DOT right to search without prob. cause??

This is extremely good news to me since I travel through your jurisdiction on a regular basis.

I don't pretend to know what motivates people, but, I've encountered too many authoritarian types who like to dominate for the sake of domination. So many, in fact, I go the extra mile to avoid encounters with that type personalities. Unfortunately, to be a good LEO you must be a person who assumes authority strongly, and quickly. Since that is a character trait I associate with LEOs, when ever I have to deal with one, I assume a defensive posture and expect the worse. Sorry, if that ain't you.

 

I was local and had to go through the app process and testing, psycological testing, polygraph, drug testing, physical fitness testing, the Academy, Field Training with a Trainer and a probation period, continuous drug tests, evaluations, etc. I never saw any of the things this guy posted about selling drugs. I heard alot of dopers claiming stuff like that, but it was usually to try to get out of something. I had drunks accuse me of stealing their wallets, watches, even their girlfriends. Dopers did the same thing. Your talking about a lower than #### class of people that will kill each other or rat each other out to cover their own butts. The guys in Internal Affairs would rake our *ss over the coals when you were accussed of something, AND ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN. If you've ever seen a cop prosecuted for something crooked while on duty, it's twice as bad as it is for anyone else... and it should be.
..........The problem with many inner city Departments, is that the local politicians will specify hiring only from within the city for the Police. This gives them more control and employment opportunity for the local constituents (and votes). The problem is, you limit your employee resource pool to certain parts of the population, then you end up having to choose from nothing but inner city kids who grew up a certain way, and naturally drag bad habits and vices into Law Enforcement with them. You get the good ones, but pretty soon, your scraping the bottom of the bucket to find people. This is one reason why many departments allow hiring well outside the jurisdiction. I lived in another area about 30 miles from the city where I worked. Sure, the State Police have a great team and are very quasi-military in demeanor, but they usually hire from within the ranks of city and parish (county) police departments to gain people with experience. Our State Police specifies 5 years Uniformed Law Enforcement experience, with college and or military experience to apply. Plenty enough time to have been weeded out, if your a sleazebag. Police are just like the population. Most everyone is law-abiding and decent, but you have the less than 1% that have to be dealt with. I come from a cop family, with my Dad, both Grandfathers, several Uncles and now my Son is a Police Officer. I can't begin to tell you how "tarnishing the badge" was preached to me as a kid. And treating people with respect. My Dad used to say that there was a time to disrespect certain people, and you would find yourself fighting them and rolling around on the ground with them soon enough. He also had a BIG respect for the American Trucker. AGAIN, Sorry for the Novel.

 

Why does it always have to come down to something like this?
If we have a bad idea or image of Police, in general, why do we call them in time of need?
Same holds true with the trucking community, all though, we all have encountered and experienced first some individuals, in both Fields, that tend to make us wonder.

 

In those tear jerking words of Rodney King, "can't we all just get along". I know it's hard for both sides to see clearly sometimes when we all get stereo typed, and one or two bad apples spoil the bunch. I just wish there was a way for all of us to get together and work things out and develop a better understanding. That is my goal and my passion. There are alot of people that I love on both sides of the aisle as truckers and police officers. Very close friends and family. Some of them on each side may not listen, but many will. Nothing would make me happier than to see a whole new understanding on both sides between truckers and cops.

 

lol..man anyplace gotta be better then here.

 

99.9% of my experiences with law enforcement has been positive. I got a few tickets when I was younger and I deserved them. As I got older I got pulled over a few more times. I acted in a mature, non-threatening manner, and treated the officer with respect. EVERY time I was let off with a warning...no ticket. One time I pulled off a busy road and onto a side street. The officer asked why I did that. I told him I was concerned about his safety. He smiled, thanked me, and let me go with a warning.

Police are not the enemy. They take a great risk pulling over unknown drivers. Look how many LEOs are shot during traffic stops. Does anyone honestly believe they're pulling you over just for chuckles?

 

If I stop you, you screwed up bad.

I think that statement should be enough for most of us

 

Perhaps we stereotype because there's a few that ruin it for all. I woke up around 6pm one evening and realized it was later than I thought and got on the road to head to my dad's. I get about 3 miles from my house and spit out the window--try to anyway. I end up spitting on the trim around the window and reach down to get a napkin, after looking in my mirror and in front of me to make sure there was noone around. I swerve a little, but stay within my lane, and when I look in my mirror again there's a state scumbag with his lights on. I pull over, explain what happened, then get interrogated about if I've been drinking, smoking marijuana, and then those two repeatedly. I live in a small town and I'm pretty well respected for my computer work and reputation, but this guy gets me out, pats me down, and asks for permission to search my vehicle. He tears through my laptop bag, ripping open my birthday card as if I might have stashed weed in there. Oddly enough, the dirtbag never even looked in the rear seats where I had my AK-47 clip lying there on the floor. He wrote me a ticket for "Improper lane usage" on a two-lane road when I never even crossed the line. Ever since this incident, I've had no respect for cops. To me, they're just as bad as the criminals on the street. I forget what the pre-trial lawyer turned my ticket into, but it was no points and I don't even think it was a moving violation. I've seen what going in front of a judge can do for you, so I figured that was my best bet. $90 for weaving in my lane a little bit.

Edit: I do realize there are good cops and bad cops, but every time I even think about this I get mad again. Treated like a criminal and searched and ticketed for nothing by some newbie state trooper. I know a cop or two that I actually like, but every time I see a cop on the road all I think of is the one that treated me like scum. I agree that one will ruin it for all. This still makes me as emotional about it as the day the cop pulled me over. I tried treating him with respect, but never got any of the same. I do respect the line of work, but try to avoid them any more simply because of this one experience.

 

First off, don't let one incident ruin your attitude towards Police. I wasn't there, so I don't know exactly what happened. But, when you stop someone for weaving in the road, a common question is, have you been drinking, etc. That is very common. People who have been drinking or Smoking pot ALWAYS have an excuse for the reason they were weaving, so he decided to investigate further. Now that being said, unless I smelled alcohol or marijuana, I would not have searched or taken it further. However if I did, you should always be respectful of the persons property when searching.
.....................Next, I see you are 21. Sometimes Police are very suspicious when stopping young people today, because many of them are so klanish and cover for each other and hide things they shouldn't be doing.. I even investigated a homicide once where, the local cheerleaders, honor students and "good kids" were covering for the High School dope dealin' scumbag that did it. All because they didn't want to rat. So try to understand what the cop sees from the other side of the badge. Sometimes if people are intimidated by authority figures, that can magnify everything that happens. He may not know how "repected you are about town"........................Another thing to think about, is that if you were truly treated with disrespect, you should file a written complaint. Don't think that simply calling on the phone and ranting and raving will get you anywhere. Do it by the book. Be willing to back up what you say in writing, and I guarantee it will be looked at, and the Officer will be questioned. Don't get outlandish or emotional or stretch the truth. Simply state what happened and why you felt disrespected. You will be questioned about the incident. Be truthful. They have to get the facts because they can't just throw out accusations by anyone. Many officers are targeted by people for revenge for simply doing what they are supposed to do. I was accused numerous times of stealing watches, wallets, even cars by drunks and dopers. They are trying to manipulate themselves out of a charge. If nothing appears to you to be done and he gets some kind of warning from his superiors, understand it goes into his file. Another complaint or two for improper action and he is toast................. Stop and think about it in another light. I've been screwed over twice and lost a lot of money by a couple of computer guys and what they did. Got my info out of my computer while repairing it and drained my bank account. Does that mean you are one of those??? Don't judge everyone by the actions of one.