In the police world there's this thing commonly known as "Professional Courtesy." To put it bluntly, this means the off duty police officer will be let off with a warning as soon as the the officer initiating the traffic stop figures out he's just stopped another off duty officer. Depending on what side of the country you're on, the officer may simply flash his badge to show he's an officer, or the hint could be made in a more subtle way sounding something like this: "Sir, just so you're aware, my 'service weapon' is (or isn't) in the vehicle with me." They might verify credentials and the traffic stop is done. What are your thoughts on this?
Let me get this out on the table before I continue. I'd be a liar if I said I haven't gotten out of a ticket since I've been a cop, by one way or another, letting the officer know that I'm a Trooper. This was a couple years ago, but I had gotten stopped for going 11 over (86 in a 75), and got a verbal warning because it was made aware to the officer that I was a Trooper. I didn't think a second thing about it at the time.
Anyways, I've done some soul searching on this lately I've pretty much come to the conclusion that "professional courtesy" is the equivalent of "I'm a cop so I'm allowed to drive like a moron because I know I'll get out of it." That's not okay with me. I guess I was under the understanding when I took an oath to serve that we're held to a higher standard than the normal citizen, so why should I be given a free pass as opposed to someone else doing the same thing? I don't get it. In the same breath though, I'll say I don't write police officers, nurses, or fire fighters tickets (unless they're doing something completely absurd and act like a prick about it when I contact them). However, I'll always politely make them aware that they're held to a higher standard and to pay more attention to their actions. I know that sounds contradictory, but I guess I justify it by knowing the sacrifice they make every day with little gratitude. Am I wrong? Maybe. But that's my train of thought.
What do you think? Is it okay for police officers to be given a "professional courtesy" or am I just reading into it too much? Discuss...
Let me get this out on the table before I continue. I'd be a liar if I said I haven't gotten out of a ticket since I've been a cop, by one way or another, letting the officer know that I'm a Trooper. This was a couple years ago, but I had gotten stopped for going 11 over (86 in a 75), and got a verbal warning because it was made aware to the officer that I was a Trooper. I didn't think a second thing about it at the time.
Anyways, I've done some soul searching on this lately I've pretty much come to the conclusion that "professional courtesy" is the equivalent of "I'm a cop so I'm allowed to drive like a moron because I know I'll get out of it." That's not okay with me. I guess I was under the understanding when I took an oath to serve that we're held to a higher standard than the normal citizen, so why should I be given a free pass as opposed to someone else doing the same thing? I don't get it. In the same breath though, I'll say I don't write police officers, nurses, or fire fighters tickets (unless they're doing something completely absurd and act like a prick about it when I contact them). However, I'll always politely make them aware that they're held to a higher standard and to pay more attention to their actions. I know that sounds contradictory, but I guess I justify it by knowing the sacrifice they make every day with little gratitude. Am I wrong? Maybe. But that's my train of thought.
What do you think? Is it okay for police officers to be given a "professional courtesy" or am I just reading into it too much? Discuss...
