Long story short, I was stopped for something extremely minor (no ticket or anything) but the officer called me a "f***ing moron" and an "idiot" several times before telling me to take off. Are they allowed to talk that way to citizens? Do you think it is worth it to pursue this or should I just let it slide?
2006-10-31 10:27:17 · 13 answers · asked by randyboy 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Forgot to mention that this officer was so worked up that the spit came flying out of his mouth into my face as he was screaming at the top of his lungs at me! I was thinking that if he's this stressed over essentially nothing, he's in the wrong job.
2006-10-31 11:02:43 · update #1
No witnesses.
2006-10-31 11:03:21 · update #2
No laws were broken.
2006-10-31 12:42:20 · update #3
No, I didn't do anything "really stupid" either but some people have made some less than bright assumptions here. I'm not trying to go after him but he needs to be aware that there is a right way and a wrong way to speak to people, especially someone old enough to be his father.
2006-10-31 13:37:17 · update #4
Don't be a wise a** boy!
2006-10-31 20:01:54 · update #5
A few of the responses were really unnecessarily mean-spirited. Either you think it's worth pursuing or not. Put yourself in the same spot.
2006-10-31 20:26:39 · update #6
By the way, he never asked for my license.
2006-11-01 05:05:37 · update #7
Simply go to the station, pick up a grievance form, someone will try to talk you out of it, but ignore him. Write up a statement, visit the ACLU website and review your civil rights to see if he went beyond in other aspects too. Swear your statement, and demand a copy from whoever you give it to. I'd just have it added to his file.
But if *he* called you those words, he could have the right to, as well. I am sure they have procedures he violated. So, file your complaint!
2006-10-31 10:41:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Let me get this straight. You broke the law, no matter how minor it was, you broke the law. Then he let you go without a ticket, but instead called you a few bad words? And you wanna complain??? Well you can file a grievence as mentioned, but if the conversation was not recorded on the dash cam it will go no where probably. Now once the complaint is issued against the officer, remember he can then issue a citation or arrest you for breaking the law. He may not, but I know some people would. I would simply take the insults and bruch them off. Oh and dont break the LAW. Im sure a few poorly said insults is easier to take than paying a citation and going to court.
2006-10-31 12:09:43 · answer #2 · answered by Brian M 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes you can file a complaint but be prepare to PROVE your accusations.
Like everyone else, the accused has the right to face their accusers in a court of law and they are innocent until PROVEN guilty.
If you make a complaint and loose, you can be arrested for filing a false police report.
Just be careful.
Didn't your mother ever tell you that "Sticks and Stones will break your bones but words will never harm you"?
Don't be so sensitive, maybe the officer had a bad day. We all have bad days and over react.
I personally would just let it go. Why stir a pot and end up getting mud all over yourself?
2006-10-31 11:11:28 · answer #3 · answered by smkwtrjck 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The NYC Police have a phrase printed on their radio cars:
Courtesy
Professionalism
Respect
If you feel you were spoken to in an unprofessional manner, or were abused by the patrol officer, then you are well within your rights to file a complaint with the appropriate Police Department. If you have any witnesses, and other evidentiary materials, present them with the complaint. Any witnesses you may have should sign and notarize their statements.
Good luck
2006-10-31 10:57:19 · answer #4 · answered by Len_NJ 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You must have done some really stupid traffic offense, ( if it was enough for them to stop you, they could have written you a ticket)
So remember they did you a favor by not writing you a ticket and most likely though a good talking to should be enough to make you understand what you did was wrong.
Obviously it did not make you realise this, since you think it was a minor thing and now want to go after the officer.
so Personally wish he would have keep his mouth shut and just wrote you a ticket, perhaps you would have learned more that way.
You can go to his department and do so, but I doubt they would even talk to him about it if he is a good officer.
2006-10-31 12:55:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am a police officer; and as much as I see people coming in to file false complaints against officers, I will say this. If this really happened (and it's WRONG if it did), go to the department and ask to speak to a supervisor on duty. Tell the supervisor you want to make a complaint against the officer and tell your story. The supervisor will walk you through the procedure.
What will come of it ? Depending on the number of past complaints the officer has had, it will range from a verbal reprimand, written reprimand, or suspension w/o pay.
2006-10-31 12:35:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Go to his station and ask to speak to his supervisor. Tell him that the way you were approached by the officer was VERY out of line. In most states, spitting on somebody is assault. Bring that up. Bring up everything you listed and if they want proof, tell them to review the officers on board camera. If you have a legit complaint, it will be heard.
2006-11-01 04:23:43 · answer #7 · answered by Uri S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do everything humanly possible to have this officer punished. You might not be able to re-program his academy-trained mind but it could result in his supervisor watching him more closely and he'll think twice in the future.
Hay guys, he said he wasn't breaking any laws! What are you on break for? Go after some calls and make a difference already! ......MOVE......
2006-11-01 02:53:09 · answer #8 · answered by TarKettle 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Something else to consider....In NY at least, a summons can be issued for a violation up to six months later. Maybe your supposed minor violation was only minor in your eyes but he did give you a break and not issue you a ticket. I would just let it go...
2006-10-31 22:26:18 · answer #9 · answered by baalberith11704 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You are within your rights to make a complaint however, it will be your word against his. And after that I would drive very, very, very carefully because word gets around and you could become someone's pet project. Leave it alone.
2006-11-01 05:06:51 · answer #10 · answered by joeanonymous 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋