Ask A Police Officer

[IMachU]

I have been kicking this idea around for a while, and thought I'd give it a try. Rules for the thread:

1 - NO COP BASHING! If you want to ask a question, you will get an unbiased answer from a law enforcement professional. Any police officer may answer a question, but we are unfamiliar with rules and laws in all 50 states, but you will get the best answer we can give.

2 - All Registry rules apply. No religion, politics, foul language, nekkid girlies, etc.

3 - All answers and advice given are solely the opinion of the posting person. This is NOT to be taken as legal advice, just another point of view to help you with a particular situation. Mach1Registry.com, it's owners, moderators, operators, persons posting in this thread and members cannot be held liable for false or misleading information presented in this thread (sorry, had to). All opinions expressed in this thread are the opinions of the posting member, and may not be the opinion of the Registry or it's sponsors.

OK, waddaya think about a thread like this? Good idea? Bad idea?

[Mach&Roll]

I will help answer any questions I can. I think it is a good idea.

[markthenarc]

Should here from the department this fall,(finally) so anything to do with law enforcement is fine by me.

[2k4mach]

lol nice IMU
guess ill bust the 1st question, why the newer younger cops always gotta give you a ticket, while the older cops just give you a warning unless you seriously act like an ******* or really did something stupid

[IMachU]

Originally Posted by 2k4mach

lol nice IMU
guess ill bust the 1st question, why the newer younger cops always gotta give you a ticket, while the older cops just give you a warning unless you seriously act like an ******* or really did something stupid

In my experience and opinion, younger officers seem to be more "gung-ho." I got more stats than you did last month! Kind of like us....I got more mods than you did last month! Also, a few of the younger officers are still on training. They have to write everything so they get the experince of doing it right (writing reports, citations, crime scene security, setting up containments, etc.). As time goes on, they have less to prove, so they end up like me. And old patrol Sgt. I hope this answers your question!

[2k4mach]

Originally Posted by IMachU

In my experience and opinion, younger officers seem to be more "gung-ho." I got more stats than you did last month! Kind of like us....I got more mods than you did last month! Also, a few of the younger officers are still on training. They have to write everything so they get the experince of doing it right (writing reports, citations, crime scene security, setting up containments, etc.). As time goes on, they have less to prove, so they end up like me. And old patrol Sgt. I hope this answers your question!

thats what i kinda figured it was

[jledesma]

+1. After time you mellow out a little. After 12 years of patrol, I'd rather try and educate the driver than fill out a whole bunch of paper work at the end of a long shift for the citations I wrote. In our State too, are citations have become longer to fill out from some unknown stupid reason. But if a motorcycle cop pulls you over here, you gettin' cited, it's what they do.

Originally Posted by IMachU

In my experience and opinion, younger officers seem to be more "gung-ho." I got more stats than you did last month! Kind of like us....I got more mods than you did last month! Also, a few of the younger officers are still on training. They have to write everything so they get the experince of doing it right (writing reports, citations, crime scene security, setting up containments, etc.). As time goes on, they have less to prove, so they end up like me. And old patrol Sgt. I hope this answers your question!

[weaver]

Originally Posted by 2k4mach

lol nice IMU
guess ill bust the 1st question, why the newer younger cops always gotta give you a ticket, while the older cops just give you a warning unless you seriously act like an ******* or really did something stupid

NO SH!T!

Just got a ticket by a young female ten minutes ago! 60 in a 45. I guess was doing that?

Let me just start by saying this drive was less than a mile just to test out the new solid steering rack bushings I just installed.

I was coming up to a T intersection and making a right. When I turned right I saw the cop sitting at the light on my left heading in the opposite direction. As I'm going down the road passing a farm for crying out loud (country road) I go through the gears not really thinking I'm going 60! Keep in mind the cop is 1/4 mile back at the light with her back to me. As I pull onto my street, deep in the neighborhood I hear sirens and think "oh somebody got busted". Then the sirens got louder and before I know it there's the cop behind me as I pull into my driveway. I open the door to get out since I am in my driveway and she comes on the loud speaker "sir could you please stay in the vehicle?". She walks up like I'm going to blow her head off or something. Hiding behind my door so I can't see her with her hand on her pistol! After she gets my info, and I'm super nice like always to cops, she goes to the car and writes me a ticket for 60 in a 45!

Do the new cop cars have radars pointing backwards?

Do I just pay the ticket or fight it?

She was nowhere in sight when I pulled into the neighbor hood.

Is there a chance she got the wrong car?

[acreature]

Yes, rear antenna Radar... and here in NC, we have same lane radar

Pay or Fight is up to you. If you are not sure how fast you were going, you probably were going too fast. Pay attention to your speed next time

There are many steps that need be followed when operating radar. First and foremost is identifying the target vehicle.

Never get out of a car when stopped, unless directed to do so. Officer Safety; when one wants to harm us during a traffic stop, it happens usually during the approach.

[weaver]

Originally Posted by Aneurism

Yes, rear antenna Radar... and here in NC, we have same lane radar

Pay or Fight is up to you. If you are not sure how fast you were going, you probably were going too fast. Pay attention to your speed next time

There are many steps that need be followed when operating radar. First and foremost is identifying the target vehicle.

Never get out of a car when stopped, unless directed to do so. Officer Safety; when one wants to harm us during a traffic stop, it happens usually during the approach.

Thanks for the response. In Texas I got a ticket and payed a deferred adjudication charge and the ticket never went on my record. Under this deferred adjudication you're under probation for 90 days. Does NC offer something like this?

[weaver]

Originally Posted by weaver

In Texas I got a ticket and payed a deferred adjudication charge and the ticket never went on my record. Under this deferred adjudication you're under probation for 90 days. Does NC offer something like this?

Does anyone have any knowledge of this? Are my only options to pay or get a lawyer?

[acreature]

Originally Posted by weaver

Thanks for the response. In Texas I got a ticket and payed a deferred adjudication charge and the ticket never went on my record. Under this deferred adjudication you're under probation for 90 days. Does NC offer something like this?

Our Prosecutorial District offers Deferred Prosecution (12 month time frame) for first time/under 21 yrs of age offenders (Misdemeanor charges only, not infractions). Each Prosecutorial District will have their own policies regarding Deference.

[04VAMach1]

It's not a bad idea...run it similar to the one on SVTPerformance.

[falcongtho3]

I think it's an excellent idea as long as the proper respect is paid to the person or persons giving answers. Probably will need an outside moderator to "keep the peace"...

[IMachU]

Originally Posted by falcongtho3

I think it's an excellent idea as long as the proper respect is paid to the person or persons giving answers. Probably will need an outside moderator to "keep the peace"...

Since this is in the General Discussion area and I have no mod priveledges here, are you offering? I hope so....you are the MAN!

[G]

Originally Posted by falcongtho3

I think it's an excellent idea as long as the proper respect is paid to the person or persons giving answers. Probably will need an outside moderator to "keep the peace"...

Call 911, MODERATOR Down!

[IMachU]

Originally Posted by 04VAMach1

It's not a bad idea...run it similar to the one on SVTPerformance.

This is where I got the idea from. They run a smooth ship, but I wanted it to be The Reg thread, not The SVTP thread on the REG. Thanks for your input!

[Blackpony04]

Cool idea!

My questions--
Are there such things as traffic ticket quotas and is their extra compensation for those that write over a certain amount of tickets in a month? And is there a time of month you'd be less likely to write a ticket and give a warning instead?

I've only had one ticket in my life (and in my work truck) so this is just one of those "I was wondering" scenarios.

Thanks!

[FloridaOrange]

I like the idea. :ORANGE:

[IMachU]

Originally Posted by Blackpony04

Cool idea!

My questions--
Are there such things as traffic ticket quotas and is their extra compensation for those that write over a certain amount of tickets in a month? And is there a time of month you'd be less likely to write a ticket and give a warning instead?

I've only had one ticket in my life (and in my work truck) so this is just one of those "I was wondering" scenarios.

Thanks!

No - quotas are illegal in all 50 states - they are a violation of your civil rights. There is no compensation for officers who write the most, nor putitive actions for the officers who write the least. Everything comes into play when a citation is written. The attitude of the violator, the mood of the officer, whether there is a directed patrol for that area (a lot of crashes happen at an intersection due to red light runners, etc.). And, there is no time of the month for not getting a cite or a warning instead.

Police departments do get a small cut of the fines you (and I) pay for citations. This goes back into the department for traffic education, equipment (radar, speed limit signs, DUI checkpoints, training, motorcycles, etc.). But the courts get most of the fines for court cost reimbursemeny=t
(salaries and stuff). I hope this answers your question!

[Blackpony04]

Originally Posted by IMachU

No - quotas are illegal in all 50 states - they are a violation of your civil rights. There is no compensation for officers who write the most, nor putitive actions for the officers who write the least. Everything comes into play when a citation is written. The attitude of the violator, the mood of the officer, whether there is a directed patrol for that area (a lot of crashes happen at an intersection due to red light runners, etc.). And, there is no time of the month for not getting a cite or a warning instead.

Police departments do get a small cut of the fines you (and I) pay for citations. This goes back into the department for traffic education, equipment (radar, speed limit signs, DUI checkpoints, training, motorcycles, etc.). But the courts get most of the fines for court cost reimbursemeny=t
(salaries and stuff). I hope this answers your question!

Thanks Dave! :ORANGE: Be safe.

[np-mach1]

Originally Posted by IMachU

No - quotas are illegal in all 50 states - they are a violation of your civil rights. There is no compensation for officers who write the most, nor putitive actions for the officers who write the least. Everything comes into play when a citation is written. The attitude of the violator, the mood of the officer, whether there is a directed patrol for that area (a lot of crashes happen at an intersection due to red light runners, etc.). And, there is no time of the month for not getting a cite or a warning instead.

Police departments do get a small cut of the fines you (and I) pay for citations. This goes back into the department for traffic education, equipment (radar, speed limit signs, DUI checkpoints, training, motorcycles, etc.). But the courts get most of the fines for court cost reimbursemeny=t
(salaries and stuff). I hope this answers your question!

If this is true...then why was there a big write up in the Washington Post about the city of Falls Church, VA 22046 having to meet specific quotas on driving tickets and/or arrests? This was from an inside source on that particular force.

[socalmach]

I like the idea.
Last night the Mach got keyed down the left side of the car. I didn't see who did it but earlier in the day at 7/11 (1 block away) there was a guy cussing at me for a good 2 minutes b/c I wouldn't give him beer money.
Question is: If I see this guy again is there anything that could be done by the police? Such as talking to the guy to see what he knew or something.
Thanks.

[IMachU]

Originally Posted by socalmach

I like the idea.
Last night the Mach got keyed down the left side of the car. I didn't see who did it but earlier in the day at 7/11 (1 block away) there was a guy cussing at me for a good 2 minutes b/c I wouldn't give him beer money.
Question is: If I see this guy again is there anything that could be done by the police? Such as talking to the guy to see what he knew or something.
Thanks.

If the damage is over $5000, in Calif it is a felony vandalism. Therefore, the guy can be named as a suspect and be detained and questioned for the crime. Otherwise, it is a misdemeanor that no one saw occur, so unfortunately nothing can be done. Now, if you or some one sees him do it again, or there is video tape of the crime, he can be held to answer (for damage under $5000 - over $5K it is slam-dunk). I hope this answers your question!

[San Pedro Mach]

Good Idea Dave.

Originally Posted by IMachU

I have been kicking this idea around for a while, and thought I'd give it a try. Rules for the thread:
2 - All Registry rules apply. No religion, politics, foul language, nekkid girlies, etc.

There is actually a rule about religion and politics??

Originally Posted by IMachU

In my experience and opinion, younger officers seem to be more "gung-ho."

No kidding. I always thought Streakn fit this description. LOL


My question is how much 'socializing' do you do with shop-owners and citizens in your patrol zone and is it required?