Do the drivers you stop speed off madder than heck?
Ronnie Garrett
Editorial Director
Law Enforcement Technology magazine
I got stopped by a police officer today. I’m not proud of that fact, nor am I disputing whether I should have been stopped. I was guilty. The officer pulled me over for what he defined as a rolling stop – no further explanation required. However, during this stop, I received more than I needed. I received an in-depth education as to why police officers are sometimes sarcastically referred to as “Officer Friendly” – though I think a more apt term could be “Officer Unfriendly” or perhaps “Officer Having a Bad Day.”
The officer stormed over to my car. As I watched him walk over, I worried that I must have done something pretty serious since he seemed so angry. When he reached my car, he loudly barked, “Do you know what you did?” Because at the time I honestly believed my stop had been sufficient, I said, “No I do not.” He informed me that I had missed the stop sign, and this was a serious matter. I did not dispute anything he said. I simply replied that I was sorry.
I have been told before that officers shouldn’t ask drivers if they know why they are being pulled over, though many officers do. Honestly, I don’t think I’d have minded the question had he not asked in a manner that implied I’d committed a heinous crime and was headed for the slammer.
The officer then angrily inquired about my driving record. Heeding my mother’s advice to “Kill ‘em with kindness” when someone is being rude to you, as nicely as I could I replied, “I don’t believe I have had a ticket in more than 11 years.” Insinuating that I might be lying, he then grumbled, “We’ll see about that when I check your license.” He strode away in a huff, and my last thought was: “I am definitely getting a ticket today.”
Now I understand there ARE people dumb enough to lie to cops about anything and everything, but I’m not one of them. How was he supposed to know that? Hmmm … Couldn’t he tell from the fact that I was being polite and respectful?
The officer returned to my vehicle and grumpily explained that it was my “lucky” day. He wasn’t going to give me a ticket because my driving record was indeed clean. He then launched into a very passionate and angry diatribe about how inattentive driving is a hazard, and that I need to pay better attention when operating a motor vehicle. And I agree with him wholeheartedly. However, I believe such teaching moments can be handled in a courteous and respectful manner. This officer acted like a father yelling at his teenager daughter for crashing the family car.
I left feeling rather irritated, but not because I was stopped — the officer was justified in pulling me over. I just don’t think I deserved to be treated in an unprofessional manner. This was not the first time I’d ever been pulled over, but it was the first time I’d ever had an officer be rude to me, especially when I was being polite, respectful and courteous to him.
Negative encounters like this teach citizens that officers can be jerks and tarnish the law enforcement profession as a whole. Citizens have a right to expect to be treated with the same politeness and respect they give officers. Most citizens understand officers must come across as stern and authoritative – sometimes called “coldly professional” – but there is a difference between that demeanor and being just plain rude. Obviously, there are times when the situation warrants a tougher approach, but it’s important that officers know the difference between the two.
Officers deal with people at their worst, and that can be a really difficult thing. But I’ve seen plenty of examples of good policing over the years in my own hometown – even in difficult situations.
Years ago, one of my neighbors’ kids was arrested for drug possession. I watched as the officer explained he was going to handcuff him and take him in. As he escorted the youth to his squad car, I heard him say “please” and “thank you.” Whether that officer actually MEANT that “please” or “thank you” wasn’t something I considered at the time. However, his professional and courteous appearance and demeanor made all the difference in how I viewed him, and I suspect in how the teenager viewed him as well.
Examples of good community policing can be found everywhere. Unfortunately, the instances that stick in people’s minds are the situations where an officer behaved much like the one I met today. A police instructor friend of mine taught me that one negative comment or experience can take as many as 11 positive comments or experiences just to equal out. That said I really don’t want to get pulled over 10 more times, hoping for good experiences, to convince me that this ONE officer was having an off day.
For the benefit of the officer and the department as a whole, it’s important our men and women in blue save the “tough guy” attitude for the times when they really need it: when someone is being argumentative, combative, drunk and disorderly, or uncooperative.
When a motorist is cooperating, thanking you for your time and even the ticket you have given him, why not leave the attitude at the squad car door and treat this citizen the way you would want to be treated? That’s the kind of image officers should want to present, and that’s the type of image the public wants to see.
I’m sure anyone who deals with traffic on a daily basis gets mad as heck about traffic violations. However, citizens will likely pay more attention to what you’re saying if they are listening to your words rather your anger.
I completely agree with you! I have gotten 2 tickets in nearly 40 years of driving. Both I deserved, but only 1 I felt “good” about. Both happened in 1980. The first was a speeding ticket. The CHP officer asked me how fast I thought I was going. When I told him the truth (about 90), he was taken aback, and said since I didn’t lie to him he would only write me up for 70! The second was for making an illegal left turn on a sign that had been put up that day. I had no idea what I had done, the SFPD officer was very “gleeful” as he told me and I sat in confusion has he finished with me and went back around the corner to nab the next unfortunate. Needless to say I had far more respect for the first cop than the second.
Please and thankyou to an arrestee might be a little much. I’m not sure I want to give someone in custody the impression that they are doing me a favor by obetying my command. Anyone else have a thought?
Um, I suppose you could come to a complete stop and avoid such encounters all together. Often times perception and embellishment (maybe even unintentional) can make something seem worse than it is.
Would have been more satisfied with “Officer Smiles” and a ticket, than a hard ass who gave you a blast of stuff and a warning?
People don’t want the police to be the police anymore and have no tolerance for anyone telling them they are wrong, whether they know they are or not. Just because this officer was ‘gruff’ or ’snarky’ or whatever adjective you want to use, does not make his conduct unprofessional or mean he is having a bad day and taking it out on you.
Quote “I have been told before that officers shouldn’t ask drivers if they know why they are being pulled over, though many officers do.” There is no problem with this whatsoever, it’s a matter of preference. This is a common thread, grasp for a straw to make it seem as the police have done something wrong. Other fine examples: “The cop didn’t wear his hat when he stopped me” “The cop didn’t take his hat off when he got back in the car and wrote my ticket”.
Just because you don’t like the “tone of voice” the police officer used, doesn’t mean he did anything wrong.
To the editor: Is this still a police officer’s site? Why is this “article” a front page story? This woman is not a police officer and this is a “reader’s digest” appropriate article, not for a police website. We listen to this whining enough at the office and on the road, I don’t think we need to see it here too.
I want to become a police office and while everyone has a bad day, he should have left his attitude at the squad car door. As for the “please” and “thank you” I think that is taking it a bit far when you are in an authoritive position….but that doesn’t mean in the least that there is any reason to be rude.
This kind of touchy-feely nonsense is the exact reason why I don’t cut ANYONE a break anymore.
If people like Ms. Garrett would prefer “Mr/Ms Professional” *all-the-time* as opposed to an occasional stern lecture and warning from a cop that’s responded to enough vehicle vs pedestrian fatalities than I care to remember, then they can just go ahead and sign in the grey area, making sure to press hard because they’re making 2 copies.
Oh but don’t worry, I’ll be sure to say, “Please drive safely” as I step back from the window. Don’t want you to get butt-hurt or anything.
“Please” and “Thank You” to someone in custody? Sure, why not? Unless and until someone becomes uncooperative, combative, argumentative, or disrespectful, I will treat them with respect. This doesn’t mean I tolerate too much; in fact I very quickly shut down uncooperative subjects, either verbally or physically depending upon the circumstances. It is possible to be firm, authoritative, and no-nonsense while treating the people I deal with, even those in custody, with respect.
The result? I am rarely beefed, rarely fought with, and rarely get arguments. People remember how they are treated and, let’s face it, we deal with the same mutts over and over again. Showing respect may benefit YOU on the second, third, and fourteenth time you need to deal with someone. If someone has information or help to give the police, aren’t they are more likely to give it to someone who has shown them a bit of respect in return? Demonstrating respect neither denotes weakness nor diminishes our authority. Besides, how would you want your spouse, kid, best friend, etc. treated by the police on their worst day?
Have any of the officers here heard of “verbal judo”?
It works. You don’t have to be 100% polite, but it gets the message across and you can make a decision while your talking to the person you’ve stopped. How about having an officer from another jurisdiction treat your wife or child this way? Would you appreciate that type of treatment yourself? Would you tolerate getting this type of treatment from a fellow law enforcement officer? I wouldn’t. I’d file a complaint - period, end of sentence, we’re going to traffic court so the judge can hear my side of the story at least, and your Sergeant and whoever else will listen is going to get an earful.
Professionalism can be as simple as asking “was there any legal justification for not coming to a complete stop for the stop sign?” in a calm tone. Any lecture you care to give should be given the same way. If you’re like me, if someone starts yelling, I stop listening. If you want folks to get the message - don’t yell or be sarcastic. Be firm, be professional, and keep the IA squad off your back. And “please” and “thank you” might just surprise someone into compliance instead of fighting.
I mean, if you’re looking to start fights, you’re in the wrong profession. You’re on the job to keep the peace and maintain order, not be angry, agressive, overbearing, loudmouths.
Every moving violation we see could be considered “contempt of cop”, but that doesn’t mean we should show attitude to every person we stop. Besides, if you’re going to be pissy and agressive, I sure hope the next driver you stop isn’t a fellow cop, or an elected official, or a member of the local oversight board.
I’ve been on both sides. I’ve written hundreds of tickets and received a couple in my time. You’re exactly right. There’s a big difference between “dispassionate” or “all business” and being gruff. Not to mention, being gruff doesn’t scare anyone into behaving better. It just makes the violator feel like the cop is the problem, not their behavior. I’ve written a ticket and been called a “sorry son of a b*%#$” and my response was “yes sir”. That shut him down way faster than a “no you are” type response.
If you’re going to lecture, doing it in an empathetic way is much more effective thank scolding. If someone really deserves a scolding, do it with a citation and keep your mouth shut other than telling them to sign here. If you’re going to cite, don’t lecture. If you’re going to lecture, don’t cite. Either way, even guilty people will still respect a professional cop. Nobody respects a jerk trying to assert his authority.
It is not our job to govern the behavior of the citizens we serve. It is our job to record their actions and hasten them before THOSE WHOSE JOB IT IS to govern thier actions: Judges. Leave your ego and your rightous indignation at home, this job has no place for it…
As I tell my fellow Officers….Write everyone and no one can complain. Then there is no need to give lectures, let the pocket book give the lectures.
Jeez after reading this It took me five minutes to stop crying!! You get a break on a cite and still whine about it. Grow up,obey the law and you won’t have to worry about. And by the way-stop being so sensitive.
jl;
Yes this is still a site dedicated for police officers. Mrs. Garrett’s blog on how she perceived her interaction with the officer is, to me, quite timely and of value. As a man with over 25 years of police experience I do think that we (police officers) sometimes forget that while it may be just one more traffic stop out of the dozens we can do in a day, it may be that citizen’s FIRST EVER traffic stop; it may be the day they found out their father died; it may be the sixth time in three days they’ve been stopped for various reasons. WHATEVER the reason is that they are “traumatized” by the stop, I think that we should realize the impact we can have on their day.
That said, NOWHERE will I ever say you should compromise your officer survival tactics for the sake of making it easier on the driver you’ve stopped. “Please” and “thank you”? HELL YES. Since when is common courtesy a problem? I have a better question: why isn’t a LACK OF COURTESY considered unprofessional?
We want to view law enforcement as a profession, but we complain (sometimes) when the citizens we serve (and yes, we serve them ALL) expect us to act professionally. Yes, we all have a different idea of what “professional” means. MY definition includes common courtesy. There have been times in the past when I’ve been both polite and aggressive at the same time. “Put your hands behind your back, sir!” has come out of my mouth on more than one occassion. Is the “sir” REQUIRED? Nope. Does it hurt anything? Nope. What did the witnesses hear me say?
I think we could go a long way with public relations if we simply extended common courtesy to the citizens we encounter - at least to start. If they are disrespectful in response then we can shift gears. If they are courteous back then what has potential to be an ugly encounter all around suddenly can be less distasteful for all involved.
With THAT all said, I hope that those of you who have decided to “write everyone” and “never give a break” aren’t hypocrites. I trust that you TOTALLY stop at EVERY stop sign. I’m not that good. I slow down at a great many of them. Therefore, because I don’t like being a hypocrite, if the driver is polite and understands their mistake and doesn’t have any other driving violations on their record, they might get a warning from me. Then again, if they’re a jerk, they might get a few tickets. But I never ALWAYS write EVERYTHING because I commit those violations too at times. NONE of us is perfect and we would do well to remember that at times.
Having read this article, and the post’s following, I can completely agree with Frank Borelli’s post. Let me state this…I work just traffic and write way too many tickets. Very few people I stop get let go with warnings, maybe 5% if that. Having said this, in my 10 years of service, it is very infrequent that I encounter such a client that doesn’t thank me. Im not the type to sit there and ask them to change their behavior, plea with them or coddle’em. By simply being nice, respectful, & PROFFESSIONAL have had very few problems, even with people I arrest for DUI, etc.
To sit back and say I don’t need to be nice or respectful is BS. This is why our image is going to hell. Yes, there are the occasional people that you encounter that you really want to and do lay into, but that should not be the way to come off on the initial approach. Let the violator determine what approach is taken by their own actions.
I end with this thought…the one’s that are considered officer friendly, in my experience, and are considered the one’s that everyone loves in town are the laziest people! Their the ones that don’t do anything! To be professional and respectful while dealing with our clients is a must, even if we give or to don’t give warnings. Our clients need to see us at our best! If we want to be respected & loved (Like the FD) and not hated, lets start working on the attitudes a bit on the most common thing we do, citizen contact on traffic stops.
We are all human, but remember, you want these same people to appreciate the sacrifice you, your brother and sister LEOs have made. Image does count. It’s one thing to dish out a little counseling when you have gone through the ringer to arrest a true jack*ss, but your actions reflect on all who wear the badge and have made the ultimate sacrifice. Frank, Bill and Andrew pretty much sum up my thoughts about this issue. One other little note, working yourself into a frenzy (perhaps a little over-stated) to maul a citizen for an occasional traffic infraction can’t be good for your blood pressure and could potentially distract you from a more serious threat in your presence. We are all out here trying to make the world a safer place to live, and to all of you, I say thanks for being there. There is a a time and place for everything, take care and stay safe brothers and sisters.
As a retired police officer and having worked traffic for many years I was guided by 2 principles when stopping someone for a traffic violation. If I intended to give them a ticket which was 95% of the time no lecture was required as the ticket was consequence and proof enough of a violation. I treated that person with respect and quite often even after giving the ticket there were some thank yous.
If I was not going to give a ticket, which was not the norm in traffic, a short talk was given as to what the nature of the stop was and reasons why it would be advisable to be more attentive. The other thing to remember is that we were not there so we can only comment on we would or may have handled it as we really do not have both sides to this story.
I always say please and thank you. Two reasons: 1. My parents taught me well. 2. It makes the arrestee look like and idiot if anyone looks at the video later. Gee, Mr. Sh*tbag, the officer was saying even please, why didn’t you comply?
The reason this cop asked you if you knew why you were being pulled over is because he was probably rolling video and he wanted to get you saying that you knew you had broken the law and to have it as evidence against you if a trial were to come later.
As far as his attitude, I have found it to be an easier encounter with motorist when I use the eight step traffic stop method. It takes the most of the “officer friendly” from the stop, but its concise, to the point, and it allows an officer to make a decision and not to be influenced by a motorists attitude (anyone stopped a mere sweetheart?? Lol.) From the article I agree that his attitude probably needs to be adjusted. I suggest that you go to his supervisor or the professional standards unit if the encounter was as truly as bad as your column suggested. Patrol Car videos don’t lie.
Try being taken out of your vehicle by 4 LEO’s pointing guns at your head for being in total compliance with the “law”. This happened to me in Ohio a couple of years ago. I was traveling, and carrying a “concealed” pistol. At that time, in Ohio, if you were licensed to carry, while in a vehicle the weapon had to be in “plain sight”, on your person, and in a holster. One of the problems was there has never been a judicial or legislative definition of “plain sight”. My pistol (Colt 1991-A1 Compact .45 ACP) was in a holster in my left front shirt pocket. When the first officer approached, with sidearm drawn, raised, and aimed at me, shouting for me to “put my hands on the dash and open the door”, I immediately informed him that I was licensed to carry, and I was carrying, as required by law. Didn’t make a damned bit of difference. When backup arrived, including a lieutenant, I had 3 more guns aimed at me. I was taken out into the rain and made to stand in handcuffs for about 10 minutes until they determined that I was legal. All of this could have been avoided if (a) the original officer had run my plate. He would have known that I was licensed; (b) the idiots in the state legislature had not given in to RINO anti-gun former governor Bob Taft and required the licensee to carry “concealed” by carrying openly. This has since been rectified by the legislature and the new governor. I did not hold the attending officers accountable for enforcing a very bad provision of law; I let them off the hook by a letter to the chief. If I could have done it and not impacted the street cops, I would have sued the City of Springfield for all I could get. But, it wasn’t their fault. As a former LEO, and being retired military, I have the utmost praise for the overwhelming majority of cops, certainly street cops. I have a problem with jerks, some chiefs who sold their souls to the highest bidder, and crooked, anti-freedom politicians. Be safe, Brothers and Sisters in Blue.
Thank GOD there are more GOOD Cops than BAD ones out there, and thanks Frank Borelli for your in-depth response to this topic.
I agree with your post, I’ve only been on the job for 8 years, but I trained with FTOs who had your philosophy and I try every day to implement my common-sense training. You can’t win every fight, as I have seen - I now currently train new recruits, and tried to instill in them the same training I was privileged to receive, and at least 2 or 3 of them ignore the advice and think it’s KOOL to be the cop that writes the most tickets, or the cop who arrests everyone for petty things just because they can.
Where does that mind set come from? I have always told them, policing is about helping people, not about ruining someone’s life, because as we all know - our decisions in writing or arresting has a HUGE impact on people. Frank, you hit the nail on the head when you speak about hypocrites…time and time again, I’ve seen cops write people for the very things they have done, and some times they do it on their way to work! Such as, speeding, running red lights, etc. I’m not saying don’t make the stop, but again, common sense should be present when dealing with the person you stopped. And if you need to write them - then do so without the lectures or the attitude, because chances are, they already know what you’re going to say. We’ve all heard the police speel before, even I have. I was stopped by a cop from another jurisdiction for speeding, he politely gave me a ticket. He gave me the speel…yada yada yada, I was glad when he was done talking. Chances are, he probably would have given me a warning if I told him I was a cop, but he didnt ask, and I wasn’t going to throw that in there. So, I have been on both sides, and I’m grateful to all the good ones out there - yes, even the polite one that gave me a ticket!