"Off duty" cops speeding abuses

[Mrmonte]

This seems like such a trivial thing to complain about. I get really upset when I see a police officer do a rolling stop at a stop sign.

 

[IndyDave1776]

First, this involves a completely arbitrary law. In my reckoning, the existence of arbitrary laws are very difficult to defend. Second, when you have one demographic given virtual impunity when breaking that law, it necessarily will cause discord with most everyone else. Third, when those who can break the law with impunity are the very same ones who enforce that same law on everyone else, it adds a huge element of rubbing our noses in s**t.

Incidentally, this same principle can be applied to a number of other issues as well. In court, if it comes down to one person's word against the others, the cop's word is gold standard, even though I have met several examples from any one of whom you couldn't extract the truth while using an acetylene torch on his nuts, and of course the .gov has foisted on us the notion that only the 'special ones' can be trusted with rights clearly established in the Constitution (think NFA/Hughes Amendment, or localities like Chicago). No offense to any individuals here, but the piecemeal establishment of a class of overlords doesn't go over very well with some of us. This statement may sound extreme, especially given that by itself it is not a major step in that direction, but just as you can reach any sum of money one penny at a time, you can likewise create a split between classes of citizen one small piece at a time. We already have equal protection under the law in name only and are well under way to the point at which no pretense of such a thing will be made. Again, although the speeding is really only an annoyance when taken on its own merit, it is representative of a much larger and deeper problem which is not likely to get better any time soon.

 

[Kutnupe14]

My understanding is that they were established by time from toll booth to toll booth. Hard to find the wiggle room in that.

I'm betting there's a TON of wiggle room. Given the all the money making schemes the state of Florida has to pay for its debt, fleecing drivers by calculating their speed from toll to toll wouldnt be too shabby an idea for revenue generation, unless their is some inherent flaw with the idea, such as duplicate passes, delayed uploading of information, operator error, equipment malfuctions.
And of course this article doesnt take into consideration officers that are off-duty that are attempting to catch up with speeders to slow them down (believe it or not, it happens... frequently).
The article states that during the 31 day month of July, 30 officers were speeding during 77 instances, and not responding to a call.
I have no doubt that some of these officers were recklessly speeding, but when you consider that the average "unsanctioned" speeding breaks down to 2.4 per day, it's kinda hard to lump all the instances as being without cause.

 

[Solitaire]

 

[IndyDave1776]

I'm betting there's a TON of wiggle room. Given the all the money making schemes the state of Florida has to pay for its debt, fleecing drivers by calculating their speed from toll to toll wouldnt be too shabby an idea for revenue generation, unless their is some inherent flaw with the idea, such as duplicate passes, delayed uploading of information, operator error, equipment malfuctions.

I have no doubt that some of these officers were recklessly speeding, but when you consider that the average "unsanctioned" speeding breaks down to 2.4 per day, it's kinda hard to lump all the instances as being without cause.

There could well be a significant corruption problem that needs ended, but it would also suggest that anyone travelling over 40mph would be showing calculated speeds over the speed limit.

This also reinforces the discrepancy since any time I am caught speeding it is without cause regardless of circumstances.

 

[sepe]

This wouldn't happen if all LEOs had to ride horses or bicycles.

 

[mcolford]

This wouldn't happen if all LEOs had to ride horses or bicycles.

Time to put them back on their feet walking the town again... Like the good ol' days.

 

[Suprtek]

I'm not here to get involved in a big argument but I personally have no problem with police officers getting a little extra leeway when it comes to traffic laws. As far as I'm concerned, they've earned it. There's always a line that shouldn't be crossed, but that line is not going to always be in the same place. It depends on the situation. This doesn't justify abusing their privileges but it is worth mentioning that police officers are generally given additional driving training that is beyond what the average person has. Not saying this makes them better than everyone else. It just is what it is.

 

[phylodog]

This wouldn't happen if all LEOs had to ride horses or bicycles.

l would prefer a mule or a hot air balloon if that's ok.

 

[Kutnupe14]

There could well be a significant corruption problem that needs ended, but it would also suggest that anyone travelling over 40mph would be showing calculated speeds over the speed limit.

This also reinforces the discrepancy since any time I am caught speeding it is without cause regardless of circumstances.

I don't disagree. As I said, I would be fairly certain that a good number of those instances are indeed legit abuses. Youre always going to have that, unfortunately. However, the sample size for those abuses is 30 officers/deputies. The number of officers/deputies hovers just short of 3000.
It would appear that such actions aren't condoned by either agency.

 

[Hammer]

l would prefer a mule or a hot air balloon if that's ok.

You really left yourself open for that one.

 

[CathyInBlue]

Yes, everybody speeds. No, not everybody speeds in state owned vehicles. No, not everyone who speeds has a dozen different kinds of immunities and units of government actively running interference to insulate them from prosecution or sanction.

When cops do it, they do both. Hence, there is a difference.

 

[mcolford]

l would prefer a mule or a hot air balloon if that's ok.

Provide your own balloon, and its done.

 

[Frank_N_Stein]

Buuuuuuuuut, "almost everyone" isn't immune to the penalties driving over the speed limit could entail...I'm guessing that's why some people get mad when cops do it.

Personally, I don't mind one bit when a PO sets the pace.

Do threads about non-cops speeding get posted on INGO? Methinks not. And there are penalties for me driving over the speed limit, and I'm not immune from them.

Kind of ironic a person thats job is to enforce the law.....defending the breaking of the very same laws.

Doesnt cost the county, state, city any money(lawsuits) if I get into a wreck and am negligent....what happens when you do it?

I wouldn't exactly call my post defending it, but it isn't high on my priority list of getting ticked off about. I don't know what happens when get in a wreck due to my negligence, its never happened.

Sorry but a cop is held to a hire standard, Especially when driving a police car. So the everyone speeds line is bs.

Another thing that makes me mad is the whole stay in the left lane thing. They do know that is illegal in indiana? Cop or civilian.

Other than cops that break laws, I love em.

What left lane thing? And I didn't say "everyone" speeds.

So you just saw the thread title and independently concluded that it was yet another cop bashing thread? I hope your investigatory skills while at work, are much better than they are on INGO.

This thread is merely a news story, without any assignment of compunction on my part to relay any judgement upon the findings. If you're feeling butthurt for your brethren upon the blue line, then I suggest you take a long look in the mirror, because it wasn't me who did anything but place the story into a thread.

Coming from you, it is a cop bashing thread. I don't need any investigatory skills to figure it out. There must not be enough hate on INGO lately to make you post a story from Florida.

As for feeling butthurt, I'll post a story lumping your LTCH-holding brethren into the same pile. Keep a lookout for it.

 

[mcolford]

This thread will be locked by tomorrow... Im just sure of it.

 

[Denny347]

Drive a POV off-duty and no one can call and complain about our speed. If true, 90 to 100 mph is just too fast if you are not on a priority run. I got no problem with getting in trouble if it were me who was off-duty in a marked car doing 100 mph, I earned it. I have only had one complaint on my speed off-duty and when IA called me I fessed up. Now if I were on-duty I rarely check my speedo when responding to runs. The speed I travel will likely be over the speed limit but it widely varies based on traffic and neighborhoods I am in. I am HAPPY to park my crap magnet of a marked car at the end of the day. I am safe from snide comments/stares when I stop to eat, get gas, respond to runs, park to do paperwork, pull up next to my partner to talk shop, stop to pee, or stop to stretch my legs.

 

[jbombelli]

l would prefer a mule or a hot air balloon if that's ok.

Does your mule like people laughin', or does he get the crazy idea they're laughin' at him?

 

[phylodog]

Does your mule like people laughin', or does he get the crazy idea they're laughin' at him?

I don't have a mule but if options are on the table a mule would be my number 1 choice. I can't say I've seen a mule with esteem issues so I don't see folks laughin creating a problem.

 

[Steelman]

How many officers have noticed fellow officers exceeding the speed limit, while not on a run?

How many officers have ticketed another officer for excessive speed?

How many officers have issued speeding tickets?

 

[Ted]

Coming from you, it is a cop bashing thread. I don't need any investigatory skills to figure it out. There must not be enough hate on INGO lately to make you post a story from Florida.

As for feeling butthurt, I'll post a story lumping your LTCH-holding brethren into the same pile. Keep a lookout for it.

Coming from me, this is a cop bashing thread? Really? Please explain this statement. I would love to see your rationalization upon this matter, especially when you know very little of my own background.

I felt the story relevant, simply for the unstated fact that the same situation occurs in Indiana, as well as Texas, California, New York, Hawaii, etc.....despite the fact that the story was of Florida LE.

You simply are not capable of stating that while a majority of LE aren't so reckless to exceed the posted speed at such a rate, there are always going to be a few bad apples who abuse their authority. Similarly, LTCH holders are generally law abiding individuals, but are also vulnerable to violating the law. So what is your response now, smart guy?

Why don't you go after the firemen and EMS for speeding when not on an emergent response while you're at it. Nothing like deflecting an argument from the OP.