This is what I'm used to seeing about the performance of our police.
Police dispatch tapes show officers didn't immediately respond to a Berkeley man's call about an intruder before the homeowner was bludgeoned to death with a ceramic pot. There was never a radio call because officers were on standby for an Occupy Oakland march heading toward UC Berkeley.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2012/03/02/state/n052921S76.DTL
QFT
We end up with OWS stuff in the Arena, but I think this time it is appropriate for the reason Steve posted. The vast majority of our LEOs are outstanding people doing an almost thankless job. They are often delayed by criminal activity and acts designed to disrupt, often showing a total lack of concern for the community as a whole.
As a kid I had great concern everytime I saw a marked car, and it was almost nerve wrecking when they pulled in behind me. I knew I was quilty of something and I never developed the ability to lie very well so I knew I would be busted. I gave up on learning how to lie and started accepting any risky behaviour may lead to a fine. Funny thing about that, keeping attitude in check, not trying a lie, and I usually get a warning. Last ticket I got was pure BS, while preparing to merge onto the freeway the car in front had no concept of matching speed with traffic, the speed limit was 60, he was doing under 40, it was raining out and visibility sucked. I didn't cross the gore point, waited to the merge point, saw an opening in the next lane, used blinker, and changed lanes. The truck I was behind was doing 55, I had an opening to the right, changed lanes, sped up to get ahead of him, and then completed the lane change. Next thing I know I have the lights on my tail, I thought they were for someone else so I pulled off to the center lane so she could get by, I think that ticked her off, her tone on the PA certainly indicated as much. I finally got over to the far right, shut off the bike, had my license, registration, and proof of insurance in hand and had removed my helmet. Her first question was if I had seen her, uh, no maam, I asked her what I had done wrong, she said I had hit 80 when I passed the truck and that I had changed lanes several times. I was ready to offer my reasoning, but she interupted me to say she had seen the slow merger and they were under a Spring Motorcycle emphasis phase. I knew my goose was cooked when she said I could have killed myself. She cited me for improper lane change. I thanked her for her concern, told her to be safe, and have a great day. I'm sure in her mind she had just saved a reckless rider from killing himself. I went home, wrote a check and paid the fine, I saw no sense in tying up the court system with a petty ticket. I had been clean for the last 20+ years, and clean since then. I chocked it up to other times not caught.
LEOs face potentiall life and death situations each time the make a stop, and after each shooting they get more nervous, a small shot of addrenalin each and every time. So, try to be understanding, don't lie, theyv'e heard most every one, and accept the ticket. If you have a true case, go to court, if you are guilty? Pay up.
PS: If a LEO ever pulls out the OC can and starts shaking it? Comply. If it's the tazer? Aint much you can do once stuck, so why argue?
When was the last time you (audience here) have walked up to a cop and said thankyou?
RIP Trooper Tony
