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[tjmills]

I don't feel compelled to write a ticket for 6 mph over the limit...but apparently another officer did. There might be many reasons why a ticket was issued: orders from a supervisor, special enfocement, complaints of speeding in the area, etc....

Like I said earlier, I usually don't stop for speed until 15mph over...and there is plenty of that out there! I'm not really into traffic tickets, but I do stop vehicles. I like to make the stops to dig for other stuff; drugs, warrants, OWI, etc.

Guys, you both seem alright in my book but I want to be honest with you all. This is a big reason why you guys have such a bad rep all the time. What purpose does this serve to pull a person over who has no warrants, no tickets, no nothing for something so minor. You don't search the car. The person is cooperative and answers yes sir, no sir yet you still ticket them for such a minor infraction like changing lanes without a signal or something.

I hate to admit it but I honestly want to flip off a cop sometimes when I drive by them pulling over another car. I am sure, most of the time it is warranted and I shouldn't feel like that but when minor infractions a single time equal a ticket that costs $100 and insurance rates rise because of it ..... people don't forget.

Please don't take this wrong, I don't mean this as derogitory but this has happened to me twice in my lifetime. Once for changing lanes without a signal (stupid me) and once for going 81 in a 75 in the middle of the desert away from any major town at all. Both times the insurance company was happy to remind me of it and both times it cost me $100. This is also why no one ever believes that there are not quotas on ticket issuances. Now with that being said, if you track warnings and someone has a couple already...give them a ticket. Obviously warnings aren't working.

Sorry, don't mean to rant. Like I said, you guys have definetly entertained all of us. Its these little things that people remember negatively. We know you have hard jobs and you are human but if the police force wants to create good will....this is a really good place to start. I have heard other officers say that if they pull someone over they are getting a ticket. In fact, even on this thread. Those attitudes are what swings the public when you need them behind you sometimes.

just my opinion....

 

[TJcop]

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've never worked with a partner, since we are all single officer squads. Sorry, can't help you there.

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?

In Wisconsin, if I leave a blank, or I write something down incorrectly, it can either be fixed with the state, or amended in court. Either way, you don't get a freebie based off of my stupidity.

Have you ever pulled over someone you know?

Yes.

 

[fishb0y]

I kinda skipped about oh... 25 pages, so I'm not sure if anyone asked this one yet, but would you rather be shot in the leg or OC-sprayed? While I have never been shot, being OC'd was the most uncomfortable thing I had to endure.

 

[TJcop]

Guys, you both seem alright in my book...

Thanks! I am an alright person...just a person that has to make tough decisions some time.

What purpose does this serve to pull a person over who has no warrants, no tickets, no nothing for something so minor. You don't search the car. The person is cooperative and answers yes sir, no sir yet you still ticket them for such a minor infraction like changing lanes without a signal or something.

When I stop a vehicle, 99.9% of the time, I have no idea who is in that car and whether or not they have any warrants, drugs, tickets, etc. Once in a blue moon, an agency will attach a warrant to the registration, so when I run the plate, I'll see the warrant. So, on minor infractions, when nothing pans out, I usually won't cite the person for the infraction.

...but this has happened to me twice in my lifetime. Once for changing lanes without a signal (stupid me) and once for going 81 in a 75 in the middle of the desert away from any major town at all. Both times the insurance company was happy to remind me of it and both times it cost me $100. This is also why no one ever believes that there are not quotas on ticket issuances. Now with that being said, if you track warnings and someone has a couple already...give them a ticket. Obviously warnings aren't working.

You admit that you were stupid for failing to obey the traffic law...so why shouldn't the officer enforce it? Now 81 in a 75 seems lame...I wouldn't even wake up for that! Trust me...I don't have any quotas...In fact, in December, I wrote 4 (four) traffic tickets...for the whole month! I told you I'm not a traffic hound. And, yes, we do track warnings, and I cite people that have had their written/verbal warning. (we track verbal warnings too)

Sorry, don't mean to rant. Like I said, you guys have definetly entertained all of us. Its these little things that people remember negatively. We know you have hard jobs and you are human but if the police force wants to create good will....this is a really good place to start. I have heard other officers say that if they pull someone over they are getting a ticket. In fact, even on this thread. Those attitudes are what swings the public when you need them behind you sometimes.

just my opinion....

I think it's interesting how you (and per your statement above) and "people" base their opinions on the "negatives". So, we need to overlook traffic offenses to appease you? I bet that opinion would change quickly when you're the victim of a traffic offense (accident).
If a traffic ticket is what is going to sway someone to be behind the police, then I'd rather not have that person supporting us.

just my opinion....

 

[TJcop]

I kinda skipped about oh... 25 pages, so I'm not sure if anyone asked this one yet, but would you rather be shot in the leg or OC-sprayed? While I have never been shot, being OC'd was the most uncomfortable thing I had to endure.

I going to guess on this one...gonna go out on a limb and say OC-spraying is better than being shot.

 

[Coldblue]

Great thread!!

Until a few weeks ago i was a complete newbie in law enforcement matters. This is the story:

I got pulled over at 3 am in a winter morning for going 42 on a 40 mph zone. Wide open street and not a soul in blocks around. The patrol officer was hiding behind some bushes. I answered all his questions up front and accepted my responsibility fully. He told me i was a potential danger to children that might have been crossing the street. I politely replied that 2 miles over the limit wouldn't increase the potential hazard as he suggested it would and if there were any kids running around at 3 am in the middle of the winter i'd instead worry about finding some sort of corrective measures towards the parents/guardians lack of responsibility.

By the look in his face i realized he didin't like my answer. After filling the citation form he asked me to sign it. I politely asked what i was signing. He didin't answer and asked me to sign again. I said i was totally unfamiliar with law enforcement matters and i didin't recall once in my entire life where i was asked to sign a document without knowing what was written on it. He said i would be arrested if i didin't sign the form.

Another police car pulled over and a more understanding officer explained to me the basics about traffic laws, citations and my options for paying the fine/going to court,etc

I had a completely clean record until that incident. And if such measures are intended to improve safety i can tell you that i'm not going to drive better/safer after such acid encounter with a law enforcement officer.

Knowing that some police officers would not stop cars until being 10 or 15 mph above the limit where as others would nit pick about 2 mph over the limit; makes me wonder: if the law is supposed to be so clear and it's supposed to be administered equally among all members of society (to avoid any type of discrimination), why is there so much discretion among law enforcement officers about the application of certain laws (speeding in this case)?

 

[TJcop]

Coldblue: While I can't answer the specifics as to why you were given a citation, let me try to answer in more general terms. Speed enforcement is generally done for safety reasons. Based on what you have said, I'm not quite sure how 2mph over, and the reason of "safety for kids" at 3am, fits. Now, speeding is speeding, so again, without knowing all the merits of your case, I can't say that he shouldn't have stopped you...but in my professional opinion, it seems pretty lame.

As far as what you signed, I assume it was a PR (personal recognizance) bond. Basically it says that you either promise to pay the citation or show up in court. It's you promising to take care of it in one way or another. I have to issue these with all citations, but we don't arrest people that refuse to sign them. We either take their drivers license or take them to the PD to post the fine. If they show up in court, they get their DL back. If they contest the citation and are found not-guilty, they are refunded their money.

Hope that helps!

 

[RonDawg]

Me, rude? What are you talking about? Who are you?

My post was in response to you saying Why thank someone for doing their job, its their job? No one is thanking me for doing mine?

I specifically bring up the troops because those who disrespect the members of our armed forces use the same argument (it was their choice to join the military), when in reality their issue is with the decisions of their Commander in Chief. But it's a lot easier to spit on a soldier on a street corner than it is on the President of the United States.

If your military service was not properly rewarded with gratitude, or worse specifically targeted for disrespect (as I suspect you have experienced, if you served under the old SA government), then you've partially experienced what it's like to be a cop.

I actually have a lot of respect for our troops.

I'm glad to hear that, I thought for a moment that you too would belong to the above category. However, by saying this you believe that at least ONE profession deserves being thanked for simply doing their job, contrary to what you have posted. So you'll need to find another reason to justify your dislike for the police.

That is one job that you don't walk away from, those images always stays with you.

There are a lot of things cops see and hear that they never walk away from either Shaka. Some like me manage to get through it. Others don't.

 

[WaterDawg]

But it's a lot easier to spit on a soldier on a street corner than it is on the President of the United States.

I would recommend either… or safeties sake.

Also, guys TJ cant answer why YOU got a ticket. I got a damn ticket too and it cost me over $200 but I WAS speeding. I shouldn’t ask TJ why. Thanks for taking the time man, this coud be a fun thread…or part of the whine and Cheese forum.

 

[RonDawg]

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 ?

That is because currently, there is NO statewide law in CA prohibiting the use of a cell phone (even hand-held) while operating a motor vehicle. The telecommunications lobby strongly opposes any such legislation.

A few cities are trying to enact local ordinances against it, but it would only apply if you are caught doing this within those city boundaries. Then you get into the catch-22 situation of, once again, being accused of enacting more laws in order to fatten city coffers...

The only time I can cite someone for using a cell phone is if I witness poor driving behavior (weaving, running stop signs/red lights, etc.) as a result. But I'm citing them for a violation of long-existing laws, and not for using a cell phone.

If a collision occurs while someone is using a cell phone, there is a specific checkbox on the statewide CHP-555 traffic collision form where I can indicate that. But if YOU were yakking on a cell phone and rear-ended the car in front of you, would you ADMIT to using a cell phone?

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...

And you should see how many of those SUV drivers (as well as other four-wheeled vehicles) believe lane splitting by motorcycles is, or should be, just as illegal as driving while using a cell phone.

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...)...

I don't write a lot of no front plate tickets, but I do use it as cause to conduct a traffic stop.