For over fifty years, I’ve listened to people telling me their tales of woe about tickets they didn’t deserve, cops who were rude and arrests that were unnecessary. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I side with the cop. After all, I was one and…in my opinion …the cops are usually right.
However, there are exceptions. When an officer is petty or uses bad judgement, even when he’s technically right, they set a poor example for all police officers and their departments.
This story is about Carol. (A pseudonym) Carol is a hard -working young woman of thirty, and a single mother of two kids who cleans houses for a living. She has a clean record, no tickets, no arrests, no drugs, a clean-living, tax-paying citizen struggling to get by to support her children.
Along comes Officer Prink (also a false name, but close) who rides a motorcycle, assigned to traffic enforcement. He spots her pick-up truck passing by with her window open and decides to pursue. She is confused because she does not speed and has broken no traffic laws, to her knowledge.
The officer pulls her over and sees that her seat belt is fastened – but, incorrectly. Carol has an annoying problem with the strap across her shoulder and often crosses it under her arm pit. She saw no reason to conceal it. The officer points out why it is improperly fastened and without further ado, proceeds to write her a citation which will cost her a mail-in fine of $119.
The officer may have been technically correct in his assessment. Not every driver knows the minutia of every minor regulation. My wife often crosses her seat belt the same way, so do others, totally unaware that it constitutes a violation, unaware that it causes any danger to anyone, unaware she would be subject to punishment by the government.
The officer did his job. But he also had an option which required two elements: A brain and a heart.
One officer recently stopped me while driving with a defective taillight, another technical violation. That officer could have cited me. Rather, he politely informed me of the problem and sent me on my way. The light was fixed henceforth. That’s good police work.
Not so with Officer Prink who apparently needed statistics for his daily worksheet, and it mattered not that he would suck $119 from Carol’s hard-earned income that is needed far more by her children than by the city coffers. To Carol, $119 is pure gold for which she sweats and toils every day. $119 is like a thousand dollars to you, me and Officer Prink. When the officer motored away, she sat alone in her car for five long minutes, weeping. Over what? A seat belt crossed under her arm pit.
There is such thing as discretion, with which police officers are empowered. Some use it, some abuse it.
I think about all the “warnings” I gave decent people for petty infractions who could barely afford the fines I had the power to impose. I think about the cop I knew who gave harsh warnings, (but no arrest) to a teen because he was caught with a marijuana cigarette. That kid became a police officer cop five years later, thanks to a clean “record.” I think about the zillions of drivers who fail to signal a turn or a lane change, where cops smile and merely remind them of the law.
Carol’s cop could have made the department look professional and caring if he had only weighed the trivial nature of the violation versus the effect it would have on her dire financial circumstances. Instead, he centered himself in rigid correctness, devoid of compassion and good judgment.
Carol asked if she should go to court and fight the charge. In truth, the officer would probably be deemed legally correct and she’d not only pay the $119, she’d risk having to pay court costs as well.
Mired with expenses, Carol could barely scrape the money together. Her kids would have to do without a movie or a new toy, or a special occasion at a restaurant so she could pay her fine.
More importantly to Officer Prink, he will have pleased his sergeant with a healthy list of tickets for that day. He was technically correct, but in terms of public relations he did far more damage than good by abusing, not using, good discretion.
This is not the kind of police work I remember. It’s the kind that embarrasses me and other good officers in their chosen profession.
Marshall your a Prince. And right as usual.
Forthwith not henceforth.
Hey Marshall:
My thoughts:
She makes a court date; you go with her; those who care can send you the $$ that allows her (and you) to pay the court. You tell the court what you (and we) think and where the money came from. Anything left over can be given to her.
If you agree and can handle the details, tell us where and how to send you the $.
Pete,
Same here. I’m in. Please let us know how to help. Thank you.
I am in also, make this go away, send the address for the check.
I wrote to you some time back about the authority officers have on the street and this is the type of situation I was talking about. I agree, technically correct, horribly wrong.
Pete! Down with that. If Marshall agrees henceforth I’ll send $20 forthwith.
My husband was a cop for 30 years and he would agree with you. There are a few out there who enjoy having the power more than having the heart.
Well done. I recall my training in traffic stops and clearly remember the instructor telling us that when you left the cruiser on a routing traffic infraction you should have already determined what you were going to do: ticket, written warning or verbal warning. However, being “human” many times my decision changed due to a variety of circumstances, both ways. And no, I do not mean because the driver was a “10″. An example of what I would consider good police work was when my daughter was pulled over on the turnpike for speeding – and she was. She was also quite sick and it was obvious to the trooper. He politely warned her to slow down, and get better. No ticket even though she deserved it. Well done.
Marshall,
Count me in on helping with the $$ if this is exposed in court.
I had a similar incident when stopped by a City of Palm Bay officer who’s name I will never forget but will omit here but if he reads this he’ll know it was him. I was driving too slow and knew it because of a low sugar condition and just trying to get home safely as I awaited a rise in my blood sugar after taking a glucose tab. I am a diabetic.
This officer didn’t cite me but called the E.M.T’s and my wife who came out and drove me home as the officer told me to leave my car where it was and come and get it later when I had a normal blood sugar reading. This officer is a poster boy for protect and serve and we need more like him.
I agree, but believe you should have named the officer. Embarrassment is an excellent way to teach a lesson.
Marshall; rarely do I respond to these matters but I do find interest in hearing of them and using them in my interviews of prospective police officers. The comment, a brain and a heart are what I am looking for, not such rigidity and apathy that it clouds common sense and logic. I am only surprised that so many others, and it seems both civilian and police personnel both, offered to do what I am offering. To pay for this young woman’s fine. i think just the fact that so many are willing to do so, would hopefully restore her faith in the majority of officers and realize she unfortunately ran across the UNOFFICER of the YEAR….and I was only looking on the site to order more of your books as I put them in our police library for our personnel to enjoy. Especially those who maybe cannot afford to buy them on their own. I guess my training was a lesson learned today thru your passing on this incident. I will use it as a training scenario as well. As always, thank you. Chief Maas, Sunny Isles Beah pd.
As usual the missing link is Common Sense.
Good story and right on the mark. Unfortunately there are police officers like that and probably more than one %. There is a problem with the police departments who require monthly quotas. They call it productivity and unfortunateely Florida is in the forefront. Hopefully things have changed for the better. My very best to you as always.
Words escape me that describes the lack of sensitivity of Officer PRICK! The “prick!!!” No compassion whatsoever.
Years ago I was an official court reporter in Palm Beach County, Florida. I used to talk to the cops and troopers all the time and watch them be so aggravated when they lost a case before a judge or magistrate for a ticket they wrote. I used to say to them that 90 out of every 100 they wrote were mail in pleas of guilty with the fine and out of the 10 left that went to trial they would win 8 of those. I also told them that anyone who was right 98% of the time was away ahead and not to be so angry.
Having been a “motorman” for several years with a large law enforcement agency, I can tell you that there is definitely a presumption on the part of the public that if you get stopped by a motor you are going to get a citation.
In this particular case I am absolutely on board with your assessment. This guy must have had a particularly bad day or had an argument with his significant other prior to getting on his motor. That kind of violation does not even warrant a warning. She should never have been stopped.
Count me in for assisint in paying for this unjust citation.
Hypocrisy with a badge ! Can you imagine what that ticketing cop would say if that single mom was his sister? He would be the first one to scream and holler and point the finger at the petty improper seat belt violation. Unfortunately police academy instructors don’t teach common sense to young recruits or officers.
Rookies training rookies and rookies who have sergeants that are rookies. When I started law enforcement I was a rookie until I reached my 5th year as an officer. When I reached my tenth year I was told that “I was just getting my feet wet”.. But I had an awesome Field Training Officer (FTO) when I first began. I listened to veteran cops such as my father who was retired from a major police department and he said exactly what you wrote. Use discretion on misdemeanors/ infractions. Be compassionate, courteous and understanding and you will last and also live with yourself. That officer doesn’t deserve to be called a cop or law enforcement officer. I bet he has never been through a major crisis on the job and probably to his and others benefit. Follow that officer around while he’s off duty and watch him roll through stop signs without making a complete stop or not wearing a seat belt at all. It’s been 25 years since I was sworn in and I have been through and seen alot including knowing hypocrits like above mentioned petty garbage. I agree with those above comments and if it just recently happened I will donate too.
Hey Sherlock,
Count on me for $20 also whether followed up or not to help this lady.
Figaro
Its just not right , when you do fight it in court either by yourself , or an attorney the police are always right . The judges 98% of the time will always side with the police , that is how the system works, I was falsely arrested by the police ,I had 9 witnesses to testify to that effect . I was locked up finger printed , handcuffed the whole time in the jail. Was treated with the utmost disrespect by the magistrate , letting the Police officer lie and tell the magistrate that I resisted arrest , which was totally false. After getting an attorney , my court date was repeatedly put off until the Police Chief made a deal with my attorney , telling him if I signed an agreement to not sue , that he would drop the charges. However unless I agreed without seeing the agreement he would not dismiss the charges. We went to court and the Judge dismissed the charges telling the officer that they had no right to arrest me . The officers supervisor even after court was over, apologized to me and my attorney for what happened . We then sued the police dept along with a neighbor who was arrested also and was acquitted by the judge and was part of the law suit . We had a jury trial that took us over a year to get on the docket , it cost us over 10,000.00 dollars each for two attorneys . The police tried to settle saying they would pay us 1000.00 each but our attorneys refused. We went to trial spent all that money , even had police dash camera videos showing the arrests and that we did not do anything wrong , even after our court trial we had won , the judge instructed the Jury that the Police might of had Probable cause . The police said the reason why they pointed a gun at meor other person arrested , was they didn’t know if we were armed . They arrested us telling us nothing , the reason why we were arrested or nothing but were told by their supervisor to charge us with resisting arrest. We lost because the jury said that the police woulnt have arrested us unless they had a reason to do it . My Civil Rights and my neighbors civil rights were violated , however if we wanted to appeal the decision , it would have cost us another 20,000.00 dollars each , plus we would have had to pay for the original trial transcript , which was outrageous , plus wait another three years , not knowing if the appeals court would even hear the case . Is that what we call justice in America , I dont think so, as portrayed by this fraudulent Obama Administration and the Racist behavior by Obama & Eric Holder , The lies that we have been told is outrageous , however as apathetic and ignorant half the population is , the only answer is Revolution.
Marshall,
Having been a Motor Man I agree 100%, the idea of a ticket or
warning is to correct, you don’t have to be un caring,
Bill Eades
So often cops forget that they could be in the driver’s seat, but wait a moment, if cops are stopped, they always play the “professional courtesy” card. I am embarrassed that a member of my chosen profession could be so intransient as to write tickets for mere technical violations, when no one has been put in danger. Just ridiculous…
That cop isn’t the type whom should be given a badge and a gun. In spite of all the professional training those of us with LE backgrounds go through there are always some bad apples that slip through. Officer Prink is definitely NOT the type I would want as a partner or back up during a tense situation. With his tremendous inferiority complex which he obviously hides behind a super ego he probably is a loose cannon waiting to go off. Hopefully if and when this happens he will be solo and not cause others to become colateral damage.
I have worked with cops like that, and scratched my head over their ignorance of why they were out there. What a butthole Prink is..
While the ticket was stupid and overkill, I would like to point out that wearing your seatbelt like that is a good way to break your neck if involved in an accident. I know it is annoying for shorter people to have the shoulder harness near the neck, but when I pointed out what it could do to the driver, they corrected the situation (I hope permanently) and were sent on their way…sans ticket of course.
Ah…..say what you will Sir, but we both know that behind the “Blue Line” the stories get aligned to protect the officer in question. Among the ranks he is chastises, but in the public he is upheld.
Technically by law it does not define how the seatbelt is to be worn, it only says that it be utilized….now lets get technical….I would like to be corrected per the Florida statute….not your opinion. I agree one method of utilization may be better than another method of utilization, BUT, if the seatbelt is utilized, it is within the scope of the law. Furthermore, I disagree with the “law” mandating my safety unless it infringes upon another persons rights.
These seatbelt laws and helmet laws came to be because of the expense to the public for the stupid people who did not conform to the thoughts of others in power, and those that had to pay for the discrepancies of those that choose to disregard the safety issues for themselves and wound up costing the public millions due to the welfare extended to these stupid people. I agree to stop this public expense completely!!! In my opinion, the law should have been written so that if you made a personal decision not to abide by the “suggestion” to utilize safety devices, then you suffer the consequences solely by yourself with no recourse….but this will not work in the present society of America because the “bleeding hearts” want to protect the stupid ones and force the public to become responsible for those that defy common sense issues….another fault of the American public…..oh woe is me syndrome again!!!
When are we going to return to the era of “I become my own keeper” and “I am responsible for my own actions”?
When I was a young whippersnapper I encountered a lot of cops. The ones I remember most were the ones who told us boys to go home and sometimes followed us home when they caught
us out drinking and misbehaving. Years later a cop pulled me out of a brawl in a night club, I was getting whipped, took me outside, and put me in my car. Told me to get my butt home.
Over the years the story has changed. Now it’s all about money. A DUI these days costs a fortune. $10,000 and up if you want out of it, and it could get you fired.
We have two police forces here in the Knoxville/Maryville area. Both are run by petty dictators. I blame politicians and drugs. Larry
Good story, sad ending tho. I hope “Carol” is ok at the end, she
sounds like a special lady. She could most likely go on welfare
and food stamps and make more than she does working, but thats another
story. I respect her very much, much more than the millions of slime
balls who are sucking us dry with help from the current admin. who
thinks work is for fools and Republicans.
Anyway getting back to petty cops. Back in 1968 I had just gotten out
of the Navy after 4 years, 18 months off the coast of Vietnam stationed
on the aircraft carrier USS BON HOMME RICHARD CVA31. After visting my
family in Tennessee I left for Miami to live with my Dad. I started work
as a plumber’s helper and was making a living. I bought a 1962 Triumph
TR-2 sports car. It was a red convertible and a really cool car, I paid
$750.00 for it at Art’s Motor City on 441 just north of Countyline Rd.
I had a beautiful girlfriend and used to tool around Hallandale and
Hollywood. My gf was Lena, a blond beauty who attracted much attention.
I started getting pulled over and ticketed by one cop in Hallandale,
he pulled me over several times, it got so bad my Dad went to an old
WW2 friend of his who was a Capt. with BSO. The Capt. checked out the
cop and found that he had a thing for my gf Lena and was harrasing me
outta spite cuz she wouldn’t go out with him. He was fired. If I had
not been able to nip that situation in the bud with help from my Dad
God knows how it would have ended, badly I am guessing. I still have
great respect for LEOs tho. Having lived in Miami for 40 years I have
witnessed the horrible deaths of several brave police officers who
died in the line of duty, I salute them all and I am grateful for their
service to me and all of my fellow citizens. Because without law and
law officers no one would live in peace.
I harken back to my first years at Station 1 and remember an officer named “Murray” I will not give you his last name but Murray was one of those guys who stated, ” I would write my own mother a ticket if I stopped her for breaking the law.” He was serious but eventually he met his demise when he was arrested for shoplifting fishing lures at Jefferson stores in NMB. So much for strict enforcement and accountability. He was an example of the officer in this blog. They do not belong on the street. This kind of rigid mentality is what gives the rest of us a bad name.
Great Frank M. It is true those officers need to be off the streets-there were definitely some officers over the years we were all working that needed to be moved elsewhere or even better go out and get themselves new professions. In our days of instant news and internet, officers do not need any kind of bad publicity whatsoever it is out there in the public domain instantly with difficult chance to get better.
Great article Marshall. The officer’s not so thought through decision is why people cannot stand police.I cannot tell you how many times my husband who also rode on motors would come home and relate to me similar stories of good and bad judgement. How many officers were given the benefit of the doubt (most especially by the media) while they were out doing good and actually serving the public with professionalism? Unfortunately, police officers do not get the benefit of other professions, for years the lame stream news helps to promulgate the illogical thinking and impression on society that if there is one bad cop the rest are- kind of like the apple analogy, it is not at all correct but assumed to be so. In similar manner I ask: how many people know if their doctor (the one person most people put their lives with) graduated at the top or bottom of their classes (same with lawyers)??????