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Originally Posted by sandman
Maybe but it sounds like you are a really good and fair cop. Thanks   |
Sandman
Unfortunately, unless I can find another "home", I'll be a Ronin (masterless warrior) at the end of the month
Oh well, 30 years might have just been long enough
Hot Pursuit,
Hang in there brother. Classy didn't mean Ill of any of us in her post. If you'd met her you'd know what I mean
It's like you said, we (LEO's) pick and choose what we enforce and for whatever reason(s). And although a law is a law, I really believe there are those among us who really need a better grip on reality
I happen to agree with her on a couple of points though. This particular law (IMO), really is petty. At least the strict interpretation of it. The intent is/was good but it really needs to be clairified.
You're also right that we (LEO's) sometimes don't have the option to pick and choose what we write; however, most the time we do
Unfortunately you're also correct in your statement that some departments and some supervisors, "require" us to issue a certain number of citations per week/month/day
This is ILLEGAL however, since no one has the balls to put it in writing it'll never be prosecuted. It's lumped under the heading of "activity."
I've worked for supervisors that required certain levels of activity but wanted "quality" over "quantity."
If on Midnights, your zone was in tact come daybreak, you picked up a couple of quality FIR's (Field Interrogation Reports), maybe wrote a ticket or 2 (especially if it was PC for something bigger), put an arse in jail for DUI, and survived to see the sun rise (and without a pending lawsuit to boot), then you had a good night
Daytime and evenings were the high traffic enforcement times for us due to traffic loads on the highways. Evenings were also high criminal arrest periods.
I've also worked for Sgts that were just the opposite. One in particular, didn't care that you just put a butt in bars over a domestic violence. You didn't write any citations and that was bad
The boy picked the wrong uniform for a career.
You're also correct in your statement that WE elect the politicians who then reflect our needs and desires. The problem is, they go off on thier own agendas and do stupis stuff like this and WE the people keep electing them back into office?????
Watch your politicians folks. Let them know when you r satisfied with thier actions and when you're not.
A law is the law, but judgement and officer discretion is always on our side.
We have the option of enforcing or not. I've always taught my rookies that (especially working for a Sheriff) that the public is your "customer." Sometimes they go to jail, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they get the ticket, other times a warning. A lot depends on the nature of the act or violation and the attitude of the party(ies) involved.
We can do a lot of good PR with a warning, still show activity (yep, I was out stopping cars today) and validate PC for other actions...all with a warning. And the warning doesn't cost anyone a dime. No need to have it corrected and inspected, no fee to pay for the inspection, and no points or insurance action.
The "fix it' ticket you are talking about, still requires the offender to correct the action and show proof. They also are required to pay a fee to have this inspected at the local PD/SO.
If all the border does is obstruct "myFlorida.com" where's the real violation?
I believe that strict interpretations of law should be held in abeyance for those who truly deserve it. PC for a drug stop for example.
Otherwise, it should be the intent rather than the letter of the law thats enforced. This is what I've always taught and continue until I can no longer do so. Fairness and common sense.
Take the PBA emblems for example. We see them all the time, bolted to someones tag. By bolting it on the corner, it obstructs a good part of the tag. Thats got to go!!
How about the FHP supporter or FOP supporter decal that some use to cover the orange in the center of the tag? Technically that has to go. It doesn't obstruct anything meaningful so I generally ignore it.
Sure writing tickets is easy. It's become even easier with the advent of automated ticket writers. And good criminal cases are sometimes a bear to put together and certainly as you mentioned, even harder at times to get some judges to convict. But remember 2 things folks.
1) You (and I) put the judges in place and we can remove them!
2) The politicians are the one footing these "bills" to increse or reduce jail sentences and raise traffic fines. Don't like them? VOTE THEM OUT!
Frankly, the fines have gotten out of hand in this state and the "tag on" items are noting more that additional taxes!
Do you recall when we used to be able to write "failure to obey a traffic control devise (speed limit sign) instead of the high dollar speeding ticket itself?
At the time, the FTOTCD was in the $70.00 range. The speeding tickets were a base fine ++++
We were told in writing that the courts in Hillsborough County would no longer accept these cases. Why? It's glaringly obvious to me. $$$$$$ Cha-Ching!!! The coffers were getting empty.
This "law" was available to us, valid to use and certainly within the scope of the violation, yet we were prevented from writing it
?????
Thats the kind of crap that gets under my skin!
HP, talk about art? Take a look at downtown Tampa. We're becoming the artsy fartsy capitol of the freakin' world (right behind Sarasota-but they can afford it!
)
We hear all the scare tactic talk about reducing services and law enforcement/firefighters and paramedics. Folks, it's ain't gonna happen
Reduce Law Enforcement, watch the crime rate rise and tourism $$$ drop.
Sure some small departments will sell out to the Sheriff and some services will be lost. But "basic" law enforcement will still be available. It's just cheaper to contract to the S.O. than maintain your own agency.
As far as the site goes, this is a very family and member friendly environment and as you and I both know, it's much more laid back here.
I really think you read Classy wrong on this one. I've spoken with her personally and she's not a vengeful, bashing type person. Her families involvement in law enforcement solidifies that even moreso
We don't have LEO bashing here like we do on the "other site" and I hope it stays that way. I've not met anyone here who has had any feelings adverse to us.
I really hope you stay with us bro, but I think you might have misinterpreted her statement.
Later man and stay safe out there....
Gordon
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