arrogance? elitism? or taste of own medicine? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

dksuddeth · 12-13-2006, 05:24 PM

I'm not sure whether to laugh my ass off or shake my head in frustration at this.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2723428

Quote:

NEWARK, N.J. Dec 13, 2006 (AP)— A police officer who was fired after being convicted of careless driving claims he was caught between two unwritten rules of the road: Police don't hassle fellow officers, and nobody passes a state trooper especially on the right.

Former Tinton Falls detective Gary Wade is suing over an incident that left him pepper-sprayed and handcuffed face-down on the side of a road. His lawsuit seeks $1 million from two state troopers and his own former department, his lawyer said at a news conference Wednesday.

Wade, 31, maintains that he was pulled over for no reason while driving to work in an unmarked police car.

The arresting state officer says he was provoked.

The August 2004 encounter was recorded by the trooper's dashboard-mounted video camera and a microphone attached to the trooper's lapel.

On the audio recording, Wade is heard repeatedly telling Trooper Michael Colaner to wait until a Tinton Falls police supervisor arrives before taking any further action.

"He was talking cop-to-cop," Wade's lawyer, Susan Chana Lask, told reporters. Asked why Wade didn't simply hand over his identification or immediately state that he was a police officer, Lask said Wade pointed to his badge on his belt.

"It's not a special privilege," she said. "It's just known between them."

State Police Capt. Al Della Fave painted a much different picture. He said Colaner and his partner were driving a marked patrol car in the left lane when Wade's car zoomed up behind them and tailgated them before swerving to the right and passing.

Wade was argumentative when they stopped him and ignored repeated requests to show identification, according to the officers' reports.

"If he expected some special treatment for careless driving and refusing to identify himself, that will not happen, not for a police officer or for any civilian," Della Fave said.

Lask called Colaner "a cop gone wild" and said of Wade, "He's upset that his so-called brothers would do this to him."

"The actual reason he was stopped is because he passed the state trooper vehicle on the right," Lask said. "Officer Wade informed me it's a known fact among officers that you never pass a state trooper vehicle; you let them pass you. They don't like that."

Lask said Wade demanded that a police supervisor come to the scene and refused to surrender his gun because he feared for his safety.

Wade was charged with obstruction of justice, careless driving and resisting arrest. He was convicted in municipal court of the first two offenses, and fired. Wade, who also is appealing the convictions, now works as a contractor and has no desire to be reinstated as a police officer.

Della Fave said two courts and an internal State Police probe have all concluded the trooper acted appropriately.

I'd like to think that this episode would open some police officers eyes at to what us 'civilians' face from time to time and readjust their thinking, but i'm probably too optimistic for my own good.

Do alot of police officers expect special treatment from other cops, just because they are cops? Most that i've known do. Again, not sure what to think about this but I eagerly await the final disposition of the charges and lawsuit.

Willravel · 12-13-2006, 05:35 PM

If I were a cop I'd ONLY pull over other police officers. They consistantly break the rules of the road. I can't remember the last time I saw a police officer in a car not breaking the speed limit, change lanes without signaling, run a red light, cutting someone off, tailgating, etc. and this is without the lights flashing and the siren screaming. Police officers of the world: you have the power to enforce laws, not break them. When you cut me off going 55 in a 25 zone, YOU are the criminal and YOU deserve to be subjected to the same treatment you give me when you pull me over for going 27 in a 25 zone.

Manic_Skafe · 12-14-2006, 12:13 AM

There's no excuse for being endangering the lives of others simply because you feel like being an idiot and if he did drive recklessly because he figured he'd get off simply because he carries a badge - well then the punishment seems rather fitting.

Quote:

. When you cut me off going 55 in a 25 zone, YOU are the criminal and YOU deserve to be subjected to the same treatment you give me when you pull me over for going 27 in a 25 zone.

While I can understand your frustration I still have to disagree. When you factor in the all training courses they have to take and the fact that when they get a call to be somewhere, in most cases, they're showing up after something has already happened...I don't like the police but I'm willing enough to give them the benefit of doubt in this case.

However, much like the cop this article is about, when you're off duty you should be expected to adhere to the same laws as any other citizen.

warrrreagl · 12-14-2006, 05:59 AM

Just like every other walk of life, there are some incredibly fine police officers out there and there are some real assholes. Don't let the assholes cloud your opinion of the rest.

Siege · 12-14-2006, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manic_Skafe

While I can understand your frustration I still have to disagree. When you factor in the all training courses they have to take and the fact that when they get a call to be somewhere, in most cases, they're showing up after something has already happened...I don't like the police but I'm willing enough to give them the benefit of doubt in this case.

The cops got flashing lights and sirens for a reason. I think Will was talking about non-siren occurences.

And just because someone takes lots of courses on how to drive, doesn't mean they get to break the law for no reason. That's like saying f1 drivers should be allowed to drive well over 200. Hell, they're trained to do it.

Temporary_User · 12-17-2006, 04:06 AM

I love this article.
I think they are on power trips, and think since they enforce laws that they can break the laws.
I know that some cops are out there to do good, but the majority aren't. Of course many may start out to do good, but time may change that.
I think it's almost human nature to test to see what you can get away with
(seems babies will test their moms) i think cops speed a little, I've seen many turn sirens on @ red lights and right back off after they've gone through them.
Can't pass on the right? I know this isnt a written law, but I definitely know that this does piss off cops (anyone really) however, I've always been told that if your not intended to pass someone, then to stay in the right lane.

MSD · 12-17-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dksuddeth

Do alot of police officers expect special treatment from other cops, just because they are cops?

http://www.copswritingcops.com/
Of course they do.

Willravel · 12-17-2006, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct

http://www.copswritingcops.com/
Of course they do.

Interesing site. I just wrote them this e-mail:

Quote:

I just happened upon your site recently, and I have to say it was quite enjoyable. Your parody of how police officers will unfairly give one another preferential treatment is convincing to say the least. Your comparison between Best Buy employees getting an employee discount and police officers being allowed by other police officers to break the law had me rolling on the floor. It never ceases to amaze me that a few bad police officers actually believe that it’s fine to pull over a civilian for something but not pull over a police officer for the same thing, as if there is an add-on to the “Protect and Serve” motto that says, “...well we’ll protect you, but we only harass civilians.” Thankfully, you’re there to point out the blatant, ignorant hypocrisy of those few bad apples. I’m not sure what kind of simpleton police officer could possibly think it’s all right to show preferential treatment to anyone, as laws obviously apply to everyone (as your site clearly and responsibly points out that police officers are not above the law).

To those police officers that risk their lives to help the helpless and to defend the defenseless, I salute your honorable and selfless dedication. Without you, we’d live in a much more dangerous place. Some of my best friends are on the force, and I expect them to pull my ass over if I were to ever speed.

A humble, law abiding citizen and long time supporter of the police,

W.

I expect to be pulled over quite soon.

12-14-2006, 05:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
warrrreagl pinche vato Location: backwater, Third World, land of cotton	Just like every other walk of life, there are some incredibly fine police officers out there and there are some real assholes. Don't let the assholes cloud your opinion of the rest. __________________ Living is easy with eyes closed.

12-13-2006, 05:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	If I were a cop I'd ONLY pull over other police officers. They consistantly break the rules of the road. I can't remember the last time I saw a police officer in a car not breaking the speed limit, change lanes without signaling, run a red light, cutting someone off, tailgating, etc. and this is without the lights flashing and the siren screaming. Police officers of the world: you have the power to enforce laws, not break them. When you cut me off going 55 in a 25 zone, YOU are the criminal and YOU deserve to be subjected to the same treatment you give me when you pull me over for going 27 in a 25 zone.

12-17-2006, 04:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
Temporary_User Psycho	I love this article. I think they are on power trips, and think since they enforce laws that they can break the laws. I know that some cops are out there to do good, but the majority aren't. Of course many may start out to do good, but time may change that. I think it's almost human nature to test to see what you can get away with (seems babies will test their moms) i think cops speed a little, I've seen many turn sirens on @ red lights and right back off after they've gone through them. Can't pass on the right? I know this isnt a written law, but I definitely know that this does piss off cops (anyone really) however, I've always been told that if your not intended to pass someone, then to stay in the right lane.