Why do the police feel they can break traffic laws?

Question

Unless they are responding to an emergency cops are suppose to obey all traffic laws just like everyone else. I am a truck driver and I can tell you that the vast majority of cops speed and tailgate and do it with impunity. They won't hesitate to write you a ticket for doing the exact same thing. Whats up with that? I think it is just one example of the contempt that they feel for the rest of us. They are gonna do whatever they want and who are we to question them?

Answer 1

Cause they know they can get away with it.

Answer 2

There have always been a few things that make me mad, and as a 18 year vet of law enforcement, I will share it with you. I always hated when an ambulance running lights and siren came racing thru, people yeilding to the side of the road, then up ahead, they turn the lights off and drive normal.

I always hated when police vehicles would do the same thing, until I became a cop and realized what was going on. Yes, sometimes they do fudge and break the law, but for the most part, they are responding to something that dispatch sent them on.

Example: We had an alarm go off at a local bank and dispatched called them and the person answering was vague about all being well inside. I ran code two, lights only, and shut down a few blocks away and eased into the bank back lot. someone not knowing I was on a call, would assume I was breaking the law. Sometimes, its easier not to run your lights cause people freak out when they see the light show. If a cop, an ambulance or fire truck is blowing and glowing, get the hell out of their way.

Now, yes, a small percent do break the laws and while a Sargeant, I busted some butt because of it. Law enforcement is not a " do as I say, not as I do" organization. Just realize that you dont know what they are going too or how bad the situation is. Its not like on TV, real cops put their lives on the line and sometimes, running silent on a call is more dangerous than the call.

Answer 3

They don't have to follow the traffic laws ever. thats just the law.

It's a mutual thing, they are allowed to break the traffic laws when on duty, thats just a fact, but they don't do it when it's not meaningful by word. Plus the court has the power to "punish" the police officer if something unlawful has been committed by the police.

For example, multiple complaints about a "Freshman" cop by people who have been receiving tickets may cause the officer's tickets to be trashed.

Answer 4

The punishment for a police officer continually breaking traffic laws is the loss of his or her job. Officers have to work their shift all day or night, so why speed? Most of the calls to which they respond are not true emergencies, but the calls do back up. These still require a police response but do not justify lights and sirens. The poster of the original question may observe officers getting off duty and they may need to be reported; however, many times they are responding to calls for service. Ask yourself, "How quickly do I expect the police to respond when my house has been burglarized?" For every person who expects a quick response, there are 100 people out there who will see the officer speed to your call (without lights or siren). Help us help you. We are not above the law, we represent the people who have entrusted us to protect them. We will not always succeed but some of us will die trying.

Answer 5

some are jerks and that won't change.......the majority of them are not. That officer may be on his way to assist another officer on a call. If the officer is displaying very unsafe driving maneuvers then pay attention and get the city and plate or unit number and report the driver. But I stand by my man and the fact remains that there are more good and just cops then bad apples.

Answer 6

1. They feel they can because, well, they can.

2. They are specially trained and equipped for handling high speeds. And they trust themselves driving like an idiot better than they trust you.

3. Because they know traffic laws are just revenue collection that they probably resent themselves most of the time, except in extreme cases where a guy truly is driving like a jackass.

Answer 7

They could be hurrying down the interstate because of a motorist on the side of the road, not an emergancy but they want to hurry there, they do it to pace other cars, to get to turn around spots to check traffic on the other side.

They have no contempt for the public, since they are doing the job to help protect that public that normally hates them. They do thier job because of love not hate or contempt.

And they do it because no one can do anything about it

Answer 8

Well... from my view not all of them are that way...its just those that gloat about being a level of authority...I mean some actually respect their citizens...who are just as equal...But..Some of them are not all big headed jerks..i mean i should know..my father..he is a cheif of police and he is one the nicest most fairest people i know..

Answer 9

they hold the ticket book so they get to write the tickets. The one thing I can say that might make you feel just the tiniest bit better is that if they wreck a squad car and it's their fault they are responsible for the damages.

Answer 10

They do it because some of them think they are above the law.

Answer 11

I know what you mean,I've seen them do the same thing.I think some cops think they are above the law.I have two friends that are cops and one of them is like that but the other isn't.