Why do police leave their flashing lights on?

Scottwax said:
Conversely, I am sick of people who drive 5-10 mph under the limit if a cop is around, or won't pass a cop car that is going under the speed limit. Just today, I got stuck in a back-up because two clowns, one in the right lane and one in the left were just crawling along in a 45 mph zone because a cop was behind them. :hairpull



No, I don't hate cops.
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I agree with all of this. I treat police officers just like any other driver on the road as far as passing/speed limit/etc is concerned. If I can and need to legally pass them, I will. Why would it be a problem if I'm within the law and what I'm doing is safe and courteous to others? That's the question I always ask myself.



With that said, I also don't hesitate much to honk/flash at police officers if they err while I am driving - again, they are like other drivers in my mind (in that respect).
 
Since one of my vehicles is a Porsche, I tend to be extra alert and avoid the things that will make me stand out to the cops when I'm driving it. Keeping up with the flow of traffic, making safe lane changes etc tend to keep you below their level of interest--most of the time. I find that here in CA, the CHP really looks for the folks drawing attnetion to themselves with all of the in and out lane changing, tailgating etc.



And as to the left lane hogs, don't get me started =)



OTOH, I don't recall honking the horn or flashing my lights at any cops.



Finally, while some may disagree, I find that CA drivers are generally a bit better and more courteous than in other parts of the country--if you want crazy, drive around Rome some time and as noted, you'd better not be in that left lane other than to pass when on the Autobahn and Autostrada.



Though there are some portions of the 101 fwy, north of San Luis Opbispo etc, where keeping up with most of the traffic means going 90+



Seems to get a little crazier out there every day:nixweiss
 
clnfrk said:
How is the left lane their lane??? I am sick and tired of all these cops who think that they are above the law and blow by traffic when they are not responding to a call. And then they like to intimidate other motorists by riding their asses. Also, from what I've seen more often than not cops do not use turn signals when changing lanes. I have no idea why they feel that they have the right to violate the very laws that they are supposed to be enforcing. Is it just me, or does anyone else hate cops?
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How do you know they arent responding to a call? When responding to burglaries "run silent run deep" is the law. Have you seen how people drive? A cop turns on the light and people are expected to yield to the right, what do they do? They dynamite their brakes, stopping whatever or pull off in all kinds of ackward directions. There are an infinite amount of calls to respond to that warrant a swift reaction but not quite balls out code 3.



Here, I'll offer up an example. Call of armed robbery comes out, suspects last seen northbound on your favorite highway. Cops get on highway with lights on. Robbers see the lights far behind them and get off the highway before the cop ever sees them. Lights travel far at night...any cop that shows up to a burg in progress with his lights on only wants to warn the criminal blocks out that he's coming.



How do you know theyre trying to intimidate motorists? Maybe they cant see your license plate cause you have one of those illegally tinted covers? Maybe a buddy is calling for non emergency back up and he's stuck behind you going 5mph below the speed limit.



You hate cops because of traffic violations? You sound about 13 right now. If you aren't 13, bet you've been arrested for MIP, possession of marijuana, or reckless driving guaranteed.



Your rant is irrational and juvenile. I'm not making excuses with my post, just posting from a different perspective.
 
thesacrifice said:
How do you know they arent responding to a call? When responding to burglaries "run silent run deep" is the law. Have you seen how people drive? A cop turns on the light and people are expected to yield to the right, what do they do? They dynamite their brakes, stopping whatever or pull off in all kinds of ackward directions. There are an infinite amount of calls to respond to that warrant a swift reaction but not quite balls out code 3.



Here, I'll offer up an example. Call of armed robbery comes out, suspects last seen northbound on your favorite highway. Cops get on highway with lights on. Robbers see the lights far behind them and get off the highway before the cop ever sees them. Lights travel far at night...any cop that shows up to a burg in progress with his lights on only wants to warn the criminal blocks out that he's coming.



How do you know theyre trying to intimidate motorists? Maybe they cant see your license plate cause you have one of those illegally tinted covers? Maybe a buddy is calling for non emergency back up and he's stuck behind you going 5mph below the speed limit.



You hate cops because of traffic violations? You sound about 13 right now. If you aren't 13, bet you've been arrested for MIP, possession of marijuana, or reckless driving guaranteed.



Your rant is irrational and juvenile. I'm not making excuses with my post, just posting from a different perspective.
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Testify, brother, testify!



Cops have a thankless job. Most interaction people have with the PD are when something bad happens or when they get stopped for a traffic violation.



Clnfrk can call his mommy when he needs help.
 
Would you still care how they drove if they were responding to a burglar coming in your window? Break all the laws they want as long as they don't hurt anyone in the process and no, they wont be using a siren.
 
Re: The Sacrafice and Gonzo posts. While my earlier post may have come across as "anti", I'm certainly not. On the contrary and based on your posts I would bet that each of you would and probably do respond in kind to anyone you might pull over on a traffic stop. Yours is certainly one of the toughest jobs around and the things you have to deal with on a daily basis are mind boggling. And of course all of your actions are ALWAYS under a microscope.



Guess I'm only trying to point out that every driver has a resposibility to himself AND others on the road. If you're going to break the law by speeding or what ever else, and you get pulled over and get a ticket you have no gripe. Even though I'm keeping up with traffic, that doesn't mean that I'm not breaking the law. If I'm the one pulled over, I might think it was because I'm in a Porsche, but maybe not. It just may be my day. And, BTW, how many times haven't I been "caught". And if anyone like you two did pull me over I imagine we'd shake hands and I'd thank you for your courtesy and professionalism. After all you ARE doing your job. It's up to me to allow you to do what you're paid to do. This is not an adversarial thing. OTOH, if you have an "attitude" and are un-professional and discourteous maybe I have a gripe about your attitude, but certainly not the infraction.



I offer my thanks and gratitude for all of you in LE and related fields for all you do and the fact that the bulk of it is dirty, and very stressful and cetainly potentially life threatening every day.



And BTW, I haven't been pulled over or ticketed in over 20 years. Lucky, undoubtedly, but I do respect the road and other drivers and drive as defensively as possible.



So thanks to you and the others for your enlightening posts.
 
Landcruiser... I won't pull you over. I will be in the BRT (Big Red Truck) laying in on the air horns and the FedQ siren tyring to get you out of our way.



An example of the lunacy on the road..



7:15 PM.. a report of an odor of smoke in an apartment building. Fire Alarm dispatched a full 1st alarm response of 2 engines, a Rescue and a Ladder truck. We were the second due engine company, and as we approached the intersection, some idiot kid wearing a hoodie that just about covered his entire head pulls to the left in front of us and stops. The driver of the rig had to swerve hard left , and we missed hitting his little 888s***box Civic by literally an inch. A cruiser coming in the other direction witnessed the near collision and pulled him over.



Some satisfaction.. he was cited for failure to give way to an emergency vehicle. :getdown :lol :xyxthumbs
 
Gonzo0903 said:
Landcruiser... I won't pull you over. I will be in the BRT (Big Red Truck) laying in on the air horns and the FedQ siren tyring to get you out of our way.



An example of the lunacy on the road..



7:15 PM.. a report of an odor of smoke in an apartment building. Fire Alarm dispatched a full 1st alarm response of 2 engines, a Rescue and a Ladder truck. We were the second due engine company, and as we approached the intersection, some idiot kid wearing a hoodie that just about covered his entire head pulls to the left in front of us and stops. The driver of the rig had to swerve hard left , and we missed hitting his little 888s***box Civic by literally an inch. A cruiser coming in the other direction witnessed the near collision and pulled him over.



Some satisfaction.. he was cited for failure to give way to an emergency vehicle. :getdown :lol :xyxthumbs
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OMG. Who the hell wears a hoodie in a CAR?! He should have had his license provoked for not having common sense and trying to look badass.
 
Gonzo, served that kid right. I don't see how anybody can possibly want to compete with an emergency vehicle. Just slow down, pull over, and let them pass!!



truzoom, I think you meant "his license revoked", not "provoked". :)
 
I've got an idea for all you guys who think cops do nothing but speed around.



GO FOR A RIDE ALONG IN EAST LOS ANGELES OR WATTS ON FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT.



The old Firestone Sheriff's Station was the best (worst area). The new Century Station covers that area now. Try the LAPD and go for a patrol or traffic stop at Nickerson Gardens housing project. Either way, see if the guys can loan you a threat level 3 vest.



After you wet your pants, post about your experiences here.
 
STG, don't put them in the thick of things. How about something as calm as Inglewood. I worked there for a while and let me tell you it's plenty busy enough.;)
 
Just tonight I came up on a cop doing a traffic stop on the shoulder of a road in town. There was traffic in the next lane so I couldn't move over, but I did slow down. Good thing too, I barely had time to stop when he threw his door wide open right in front of me. The guy behind me skidded and nearly hit me and drove me into the cop's door even after I stopped.



I do wonder a little about the cops around here. When I was a kid my Dad was run into twice by the cops here. First time the cop was doing 50 in a 30, no lights or siren, and broadsided my Dad on the driver's door. He was the 3rd car to enter the intersection after the light changed and he didn't see the cop wasn't going to stop. That one totalled our 2 month old car and laid him up for 2 weeks. Next time a cop rear-ended him at a stop sign. It didn't scratch the old beater my Dad drove to work, but it knocked out the cop's 4 headlights and grille. That time he was thoroughly disgusted, but unhurt.
 
STG said:
I've got an idea for all you guys who think cops do nothing but speed around.



GO FOR A RIDE ALONG IN EAST LOS ANGELES OR WATTS ON FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT.



The old Firestone Sheriff's Station was the best (worst area). The new Century Station covers that area now. Try the LAPD and go for a patrol or traffic stop at Nickerson Gardens housing project. Either way, see if the guys can loan you a threat level 3 vest.



After you wet your pants, post about your experiences here.
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I spent some time behind a badge, but nothing like what you describe here. IMHO, these guys (and you too if you're one of them) earn every cent they make--in fact they're underpaid if anything. :up



A little respect, common sense and courtesy go a LONG way on the road
 
paul34 said:
I agree with all of this. I treat police officers just like any other driver on the road as far as passing/speed limit/etc is concerned. If I can and need to legally pass them, I will. Why would it be a problem if I'm within the law and what I'm doing is safe and courteous to others? That's the question I always ask myself.



With that said, I also don't hesitate much to honk/flash at police officers if they err while I am driving - again, they are like other drivers in my mind (in that respect).
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I also do not hesitate to pass up a cop. Although, when I do it is at or only slightly higher than the posted speed limit. However, I would be wary of honking/flashing at one of them. Challenge them in this manner and your just asking for a ticket for anything they decide to conjure up. And, yes I have been stopped and ticketed for a bogus traffic offense. The cop who issued the citation knew my car and assumed I was in a bad area of town looking to buy drugs (which I don't do) He knew my car from a previous traffic stop in the same area of town. He gave me a ticket for travelling too long in the left hand turn lane. I sure doubt that there is a law that states that driving in the turn lane for 20-30 feet or so is illegal. After all, I was in fact turning.
 
SpoiledMan said:
STG, don't put them in the thick of things. How about something as calm as Inglewood. I worked there for a while and let me tell you it's plenty busy enough.;)
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Oh, that's real calm area. :shocked



I used to be a Planning Commissioner next door, in Hawthorne.
 
Police Officers deserve so much more respect and money for what they do. Just think how many times someone has tried to tell you how to do your job, whether that be detailing or anything else, and they had no clue what the heck they were talking about. Same situation here.



People tell us how to do our jobs all the time, and let me tell you, wearing a badge is a life altering event. The police academy does not prepare you for what you deal with. I've stopped people for all sorts of stuff, and you get people from all walks of life who give you hell for no reason. I've had businessmen in their 40s get mad at me and say stuff like "Who cares I ran a red light? You should be out there pulling over murderers, you scum son of a b*tch!"



Most people are shocked when they see my patrol car videos. They cannot believe that people they see everyday can behave in such rude ways.



Give these guys a break. Realize that their job is way more involved than you may realize. What you may think is a "routine traffic stop" (nothing routine in law enforcement) may be a very convoluted case.
 
I'll add a bit more.



A good officer approaches and treats every person as if that person may try to take their life. The day an officer doesnt do that, is the day they should retire. I dont think anyone can truely understand that mentality unless youve been in the military or law enforcement. You operate in a when/then mindsent and dwell on worst case scenarios.



So normal good citizen bob gets pulled over and meets an aggresive, assertive, and "defensive" officer. They might leave the stop feeling like the officer was rude, short, or whatever. When in reality that officer is walking up to your car knowing that a trooper in tennessee was just murdered doing the same thing.



A good officer knows how to control his emotion and maintain professionalism, but humans have limits. Your partner was just shot on duty, you were assaulted by a woman who called for help because her husband was beating her but had a change of heart when she found out you were taking him to jail, you just cut down a 14 year old that hung herself in her parents basement, and now you want to yell at me because I pulled you over for speeding and tell me I have better things to do or scream at me because I didn't show up to your cold vehicle prowl fast enough?



good people dont call 911 and invite officers over to share birthday cake, they meet officers in times of desperation, victimization, or when they bend a traffic law here and there.
 
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