I agree in theory. Up here though the trend has been towards cars that are not easily identified as police cars. That kind of negates much of that benefit.
I have seen more SUV's and such in the outlying areas as well.
Still.......perks of the job.
I agree in theory. Up here though the trend has been towards cars that are not easily identified as police cars. That kind of negates much of that benefit.
I only get jealous because I want to taze someone too
Does your position change if the Officer pays for the ability to use the car off-duty?
Just the thought of having to make contact with every vehicle on the side of the road would be enough for me to drive something else.
I understand the rub when folks see police using municipal vehicles to work part-time jobs but it really does serve two roles. If a business wants to pay an officer part-time there is usually a good reason. If the privately paid officer is serving a purpose for the business then it's probably easing the run load for the guys who are working their regular shift since they don't have to respond for service. It's very similar to the recent thread about the crime issues at Walmart. If Walmart pays part-time wages to an officer to sit at the store in a marked vehicle then it's easing the run load for the on-duty folks and everybody wins. As far as construction zones, it helps with the safety of the workers and it doesn't end up with road crews yelling at the local police about dangerous drivers.
I also agree with the "part of their pay" argument. I never drive mine off-duty but one of my extra responsibilities at my department may require me to get out of bed at 2am and respond to an emergency. Should that issue arise I already have my car and I can be there quickly.
Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with them taking the cars and using them. It just doesn't help as much in that one way in some places at it used to.I have seen more SUV's and such in the outlying areas as well.
Still.......perks of the job.
I agree with the take home car completely. I've been called out a ton because of my responsibilities and position on my Dept. We have 11 road officers for the county. It's pretty common to call out off duty guys for backup. Having all my gear ready to go is invaluable.
What I dont agree with is unlimited use of the vehicle at the expense of taxpayers when the get very little to nothing in return.
i get it. there are times when it is great to have an off duty officer show up at a crash. My argument is for the officers that haul their entire family in their cars and would t stop for anything. I've seen it several times.Ask the lady whose arm was amputated (aka ripped off) during a crash on the interstate if she got anything in return from the off-duty officer that applied the tourniquet.
My Dad and his crew used to get all twisted up about this.
It just turns out to be jealousy that someone is "Getting" something they aren't.
Things like "I have to pay for my car why pay for theirs" kind of thing.
Well, so do I but I see no issues with it.
I think I saw something a year or so ago that it costs each tax payer (tax payer not welfare leach) about $2 annually for this perk. I could be way off on this.
Anybody...???
Beuller........Beuller.....
I understand the rub when folks see police using municipal vehicles to work part-time jobs but it really does serve two roles. If a business wants to pay an officer part-time there is usually a good reason. If the privately paid officer is serving a purpose for the business then it's probably easing the run load for the guys who are working their regular shift since they don't have to respond for service. It's very similar to the recent thread about the crime issues at Walmart. If Walmart pays part-time wages to an officer to sit at the store in a marked vehicle then it's easing the run load for the on-duty folks and everybody wins. As far as construction zones, it helps with the safety of the workers and it doesn't end up with road crews yelling at the local police about dangerous drivers.
I also agree with the "part of their pay" argument. I never drive mine off-duty but one of my extra responsibilities at my department may require me to get out of bed at 2am and respond to an emergency. Should that issue arise I already have my car and I can be there quickly.
Once in a while I take an ambulance home from work. It's awesome to have the lights and sirens but once in a while people seem REALLY eager to get me to drive over to them. I mean jumping, waving, pointing, all kinds of motions. One even made a chocking gesture when I kept driving. Yeesh, just let me drive and stop threatening me.
Once in a while I take an ambulance home from work. It's awesome to have the lights and sirens but once in a while people seem REALLY eager to get me to drive over to them. I mean jumping, waving, pointing, all kinds of motions. One even made a chocking gesture when I kept driving. Yeesh, just let me drive and stop threatening me.