Everything the police wish the public knew

Drowned Rat

Captain
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Messages
3,070
I found this on another forum I visit occasionally. Most of it is right on the money. Sorry if it's been posted before.<br /><br />Everything police always wanted public to know.......<br /><br />CSI is a TV show. There is no machine that we can drop an eyelash into<br />and come up with the DNA profile, fingerprints and mug shot of the owner<br />in 2 minutes.<br /><br />When you see an emergency vehicle behind you with its lights and sirens<br />on: pull to the RIGHT, and Stop. We are usually required to pass cars on the left.<br /><br />Dunkin' donuts has much better coffee than they do doughnuts.<br /><br />When you're driving in the fast lane and you see a cop behind you don't, go 5 mph's under the speed limit. We are not impressed by how safe of a<br />driver you can be, we're trying to go help someone (or catch that guy in the SUV that just cut you off). Safely move over and let us pass by you, please.<br /><br />If you get a warning instead of a ticket from a motorcycle cop, go buy a lottery ticket, because you've already beaten the odds.<br /><br />When you see an officer conducting a traffic stop,[or with a suspect in handcuffs] it is generally not a good idea to approach him/her and ask<br />for directions. If you do, don't expect the officer to be nice when he/she tells you to get lost, and don't expect the officer to take the<br />time to explain.<br /><br />If a cop causes a car accident we usually get a ticket, and sometimes we get suspended. When is the last time you got 3 days off [without pay]<br />for rear-ending a guy at Wal-mart.<br /><br />If you think you can fan all the pot smoke out of the car before we smell it, good luck.<br /><br />We know you've had more than 2 beers. I've never had two beers, hit six parked cars and driven my car through the front doors of a Toys-R-Us,<br />pissed my pants, and passed out with my foot on the gas.<br /><br />Here's how to get out of a ticket, don't break the law in the first place.<br /><br />If you drive a piece of junk car; this is why you're getting pulled over: In one week I pulled over 10 cars for minor equipment violations.<br />8 out of 10 had no vehicle insurance,<br />7 out of 10 had suspended drivers licenses,<br />5 out of 10 had warrants,<br />2 out of 10 had felony warrants,<br />and 1 out of 10 was a known sex offender with his 12 year old niece in the car without her mothers knowledge. Of the 2 out of 10 that didn't have any other violations, one was given<br />a fix-it-ticket and the other was given a warning (and if you are trying to do the math many had multiple violations)<br /><br />If you've just been pulled over doing 70 in a 35, Do Not greet the officer with " what seems to be the problem, officer."<br /><br />We get coffee breaks too, and sometimes we run into stores and do some shopping during them.<br /><br />When you're the victim of a burglary take the time you spend waiting for the officer to find the model #'s and the serial #'s of the stuff that<br />was taken.<br /><br />Some cops are just jerks, but take heart in the fact that other cops don't like them either.<br /><br />If it's nighttime and you're driving a vehicle with tinted windows and I pull you over. It's not because of your skin color, I usually can't tell<br />if the vehicle even has a driver until the windows rolled down.<br /><br />Cops make mistakes, and sometimes they are big mistakes.<br /><br />Some cops are bad, and sometimes they're real bad.<br /><br />Every time you hear on the news about people running away from a crazed gunman, someone's son or daughter in a blue or brown uniform is running<br />TOWARD that crazed gunman.<br /><br />Yes it's true, cops usually don't give other cops speeding tickets. Think of it as an employee discount, perk or benefit, and unless you're a<br />habitual speeder all you ever get is a fine.<br /><br />If your local police agency has a helicopter everyone knows it's loud and annoying, but did you know it can cover the same area as 15-20<br />patrol officers, and safely chase criminals that are driving 90 MPH through city streets. Many times the guy has no idea it's there and<br />slows down.<br /><br />Your 5 year old kid getting pushed down by another 5 year old kid IS NOT a police matter, talk to the other kids parents.<br /><br />If your kid won't do his homework or do his chores, 911 is not the answer for a uniformed second-string parent.<br /><br />Police work is...writing reports.<br /><br />If you rob a gas station you're only going to get $20, but I get to see a K-9 dog use your arm as a chew toy. For all I care you can keep the<br />$20.<br /><br />In 1 year of patrol work in a large city only about 10 minutes would be cool enough to be on the television show, COPS. But if COPS was about<br />report writing and accident reports each show would be a year long.<br /><br />Every traffic stop could end in gunfire, but we have to be polite and professional until that time.<br /><br />I've taken about the same amount of men/women to jail for domestic violence, so NO it's not always the man.<br /><br />People love fire fighters.<br /><br />Attention Victims: I need to know the WHO,WHAT,WHERE,WHEN, and HOW. Not what meds you're on or what your 15 cats have peed on.<br /><br />Some cops don't like to be called cops. I don't know why, but most don't care -- we've been called worse.<br /><br />If you find crack pipes in the lady's purse, there is a good chance they belong to her.<br /><br />Cops know you pay taxes and that your taxes pay cops' salaries. Cops also pay taxes, which also pay cops' salaries so, hey, this traffic stop is on me. Now sign here; press hard you're making five copies.<br /><br />When you see an officer walk into the room, a polite greeting of Hello, how are you? is much more appropriate than, Uh-Oh Jim, it looks like<br />they're here for you! or putting your arms up and exclaiming, I didn't do it! It will surely save you from looking like an unoriginal horse's arse.<br /><br />If there are police cars, fire trucks, or ambulances at your neighbor's house then there is a problem. You don't need to meddle into your<br />neighbor's business by asking us what's happening. Your curiosity, no matter how strong, is not a reason violate your neighbor's privacy. If it's something that YOU need to worry about, we would've knocked on your door and told you.<br /><br />Remember that you and I enjoy the benefits of Constitutional rights, and so does the guy you suspect of stealing your stuff. No, I can't go<br />search his house for your property just because you suspect he might be involved.<br /><br />No, I don't know your cousin who's a police officer in (fill in location anywhere in the US) (We Don't All Know Each Other )<br /><br />No your crappy band doesn't have until 10:00pm to blast your crappy music out of that garage.<br /><br />If I can see a 12 year old in your house finishing off a beer with a bong hit I don't need a warrant.<br /><br />If you don't know what the speed limit in your neighborhood is what makes you think it's 65?<br /><br />If a neighborhood association asks for police to start ticketing in their neighborhood, one of the first five ticketed is on the board of the association.<br /><br />When you're blocking an area to traffic (both foot and vehicle), "No, you can't go that way" doesn't mean, "You're special, so by all means,<br />go ahead."<br /><br />If an officer is standing in front of you with his hand outstretched, waving furiously at you, plus he's yelling for you to "Stop", it's<br />usually a good idea to do as he asks. Please don't keep driving towards the officer.<br /><br />Flares + cruiser parked at an angle equals a place you can't go, even if it's a ramp to the interstate.<br /><br />Don't run from the police and then attempt to hide in a warehouse. Especially don't do this if the officers tell you that the dog is going<br />to be let loose, as this will generally result in the dog winning. They leave some pretty marks, by the way.<br /><br />Stop resisting means exactly that. Don't say "I'm not resisting" as you throw a punch at the officer's face.<br /><br />Just because you're handcuffed doesn't mean you won't go on the ground if you attempt to assault an officer. We don't even make exceptions for<br />pregnant women who bite us, either.<br /><br />Did you really think I wasn't going to find that large lump of crack you got clenched in your butt? Come on, it's either the world's largest<br />'roid, or you got something you ain't supposed to have.<br /><br />If they tell you they borrowed the jacket from a friend, just before you search it, they've got something, and it's still gonna be their jacket.<br /><br />For some reason, you think I'll believe it when you tell me that you don't know how it got there. (see above).<br /><br />Stopping a green man in a blue shirt and pink pants a block away from an armed robbery when the suspect description is a green man in a blue<br />shirt and pink pants...IS NOT racial profiling.<br /><br />Just because you have your hazard lights on, doesn't mean it is okay to park in the fire lane and run into the store. Even if you really need<br />milk!<br /><br />No I will not go get your 6 year old from their friend's house, because it is 1:00am and you don't want to drive 3 minutes. Maybe you should<br />set a curfew, and enforce it. I am not a bad police officer, you're a bad parent.<br /><br />And Last but not least: 99% of Police Officers do their job honestly and with great pride, we try to do our job well. Often we have to work in<br />environments where we are the only ones that have to follow the rules. A veteran Sergeant told me on my first day of patrol when you wear that<br />uniform everything you do is a liability. We do make mistakes (as we are still human) and due to the nature of the job sometimes they have horrible results. :)
 

mikeandronda

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 13, 2003
Messages
1,888
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Now those were funny :) good post.
 

Triton II

Commander
Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
2,479
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Not only funny but also a glimpse into how it is for the USA's policemen and women. Thanks for posting it D-R. I expect you could apply the same material to the UK, Australia and most developed countries' police forces - they do a good job in sometimes unreasonable circumstances. I really feel for the Brit cops at the moment with the constant threat of terrorism and the fact they've already made one tragic blunder.
 

goatherder

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
38
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Thanks for sharing. Thanks for serving.<br /><br />
<br />If you rob a gas station you're only going to get $20, but I get to see a K-9 dog use your arm as a chew toy. For all I care you can keep the $20.<br />
That's my favorite one.<br /><br />The one thing I would ask some officers to remember is that starting out calm, polite and professional gives you room to move to mean, surley and loud, before you move to physical. Some officers seem to think that being in control of the situation comes from being loudest and most obnoxious.
 

deputydawg

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
1,607
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

That had to be written by a cop! It is impossible for anyone else to get that close to true on EVERYTHING!
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Good stuff, DR. Thanks, and thanks for your service.
 

Limited-Time

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
5,820
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Great post DR, The fact it's ture makes it even funnier.......nice to see it from the other side. Thanks for your service.
 

Holdimhook

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 26, 2005
Messages
648
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Great post. Thanks for your insight and your service!
 

NYMINUTE

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2003
Messages
3,298
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Sad to hear about the Donuts. Good coffee? I will try it. Bye Starbucks<br /><br />Seriously....Excellent Post. The police are the next occupation to experience a shortage. Long hours, danger, low pay, and media scrutiny.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Your 5 year old kid getting pushed down by another 5 year old kid IS NOT a police matter, talk to the other kids parents.<br /><br />If your kid won't do his homework or do his chores, 911 is not the answer for a uniformed second-string parent.<br /> <br /><br />Amen.<br /><br />Plus, if you run, expect to get shot. If you have nothing to hide, why did you run?<br /><br />Do you prefer a Taser or a 9MM slug?<br /><br />The Taser is a GREAT tool, however, they are being sued out of existance. I say, go back to bullets. Dead crooks don't sue.
 

Braxton

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 16, 2005
Messages
575
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

great post, thanks for sharing.....
 

Kenneth Brown

Captain
Joined
Feb 3, 2003
Messages
3,481
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

I like every bit of it. No truer words have ever been spoken.
 

lakelivin

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 19, 2004
Messages
1,172
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

Ok, here's a question for you.<br /><br />I'm in the left hand lane doing the speed limit (or reasonably close to it, say no more than 5 miles an hour above). Cop comes up behind me, obviously in a hurry, but traffic in the right lane is heavy and close to the same speed, with no break to get in behind it. There is a spot I can get over in front of the line in the right lane. Do I speed up in order to get over and allow the cop to get by me, or put on my blinker & wait until someone lets me in?<br /><br />My inclination would be to speed up & get over, since that would be the quickest way to allow the cop to get past, but on the other hand, could be a dumb move in that it could leave me open to a ticket I wouldn't have otherwise received...
 

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: Everything the police wish the public knew

the way i see it, if he needs to get you out of the way he should turn on his lights. that tells everyone that you need to pull over or get out of the way...otherwise, you're at the mercy of traffic and should stay close to the speed limit.
 
Top