Positive cop story.

I saw a cop confiscate a bag of marajuana from a 15 year old kid who was smoking a joint with his friend once and not do anything else to them. Just told them that there won't be a second chance on getting a permamant record. Then, I'm positive that I saw him light it up in his car.

Quoted: Cops are not all bad, I was raised by one.... Problem is, the job is an amplifier. If someone is an asshole to begin with, having a badge just makes it worse. Lots of chips on shoulders, lots of bullies trying to retain their throne and many guys who never had any power suddenly becoming drunk with it. We need more of the old school type of cop, that would use their discretion, judgement and gut feeling on when to enforce the letter of the law, the spirit of the law and when to just plain cut good people a break when they screw up.

+1 to all that.

I've had a ton of interaction with cops over the years and the overwhelming majority were polite & professional. I've only run into a few with attitudes that were unwarranted.

We had our vehicles getting broken into for about a year in our neighborhood. I saw an article about some people getting arrested nearby for the same crime, and suddenly there were no more problems. I never met the cops that made those arrests but I know damn well who to thank for the thefts ending.

I got my CHL a few years ago and I have been pulled over twice for speeding since then and both times they let me go because of my CHL.

The private range I shoot at also lets the local Police departments shoot there one time I was there and a local department was having some target practice they picked up all there brass and gave it to me I thought that was pretty cool of them.  

For the most part cops in TX are pretty cool

Too long to completely type out but cliff notes:

Psycho off meds for a month and drunk
Rusty machete
Threatening to kill me and my buddy




Other than that, just gotten pulled over twice and argued with both cops and they both gave me warnings

Many cops are professionals and act in a courteous and professional manner every day.

Last fall I was in an accident. The responding officer knew who I was (I did not know him at the time). I work with the local PD, so that's how me knew of me. He treated me and my wife very nice and then gave us a ride home since my vehicle had to be towed and we only lived a mile away. After the accident, I had problems getting the right insurance info from the driver who hit me. I told this officer about it and he contacted the guy and got the right info and all went well after that. This officer did a great job and his courtesy was welcomed during a stressfull time. I will be forever grateful for his help. He's one of the good guys. Cool, calm, level-headed. A credit to LEO's everywhere.

I also have cop stories that don't paint the officers involved well at all. But I won't crap in this thread with those. Suffice it to say that cops are human beings. Some are great, some aren't. Just like everyone else. But the reason that me and others watch them with a critical eye is that we don't have the powers they are granted in daily life and if they're going to have those powers, they'd BETTER be responsible and professional. They can't expect to earn and keep the public trust if they aren't. They are held to a higher standard, and they should be. Any cop who supports another cop who's abused his powers isn't doing anyone any favors. And I get tired of the JBT-supporter crap that anyone who doesn't trust LEO's has something to hide or is a criminal. I'm NEITHER, but have been targeted in the past by a "badge on a power trip". We ALL know there are cops who went into the field to help people. And we ALL know there are those who did it to be issued a badge and a gun so they could go on a career power trip. It's the latter that I have a problem with that it would be better if they found another career.  

Back when I was 17, I had a crappy car and all my friends had fast ricers, we where stupid teenagers, no doubt about it.  It was memorial day weekend and cops where out in full force looking for DUI's.  We had planned to go to our friends apartment to drink and crash there for the night.

We (4-5 cars) where going probably 50-70 mph through 25 mph zones, hauling ass around turns, sliding and whatnot.  We pulled into the apartment complex which had a very small parking lot.  Just then at least 5 cruisers with lights blazing came out of freaking NOWHERE, blocked the exits and pulled up inches from our bumpers.

The one that came to me bitched me out: "WHAT THE HELL WHERE YOU DOING YOU COULD KILL SOMEONE, WHAT THE HELL IF SOMEONE WAS WALKING IN THE STREET?".  I basically said, "I'm very sorry officer, I was stupid and pretty much just following my friends lead, it was very stupid and I shouldnt have been doing that."  

He checked my pupils, smelled for drugs / alcohol, checked our liscences and continued to bitch us out hardcore.  I thought for SURE we'd get reckless op, thrown in jail, etc.  Typical "life is over" type events for a stupid teenager. I could have easily lost my liscence, been labeled a high risk driver, and forced pay outrageous insurance premiums due to that incident.  

After they checked all our liscences, sobriety and whatnot, they FREAKING LET US GO WITH A WARNING.  I about shit a brick!  I was fully prepaired to take my punishment as I knew what I did was sheer stupidity. I still remember my shock and awe when the LEO said "I'm going to let you go with a warning because I have more important stuff to deal with tonight".  

Turns out there where a TON of DUI's that night and they really wanted to get them off the street.

God I love my cities police dept, they are such badasses.  Alot of the local LEO's got together and started a shooting range and training facility, www.sim-trainer.com

From this thread.  The officers had justification to be more rough with her, but they used good judgement.  It's nice to see this make the news.

Angry bank customer, 94, attacks deputies near Boca

By Kevin Deutsch
Monday, June 18, 2007

Deputies arrested a 94-year-old woman who spit on, hit and tried to bite authorities at a Bank of America in suburban Boca Raton today, the sheriff's office said.

The woman was upset over money she believed the bank owed her and became combative when a deputy asked her to leave, the sheriff's office said.

She was handcuffed and taken off the property at 7000 W. Palmetto Park Road shortly after 11:30 a.m., charged with trespassing after a warning.

"He couldn't control her," sheriff's office spokesman Sgt. Pete Palenzuela said of the deputy who responded first. "She was flailing her arms, hitting, biting, spitting" at deputies and paramedics.

Instead of being jailed, the woman was given a notice to appear in court.

She had visited the bank several times a week during the last month, claiming they owed her $16,000, Palenzuela said. But bank employees decided they'd had enough today and called the sheriff's office.

The deputy who first responded thought he could simply escort her out. But she was "anything but pleasant," and when the deputy picked up some of her things to encourage her to walk out with him, she hit him, Palenzuela said.

He thought she might have dementia or other medical issues. At one point, he called paramedics to have her checked out. When he tried to escort her out again, she started spitting at and trying to bite the assembled authorities, Palenzuela said.

Palenzuela said deputies used an "abundance of caution" because of the woman's age. He said that when deputies deal with suspects who are very young, elderly, or disabled, they tend to be especially mindful of how they treat them, particularly if force is required.

"The person still has to follow the rule of law, but we want to be careful in the way we handle people because we don't want to hurt them," Palenzuela said.

He said the arrest was a last resort, and deputies opted not to add more serious charges.

The woman suffered a cut from the handcuffs and was taken to West Boca Medical Center to be examined.

She was to be taken back to her residence at Stratford Court of Boca Pointe, an assisted living facility in suburban Boca Raton.

There was one a while back here locally.  A 18 or 19 year old was at his neighbors' house and noticed a strange car drive by and stop at HIS house.  Kid goes over to his house to investigate and finds 2 burglars inside.  One of the burglars attacks him with a crowbar while the kid is retrieving a firearm from a truck parked on the property.  The kid is pulled from the truck and the burglar gets on top of him.  The kid is able to shoot him and he's DRT.

The kid then hears the 2nd specimen getting away in the car and FIRES AT THE FLEEING CAR!

Cops and DA said Good To Go!

*ETA -This was in Orange County, a liberal bastion of the Southeast.

bump for some good stories

Had a deputy sheriff give me a ride one from the bar one night.  I was fucked up pretty hard and, as I was fumbling for the right key to unlock the door of my pickup, he asked if I needed a ride somewhere.  Rather than get my rig impounded, I took the offer.

There are no good cop stories.  I thought you knew this?  

Okay, on a serious note, all the times I've been pulled over the po-leese were decent folks.  I've gotten away more times with warnings than I should have.  

I've never really had any bad run ins with po-po, at least ones that weren't my fault.  The local sheriffs department, though...

Quoted: Hell I've got piles of stories of cops doing me good.  A couple of the more memorable ones. Once I left a sub-machine gun and a pile of money at a fast food restaurant.  All the cops were very nice and professional during the whole time. I figured they would just take me downtown and let the judge figure it out, but they all took the time to verify everything.    Another time the ATF helped me get back a gun and suppressor that was stolen.  The bad guys are doing time and linked to four murders (so far out of about 12 they are suspected of).  The ATF and local cops were very helpful and supportive.  All tickets I've gotten were because I was speeding.  A few I have been given warnings when not warranted.  A lot of problems people have with cops are brought on by their own attitude and actions when dealing with the police.

Ding ding ding!! We have a winner!!

#1 rule of interacting with police, treat them with respect and courtesy. Do that, dont hang around bad people and bad situations, and I doubt you will have much trouble with the law in your life.

I know, there was this one time in Indiana when some smart ass on a crotch-rocket passed me in a no passing zone and a cop passed me with lights on and pulled over the biker and gave him a ticket.

Butttt..... one time in Wisconsin, I was passed by a camaro and the cop pulled me over and gave me a ticket... and one time in Texas I was passed by a semi-truck, and the cop pulled me over and gave me a ticket... oh, and one time when I was in Kentucky, when I was going up a big hill the cop car in front of me dropped below the 55 speed limit and I passed him and, yup - he pulled me over and gave me a ticket for speeding.

The super-hot Utah State trooper who pulled me over about 2:30 AM and did nothing more than gently admonish me to keep my speed down.

And then wanted to talk about my gun.  
(My concealed handgun, you pervs!)

Got pulled for swerving.
I was truly hammered.
The guy gave a breathalizer, looked at it, and said I should go home.
I thanked him for the hospitality.
I was about to say "Good Night" when I read his name tag.  
His last name was "Goodnight".

While I was deployed, my wife had run over road debris on 695 around Baltimore.  It blew out the side of her tire and ruined the rim.

I was amazed that a police officer stopped and changed her tire.  I was so grateful for the act of kindness I wanted to contact the Police Chief and express my gratitude.  My wife didn't have the presence of mind to get the officer's name and department.  I didn't think that Police Officers were allowed to render that kind of assistance.  I was extremely grateful because 695 can be a zoo and a dangerous place to change a tire.

So if you are a Police Officer who works in the Baltimore area, and assisted my wife in 2004 on 695 in MD I thank you kindly.

xm

I was at work at the prison.  My wife was home and called me and called me at work sounding pretty scared.  She said that there was a fight in the alley.  This isn't scary to most, but current and former inmates know where I live.  I called 911 and they called local PD, also friends of mine, and approached the fighters.  PD found out that it was minor and everyone broke it all up.  PD dismissed all involved and a month or so later (now) nothing has happened in the alley again.  I am thankful that the officer answered the call so quickly in this small town.  Literally all the other officers that work this department quit at 2300.  He did not get paid for the extra hour he spent out and about in town.  Many will make fun of this post because the officer is donating time, but since I work at the prison I can testify that he has done MUCH good in his position.  Thanks to you, man!!!

Not my story, but here goes.

My brother while living in Aspen Co got drunk and passed out in the snow where no one probably would have found him.  But a cop driving by thought he seen something backs up and finds him.  So the brother is brought back to the station.  apparently he wasn't to bad so they let him sleep it off without and let him go the next day without any legal trouble.  Surely he would have froze to death.

So there I was on the side of the road, gulping a handful of pills and washing it down from some cold stuff from a can.  A state trooper passing by made a U-turn and quite naturally checked on me.  

I was taking aspirin and drinking a soft drink.  

I explained that I had been out in 12'-15' seas for about 6 hours, bounced around pretty hard.  After I got to my car I found a convenience store and brough bottled water and a couple of soft drinks and a bottle of aspirin.  I had pulled over in an area that was not quite a rest area.  It was just a wide area on the side of the road, but I was well off the road.

Imagine being body slammed by a pro wrestler over and over.  Like that.  I was in a lot of pain.  

I told him the first few aspirin I took back down the road weren't doing the job and I just took 4 more.  I didn't think I could drive until they kicked in.  I said, "I know this looks bad, but please don't arrest me.  Just shoot me and put me out of my misery."  Good think he didn't ask me to step out of the car, I don't think I could have gotten out without help.

He told me to just relax there a while, he'd be back this way in 30-40 minutes and if I was still there he'd check on me.  Wished me a nice day and left me alone.

-----

My wife and I were on the way back from our honeymoon and the car quit.  Later found out to be a stopped up fuel filter.  Deputy called for a tow and drove us to a nearby motel.

-----

Police Chief and I had taken some high school kids to the police range.  After playing with guns and having too much fun, we took pics of the kids with the hardware.  He made up some fake wanted posters for the kids with those pictures.  

-----

Just a few weeks ago I was about to pass a deputy going in the opposite direction, just a few blocks from my home.  He flashed his lightbar, stuck his hand out and signaled me to stop.

He chewed me out.  "Are you in trouble now!  I saw your wife at church Sunday and she told me you went to an Arfcom shoot.  Why didn't you call me?  I was off and didn't have a thing to do.  I woulda brought the G36.  And I got the rest of my parts in.  When can I come over so you can help me get my AR-15 back together?"

My shooting buddy... I have all three of his phone numbers on speed dial.  This is the guy with a big sheet of bullet hole decals in his DARE car.  He puts those on people's cars in the parking lot at the range.  I came home one day with what I thought was a bullet hole in my front door.  His calling card.  

When I was stationed in San Diego I was 18-19 and looked about 16. Since I couldn't go to a bar I hung out with another 19 y/o and an older guy. He'd buy the beer and we'd go hang out at the beach and drink. One night we decided on German beer. Well we get out there and realize that none of us has a bottle opener, belt or lighter. Nothing. As we're looking around for something to open our beer with a cop walking patrol on the beach stops and asks us what we're doing.

Uh oh.

He then proceeds to pop the tops on our beers and walks away. After we've finished that round he comes walking by again and opens our next round for us. He ended up opening an entire 12 pack for us.

I remember one time around 1973(?) on a family vacation (actually a funeral for my dad's uncle) to Indiana when my dad was pulled over and the State Trooper asked why my dad was in such a hurry and my dad mentioned he was on the way to his uncle's funeral. The Trooper asked who his uncle was, and my dad mentioned Bob Konkle(sp?), former head of the Indiana State Patrol.

Needless to say, but I'm going to say it anyway... the trooper wished my dad well and said he was sorry for his loss.

Are you talking just cops or any LEO?
I haven't had a really bad experience, one in Emporia, Va (fuckin' lying bastard).
Most of my dealings with cops have been good, HP the same.... D.O.T. (diesel Bears) well, that is a crap shoot.
Had a rookie DOT pulled me in and wanted to gimmie a ticket for over weight on trailer. It is a 10' 2" spread axle... he said I was 3500 lbs over the limit.... I was 37,500 on it...
I had to make him break out his little chart book and do the math. Afterwards I sat with him for about an hour with my digital camera taking pix of the various trlr tandems so he could tell the difference. He was a cool dude, even talked about his crappy G22

Selma,TX
Not

My father lived in the country on the river.  I found him at 3 am, dead, sitting on his boat where he had apparently had a massive heart attack that killed him instantly.  I called the cops who responded very quickly and one walked with me through the woods in the dark, saw what happened, and sat with me while we waited for the ambulance to get there which took some time.

He didn't do anything special, just small talk on the boat with my father's body still sitting upright a few feet away.  I think he was watching me very carefully to make sure I didn't freak out completely (and it would have been a good opportunity) and just generally kept me company until after the body was taken away.

That was such a bad night with a real nightmare quality to it.  I always remember the quiet voice of that cop talking with me with just me, him, and my dead father on the boat and waiting what seemed an eternity for the rescue squad.    

His gentle presence and kindness to me when i needed it the most will always be remembered.

I was doing about 100 on a motorcycle and crested a hill to see a parked police officer obviously sitting there with a radar gun.

I emergency braked and he clocked me at 93.

It was a 55 mph zone.  

Then I went to court instead of paying it.  The officer, on the stand, said that when he put on the lights I pulled right over.  

I told the judge that if I had been going almost 100 mph, it would have taken at least a football field's distance to slow down, but the officer said I pulled right over.  I said I knew I was driving "a little" over the limit but I couldn't have been going almost 100.

Judge made me pay like $120 for a fine and it never went on my record.

Now the cool part - I saw the cop outside.  I thought he would be pissed.  Instead he was laughing and told me something like "You sure have some guts to try that."  I told him I was just trying to get out of ticket and IIRC he shook my hand.

BTW that was > 10 years ago and I drive like an old man now.

Last year I was driving home from Kentucky to SE Indiana. It was about a 3 hour drive starting at about Midnight. Approaching the Kentucky/Indiana border I passed a sitting State Trooper at about 85 mph, AFTER standing on the brakes! I had to blow his doors off.
(I was tired, it was late, and the road was empty-Just not paying attention and wanting to get home.)
Anyway, He hit the lights, I started pulling over to the right shoulder and slowed down, I knew it was me he was after, even though it took him a while to catch up but I was the only damn car on the road.
So he pulled me over asked the standard questions, and when I pulled out my Drivers license my military ID came out with it.
He went back to the car, ran me for warrants, and let me off with a warning!
That was a good day!


Another time,
I was coming home from work (2nd Shift) and was doing 49 in a 30 when passed a cop going opposite direction. Cop turned around lit me up. After asking for license and registration, my military id came out again when pulling out license. He stopped me at that piont, took only my license back to the car and returned with a warning again.

I agree, it's all about YOUR attitude. Cops don't just harrass people without reason, (Sure there are exceptions), but generally if a cop stops you, your fucking something up, so man up and accept responsibility, generally the outcome is far better than you would deserve.

When I was 14 my friend Gary and I rode our bikes to Main Street and were just doing what kids do to amuse themselves in the early spring of the year. We were tooling down the street when Gary caught the sight of a B&W TV screen in the window of the local pool hall.  He noticed that the channel was turned to the fight night program so being curious we pressed our noses against the window to watch the fight. Just about the time the fight started the beat cop, Officer Billings came by, tapped us on the shoulder and asked if we wanted to go inside and watch the fight.  Being impressionable young lads, and eager to see the inside of the pool hall we said yes and were immediately seated at the bar with a glass of Coke. He sat alongside us and commented on the fighter's ability, or lack thereof, talked to us of baseball and other sports and was an all-around great buddy to have alongside us.  Once the fight was over he stated that it was outside for us and to get home before the streetlights came on (our obligatory curfew time). Needless to say I still remember that night, Officer Billings and the nice way that a small-town cop let two wet-nosed boys experience the thrill of a lifetime!

I was speeding down I-95 somewhere in Georgia and my radar detector went off, immediately I saw a trooper in the median, whizzed past him, then looked in my rear view and noticed he was making a u turn and giving chase.  I had a good lead built up so far and because the interstate curved I was able to take the next exit without being seen.

So I take the next exit and pull up to the gas pump, then I noticed the trooper getting off on the same exit I was heading my way!

I went inside the convenience store to pay and noticed he was parked in front of the store, my truck was at the gas pump.  Thought I was nailed.  

I puttered around in the store for another 5 or so minutes and the trooper left  Think he had another more urgent call to go on, doesn't matter, I left and went on my way, scot-free!

Quoted:

That's a helluva memory.  Good he was there for you.

Mine:
I got separated from my mom in the French Quarter (NOLA) when I was
about 4yrs old.  I had wandered out of a shop while her back was turned.
I ended up lost and crying around the block.  A female officer found me
and walked me back around the block to find her.  Might have never seen
her again in today's world.

A LA State Trooper married my aunt and raised her two kids like his own.

Brother Johnston (RIP)
Oledaus Guillory  (RIP)