Cuda911

OK, here's my chance to vent about cops with waaaaayyyyy too much time on their hands. And have inflated egos. And are incompetent. And are rude. And are a few choice words that I will leave out of this post.

Today I attended my first TSD rally (hosted by PCA, San Diego Region - thank you to the hosts... fantastic job!! ). Actually it was a rally school, followed by a mini rally for all of us novices.

Much of the rally was through a business park section of town, quite deserted for the weekend. As I was working to maintain a CAST of 38 mph in a 40 mph zone, I started to be tailed by a copper (Carlsbad, CA PD). He's riding right on my butt for at least a half mile, so I pull over to the side of the road to let him pass.

What does he do? He pulls up behind and lights me up !!!!! As he comes up to the window, I told him that I am participating in a rally. He says "yeah, I know, I just pulled over four others that said the same thing." Then he says, "you are illegally parked in a bike lane."

What a dope!!!! I told him I pulled over to the side of the road to let him pass, and he responded: "That is illegal. You people think you can do illegal things" (I guess he was referring to Porsche owners).

I again stated that I didn't park, I merely pulled over to let him pass. He again said: "That is illegal. You have to go to a parking lot to stop."

Vent moment: WHAT A MORON!!! You can't pull over to the side of the road to let someone pass??? Where in the California motor vehicle code is that gem????

Anyway, he finally got back in his Keystone Cop-mobile and went on his way.

Pathetic. And cops wonder why so many people have so little respect for them.

OK, thanks, all. Had to get this written out.

Edit: Hey, just noticed..., isn't that white one at left center a Vette trying to sneak into the rally lineup?? What's he doing there???

Perk10

Sorry that you had to put up with that but on another not, that looks like a cool rally!!

Cuda911

Yes, it was fun, and wonderful to meet so many great people at the rally!

So, the cop didn't spoil the fun, but sure did nothing to improve my already low opinion of general law enforcement. I am aware that some are professional in their job, but many seem to be power-hungry authoritarians that use a gun and badge to make up for perhaps other personal deficiencies.

Steam Driver

Most cops are tax collectors, pure and simple. If it was about "Safety" they would be doing other things besides running radar and hassling the public they're supposed to serve. Power trippers and generally neanderthals.

Kirkwoodloyal

Please understand, what that particular officer did is on him and him alone. There are MANY like him, but many more who are not. I don't take offense at the vented frustration...because I understand it. I've had many encounters w/ cops like that. It truly is unacceptable behavior. On the other hand, I've interacted w/ officers who stopped me for legitimate reasons and earned my respect (whether I got a citation or not). Those are the ones who inspired me to do what I do...to hold myself to a higher standard as a civil servant. Granted, I work for arguably the finest law enforcement agency in the country and we have earned our reputation as such. It's a thankless job, in fact, most of what we do to protect and serve goes unnoticed. I do my best to carry out my duties as an ordinary human being...no chip on my shoulder...no badge heavy ego. I assure you brother, there are many like me. The bad apples don't get to speak for the rest of us. I rarely comment when I see posts like this, but I just wanted to encourage you to have faith in us...the good ones. Some of us are even Porsche owners...regular guys with an unbridled enthusiasm for motor sports...who also happen to wear a badge. Cheers, -Josh

Cuda911

Hey Josh,

Thanks for the comments. As I stated above, certainly some officers are professional and hold very high standards. I have no idea what percentage are of the ilk described in my original post, but it is significant. Is it 10%? 50%? 90%? I have no idea. But, I have personally seen enough similar incidents, and I am just a regular Joe Schmoe generally law-abiding citizen.

Here's one for ya: When I was about 25, I was on a motorcycle with my girlfriend over in Venice Beach. As you are probably aware, on weekends it is very crowded and difficult to find a parking spot. There's a dedicated motorcycle parking area by the boardwalk that can fit maybe 20 bikes. It was full, but one guy was preparing to leave. So, as I am waiting for him to put on his helmet (all of maybe a minute or two), a cop on a bicycle comes up to me and rudely demands my license. I asked why. He says "you are illegally parked in the road." I explained that I wasn't parked, I was waiting for a spot, and pointed to the guy preparing to leave. His response: "You can take that up with the judge." And he writes me a ticket. Then, he lays down on the ground to see if the bike at the very end of the bike parking area was angled such that the rear tire might slightly extend into the adjacent red zone if you drew a straight line to the curb. He decided that it was, and I saw him put a ticket on the seat of that bike.

I could easily recite a number of similar instances over my life. As could most everyone else here. And again, I'm just a regular person, usually at work or at home. Heaven help those who have more exposure than me.

I know you guys deal with a HUGE amount of crap on a daily basis. But it doesn't help to dish it out to the public. I'm sure there is plenty of real crime and emergencies that could legitimately fill 100% of an officer's time. So, why do they do these petty things? The amount of ill-will it generates with the public is enormous. At your next daily briefing, you may wish to relay my sentiments to your fellow officers, and let them know that they are doing no one any favors, least of all the honorable officers among you, when they engage in this sort of behavior.

Here's a story that may give you a chuckle though:

Last weekend at Festival of Speed in Fontana, I met an officer who is a fellow Porsche owner and aficionado. As I was chatting with him, there was a kid, maybe 12 or 13, standing near us with his dad. The kid turns to me and says: "Guess what? On the way here (from AZ) my dad drove 130 miles an hour!!!!!" The kid had no idea that the guy next to me was a cop. Of course, the cop laughed. [I will withhold which PD he is with].

Anyway, I do realize there are many fine officers and that it is a very tough job that I could never do, so no disrespect is meant at all.

Mike

Kirkwoodloyal

Thanks Mike :-) I agree with everything you said.
I've been a gear head for as long as I can remember. Had one of the nicest 300ZX's in the country - built the motor up to 700+ HP and owned the car for over 16 yrs before reluctantly selling her...did so right after a friend borrowed by box flared '72 Datsun 510 (SR20 turbo) (race car) so he could put carpet in it for me...he took it for a joyride instead and cartwheeled it to oblivion. Luckily, he was saved by the cage/harness...I worked a beat the next day and was picking up my Datsun parts along the side of the road in uniform...crazy. I decided to look for a 911 and came upon a deal I couldn't turn down...haven't looked back since...even won ASP division in my SCCA region last year...couldn't believe it.

I can't tell you why some cops behave the way they do, but I can tell you that I'll never be one of those guys...and that's a promise. My discretion means MY DISCRETION...and nobody will ever take that away from me. If you ever have questions for a "good cop" feel free to drop me a line Mike. I'll always be a car guy. Cheers

Randy V

I think Streck would benefit from your insights. He posts stuff like this a few times a week:

https://rennlist.com/forums/off-topi...hate-cops.html

tcsracing1

You should have cited him for tail gating.

I guess next time you see a Cop requiring assistance, best to mind your own business and keep going. Do not want to risk a traffic violation for the sake of helping a down officer in need.

Door swings both ways. This guy will get his no doubt in the line of duty...

ubermich

(Sorry in advance for the thread revival, but this cracked me up.)

Josh,

Have you ever stopped (while on duty in your patrol vehicle) to help change a flat tire?

That is my litmus test for cops who "protect and serve" vs. cops who are sentries.


Mike,

When I was a teenager, I had a cop follow me (it was very late at night in a neighborhood where the cops are RENOWNED for being jerks). I was driving a full size Bronco and he was stuffing his Crown Vic so far up my bumper that I could just barely see the roof lights in the back window.
So I slowed to 20mph (I was previously doing 30-32 in a 30) and started making repeated left-hand turns to circle the block. Lots of "Stop. Wait. One-two-three. Slowly accelerate." A couple laps later he drove off. (Just before I was going to make a right hander into a cul-de-sac and start circling it.)

5CHN3LL

That was my 'Vette - the 996 was down that weekend, and I didn't want to miss out on the rally school.

Cop story: When I had the "5CHN3LL" plate on the Boxster - before the 996 came along - the Mrs. was driving the Boxster somewhere, and a patrol car fell in behind her. She drives very carefully in the Porsche, but the guy stuck to her for a couple of miles. Finally, she freaked out and pulled into a 7-11 lot - and LEO followed her. Turns out the plate was driving him nuts, and he pulled in behind her to ask what it meant.

mooty

some good cops indeed.
many not so good one.
some down right unreasonable.
some trespassing my property park on my driveway without my persmission and set up radar to get others
some cited me for not stopping on stop sign in my bike.. 1. i did stop. he needs to learn how to ride bike and know a track stand is STOPPED. 2. i cooperaterd and signed tix he tells me it's NOT A MOVING violation. well it showed as moving violation with 1 point on my perfect record. when i called the dpt they told me fk you are out of luck basically...

i can go on...

get this, mom reported TV stolen. they showed up looked arond than asked mom, did u hire someone to stage this? christ. a $2000 TV (this was way back with sony CRT stuff were $$$) in one of the most prestigious neighborhood in LA. staging a robbery to fraud $2k .. either the guy is racist or is just a fkg moron.

i do meet good ones. some pulls me over when i am 5 - 10 over and gives me a little warning we chit chat cars. that's more useful then a tix with resentment. if you need tax money, i gladly pay. dont do this tix crap.

and i do have many close friends who are cop. and well... they also agree way too many bad one vs. good ones.

wife new honda accord, no rear plate but has the little sticker dealer put on windshield. no violation gets pulled over. this is when she got off call in EASTa oakland highland hospital as a resident. those dont know, this is where you carry 8 pistols and 25 grenades to feel somewhat safe... she was freaking out when the cop light comes on. how would she know it's a cop??? and why pull her over. a cop hsould know better. he should be able to see the tag up front. job is to serve and protect not bother and agitate. she doesn't look like a terrorist.

btw tom, you cannot cite cops for tail gating. and you cannot brake check them either. i tried both. i lost.

dont venting.

tcsracing1

Lol. At least you tried.