we do get a lot of the same things. Right now I'm not doing patrol work, but instead am doing a lot of the tactical training for the Airforce cops. I also work as a civilian police officer as well, so I pull both sides of the fence.

 

[Knight1989]

Hey TJ and Knight,

Can you make your videos to the soundtrack of sabotage (Beastie Boys)? That'd be cool.

And you know what else? You guys would make awesome partners - your names sound like should be used in Law and Order (TJ and Knight). :14:


Seriously though: how do they choose your partners? Is it just Junior with Senior or is there more involved? And how long did you wait until you didn't have to be partnered anymore (I'm sure it varies between places)? And would you rather work shift with a partner or not? Thanks!

I have never really worked with a deptment that mandated partners, but I have seen them before. In my experiances you were partnered together during your training time, immediatly following the police acadamy. The exact length of time varies by dept. Its an FTO, Field Training Officer, a senior person, partnered with the rookie officer to help them continue to learn. The military likes to have us partner up a little more, but we dont do an FTO program. Honestly I hate riding with a partner. I've always prefered to ride alone.

 

[SeanQ]

I got a ticket for "speeding against highway sign" which violates the Motor Vehicle Act Section 146(3). However, on the ticket, the officer did not write "MVA 146(3)" in the space provided. They also did not include the dollar amount I have to pay as a fine. Does this void the ticket?


Have you ever pulled over someone you know?

 

[Knight1989]

Have you ever pulled over someone you know?

More than once, actually lost count. Even arrested people I knew, again, more than once. Let me tell you it makes for a fun time when you arrest your next door neighber for Domestic Violence. I actually did a drug raid on a house a while back and as we were dragging the occupants out I noticed one of the dealers was a girl that I knew.