I was a cop for twenty six years. I love to read all this "stuff". Amusing myths.
Hey TINO, I worked in Maryland. I really wish we that the officers have all the down time to do all the stuff that you suggest. The end of the month "quota" thing is for car dealers, not cops. The quota thing is the biggest myth of all the myths that I read on this series of posts.
There was a big investigation a while ago about the "myth" of ticket quotas in PA:
Posts: 448
Joined: 3/21/2006 From: Williamsburg, VA Status: offline
I didn't work in PA. During my final years prior to retirement, our department only charted the stops in response to a Department of Justice request to monitor racial profiling. Any financial rewards or promotions offered by any department would create a very poor example to encourage enforcement. Yes, if you have guys on a shift that write very few tickets, it should be obvious that they are not on patrol and not doing enforcement. Yes, I let more people go then I wrote and I often rewarded honesty by issuing a written warning or letting the person leave with a verbal warning, if they didn't try to bu()SH*t me.
As for the kid in a neon green whatever, that alone would not prompt an officer to follow him and wait for him to commit a violation. Usually, the driver will do something (a loud car getting much louder or accelerating faster then is prudent). An officer nearby might follow a car after such a display by the driver. It's just common sense that a young driver in a performance car will sooner or later either race or do some type of burn-out, often in a highly populated commercial area (near fast food places or teen hangouts).
Funny stories. I stopped a lady for making an illegal U-turn during the height of a suburban DC rush hour. After catching up to her, she smiled politely and told me that she had looked everywhere for a police car prior to making the illegal turn. She also admitted to being terribly lost. Her honesty got her the reward of a written warning notice. Much of that has to do with how the driver of an offending vehicle first speaks to the approaching officer. The old standard, "And just what are you stopping me for?" would often prompt my pen to jump right out of my shirt pocket.
Once again, there are literally millions of officers nationwide and different departmental philosophies. So, my comments are my own and are not representative of all departments in other areas of the country.
As for the ticket thing. Where I policed, the local jurisdiction saw very little of that money. I was a county officer (local police), the court was controlled by the State. No rewards or "bonuses" were ever offered to any member of the department for writing a large number of tickets. "Speed traps" were often the result of numerous citizen speeding complaints and an order from the station Commander.
I could go on and on (I think I just did). Just another perspective.
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Dave L Williamsburg, VA
2008 DEEP CANDY RED PONY PACKAGE CONVERTIBLE, V-6. GT TAKE-OFF muffler and K&N filter.
Well I've only ever had 3 tickets (that stuck anyway), 46 mph (in a 30) Chevy Vega, 61 mph (in a 45) Geo Tracker and my personal favorite "Improper use of tires" in a 77 Bandit Trans Am. And that's when I used to be a cautious driver (well... maybe not in the case of the TA). Now that I drive like "a crack addict running from a drug bust" they don't even look at me twice. Now that I've jinxed myself I'll be looking for that next ticket. But I never argue with the cop, if I'm busted then I'm busted. They have a crappy enough job as it is. I did get pulled over one time in the Vette for doing 106 mph in a 45, and the guy said he thought it was his brother-in-laws car. I told him I only had the car for 2 hours and he told me that I had another hour to play around until shift change. Now that's cool!
I got a wreckless Driving charge back in December, and last week i got my 2nd wreckless Driving + illuding police officer . Don't ask, my liscense will be gone for a good while.
Posts: 148
Joined: 4/30/2006 From: Atlanta Status: offline
I've noticed that taking personal responsibility does go over well with cops, despite my listed offenses, if you communicate that you were wrong and expect what is coming to you, they will typically lower or waive the offense and let you go with a warning.
60 in 45: warning 75 in 55: reduced to 10 over 70 in 55: reduced to busted tail light
I've never been confrontational and was respectful as possible. If you have a negative outlook of law officers you need to realize all the things that DONT happen to you because they are there and not dwell on the possibility of what could happen to you because they are there. If you have reason to fear a law officer, perhaps you have some reflection to do on your own life.
I've noticed that taking personal responsibility does go over well with cops, despite my listed offenses, if you communicate that you were wrong and expect what is coming to you, they will typically lower or waive the offense and let you go with a warning.
"Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
You really have to tread lightly in admitting things to police. Contary to what you seem to believe, the police are mostly NOT out to help you or see to your best interests.
I have been confrontational with cops before, when the situation warranted such a response. What was a totally unjustified traffic stop ended up with a "warning ticket" for having an "obstructed license plate." Good thing he gave me that ticket - it provided a badge number to provide to the Secretary of State's office and the State Police when I made my complaints. The so-called "obstruction" was a dealer plat frame. The warning ticket was a pathetic attempt to justify the traffic stop.
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If you have reason to fear a law officer, perhaps you have some reflection to do on your own life.
Or perhaps one is merely responsibly skeptical of people in positions of power. If you're not, abuses of power WILL go unchecked. Contary to popular belief, we are citizens, not subjects.
dude i have a 05 redfire v6 and i have gotten 3 tickets in the past year. one, i deserved going 84 ina 40 caught by an undercover maryland state trooper in a beige vic, no antennas with a laser gun(b4 i got my cop deterent equipment), it was supposed to be 5 points and 523 bucks but i went to court and as far as the state is concerned i was going 49 for 1 point and a 100 dollars. the second i got failure to yield to oncoming traffic while making a left turn (no accident)BS, and runnign a red light ( i was staring at the pretty blue and red lights in my rearview after work late at night and cruised through the light oblivously, looked up to find myself in the middle of an intersection i didnt know was there with, damn ADD) i dont know if its cause i drive a red mustang but my friends drive much stupider then me and they have yet to get a ticket, im the safe one. i dont think this is a coincidence, my one friend can be found balling through a nieghborhood in his POS corolla s at 70 mph blowing stopsigns in the middle of the day. damn, insurance is gunna be a bitch in once these tickets go thru....
alright i am back from VEGAS and i lost my ass there. I got about $200 worth of drinks for free but i also lost $300 something to vegas so still lost!! It was a great 21st bday though!!
I am likeing all the great stories and feedback. Well i know i love to speed and i dont think buying this stang helps it at all. I think i need to buy a car that cant go over 70!haha I think i still would speed.haha
i have yet to get a ticket....with all 3 of the cars ive had, 66 stang, turboed focus ( >.> i didnt have a fart can muffler though or a big wing so :P ) , and now my new 05 stang.
guess i lucked out? i drive fast just ask Juntin_r hes seen me blazing down the roads.
Thats the kiss of death; you'll get a ticket for sure now! Never brag about your good luck!
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ORIGINAL: Shadowhax
i have yet to get a ticket....with all 3 of the cars ive had, 66 stang, turboed focus ( >.> i didnt have a fart can muffler though or a big wing so :P ) , and now my new 05 stang.
guess i lucked out? i drive fast just ask Juntin_r hes seen me blazing down the roads.
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X Charger, 5 speed manual, Hurst shifter,T-Lock/410's, Navigation GT takeoff kit, dual exhaust, 17" Bullitts, Eibach springs, front/rear swaybars, billet fuel door
Posts: 792
Joined: 7/4/2005 From: san diego Status: offline
well some of you already know this story but, before i bought my mustang i hadnt gotten a ticket in years. but within two months after i bought the mustang i got two tickets. but somehow they were both in my wives suburban .
< Message edited by onefastv6 -- 5/25/2006 2:01:33 AM >
cops stop me 2 times and you know what they told me sorry for bader you we love your car that is why we stoped you we need 2 see it from close on hehehe how cool is that
thatstang that is the way i use to drive in my old blazer. Thats also y i got 6 tickets in that car!! I wish the cops would stop me just to look instead of always giving me a ticket!!
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RE: Police Problems - 
stupid move, now my dad is havn fun wit my stang
05 MG ATO[MUSTANG dash sig][blk tail lght trim][18" foose whels w/ 255 ventus][GT takeofs][Xcal 91 tune][JBA sprk plgs][K&N filtr]+ 86 5spd gt hatch!
