| Member |
 Discussion Topic  |
|
|
Razzoo
 Standard Member
130 Posts
Phenix City, Al
USA
Triumph
Sprint ST
|
 Posted - 10/08/2009 : 9:13 PM
|
I was in a restaurant parking lot ready to make a right turn. I looked to the left, and no traffic was coming, then looked back to the right and started to pull out, but noticed something out the corner of my eye and stopped just in time. There was now a patrol car coming down the road from the left and he was right at the driveway. The patrol car had passed me coming from the right, but had made an abrupt U turn (with neither siren or lights on) and he would have nailed me if I had pulled out. I followed him for a few miles and he never turned on the lights or siren.
Going to work this morning, I pass an officer with flashing lights that had stopped someone. A few minutes later the same cop passes me at about 65+ (in a 35mph zone), no lights or siren. I try to maintain an awareness of cars around me, but he came up so quickly (for that road) that he caught me off-guard. We happened to be going the same way as I, so I followed him for a few miles. He stopped for a traffic light and again for someone making a left turn, (so it seems was not on a call) but once the road opens up again, he again takes off at 30+ over the limit.
My mistake in each case:I was not expecting these type of maneuvers as the patrol car was not running siren or lights. Going forward I will place patrol cars in the same category as other "high risk" vehicles (the good thing is they are easily noticed).
|
|
|
gymnast
Moderator
2807 Posts
[Mentor]
Meridian, Idaho
USA
Harley-Davidson
Sportster Sport
|
Posted - 10/08/2009 : 9:29 PM
|
You seem to have had a problem with one particular officer, however you have included all officers in your thread title. Is this an oversight or did you intend to to do this?
Perhaps you should write a letter to to the City fathers (and CC a copy to the chief of police) describing the behavior you witnessed and include the plate number, times, dates, and locations of the officers behavior. You need not state that you were a motorcyclist at the time you observed the officers behavior. |
 |
|
|
Razzoo
Standard Member
130 Posts
Phenix City, Al
USA
Triumph
Sprint ST
|
Posted - 10/08/2009 : 9:46 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by gymnast
You seem to have had a problem with one particular officer, however you have included all officers in your thread title. Is this an oversight or did you intend to to do this?
Perhaps you should write a letter to to the City fathers (and CC a copy to the chief of police) describing the behavior you witnessed and include the plate number, times, dates, and locations of the officers behavior. You need not state that you were a motorcyclist at the time you observed the officers behavior.
Actually two officers, and I did consider reporting them, but have taken no action. However outside of the two instances I have given, a patrol car could get a call and need make an abrupt change in speed or direction. I have identified several types of vehicles that I tend to watch more closely than others. Putting patrol cars in this category costs me nothing. Consider that first incident where the patrol car made a U turn was as close as I have been to an accident in (at the time 10 months) since I started riding again.
|
|
|
|
alblancher
Senior Member
481 Posts
slidell, LA
USA
Yamaha
Roadliner
|
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 4:18 AM
|
| LEOs need to follow the same traffic laws as you and I. Obviously there are exceptions when responding to emergencies but I feel that sometimes they take liberties that put others in unexpected, dangerous situations. |
|
|
|
RHaynes
 Junior Member
35 Posts
Dudley, MA
USA
Yamaha
96 Virago 750
|
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 7:55 AM
|
There may be occaisions when no-siren is necessary, so as not to tip off the 'bad guy'. I can't think of any time no-lights would be appropriate.
LEO are not supposed to be above the law, if anything they should be even more scrupulously aware of their actions and law abiding.
I am infuriated by seeing a police cruiser zipping down the highway at 80 or more, and I include thier plate or car numbers whenever I see them apparently abusing their position. My taxes pay their salary to enforce the law, all the time and for everyone's safety. Not to rickey-race and blip thier signals to get through an intersection. |
|
|
|
JamesGang
Junior Member
30 Posts
Sydney, Cape Breton Island
Canada
Honda
'81 Goldwing
|
Posted - 10/11/2009 : 7:12 AM
|
Many years ago, while living on the west coast of British Columbia, an RCMP officer was killed when he executed a U-turn on Highway 99 just south of Brittania Beach. He had spotted a speeder headed in the opposite direction and pulled over to the shoulder to execute the U-turn. He was broad sided by a bus and was killed instantly when it hit the drivers side door. This officer had been a personal acquaintance of mine and was a very good man who had helped my son through some difficult times.
More recently, while working at a retail outlet and watching the traffic go by the front of the store, I saw an unmarked police Dodge Charger fly by in excess of 100 kph in a 50kph zone. He was not using either his siren or lights while driving through an intersection in a very busy retail store area. There are multiple driveways which provide access to the many parking lots in this part of Sydney. I have to wonder if he managed to get to were he was going on such a hurry. More importantly, how many people did he put at risk of serious injury or death.
Police vehicles are very high on my list for unpredictable behavior! |
|
|
|
burtsr
Junior Member
88 Posts
Chicago, IL
USA
Honda
2006 Gold Wing
|
Posted - 10/19/2009 : 3:48 PM
|
I have been a Chicago Police Officer for nearly 35 years. The number of times I have heard gripes like this is probably in the thousands. It ticks me off when people are ignorant of police procedures and assume we are abusing our powers when they just don't know.
I can tell you there are times when you get a call and DON'T want to use lights or sirens. It may not be a true emergency, but you need to get there as soon as possible before it turns into an emergency. Or you don't want to tip off a car that you are following. There tons of examples of when you need stealth. Not easy in a marked police car.
Since you have no idea of what kind of call, or suspicious car/person he was responding to, there is no way for you to judge his actions.
That being said, yes, some guys do abuse the privilege. Just as some guys use company computers on company time to search porn. People are people. Police are no different.
Just don't be in a hurry to judge when you don't know the facts. Always expect the unexpected from the police.
Burt |
|
|
|
House_of_Dexter
Standard Member
167 Posts
Richardson, Tx
USA
Kawasaki
2007 Ex-500
Peer Review:
Blocked
|
Posted - 10/21/2009 : 9:38 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by burtsr
Just don't be in a hurry to judge when you don't know the facts. Always expect the unexpected from the police.
Burt
I don't judge them...but putting them in the unpredictable category hurts no one...and might save your life. Police officers are human...and might not have seen you when they did their maneuver. |
|
|
| |
Discussion Topic |
|
|
Most Recent Posts
|
Activity History
|
Safety Tips
Beware: Cops can be unpredictable...