Defense for LEO tailgating?

[AutobahnSHO]

Overall not a very good article. Sure some LEOs are bad drivers but generally yes, LEOs should have much more leeway in how they drive WRT a citizen (i.e., shouldn't be held to the same laws).

NO. The laws are for everyone's safety. (supposedly)
If the police officer has the lights and siren on (in official duty), THEN they can skip the laws. Otherwise they should follow all of them. If they don't like them, then they should complain to lawmakers.

[GoCougs]

NO. The laws are for everyone's safety. (supposedly)
If the police officer has the lights and siren on (in official duty), THEN they can skip the laws. Otherwise they should follow all of them. If they don't like them, then they should complain to lawmakers.

Uh, the lawmakers make the laws that dictate flexibility/immunity/etc. WRT LEOs following traffic law...

[AutobahnSHO]

Uh, the lawmakers make the laws that dictate flexibility/immunity/etc. WRT LEOs following traffic law...

Sure they COULD but they USUALLY haven't. Which laws say cops can just speed when they want (no lights on, not responding)? Most places don't have anything on the books regarding- UNLESS they are performing duties.   Thus the cop is "supposed to" follow the same laws as anyone else. (for example, driving home after a shift).

But in real practice, the cops themselves don't pull each other over, and if they did, the courts would shove it under the rug.

[rohan]

OK, I get how the 6th and 7th apply here- but the 14th? Isn't that a bit of a stretch?

Key Clauses of the 14th Amendment

Four principles were asserted in the text of the 14th amendment. They were:

1.  State and federal ciizenship for all persons regardless of race both born or naturalized in the United States was reaffirmed.

2.  No state would be allowed to abridge the "privileges and immunities" of citizens. 

3.  No person was allowed to be deprived of life, liberty,or property without "due process of law."

4.  No person could be denied "equal protection of the laws."


http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/14th-Amendment-Summary.htm

[rohan]

NO. The laws are for everyone's safety. (supposedly)
If the police officer has the lights and siren on (in official duty), THEN they can skip the laws. Otherwise they should follow all of them. If they don't like them, then they should complain to lawmakers.

Uhg.  Do we really need to cover this again?  Not everything is this cut and dried.  Please look back at posts by officers to explain this. 

[Soup DeVille]

Key Clauses of the 14th Amendment

Four principles were asserted in the text of the 14th amendment. They were:

1.  State and federal ciizenship for all persons regardless of race both born or naturalized in the United States was reaffirmed.

2.  No state would be allowed to abridge the "privileges and immunities" of citizens. 

3.  No person was allowed to be deprived of life, liberty,or property without "due process of law."

4.  No person could be denied "equal protection of the laws."


http://americanhistory.about.com/od/usconstitution/a/14th-Amendment-Summary.htm

Yes, I know what it is: what I don't get is how it would protect or condone the practice of an officer deciding whether or not to enforce laws based on whether or not the person found breaking them is a friend or in some position of influence. "Equal protection under the law" can also be read to mean "equally subject to the law."

[rohan]

Yes, I know what it is: what I don't get is how it would protect or condone the practice of an officer deciding whether or not to enforce laws based on whether or not the person found breaking them is a friend or in some position of influence. "Equal protection under the law" can also be read to mean "equally subject to the law."

Taking away jury option = violation of due process of law = 14th violation.  

[Soup DeVille]

Taking away jury option = violation of due process of law = 14th violation. 

That's not what I mean.

[rohan]

That's not what I mean.

That's what the topic was. 

[Raza]

  Uhg.  Do we really need to cover this again?  Not everything is this cut and dried.  Please look back at posts by officers to explain this. 

It's never cut and dried when a Wilbur is involved right?

[bing_oh]

It's never cut and dried when a Wilbur is involved right?

Nothing in real life is "cut and dried," Raza. The world is full of gray areas. And calling LEO's pigs isn't very nice (nor is it very creative, even when making it an obscure reference from a children's book).

[Soup DeVille]

Nothing in real life is "cut and dried," Raza. The world is full of gray areas. And calling LEO's pigs isn't very nice (nor is it very creative, even when making it an obscure reference from a children's book).

is that what he was doing? I was thinking Famous dave's barbecue.

[Raza]

Nothing in real life is "cut and dried," Raza. The world is full of gray areas. And calling LEO's pigs isn't very nice (nor is it very creative, even when making it an obscure reference from a children's book).

Charlotte's Web is far from obscure. 

[bing_oh]

Charlotte's Web is far from obscure.

If you're going to make a (poor) attempt at an insulting comment, at least have the balls to let it fly instead of covering it up with some oddball reference (you're on a car forum full of guys, so I think children's book references could still be considered obscure...especially from a guy with no kids).

[Raza]

If you're going to make a (poor) attempt at an insulting comment, at least have the balls to let it fly instead of covering it up with some oddball reference (you're on a car forum full of guys, so I think children's book references could still be considered obscure...especially from a guy with no kids).

Charlotte's Web is a beloved and long-lived tale.  That's like saying a Dr. Seuss reference is obscure if you don't have any children. 

Besides, how esoteric could it possibly be if you got it, Bing? 

[bing_oh]

Charlotte's Web is a beloved and long-lived tale.  That's like saying a Dr. Seuss reference is obscure if you don't have any children. 

Besides, how esoteric could it possibly be if you got it, Bing? 

Actually, my head is packed full of useless knowledge.

The Charlotte's Web thing is an aside anyway, as you well know. The point was that calling LEO's "pigs" is rather confrontational of you.

[Raza]

Actually, my head is packed full of useless knowledge.

The Charlotte's Web thing is an aside anyway, as you well know. The point was that calling LEO's "pigs" is rather confrontational of you.

Yeah, but I did it in an adorable way. 

[bing_oh]

Yeah, but I did it in an adorable way.

Maybe it's just me, but I generally find grown men being "adorable" to actually be nauseatingly repulsive...

[rohan]

You also know he's that meek guy who barely says anything except he apologizes the entire time you have him pulled over and thanks you as you head back to the car everytime.   We call those guys "AEATs". Pronounced "ates"






(Afraid of Everything Around Them)

[bing_oh]

You also know he's that meek guy who barely says anything except he apologizes the entire time you have him pulled over and thanks you as you head back to the car everytime.   We call those guys "AEATs". Pronounced "ates"






(Afraid of Everything Around Them)

I always assumed that Raza would be a highly nonconfrontational person IRL.

[Raza]

I always assumed that Raza would be a highly nonconfrontational person IRL.

Only if we meet in an official capacity.  I mean, a cop's got a gun and people will believe anything a cop has to say.  Not to be trusted, not to be trifled with.  When I get pulled over, I'm polite, I have my documents ready, and I'm honest.  Seems to work.  I mean, no sense in arguing with the copper or becoming infuriated; it's not like some cop writing tickets is going to be able to change an outdated and useless law.  Might as well be mad at the rain for the clouds. 

Unofficially, I'm pretty much the same guy you see here.  Things may not always translate perfectly over the internet, but it's not far off.  I don't doubt that we'd enjoy each other's company, though.  I've always liked you pigs well enough that I'd be able to put aside our differences for at least five drinks.  Drink six is a wildcard though. 

[Raza]

You also know he's that meek guy who barely says anything except he apologizes the entire time you have him pulled over and thanks you as you head back to the car everytime.   We call those guys "AEATs". Pronounced "ates"






(Afraid of Everything Around Them)

As I recall, you're the one who won't let your wife venture into the wilds of normal life unless she's packing heat and I'm the one who's afraid of everything?  At least I have the guts to leave my home without an arsenal. 

[Raza]

Maybe it's just me, but I generally find grown men being "adorable" to actually be nauseatingly repulsive...

Oh come now, we both know you found it endlessly endearing.   

[Cookie Monster]

As I recall, you're the one who won't let your wife venture into the wilds of normal life unless she's packing heat and I'm the one who's afraid of everything?  At least I have the guts to leave my home without an arsenal. 

hahahaha

[rohan]

As I recall, you're the one who won't let your wife venture into the wilds of normal life unless she's packing heat and I'm the one who's afraid of everything?  At least I have the guts to leave my home without an arsenal. 

With the kids.
If you're going to paraphrase at least get the basics right. 

You're also not a parent (or female) who goes to malls and such places with children in tow, and have to be responsible for their safety.  You know malls and other stores- frequent targets of shooters?   

[TurboDan]

I try to avoid malls at all cost. I actually DO tend to think they're dangerous places. The attract anyone and everyone. One mall in my area happens to be near a bad town and the movie theater attracts gang members who occasionally stir up trouble. The parking lots of malls are notoriously dangerous.

Of places I would consider safe, a shopping mall would NOT be one of them.

[dazzleman]

I try to avoid malls at all cost. I actually DO tend to think they're dangerous places. The attract anyone and everyone. One mall in my area happens to be near a bad town and the movie theater attracts gang members who occasionally stir up trouble. The parking lots of malls are notoriously dangerous.

Of places I would consider safe, a shopping mall would NOT be one of them.

I almost got mugged by some gangbanger type in the parking lot of a mall about 6 years ago.  Other than that, I've never felt unsafe at a mall, though.

[Rupert]

Oh, you mean a black person was walking in your general direction?

[sparkplug]

I almost got mugged by some gangbanger type in the parking lot of a mall about 6 years ago.  Other than that, I've never felt unsafe at a mall, though.

Black friday last year somebody suffered an attempted mugging, but one of the victims party was armed and shot back... you know guns aren't bad... but who wields them makes a difference.

[Soup DeVille]

I almost got mugged by some gangbanger type in the parking lot of a mall about 6 years ago.  Other than that, I've never felt unsafe at a mall, though.

I once almost got crushed between two cars.  Not intentionally, mind you.

There have been several "flash mob" incidents at Northland this year though; but I won't go to that mall anyways.