LEO mysticism

[gigag04]

I came to this conlusion recently as far as practicing it, but not really wording it out.

What I mean is this:

I think that we non-LEO types (as a whole population - not this forum specifically) attach some sort of wierd special privilege to LEOs. I know I still get a slight adrenaline rush when I get pulled over, and I'm always "watching for cops" on a slightly fast road trip.

While we were in Colorado we went out a couple nights and cops showed up and everyone freaked out.

You know...that sort of stuff. Well, recently I have decided that I don't care to respond like that anymore. They are people that work for me, and my business to make sure they follow the laws that my representatives wrote with my interest (in theory).

I am a responsible 23 yr old college student and business owner. I don't do illegal things. If you want to stop and ask me something when I'm in Colorado having a drink, go for it, I'm 23 and can prove it.

If you pull me over for going 5 mph over (even though it is reasonable and prudent - thank you case law) - I'm not going to fear the ticket, as it probably won't come, and if it does, I can take Defense Driving as I've done once before (not this year).

I have decided that LEO's are not "kind of a big deal" to quote anchorman.

I appreciate thier service and have considered the career myself, but I am refusing to continue to attach an elite stigma to them. I may quite possibly be the only one that has thought or acted like this in the past. I'm curious though.

-nick

[anygunanywhere]

Excellent, Gigag.

I respect LEO highly for the job they perform, as well as anyone who performs a difficult job for low pay. Teachers are the same, and their job has hazards as well, although different from LEO.

I too used to have a small freakout when stopped. I reached the same state of mind a long time ago when I realized that LEO was doing their job and that I was responsible 99% of the time if we had an interaction (speeding etc.).


Carrying 24/7 further developed this awareness. My awareness of my rights under the whole constitution is my daily driver.

[Bubba]

Good for you. I know some 40 year old folks that haven't gotten over it. And your only 23, good for you again :)

[txinvestigator]

Giga,

I suspect that your future contacts (if any) with LEO's will be pleasant. As a former cop, I am very relaxed around officers and see them as equals.

I think as long as people understand that they have a job to do and do have specific authority under the law, that all contacts can be smooth.

I wrote last year about being approached while I was on a surveillance. While it was a PITA, I understood why they were there and just was polite and responsive. Other than the officer misunderstanding a section of CHL law (I did not argue with him at the scene) I had no problem with them checking me out.

No reason to freak out around LEO's at all.

[jbirds1210]

I have to agree with you guys.....it's just a job. I work with officers from just about every branch of law enforcement from state to the highest federal levels....they are no different than a random group of people you find walking in the park....most of them are average, normal, and polite hard working people...and a few of them are arrogant. I have learned as I have gotten older (not that I am ancient) that if people need to do a little mental poking at me....go ahead, I know I can shoot the gun in my waistband as good or better than them...so what is the harm?

[DaveT]

I agree that LEO's at work are just like the rest of us... guys doing a job.

BUT.... as a former motor officer, I used to love it when I was behind a car and they first noticed me filling up their rear view.....

[gigag04]

BUT.... as a former motor officer, I used to love it when I was behind a car and they first noticed me filling up their rear view.....

Case in point.

[John]

I know I still get a slight adrenaline rush when I get pulled over
-nick

I think this is very true. It is a persona that we give the police from a young age. I got a speeding ticket in November while in Florida, and it has been at lest 15 years since I’ve been pulled over; the anxiety wasn’t there, I’m 43. I gave him my information and he gave me a ticket and I really didn’t think about it anymore during the trip. I was personable and he even lowered my speed down to the lowest ticket cost (put me down for 59 in a 50 instead of 69 in a 50).

It’s funny, but I think you have to call them for assistance, or at least interact with them in a positive way, a time or two before you get over it and it might take being 40 or older before you have done that (if you are lucky). When you are 18-21, you feel like a target and that they are looking for you (in some cases, they might be), but hey, if you are in the right, you’ve got no worries. It’s a whole lot different being 30ish or 40ish with the wife and kids in the car than being 20 and driving at 2:00am on your way home from a date.

I will say that the police are working to overcome this. In Sugar Land they all carry trading cards and children are encouraged to approach them and ask for a trading card. This is positive contact and may help lower that anxiety. I can only assume that lowering the anxiety from a young age is the purpose of the program.

[Chris]

Well, recently I have decided that I don't care to respond like that anymore.

well, you figure it out you be sure and let me know. i've been wearing that uniform for 9 years and i still get that feeling when i get pulled over or see cops around.

i use that feeling at work. when someone's going pretty fast and i'm going to something else, i'll jump up on their tail and let them know i'm watching. did that friday night. saw a guy running probably 90 or so, but i was headed to a call. got right up on his bumper and he stayed at the limit the rest of the time. i figure he'll keep it down for a while since he had his "close call" for the evening.

when you go to dinner, you can feel people staring at you. it's weird. i've never gotten used to it.

[DaveT]

BUT.... as a former motor officer, I used to love it when I was behind a car and they first noticed me filling up their rear view.....

Case in point.

Still trying to figure out that comment... "Case in point."

I was making a joke, guess you did not see it that way.

If you are trying to infer that I was doing something wrong by following folks as a motor officer, forget it. I was doing my job and something attracted the vehicle to my attention in the first place.

The 'reaction' I was referring to was entirely on the part of the other driver, and it was usually a direct result of something they were doing that they knew they shouldn't be doing in their vehicle or while operating their vehicle.

If anyone has any preconceived notions about officers, it is not the fault of officers in general. You can blame folks like the poor parents who see an officer eating in a restaurant, then when they can't control their own kids, they make some smart comment like "You better behave, or I'll tell that policeman to take you away and lock you up." I could have retired early if I had a $10.00 bill for every time I heard crap like that. What kind of an attitude is that child going to grow up and have about police officers if that has been their only kind of contact ?

Officers are no different than anyone else, they work to support families while taking risks that the general public seldom ever hears about. Certain pre-conceived notions about officers by some members of our society actually can work to an officer's advantage because a 'hesitation' about conducting certain types of behavior in the presence of an officer might just give the officer enough time to protect himself or a partner.

When officers step into the middle of a domestic disturbance, their mere presence often 'commands respect' and that is only because of ideas that some people (like repeat offenders) might have about officers or the fear of going back to jail, etc. That automatic giving of respect often goes a long way towards keeping an officer safe, and a good officer will use it for all it's worth.... with no apologies offered.

So, I guess the "Case in point" I am trying to make is to try and see things as an officer has to..... you might just end up respecting officers even more.

[gigag04]

BUT.... as a former motor officer, I used to love it when I was behind a car and they first noticed me filling up their rear view.....

Case in point.

Still trying to figure out that comment... "Case in point."

I was bringing attention to the part about "I used to love it..."

Why is it such a kick that your mere presence puts people on edge, makes them tighten up and do silly things like drive slower than the speed limit?

My entire post is devoted the idea that I don't think any more cops will be able to "love it" when they get behind me and I notice them filling up my rear view. I'm not going to do anything different. I'll keep going the speed limit (reasonable and prudent), and I'm not gonna all of sudden freak out and play into thier power play.

Sorry if I have painted a lack of respect - that's not my intention at all - it's just that I'm beginning to realize - interactions with cops are not that big of a deal.

Officers are no different than anyone else, they work to support families while taking risks that the general public seldom ever hears about.

I'm trying to follow this, but I can't reconcile the statement that officers are no different than anyone else, yet they take risks that no one else really ever knows about.

I can understand your defense of LEO's in this post, as you happen to have been one and I am just the goofy young kid with a silly idea. I do however hope that you can see that your self proclaimed exciteability when you first saw a commoner realize you were pulling them over is exactly what I am talking about.

Good, bad or otherwise - this is what I imagine lots of LEOs feel. The thrill of the chase, or the excitement of what could happen next. I really see no need anymore for me to get all worked up and think it's a big deal.

Please don't take my post as an attack against you, or LEO's in general. I feel like I am just changing my mindset and thought it would make for some good discussion.

stay safe,

-nick

[stevie_d_64]

Some things I do not do in the presense of Law Enforcement...

I do not slow down...If they are going slower than the speed limit, I will pass them...

I do not try to ignore them...Like they are not there...I will make eye contact, and give them the "good ole boy" head nod...

If I get caught speeding, I always reside myself to getting a ticket...

And my CHL is not a "get out of a ticket" card...Never has, never will be...

That way, my head is always in the right place, alert, cordule, and respectful...Even in the face of an officer/deputy having a bad day...And after we conclude our business, And apology for my infraction, thanking them for the job they do and hoping they have a great day is always the norm for me...

[DaveT]

gigag,

No offense implied or taken, just offering food for thought.

Those 'reactions' I observed when I was behind a motorist often made for a much better, or attentive driver. It was easy to tell when they spotted me: in some cases, the weaving stopped, the cell phones went down, seat belts went on quickly, kids hopped into their child seets, etc.
In the case of one male driver who was weaving, a lady's head came up from the drivers area and it was only then that I observed the car had two occupants........

When I said that officers were no different than anyone else, went to work to support families while doing stuff most would not think about, I was actually agreeing with your assessment. There is no reason to assume that officers are any different than you, they are just doing a job that will involve you if you are violating the law. If you are not, then just ignore them and go on your merry way.

Even though I am retired now, I get those same feelings I talked about every time I see an officer in the rear view. But that is exactly why they drive marked units and wear a uniform.... their presence causes the general public to do a quick check of their actions. That is helpful to the whole motoring public. One example would be officers working high frequency violation locations.... place a couple of marked squad cars at a light where there is a history of accidents caused by people running a red light and it's amazing how many drivers decide to stop instead of speeding up for the light that is changing. Place a couple of officers in marked units at a school zone where drivers are known to ignore the signs and flashing lights and it suddenly becomes a safer place for the kids..... and often the officers don't even have to issue any citations, just by being seen they accomplish positive results. These are just two of MANY examples where the general public's reaction to officers is helpful, and the preconceived notion of intimidation at seeing an officer actually does some good.

As far as he way you think, and the change in your thinking that you mentioned at the start of this thread: You alone formed the thoughts in your head that officers were something to fear, or act differently around. Now that you are saying you will no longer think like that, maybe life will be less stressful, especially at those times when you observe an officer. Best of luck to you !

Be safe,
Dave

[anygunanywhere]

When LEO pulls in behind me I always turn my radio down.



Mrs. Anygun always finds it amusing how hard I laugh at my own jokes.

[stevie_d_64]

When LEO pulls in behind me I always turn my radio down.



Mrs. Anygun always finds it amusing how hard I laugh at my own jokes.

Why???

Did KSNUzzzzz change its format???

BTW, I thought you were headed to the Great White North, eh???