CSA 2010 & Arizona DPS

OK Fellow Truckers, I need some input and opinions on a recent incident which occurred at our quarterly safety meetings. Our Safety Supervisor acting on behalf of our Company invited Arizona DPS to come in and give us a brief education on the implementation of CSA 2010 and what it means for Drivers and for the Company. What we expected, and what we received were not what we bargained for. Shortly after the meeting started we knew we were in trouble. Let me give you specifics, and these are quotes...some of the meetings were recorded.

When given specific scenarios of things that can happen on the road and asked proper procedure the Officer kept responding with the comment "It sucks to be you..." When the Officer also said "My job is to put the screws to you" I asked him for clarification, not much of a response. When asked specifically if I burned out a headlamp and notated it in my book (we're local, we don't carry spares) if I would be issued a citation, the Officer responded "I'm already doing a happy dance because I don't even have to inspect your equipment, you've already told me where to look....and you're getting a $140.00 citation." Among some of the other things he informed Drivers of: "I like writing tickets in the "x" area part of the State because Judge "X" and I are like this...holding up his hand with his fingers crossed. I go in with a 13 page citation and your MVR...you don't stand a chance against us..." Another one..."If I've had an argument with my wife and I'm in a bad mood, I'm writing you for everything I can get you for..." Another question I had for him concerned a Drivers resources when they can't resolve a safety issue with the Company. His answer: "How many friends do you wanna make....?" Seriously folks, I can't make this stuff up.

Long story short, I sat on this and did a slow burn for a week or so before reporting him to DPS on a lot of folks advice to do so. The Lt. Colonel's office sounded shocked but listened to my story, and insisted that this is NOT the image they want of DPS in this State. Turns out, this conversation wasn't so private. The guy I spoke with called the Company and told the Safety Supervisor who had called. Now mind you, I did not do a formal Internal Affairs complaint, I just talked with someone to let them know what this guy was saying. The Safety Supervisor said he "slipped" when giving my name, personally I think he wanted her to know exactly it was who called. The Safety Supervisor and I had a talk on Saturday and as it turns out she had pulled this idiot off to the side and asked him to tone it down with the "it sucks to be you" comments. I guess he did a bit, but the damage had already been done. The Company as I understand sent copies of the meeting on disc to DPS for their viewing. What happens next I can only speculate. I have been careful not to mention my Company or my name anywhere, although the cats out of the bag. The majority of the Drivers (150 of us) thought the guy was unprofessional and way out of line. We couldn't get a single answer from our questions except "it sucks to be you..."

I spoke with my Cousin who's an Attorney in another State. She said that if in fact this guy has been manipulating the Court System with Judge "X" then that opens another whole can of worms, something I don't want to get into here.

This is the Officer you DON'T want to be stopped by, it's my worst nightmare. I don't want someone claiming to do a "happy dance" because he can nail me on something. I have been in this industry for 33 years, most of it spent behind the wheel. I have never before experienced anything like this.

What say you? Do you agree he should have been reported? Was he unprofessional and over the line? Any and all input is appreciated at this point. Thanks for reading this....please be safe out there !!

 

Tazz, the first few meetings were recorded, what he said is on record. Not every question was answered that way, I said most of them were. I asked three specific questions in our meeting alone, none were answered. I explained that in my original posting. Copies of the meeting were sent to DPS, our Safety Supervisor now has to some sort of deposition with them. There are things cooking with the Officer but I don't want to get into that until after the fact...there is nothing nonfactual about my post. Many others would be glad to confirm...

 

Guys, I didn't do an official Internal Affairs type of complaint....I just called one of the higher ups, only to let someone know what this guy was saying. I didn't really want to get into all of that. If that becomes necessary, and I doubt it will, I don't think there'll be a trial. My mention of his converstion about Judge "X" was just to show this guys character, nothing more. I certainly don't plan on pursuing anything else at this point. The whole purpose of my post was to inform, and ask for input. I don't have the time or the money to pursue anything else. And, I just don't think it's necessary....

 

I know this all may be a hard pill to swallow for some, it's totally outrageous, I agree! I've been at this for 33 years, I've never heard anything like it. So many of us are still walking around not believing what we heard. This is not indicative of all Law Enforcement Officers, I'll be the first to admit that, but the bad ones need to weeded out. I've never had a bad experience with any one of them...