And if they did something close to it all the time, it would be different. I have no major arrests, the worst I have ever done is being pulled over for numerous speeding tickets. However I also have experience of some local police officers using their ability 'look up your ass', check my personal information and address, only to return to the car, give me a ticket because of others in my family they know (and matched my home address at the time with theirs), and tell me that's why they're going ahead in giving me a ticket instead of a warning. And in a couple of the instances, I wasn't even doing anything wrong
First incident: I was involved in a hit and run accident. A guy in a dark colored Honda hit me and ran. Fairfax didn't even want to send an officer out to investigate the scene. I was told over the phone, "We usually don't send officers out if the damage is under $1000." Please tell me how he could ascertain that the damage to my car was under $1000 over the phone? Oh, and it wasn't. It was $4000 damage. My insurance wouldn't cover the damage because the cops were to lazy to come out and make a report.
Second incident: My ex-girlfriends father was beating up his wife. My girlfriend called me and pleaded with me to come over. I told her to call 911. She said that she had over an hour before. I went to her house, her father had left already, I had to take her mother to the hospital. Know when the cops showed up? The next morning.
Third incident: I was in Fairfax County on my way home from band practice. I got pulled over because my car (79 Z28 Camaro) fit the description of a suspected drug runner. I was forced to sit in the back of a patrol car while my car was searched WITHOUT my consent. I was threatened and treated like dirt for no good reason at all.
Forth incident: My girlfriend at the time got her Jeep broken into. The thiefs stole her stereo, CD player, jacket, and other personal stuff. Fairfax Police would not send an officer out to take a report or fingerprint the vehicle.
There are more instances but these are just the top four. I have a very good relationship and trust the Loudoun County Sheriff's department. I do not trust nor have any respect for the Fairfax Police Department. They have shown that they are not deserving of any trust nor respect and they have shown that they cannot be counted on in any way shape or form.
I've made two complaints regarding the conduct of Fairfax officers and each time, it was swept under the rug. Now, with that, tell me why they should have special protections when they are so willing to abuse their authority and position?
Personally, I believe that the website in question is not a good idea but for other reasons other than special protection of police officers. I do not believe that police should be entitled to any special privledges that are not allowed by non police. I also believe that anyone cop or not a cop that makes a threat of bodily harm as shown on this thread by both cops and non cops should face the same penalties.
One last note, I have an understanding with my Sheriff. If he has a problem with me, he knows to come and knock on my door. He knows that if a no knock is performed, he will be short a SWAT team by the time it's over. The reason is, there are too many gangs in our area that are willing to emulate a police no knock raid and they have killed the occupants of the house. I do not want any kind of violence but if someone enters my house at night, I don't care if they shout police or Hari Krishna. I will respond as I've been trained to respond for the defense and safety of my family. Basically, what I am trying to say is that, police need to be aware of the consequenses of their actions just as we non LEO's must be. Just because a badge is involved does not mean that a cop can do or not do as he pleases just as non cops have too.
Mike