When you see a cop commit some minor traffic infraction,

[jonks]

no, if he wants to get paid 30k a year while risking getting shot every day by some schmuck who thinks he's a gangsta, then I don't care if he doesn't signal when changing lanes or parks at a hydrant.

 

[ViviTheMage]

No..I assume they are out to do some noble deed.

 

[Canai]

What about major infractions like flipping on their lights just long enough to get through a red light?

Cops should set an example.

 

[Deeko]

No, it doesn't bother me. You don't know what they're doing. Maybe they're silently responding to a call. Maybe they are better serving the community by not sitting in one place where there are no crimes happening. Maybe they aren't perfect either, how many people out there are 100% crime free (before anyone chimes in "I am!", ask yourself when the last time you reported sales tax for something you bought online was).

Its their job to make sure you're following the law. Its the job of other cops to make sure that cop is also following the law.

 

[Muse]

Of course, it only shows how immature they are. I think that most cops in squad cars are nuts and I avoid them as much as possible. Knock on wood, I haven't talked to a cop for quite a few years.

PS The poll is stupid as can be.

 

[Crusty]

It pisses me off when ANYONE does that in front me. Fuck you, you can wait in line just like everyone else!

 

[The Boston Dangler]

yes, it fucking infuriates me.

 

[Throckmorton]

Cops being above the law means our society is less free than we should expect it to be, no matter how minor their violations. And there is nothing minor about flashing their lights and going through a red light- it's dangerous when a cop does it just like when a drunk driver does it.

 

[FirewolfX]

I don't give a fuck...let them do their job. If it bugs you, get a fucking life?

 

[Slew Foot]

Originally posted by: jonks
no, if he wants to get paid 30k a year while risking getting shot every day by some schmuck who thinks he's a gangsta, then I don't care if he doesn't signal when changing lanes or parks at a hydrant.

Cops on CA (where the OP lives) routinely make 70-100K+ per year

 

[oogabooga]

I complained about this to my friend who was working towards becoming a firefighter.

He replied that there are two things I should consider. All people are assholes and abuse their position so i shouldn't be surprised that some cop feels "the public owes him" etc or that he should be allowed to even though he's not. The other thing is that there are three levels of response.

The first is just get there, it doesn't matter that you get there quick, time isn't a pressing issue.
The second is get there quickly - Don't go full out lights blaring, but if you have to run a red using your lights, etc - do it.
The third is a true emergency. Life is at risk and emergency vehicle needs to respond as fast as possible. The lights and siren are on.

They use the second one so that way they don't have to either get stuck in traffic patterns etc or have to completely disrupt traffic flow by going lights on all the time.

Since it's not possible for me to know if the guys a dick or responding to something where he can't use his lights but needs to get there quickly I should relax and give the benefit of the doubt. Seems reasonable enough to me.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: ric1287
I'd rather have police making minor traffic violations and covering more ground in there section than sitting at red lights all day.

Their section. Their.

Their

not there

not they're

their.

 

[marincounty]

It pisses me off because a cop is sworn to uphold the law, I'm not.

 

[LilPima]

Today I was crossing a busy street in Newark (NJ, not Delaware) during a red light and all of the pedestrians started to go their merry little way. A cop at the light takes off almost programmed for red to equal "go anyway, you're the authority". This lady yelled at him and I thought she was going to go smack his car, but it was about 8:40 and the rat race was close to starting

Jerks. Not even a siren, in rush hour!

 

[FDF12389]

It doesn't bother me a whole lot.

 

[Vic]

Yes, because it suggests that the police are above the law (when they are not), but it's when cops blatantly commit the major traffic violations without lights or siren that I burst a vein.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Not really. I mean, I definitely think cops shouldn't break the law, but I just can't bring myself to get worked up about it.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Cops being above the law means our society is less free than we should expect it to be, no matter how minor their violations. And there is nothing minor about flashing their lights and going through a red light- it's dangerous when a cop does it just like when a drunk driver does it.

Drunk drivers have emergency lights and exceptions to motor vehicle laws?

Originally posted by: Zebo
I said yes because it's contagious and soon everyone drives like idiots like in many big cities. I mean one cop or person is no biggie to me but then everyone gets the idea they can drive like idiots if in a hurry and make roads a dangerous place.

Everyone drives like idiots anyway...

If it wouldn't be such a PITA, I'd consider making a list of all the traffic violations that I see in a given night that I don't stop people for..but I have better things to do.