Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Repect for Law Enforcement; Public Opinion

Sultana · 09-26-2006, 08:17 AM

I'd have to say I've had mostly positive experiences. The most interesting time was when I was picking up my drycleaning in what had become a seedy part of town (Note: across the street from where I used to live. I stay loyal to those good businesses who can't move away as easily as I). As I tried to pull out of the parking lot, there was a guy in a car blocking the only exit. I honked at him lightly and briefly and politely gestured for him to please move (hey, you gotta be extra polite in the bad part of town, that's my mo. But I'm very polite 99% of the time anyways). The guy stares at me mad-dog style, then slowly moves his car. I pull away and go down the road...and notice he's following me! Crap!!

As I tried to decide what to do next, I see a blue light flashing from inside his car. He's an undercover cop--or at least, trying to look like one. Hmmm. Well, I pull over in a church parking lot, and roll the window down about an inch. The guy gets out of his car and starts yelling at me about how he saw me mouthing "F*ck you" at him, etc. Very unprofessional. I saw that he had a bunch of id cards and badges around his neck. I stayed very calm, but ready to run (drive). The guy was practically foaming at the mouth--there was NO WAY I was getting out of the car. I didn't know what to say, I didn't want to provoke him any further, but as of yet he had no legal reason to detain me.

Just then, a Black and White pulled up, thank god! I was never so happy to see a uniformed officer in my life. He got out of the car, and talked to the other guy for a second, turned to me and asked me what was going on. I answered truthfully "I don't really know, this guy pulled me over...", and I'm sure he could see I was frightened and confused and wary. The uniformed officer pulled the other guy off to the side where he continued to rage angrily. The uniformed officer was very calm. After waiting about 10 minutes I ventured to ask if I could leave, and the uniformed officer nodded and waved me off. And away I drove!

The next day I called the local police station and asked to speak to the Watch Commander, and told him everything that happened. He seemed rather surprised, but asked for all kinds of details and was responsive and respectful, which went a long ways in restoring my faith in the local officers, at least. He said that it must have been a detective from out of the area, as local non-uniformed officers never wore anything on lanyards around their necks, for safety purposes.

Anyways, that's my story. The only other real interaction I've had with local officers is when someone tried to break into my house (they were gone when I got home), stuff like that. The only complaint I'd have is that it took many hours to get an officer to the house for the report. When they finally got there, they were very professional and all. I overheard radio calls (for other units) for reports of a 3-year-old being burned, a domestic violence problem, reports of gunshots--all within a 20-minute investigation. It kinda helped to put my troubles into perspective, and gave me the briefest insight of what one single shift was like.

09-26-2006, 08:17 AM	#35 (permalink)
Sultana Falling Angel Location: L.A. L.A. land	I'd have to say I've had mostly positive experiences. The most interesting time was when I was picking up my drycleaning in what had become a seedy part of town (Note: across the street from where I used to live. I stay loyal to those good businesses who can't move away as easily as I). As I tried to pull out of the parking lot, there was a guy in a car blocking the only exit. I honked at him lightly and briefly and politely gestured for him to please move (hey, you gotta be extra polite in the bad part of town, that's my mo. But I'm very polite 99% of the time anyways). The guy stares at me mad-dog style, then slowly moves his car. I pull away and go down the road...and notice he's following me! Crap!! As I tried to decide what to do next, I see a blue light flashing from inside his car. He's an undercover cop--or at least, trying to look like one. Hmmm. Well, I pull over in a church parking lot, and roll the window down about an inch. The guy gets out of his car and starts yelling at me about how he saw me mouthing "Fck you" at him, etc. Very unprofessional. I saw that he had a bunch of id cards and badges around his neck. I stayed very calm, but ready to run (drive). The guy was practically foaming at the mouth--there was NO WAY I was getting out of the car. I didn't know what to say, I didn't want to provoke him any further, but as of yet he had no legal reason to detain me. Just then, a Black and White pulled up, thank god! I was never so happy to see a uniformed officer in my life. He got out of the car, and talked to the other guy for a second, turned to me and asked me what was going on. I answered truthfully "I don't really know, this guy pulled me over...", and I'm sure he could see I was frightened and confused and wary. The uniformed officer pulled the other guy off to the side where he continued to rage angrily. The uniformed officer was very calm. After waiting about 10 minutes I ventured to ask if I could leave, and the uniformed officer nodded and waved me off. And away I drove! The next day I called the local police station and asked to speak to the Watch Commander, and told him everything that happened. He seemed rather surprised, but asked for all kinds of details and was responsive and respectful, which went a long ways in restoring my faith in the local officers, at least. He said that it must have been a detective from out of the area, as local non-uniformed officers never wore anything on lanyards around their necks, for safety purposes. Anyways, that's my story. The only other real interaction I've had with local officers is when someone tried to break into my house (they were gone when I got home), stuff like that. The only complaint I'd have is that it took many hours to get an officer to the house for the report. When they finally got there, they were very professional and all. I overheard radio calls (for other units) for reports of a 3-year-old being burned, a domestic violence problem, reports of gunshots--all within a 20-minute investigation. It kinda helped to put my troubles into perspective, and gave me the briefest insight of what one single shift was like. __________________ "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come." - Matt Groening* My goal? To fulfill my potential.