What do you think are the TOP TEN things that get under the skin of a Police Officer?

2015-02-26T20:04:15-05:00

When I stopped someone and they looked at me and said "I pay your salary" that was one that really got to me, I always wanted to look at that person right in the eyes and say, "well no sh--, I do too."
Another one was "What's the matter, didn't you make your quota." I use to tell these people that they stopped giving us quotas. Now we can summons as many people we want.
What do you think are some things that would get a PO a little upset?

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Feb 26 at 2015 8:10 PM

2015-02-26T20:10:34-05:00

Did you know my Father, NH State Trooper Tom Hurley?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 8:11 PM

2015-02-26T20:11:04-05:00

Those are the ones that always got me fired up, too. Don't forget, "why are you stopping me when there's bad people or there? " I wanted to reply, "I know, but you broke the law & interrupted my search for them. "

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 26 at 2015 8:15 PM

2015-02-26T20:15:57-05:00

The total disrespect that are shown by many people when the are stopped for a traffic violation. I learned from an early age it does not matter who you know, or what you think you know if you are disrespectful you probably are not going to get a break. I was pulled over four years ago by an Ohio State trooper who asked me do you know why I stopped you and I said because I was flying and no other excuse btw I was doing 90 in a 65 but because I admitted to him and was honest he dropped it to 80 in a 65.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-02-26T20:16:38-05:00

Honestly, I don't think I could cull the herd down to 10. The whole "Pig"/Donut jokes, the overall sense that some people are above the law because of their positions, the salary comments, the people that puke in the back seat or think it's ok to spit/piss on people.....

After 10 years working as an EMT, I grew to carry a special place in my heart for you guys. How ya'll go through your careers without a suspect "tripping" into your squad car a few times, I'll never understand. I once stopped an ambulance with a guy complaining of abdominal pain because he refused to fasten his seatbelt and was getting under my skin by being an asshole and cussing me out. Likewise, we had our own ways of "getting back" at the drunk drivers that got into accidents in the rigs. I hated them.....and still have a hard time in being compassionate with that subset of the population in general.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by Sgt Matt Pinardi made Feb 26 at 2015 8:26 PM

2015-02-26T20:26:29-05:00

One of the gems that I despise is "don't you have anything better to do?"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 9:20 PM

2015-02-26T21:20:28-05:00

Bones?

Response by Cpl Kevin Zimmermann made Feb 26 at 2015 10:49 PM

2015-02-26T22:49:06-05:00

My favorite has always been... Sheriff (or Police Chief) XXXX is one of my close friends. Like somehow that was relevant or appropriate. Name dropping seems to do it for me...

Response by SPC Stan Harrington made Feb 27 at 2015 7:15 AM

2015-02-27T07:15:33-05:00

What got me the worst was when I would stop another off duty officer for a traffic violation and he'd flag his badge at me like it was an automatic get out of jail free card, and the attitude that went along with it. The with the civilians that did the name dropping.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Feb 27 at 2015 7:29 AM

2015-02-27T07:29:42-05:00

It's a crazy world for law enforcement these days. I fully support you and any militarization you need to keep up with the streets. Please be careful out there and try not to let "those" get to you. You really do make a difference even if you don't see it. Thanx guys!

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2015 10:30 AM

2015-02-27T10:30:48-05:00

My response: "That's funny. I pay my own salary too. Press hard. Three copy's. Be safe pulling back into traffic."

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 1 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-03-01T20:16:06-05:00

General rudeness I would imagine.

Any interaction I've had with police (or anyone for that matter), I always try to be cordial. I've found that people that deal with other people all day long are used to "general disdain" or even rudeness, and politeness is worth its weight in gold.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-06-07T16:21:54-04:00

I've been told "You're paid to die" numerous times.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 7 at 2015 4:29 PM

2015-06-07T16:29:39-04:00

Jack Web gave a great response in Dragnet. Could not google it . But I remember that he put that women in her place.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 21 at 2015 8:26 AM

2015-06-21T08:26:25-04:00

I don't get pulled over very much. I just know what to do to avoid police contact after making hundreds of traffic stops. I got pulled over once in a small town in Texas and I was issued a written warning for traveling 67 mph in a 60 mph zone. I parked my POV like I was making a traffic stop. The state trooper knew I was LE then. Once thing is for sure, never say or doing anything to influence a citation.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jun 21 at 2015 1:58 PM

2015-06-21T13:58:03-04:00

I imagine a uniform correction on their gig line might make them a bit mad.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jun 21 at 2015 6:16 PM

2015-06-21T18:16:17-04:00

Not being truthful and straight up liars and a disregard for public safety!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 10:01 PM

2015-06-21T22:01:01-04:00

Mine is when I tell someone they are under arrest and they say "no I'm not"......ummmmm, ok?
Worst is parents. I called a mother to tell her that I had arrested her juvenile son for shoplifting. She told me he did not shoplift. I told her the security guard saw him. She told me no he did not. I told her I watched the surveillance tape and saw him. She told me you no you did not. I told her to come and get her son or I would send him to juvie. When she showed up I had her watch the video. It was clear as day that he stuck the item down his pants and walked out of the store. she still said her son did not shoplift.Really?

Response by MSgt Ken Flood made Sep 28 at 2016 9:01 PM

2016-09-28T21:01:52-04:00

I remember my very first traffic stop, the driver was a Captain doing 40 in a 20. It was my first citation so I was being very careful to get it right and to honest I'm sure I took too long to get it done. When I got back to his car he snatched the citation from my hand and said "What the F took you so long, I'm in a hurry". I just smiled and said "So I noticed".

Response by PO2 Ron Burling made Sep 29 at 2016 12:34 PM

2016-09-29T12:34:58-04:00

Doctors claiming they were en route to a medical emergency. I've been known to 'escort' them to the hospital for confirmation and add the misdemeanor charge "False Information to a police officer" when they were lying.
Real lawyers interfering with or otherwise hindering, or delaying me. One butt plug lawyer kept grabbing my pen while I was trying to write his citation until I pointed out he had just met ALL the CPC elements for a charge of robbery. He stopped grabbing my pen.

I pay your salary! I'd usually ask for a raise.
I'll have your job! "You couldn't do my job!"
The Chief is MY personal friend! "My Chief doesn't have friends."

Response by PO2 Ron Burling made Sep 29 at 2016 1:21 PM

2016-09-29T13:21:17-04:00

In reference to the "quota" comment, I usually told them; "Yep, 3 more and my wife gets a new toaster!". God, I love "The Job", where the customer is always wrong!

Response by SCPO Carl Wayne Boss made Oct 1 at 2016 6:49 AM

2016-10-01T06:49:07-04:00

Yep, experienced attitude on many occasions, and especially from other Law Enforcement Officers, when out on the Lakes, Rivers and Waters off shore as a U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Officer.

Many other Federal & Civilian Law Enforcement types got really upset, when I turned on the Blue flashing Beacon and hit the Siren and requested they "Cut their power, heave to and prepare to be boarded"... They'd look at me very surprised, hurt and often obviously upset & say "You talkin' to Me"?

Their first question was invariably... "What did you stop me for? I wasn't doing anything illegal! So I'd spend the first 10 or 15 minutes of contact explaining the "Reason for Stop" and why for example, their 6 year old riding on the bow of the boat, without a life jacket or some other form of PFD, with their feet hanging over the side and in the water, was both illegal and very unsafe for the Child.

And If I did a complete boarding & checked their Registration, all required safety equipment, etc. on top of that and found it lacking & had to issue a Citation with multiple violations, which happened more often than not, they were even more upset at me and my crew.

We were often threatened with "Mr. ... you better hope I never run across you on the street in my town or whatever and where ever their respective jurisdiction was!" I'd frequently ask them if they'd treat a fellow Officer on the Street or out on the Highway in their vicinity the same way?