Reader Comments

I am not very surprised. So many cops I know use their "authority" to push their ideas about right and wrong. Abuse of authority is rampant in Govnt. and police circles. Thank God we do have some honest and ethical cops and elected officials. Our Constitution is under attack and we are losing ground daily.

Comment by: fmjjn | August 25, 2011

I'm not surprised either.

Comment by: PVB | August 25, 2011

Ahh! Utah Cops. Still this happening better the cop that told a gal, "I'll let you off if you let me grope you." Or the guy that killed two old ladies rushing at 80mph through a residential neighborhood to an accident a half hour away, and already attended. Utah doesn't pay much, so they don't get top quality.

Comment by: Mister E | August 25, 2011

I guess it is St, George, Somewhere else.

Comment by: Mister E | August 25, 2011

I don't know why it is, but as the father of six sons, we always found that police officers had a tendency to harass the young male drivers more than the older drivers. Of course, kids often exacerbate the situation with their display of attitude.....as I often encountered in my 22 years as a public educator. Still, however, one would think (hope) that part of police training would include a bit more training in how to maintain their cool under trying situations.

Comment by: canovack | August 25, 2011

Well at least they fired him. Now, we can all hope he STAYS fired and isn't hired in the next town next month. But at least this one got fired for abuse of his authority.

Now, to watch the video.

Comment by: david b | August 25, 2011

Well at least they fired him. Now, we can all hope he STAYS fired and isn't hired in the next town next month. But at least this one got fired for abuse of his authority.

Now, to watch the video.

Comment by: david b | August 25, 2011

Many cops, like the one in this video, are nothing more than blue collar thugs. Where I live they particularly like to pull over African Americans. Happens so often there's a name for it. DWB...driving while black.

Comment by: CHARLES S | August 25, 2011

I'm confused. I watched the video - the lead in at the top of the article says "...the cop was fired for threatening to make up charges....", but the video says he was suspended and put on administrative leave.

So, is he going to get a two week vacation with pay when this is all over? Sounds like it to me. Or, was there maybe some time difference between the video story and the time when this was posted that accounts for the 'fired' part? Suspended and on leave is just the same old run-around while nothing changes....

Comment by: david b | August 25, 2011

This quite old (circa 2008) - the end result is, the driver is set (dollar-wise), and the police department has been completely disbanded (corrupt through and through).

This stuff happens everywhere, and it's only through the power of technology that the tables are being turned. Still, cops hate the idea of drivers helping one another.

Check out this one: http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/207550/250/FHP-sued-for-giving-out-illegal-tickets

Comment by: erkme73 | August 26, 2011

Two things I learned about cops over my adult life: 1) when you're young, if you drive a "racy" looking car, you're gonna get stopped, often for no reason at all! 2) the smaller the police dept., typically the lower the hiring standards. The bigger departments, like state cops, have more financial clout and are more discriminating about the quality of the people they hire, weeding out the ones who are psychologically unfit. Re #1, when I was in my 20's I owned convertibles, a couple were Firebird 400's. I was CONSTANTLY getting pulled over, for no reason, wasn't breaking the speed limit, wasn't playing "boy-racer", etc. Never smarted off to them, was courteous (you LOSE if you're a smart-ass, even when you're older!!) but I'd get the 3rd. degree anyway (Where do you work? What do you do? Who bought the car? What the hell business was it of theirs! The questions really ticked me off!) and then a lecture on why I was getting "let off", when I'd done nothing wrong. It got old, and jaded my opinion of cops, but the incidents also supported point #2: this ALWAYS happened with "small-town" cops, never had such an encounter with a state cop. I also noted, after I got out of service, all the kids I knew in high school who were considered "bullys", were now local cops! I guess they figured that if they continued behaving like bullys, they'd run afoul of the law, but if they had a badge on, they could get away with it.

Comment by: Haidozo | August 27, 2011

HA! Late '60's, VW beetle, peace sticker. I got stopped all the damned time, usually just harassed and not ticketed or threatened or anything. I was in school sure (Kent State, for those of you who remember about that), but also had two kids and a full time job in a machine shop. I guess I just learned how to avoid the discussion a lot of the officers were looking to have - or when they found out I had a 'real' job and no pot they weren't interested - I don't really know.

Comment by: david b | August 27, 2011

While I haven't had excessive experience with being pulled over by cops for traffic infractions, I have learned, a long time back, that wising off and "making a stand" concerning your rights is probably going to get you a citation. While I don't have a lot of contact with traffic cops, during the times I do get to "socialize" with them, my usual response to the question of whether I know I did ------------ (fill in the blanks), is "Gosh! I'd guess I really blew it!" That technique has gotten me verbal warnings more than just a couple of times. In fact, I haven't had a traffic citation since I established a county land speed record in West Texas back around 1993. Even on that one, I was able to avoid having any points assessed to my driving record, and all I had was a rather substantial fine.

Comment by: canovack | August 27, 2011

Does your record still stand canovack?

Comment by: david b | August 27, 2011

I'll likely be off the pages here for a few days guys. Irene's coming to visit tonight, and word is she'd going to show me a good time! Well, and exciting one anyway....

I expect we'll be powered up again in a few days. 'See' y'all then.

Comment by: david b | August 27, 2011

Best of luck and Godspeed to david b and those who are contending with Irene. I just wish we could get a small sampling of her rain down here in Texas. As far as I know, from contact with an old friend who is an old friend of the court in the county where I established that record.....Yes; my record still stands.

Comment by: canovack | August 27, 2011

I didn't know you could drive too fast in West Texas! Yes, it's raining here, and the Philly area set a different kind of record - even before Irene hit town, we had a new record for August rainfall accumulation. The previous high was in August 1911. There's a gun show in town - could this be a divine message? Am I supposed to go buy another 1911?

Comment by: PVB | August 27, 2011

Well, PVB, let your conscience and your heart be your guide.....go get that new 1911.

Comment by: canovack | August 28, 2011

Was 110 today in San Antonio. Am ready for Winter. Not gonna get involved in this weeks cop screw up. Last time I commented I got Blitzkreiged. LOL. Hope you East Coast guys are ok.

Comment by: Cecil B | August 28, 2011

canovack - I've got to wait until the next gun show... The one I wanted and heard he had three of meant "three more back at the shop."

Comment by: PVB | August 29, 2011

Yeah PVB, sometimes we can get really antsy just having to wait for the next show.....

Comment by: canovack | August 29, 2011