Coppers

I would like to qualify my right to make the following statements based on my 24 years in law enforcement. Let me first say that I am proud to be a member of one of the best Police Departments in the country and take pride in being a "cop". I often hear stories from friends, family and others who have had less than pleasurable experiences with the police. I first explain that "I wasn't there" so I will take your side at face value. More often than not, if you are being pulled over, you did something wrong. That being said, I don't believe everybody should be ticketed. In 24 years I can't remember ever writing a speeding ticket. I do believe there are many other more productive things an officer could be doing than lecturing grandma because she rolled through a stop sign. But traffic laws do need to be enforced. I do believe there are some officers who take their authority too far, acting as more bully than protector of the public. Hearing such stories makes me angry and embarrassed. Unfortunately the general public has stereo-typed all police as heartless drones. This is not the case at all. The majority of police simply want to catch the bad guy. And remember, they are risking their life for you, doing a job most others won't.