Almost arrested today! :(

[Oneslowz28]

It all started last month. I got a traffic ticket for "No seat belt" while driving through the walmart parking lot looking for a parking spot. Ticket was for $25. Well I honestly forgot about it until this morning when I was going through my wallet looking for a receipt. I see the ticket and am like "OH SH*T" Well the court date is today at 8:05am. Awesome! To bad it was 9:38 when I found the ticket. So I go to the police station to pay the ticket and the woman at the window tells me to sit down and wait on the arresting officer because he needs to talk to me. So I sit in the Lobby for almost and hour before he shows up. He ask me to follow him. HE TAKES ME TO THE FAWKING BOOKING ROOM. You know the one with the camera, fingerprint scanner thing, and a small holding cell.

He ask me why I didn't show up to court or pay the fine on time. I point out that I was just over an hour and a half late and explained that I had forgot all about the ticket. He goes on a long rant about how important his time is and how he wasted his morning waiting on me to show up and that I should not take serious traffic offenses lightly. (its a damn seat belt violation for christ sake and in a fawking parking lot at that) I apologize but he is still on a rant. He goes on about how he could be on the street catching murderers, drug dealers, and other serious criminals instead of wasting his time with me. I blurt out "if your time is so important why don't you do your job and go catch those criminals instead of writing seat belt tickets" This set him off and he tells me to stand up and turn around, and that I am not allowed to talk to him like that.... (no one must remember the 1st amendment anymore.) He is yelling some police jargon and citing laws , bla bla bla. Another officer walks in the room and tells him to calm down and then tells me I am free to go.

So I walk out the room and pay the fine, get my reciept and as I am walking out the officer who came in the room shouted for me to hang on a sec. he gives me a piece of paper with the arresting officers name and badge number so I can file a complaint. He then tells me that the guy had all the intention of arresting me for paying the ticket late because technically when I did not show for court or pay the bond by the time on the ticket, there was a bench warrant issued. he said that he would remove the paper work and it would never hit my record and that being a little late on a seat belt ticket was not a big deal. He also kinda hinted that he wanted me to file a complaint because this cop had done similar things before. I wish I could have gotten a pic of the guy. If he would have had the typical "cop stash" then he would have been Officer Farva's twin brother.

So yea my morning had been wonderful... How about yours?

[crenn]

It's now 5:01AM and my morning has been fantastic.[/sarcasm]

[Luke122]

So far so good.. glad to hear that there are some good cops out there with common sense, and not just the power trippers. :)

Glad that things worked out for you. :)

[Mark_Hardware]

Umm, yeah I would definitely be filing a grievance. One for excessive force, harassment.... Also, if you are in a parking lot, that's private property and you can't get a ticket like that in the first place!
It's too bad you missed the court appt, I would bet even money that the ticket would have gotten thrown out for that reason.
Glad to see your out. Might have to change your name to "Andy Dufresne:

[Zephik]

Holy crap! That second cop is my hero! What an awesome guy, I'm so tired of stupid cops. It is frakking ridiculous how many of them there are. I think the main problem is that anyone with more than five brain cells doesn't go on to be a law enforcer, aside from the select few like that second cop. We need to raise the bare minimum bar for our children. As in, stop letting them drop out and/or pass with low grade averages. Seriously, its like our school systems cater to the children who aren't that bright. There needs to be higher consequences so kids feel the need to study harder. That, or bribe them. I think I remember hearing about a school who bribes their students for good grades with cash, but I think only to the kids who get grade averages of A's and B's. I'd be willing to cut out some of the BS tax I'm paying for and have it replaced with that. /rant

Glad you didn't get arrested! That would of been seriously lame. Better file that complaint asap, sounds like that first cop needs a wake-up call.


Umm, yeah I would definitely be filing a grievance. One for excessive force, harassment.... Also, if you are in a parking lot, that's private property and you can't get a ticket like that in the first place!

Thats what I was thinking too, actually. I learned to drive in parking lots for that exact reason.

[Drum Thumper]

Did you get read your Miranda Rights? If not, nail this mother****er.

[Oneslowz28]

The ticket is allowed because the strip right in front of the store is an actual named road. All of the parking lots here within city limits are under full police jurisdiction. Its a BS way they came up with to increase traffic violation $$$. Its the same ting with the seat belt tickets and the new "random traffic stop". With the seat belt law, LEO's are allowed to pull you for no other reason than to check to see if you have your seat belt law. The RTS allows them to stop you for no reason what so ever. These stops usually wind up with a vehicle search because the cop "had reasons to be suspicious".

I called the captain this afternoon and filed a complaint. He asked me to come down to the station tomorrow and sign the papers. He sounded happy that someone filled a complaint.

No I was never placed under arrest so no need for my Miranda rights.

I support LEO's 100% until stuff like this happens. When they have quotas to fill and end up writing BS tickets for things like seat belts, blown brake lights, dirty license plate (if your finger can leave a mark in the dust it will cost you $25-$50) etc is when I get pissed. These guys should be better utilized to fight actual crime.

The local sheriffs office just posted its entire database of warrants online. The list consisted of 18k names. But instead of doing actual police work and looking for these guys they asked the public to do it for them. The sad thing? 14% of them were for unpaid minor traffic violations. and 80% of those people turned themselves in. It has caused a backlog in the traffic courts for over a year. Most are $5-$20 tickets and they wont let the people pay now until they see a judge, which will waste more $$ than the ticket will bring in.

[OvRiDe]

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o28/fairleft/CartmanMotivator.jpg

[Ichbin]

Did he ask for a litre of cola? lol.

That reeaalllly sucks.....you should file the complaint and make sure it gets noticed.

[Oneslowz28]

You know for a minute I was scared out of my mind because I highly value my record. But at the same time I was so pissed that I could have exploded.

[Will]

Sounds like the rest of the department used you as bait in a way. :D

I almost got arrested for finding the truck that did a hit-and-run on 3 cars in a parking lot. That was also a fun time.

[Oneslowz28]

Signed the complaint papers and spoke to my lawyer. He said there was not much I can do because I that really happened was someone yelled at me. The Captain spent about 10 minutes apologizing. He said I could expect a follow up call with the outcome within 2 weeks. He also stated that I I am pulled over, approached or in any form contacted by the officer to call his office immediately as he instructed the officer to steer clear of me.

[xRyokenx]

It's good that the guy's boss is helping straighten **** up.

[Killa_Ape]

Umm, yeah I would definitely be filing a grievance. One for excessive force, harassment.... Also, if you are in a parking lot, that's private property and you can't get a ticket like that in the first place!


In Canada it doesn't matter the law does not stop b/c it's private property. Private roads you still need to follow the rules of the road (seat belt, speed, etc), parking lots are no different.

[simon275]

I wouldn't have complained as technically you where still late for paying the fine but that nice cop let you off. So the could come after you for that.

[Oneslowz28]

I still feel that SB laws are BS. In High school my community service was done with a volunteer FD. I went to many wrecks where people died because of a seat belt and where they died because they were not wearing one.

[Oneslowz28]

I wouldn't have complained as technically you where still late for paying the fine but that nice cop let you off. So the could come after you for that.

But like was explained to me by his superior his duty ended with him showing up to the court date. he had no right to even speak to me other than saying hello. He was in the wrong. And TBH I hope he loses his job. His fuse is way too short to be in a position of power.

[Mark_Hardware]

In Canada it doesn't matter the law does not stop b/c it's private property. Private roads you still need to follow the rules of the road (seat belt, speed, etc), parking lots are no different.

That blows. But i guess (obviously) it's getting that way down here too.

I just saw a video on youtube where a cop handled a situation absolutely terribly, and a guy actually died. Now that cop should definitely be put out of commision. Cant give a link cause I'm at work, no youtube at work lol

[Omega]

In Canada it doesn't matter the law does not stop b/c it's private property. Private roads you still need to follow the rules of the road (seat belt, speed, etc), parking lots are no different.

In the US, once you're on private property, the laws change. Most of the laws are for public roads. It's a good idea to follow them in parking lots and such anyways. But here in the US, a security company that works a store's parking lot has more authority over that lot than a cop does. And, technically, the only way a cop has any authority there is if there's a crime in progress or recently committed (robbery, murder, rape, something big like that etc) or if the owner of the property called it in.

But for stuff like littering, minor traffic violations, general tomfoolery, police jurisdiction doesn't cover it.

Regardless, you should have been wearing your seat belt in the first place. It's not just a good idea... it's the law!
http://thegurglingcod.typepad.com/thegurglingcod/images/2008/02/12/the_more_you_know2.jpg

[Oneslowz28]

Ok I guess I left out a large part of the story.

I did not have my seat belt on because I had just finished eating lunch at Arbys which is in the same parking lot. I literally was traveling from one space in the parking lot to another which was no more than 100 - 150 yards away. Wouldn't get over 5mph anyway so whats the point of putting one on for that short trip? FYI I always buckle up if I am actually getting on a public street where there is fast moving traffic. IE any road around here. Just didn't deem it necessary for such a short distance inside a parking lot.

[Omega]

Ok I guess I left out a large part of the story.

I did not have my seat belt on because I had just finished eating lunch at Arbys which is in the same parking lot. I literally was traveling from one space in the parking lot to another which was no more than 100 - 150 yards away. Wouldn't get over 5mph anyway so whats the point of putting one on for that short trip? FYI I always buckle up if I am actually getting on a public street where there is fast moving traffic. IE any road around here. Just didn't deem it necessary for such a short distance inside a parking lot.

If your vehicle is in motion, you should be wearing a seatbelt. Just my opinion, and I sure as hell abide by it. Even if you think the law is a load, and even if there's little to no risk, it's still a good idea, if for no reason other than to not get bothered by the cops.

[Xpirate]

I blurt out "if your time is so important why don't you do your job and go catch those criminals instead of writing seat belt tickets" This set him off

That is where you messed up. I know from personal experience that you have to be completely obsequious with members of law enforcement. I am larger than most of the police officers that I have had to deal with, and many of them are just looking for an excuse to use items like billy clubs or mace on a big boy like me.

When they do pull you over for going 5 miles per hour over the limit or lack of seatbelt, you better keep your hands where they can see them and DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR unless they tell you to.

I drive slow even when no one is looking and I have not been pulled over in 10 years. I really hope that trend continues.

[TheGreatSatan]

I guess you don't know what it's like to be a cop. The fact that you complained and wish "he'd lose his job" is rediculous. That's the reason we lose so many damn fine officers on the force. You made it sound like the cop was targeting you, when in fact you made a mistake. I have driven through a parking lot without a seatbelt too, so I understand.

When I was a cop in the military I was signing a teacher into the base and talking to my friend (sitting next to me) about playing duck, duck, goose. The teacher some how got offended and complained and I got suspended for a week!

Whiny, easily offended civilians piss me off!!

[xRyokenx]

I can see why both of you guys were so pissed off...

He was trying to do his job, and you believe you didn't do anything wrong. Simple misunderstandings happen waaaay too often. But I don't really know all the details so that's more of an assumption than anything.

@TGS: Your post reminded me to get less worked up about **** than I have been as of late. Living in an unpleasant environment screws with one's mind. Also: easily offended people frustrate me to know end as well. Working food service has taught me that people get pretty nasty over such minor crap when they're hungry.

[Eclecticos]

That sucks, just be glad it wasn't an outrageous speeding ticket or anything.
I think it's like $125 per person for no seatbelt here in Florida which applies to everyone in the vehicle. Got pulled over myself about 3 weeks ago had a case of beer on the front bench seat of the truck. Luckily I hadn't opened any of them. Word of the wise. If your going to drink, take it home, and stay there for the duration of the impairment.

If you provide your ID, Insurance Papers, and Registration as soon as they ask for them they
usually move onto the next car. So always keep them together in a convenient location just incase.

[KiLLERMAN21]

When I was a cop in the military

TGS was an MP?

Nice.

[TheGreatSatan]

Only the General's wives were worse. They'd drive double the speed limit, blow stop signs and lights, and once wouldn't even pull over when I was right behind her with lights and sirens the whole time. She drove like a mile after I hit the lights to her house!

They just assumed that they were totally above military law.

[Oneslowz28]

I guess you don't know what it's like to be a cop. The fact that you complained and wish "he'd lose his job" is rediculous. That's the reason we lose so many damn fine officers on the force. You made it sound like the cop was targeting you, when in fact you made a mistake. I have driven through a parking lot without a seatbelt too, so I understand.

When I was a cop in the military I was signing a teacher into the base and talking to my friend (sitting next to me) about playing duck, duck, goose. The teacher some how got offended and complained and I got suspended for a week!

Whiny, easily offended civilians piss me off!!

Your right I don't know what its like to be a cop. I do however have several friends who are LEO's. 2 of my close friends are both sheriffs deputies, and 2 of my cousins are both MPs in the Marines.

The reason I was pisses is that he had no right to bring me back into the police station. Both his boss and my 2 friends agree with that. This officer has been in trouble in the past for trying to swing his nuts around. The second reason is that he had no right what so ever to talk down to me. I pay his damn salary not the other way around. I don't pay him to harass someone who was doing the right thing. I realized that I was late paying the fine and I went straight to the police station to pay the fine. It's not like I was days or even half a day late. Just a few hours.

Further more he had no right to get pissed about me not showing up to court because there is no law, statute, or order saying that I have to show up to traffic court. I just have to pay the fine. Which I did. I spoke with my lawyer yesterday and he thinks the guy is going to loose his job (this is his 3rd complaint in the last 8 months) and if he does he will petition the court for a protection order for me and 2 other people who have filed complaints on this guy in the past. I am not the least bit scared because I can protect myself. I just don't want some rogue cop with a short fuse who thinks he can bully people around, driving on the street with the authority to cause harm to people.

TGS I respect you for your service to this country and I hardly think you can compare a Marine MP with patrol cop who's only prerequisites to getting his job was graduating high school and a 3 week police academy. Half my family are either Marines or Army personnel and from what I have been told becoming a MP in either is no walk in the park.

Oh and this stuff about being Whiny is BS. I hardly complain about anything law related, but when someone in a position of power abuses that position then they should be held accountable for their actions. I mean if I raise my voice to a LEO then I get yelled at so why shouldn't it be the other way around? Remember LEO's are employed by us, The USA tax payer. Which means it is our jobs to make sure they stay within the parameters of the law too.

[x88x]

I hardly complain about anything law related, but when someone in a position of power abuses that position then they should be held accountable for their actions. I mean if I raise my voice to a LEO then I get yelled at so why shouldn't it be the other way around? Remember LEO's are employed by us, The USA tax payer. Which means it is our jobs to make sure they stay within the parameters of the law too.

/\ This.
Or, to put it another way:

"Who watches the Watchmen?"

As TGS mentioned with the Generals' wives, far too many people feel that they are above the law, and far too many of those people are LEOs.

I agree though; becoming an LEO if usually not something that is seen as a good career choice for intelligent people, mainly (imo) because of the low pay and often low respect (because of crap like this). IMO it's the same problem that we have with our education system; if you pay them crap, then nobody's in it just for the money, but also loose a lot of really good people because they can't support their family on that salary.

[nevermind1534]

IMO it's the same problem that we have with our education system; if you pay them crap, then nobody's in it just for the money, but also loose a lot of really good people because they can't support their family on that salary.

Many of the schools (in Michigan, at least) don't even get enough money to run. The state won't even increase funding with the rate of inflation.

Lets not even get into that.

[x88x]

Many of the schools (in Michigan, at least) don't even get enough money to run. The state won't even increase funding with the rate of inflation.

Lets not even get into that.

Yeah, I just thought it was a good comparison of civil servants.

(Disclaimer: both my parents are teachers at public schools.)

[Drum Thumper]

I'm locking this down. And honestly, I'm disappointed in our staff. Show some civility towards each other in the public forums please. Or at least take it to the staff forums.