I was just getting onto a fly-over bridge when a policeman flashed his lights behind me (he'd clocked me speeding). For my safety and his, I thought I was doing the right thing to keep going, but at a reduced speed, and then pull over when I got to the other end of the fly-over bridge and then pull over on solid ground. But, by the time I got to the bottom, he had turned on his speaker and was commanding, "pull over RIGHT NOW".
Sorry, but no way was I going to pull over on the practically non-existent shoulder of that fly-over bridge with other cars whizzing by at or above the 60 mph speed limit.
By the time I came to a stop, I was scared and feeling humiliated. When he came to my window, he was full-up ANGRY and demanding to know why I hadn't pulled over. I wanted so badly to call him a Barney Fife, but I just told him I did it to be safe. He said, "When a police officer tells you to pull over, YOU PULL OVER!!!" in kind of a Frank Constanza type rage.
I bet he's impotent.
Next time try using the flashers. It acknowledges you are aware of him. A cop can not legally in any state I know of force you to pull over under unsafe circumstances especially at night. Policemen have been taught to honor flashers as an "I will stop when I feel it is safe for me to do so" confirmation by the driver. The driver could be a women looking for an exit and an open store.
I taught my daughters never pull over for blue lights at night until you are in a safe enviroment near others. Use the flashers. This is written policy in most law enforcement agencies. There are too many blue light wannabee's out these and some have the occupation of rapist. Any officer not honoring a reduced speed and flashers needs at a minimum being placed on report.
You faced a pretty unusual situation.
One Praise be to God that the young GI survived. For both their sakes.
Civilian Peace Officers are subject to errors under stress just like everyone else. Sometimes there are terrible consequences, that is unfortunate, not a reason to condemn. They are constantly being compromised by the political process and their leadership. It is a wonder at times they can more or less function. They need training, guidance, supervision, direction and most importantly good leadership like everyone else. Further they need knowing support and encouragement not the phony "We Support Law Enforcement" Sticker political garbage but one on one encouragement and acknowledgement that what they do has meaning and their contribution is valued. That is the responsibility of the community, the people hiring and paying them. But, just remember when you’re terrifically stressed and or all amped up during a dangerous event it is hard to keep it all together each and every time. We have allowed the Media and people with political agendas to create such a vision of danger beyond reason that the Officers are constantly being kept in an unreasonably high state of stress. This contributes to overreaction and generally makes their lives miserable. It also likely decreases rather than increases their safety.
I would bet if we were not such a legalistic society the Officer would have already apologized to the young man and would be at his bedside doing what he can for him and his family.
W
The cop needs to be in jail. I am very pro cop but what he did was attempted murder and i'm disgusted that anyone on here is trying to justify it. The sadistic bastard deserves a cell, not a badge.