Ethically, what would you do in this situation?

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MartyMcFly3

MartyMcFly3

Lifer
Jan 18, 2003
11,436
29
91
www.youtube.com
While on routine patrol, you observe a driver weaving in and out of three lanes of traffic. You notify the dispatcher that you are going to stop the vehicle. When you approach the passenger side of the vehicle, you are surprised to see the driver: your brother-in-law. His eyes are bloodshot, his speech is slurred, and his breath smells like alcohol. When he sees you he says "Wow man. Am I glad to see you and not some other cop"

Ethically, what should you do?
 

Arrest him for DUI after field sobriety. You're putting your job on the line by letting him go home that night.
 
G

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: jumpr
Arrest him for DUI after field sobriety. You're putting your job on the line by letting him go home that night.
Click to expand...

woah woah woah......brother-IN-LAW?!?

ARE OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MINF?!? FRY THAT RECKLESS BASTARD


Blood is one thing....even then, sticking up for them is dangerous as hell....
 
A

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
8,086
0
0
Drunk is drunk - and from your description, it doesn't even sound like a close call.
How would you feel if he kills someone next time?
 
LtPage1

LtPage1

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2004
6,311
2
0
Get him home if at all possible. If not, arrest him. You're doing him a favor and keeping your job.
 
Y

Yzzim

Lifer
Feb 13, 2000
11,990
1
76
drive him home (or to a friend's house)

have the car picked up by a family member/friend

local cops do that here if you know them well enough. Only happens once though, do it again and you're toast.
 
G

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: Yzzim
drive him home (or to a friend's house)

have the car picked up by a family member/friend

local cops do that here if you know them well enough. Only happens once though, do it again and you're toast.
Click to expand...

Or give him a freee one and impound the car :D


Truly, no one would get mad at you for that..and he can go fvk himself....
 
B

bobbybe01

Banned
May 30, 2004
2,338
1
0
Well you had reasonable suspicion to stop him because you saw the car weaving...you can arrest him under probable cause because of the breath, the blood-shot eyes, the slurred speach, and if the failed-tests (if they are failed). You gotta do your job.
 
MrDudeMan

MrDudeMan

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
15,069
94
91
think about it this way...what if you let him go, he did it again, and killed someone. then how would you feel? at least if you busted him for it things could possibly get set in the right direction.
 
AreaCode707

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,447
133
106
This isn't an ethical dilemma at all. He's screwed up, no ifs ands or buts, and you do your job.

How do you feel if you let him off and he smashes into some kids?
 
DainBramaged

DainBramaged

Lifer
Jun 19, 2003
23,454
41
91
Originally posted by: jumpr
Arrest him for DUI after field sobriety. You're putting your job on the line by letting him go home that night.
Click to expand...

Exactly. The crime of my brother-in-law and getting him off would not justify my lack of integrity.
 
Y

Yzzim

Lifer
Feb 13, 2000
11,990
1
76
Originally posted by: HotChic
This isn't an ethical dilemma at all. He's screwed up, no ifs ands or buts, and you do your job.

How do you feel if you let him off and he smashes into some kids?
Click to expand...

I don't believe letting him go on his way is an option.
 
MartyMcFly3

MartyMcFly3

Lifer
Jan 18, 2003
11,436
29
91
www.youtube.com
Originally posted by: Yzzim
drive him home (or to a friend's house)

have the car picked up by a family member/friend

local cops do that here if you know them well enough. Only happens once though, do it again and you're toast.
Click to expand...

Cant have him in the squad car unless he's under arrest or on a ride-along (which has to be approved beforehand).
 
PowerEngineer

PowerEngineer

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2001
3,606
785
136

If you don't want to arrest him yourself -- call for back-up!

Someone needs to get him off the road before he kills himself or (worse) somebody else!

:|
 
Kadarin

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Originally posted by: Armitage
Drunk is drunk - and from your description, it doesn't even sound like a close call.
How would you feel if he kills someone next time?
Click to expand...

Agreed.
 
AreaCode707

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,447
133
106
Originally posted by: Yzzim
Originally posted by: HotChic
This isn't an ethical dilemma at all. He's screwed up, no ifs ands or buts, and you do your job.

How do you feel if you let him off and he smashes into some kids?
Click to expand...

I don't believe letting him go on his way is an option.
Click to expand...

Letting him off is different than letting him drive away. This is obviously a guy who knew he was driving drunk (hence his relief at not being pulled over by a different cop) and did it anyway. If he gets off scot free this time, you think he'll revise his ways?
 
IHateMyJob2004

IHateMyJob2004

Lifer
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
68
91
Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3
While on routine patrol, you observe a driver weaving in and out of three lanes of traffic. You notify the dispatcher that you are going to stop the vehicle. When you approach the passenger side of the vehicle, you are surprised to see the driver: your brother-in-law. His eyes are bloodshot, his speech is slurred, and his breath smells like alcohol. When he sees you he says "Wow man. Am I glad to see you and not some other cop"

Ethically, what should you do?
Click to expand...

Umm, say that you will follow his drunk asss home and not to go to fast. Or have him aprk it and drive him home.

You must be a new cop. But you simply can't give him a DWI!
 
MartyMcFly3

MartyMcFly3

Lifer
Jan 18, 2003
11,436
29
91
www.youtube.com
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3
While on routine patrol, you observe a driver weaving in and out of three lanes of traffic. You notify the dispatcher that you are going to stop the vehicle. When you approach the passenger side of the vehicle, you are surprised to see the driver: your brother-in-law. His eyes are bloodshot, his speech is slurred, and his breath smells like alcohol. When he sees you he says "Wow man. Am I glad to see you and not some other cop"

Ethically, what should you do?
Click to expand...

Umm, say that you will follow his drunk asss home and not to go to fast. Or have him aprk it and drive him home.

You must be a new cop. But you simply can't give him a DWI!
Click to expand...

1) Im not a cop. Im a college student with a major in law enforcement.
2) This was a question brought up in our Ethics in Law Enforcement class. I never said my answer so you don't know what I think.
3) If you let him drive home drunk, your ass is in so much trouble its not even funny.
 
K

Kishan

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2004
2,580
0
0
I tell him its me, but I somehow scare the sh!t out of him, making him understand to never try this sh!t again. That he was VERY lucky this time. If this happens, I'll alert my sister and give you a DWI.
 
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