Law enforcement officers escape tickets

sptimes.com ^ | 01/12/05 | SAUNDRA AMRHEIN and SHANNON COLAVECCHIO-VAN SICKLER

[Ellesu]

"You don't cite people to punish them. You cite them to teach them something. In this case, the deputy knew what she did was wrong."

HUH?

[HMFIC]

That way, the cop AVOIDS a FINE and the resultant rise in iinsurance rates. Must be nice.

[HMFIC]

My uncle was a PA State Trooper in the 50's, 60's, and 70's and he DID NOT give a DAMN WHO you were, family, VIP, another cop, you got a TICKET or worse! He was one hard SOB!

[Electrowoman]

Does that go for me, too?

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

There are calls coming across the (deputy's laptop) computer, you have the radio, you have the deputy supposed to be constantly observing what's going on around them with expired tags" and looking for crooks, Gee said.

If you can't do those things and still pay attention to traffic signs, then you have no business doing the job. She could have killed the person that she hit.

[Ellesu]

Really. I always know when I am speeding, I don't need to be taught anything, why should I get a ticket?

[sgtbono2002]

Move along folks, Nothing to see here.

Police officers have been using the "Badge" to avoid tickets for years. There are a few who would ticket their mothers, but they are usually ones with an axe to grind against the world. Also many Police officers who would lock you up for having a pistol are gun nuts themselves.

[KarlInOhio]

"There are calls coming across the (deputy's laptop) computer, you have the radio, you have the deputy supposed to be constantly observing what's going on around them with expired tags" and looking for crooks, Gee said. "You have to consider the nature of the job."

That's why many aircraft have copilots. If the cop can't handle the radar gun and the donut at the same time, he needs an assistant (for the radar - no one else touches his donut).

[kaboom]

Last week, a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy ran a stop sign and rammed another car. The other driver was taken to the hospital. But Deputy Carole Frauenfeld didn't get a ticket... You cite them to teach them something. In this case, the deputy knew what she did was wrong."

And when the County gets sued for millions in injuries, will they learn their lesson?

[coloradan]

Because you're a peasant and they are Lords. That's why.

[mbynack]

"All animals are equal - Only some are more equal than others."

[cynicom]

Friend was a NY state trooper, drove drunk many times, his old wreck had bald tires etc etc.

Then he would go out and ticket drivers for the same.

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

But, he added, they also are allowed to cut civilians some slack.

"I apply an equal standard there," Gee said. "If I were to say all deputies should get a ticket, I would have to say, "Write all citizens a ticket."

Yeah, right. How often are civilians allowed to run stop signs and plow into other cars and just walk away?

[Doctor Stochastic]

It's been this way forever (ok, for at least 50 years.) It's one of the perks of the job.

[tracer]

Say what!!??

I'm shocked, I tell you. Shocked........

[MamaTexan]

My uncle was a PA State Trooper in the 50's, 60's, and 70's

My dad worked for the county when the were still called 'peace officers'.

Now I refer to them as law(yer) enforcement officers, 'cause their function has gone from Protect and Serve to Collect and Observe.

[TexasTransplant]

"Now I refer to them as law(yer) enforcement officers, 'cause their function has gone from Protect and Serve to Collect and Observe"

Perfect!

[herbg]

We are seeing the birth of an elite class of citizens who can do anything they wish. Cops do not think that they are civilians any more, but conceder themselves military with civilians as the enemy.

[woofer]

I understand the concept of "professional courtesy". I don't necessarily object to its reasonable use. But this statement bothers me.

They don't get traffic tickets for driving errors, but they face potential reprimands, suspensions, fines and the loss of an annual bonus, said spokeswoman Laura McElroy.

What cop needs an incentive plan?

What's this "bonus plan" and upon what monetary criteria is it based upon?

These are the questions Tampa citizens should be asking in light of this story.