why do we have to obey the law when the cops break it?

Question

I see people get speeding tickets or for not stopping at a stop sign but then I see cops do the opposite, why can they get away with it? what can I do about them harrasssing me and not doing their job?no wonder no one likes them, they get away with everything

Answer 1

You ever read your state's traffic laws? I bet you have not. Every state has laws or exceptions to laws for police in the performance of their duties. Some police have exceptions to the laws when responding to an emergency call or stopping a suspect. Other states the officer just needs to be on duty in order for the exceptions to apply. So chances are they are not breaking any laws, they are not "getting away with it". Educate yourself.

As far as them harassing you, you did something sometime for them to not like you. You may want to fix that because you will not win. Just watch your speed and your attitude and the police wont have a reason to bother you.

Answer 2

First of all police do not have to obey the traffic laws and here are a few reasons highway patrol: if they were to do the speed limit then they would never change the scenery around them they drive faster then the speed limit so they can keep changing the vehicles around them, basic patrol techniques. Going fast with out emergency equipment: they might be responding to a call that requires them to arrive silently, in order to save a Vic or catch a bad guy. Contray to your statement(which by the way sounds like you have had numerous run ins with the law) There is no other job in the world that has so many "experts". the citizenry is ready to criticize and second guess the cops, but they have no idea what law enforcement is about.

Answer 3

First, you see people getting speeding tickets for running stop signs??? What, so you stand on the corner and look over the officer's shoulder while he/she writes the ticket? Isn't that boring? Speeding tickets for running stop signs??? WHere do you live? In my city, you get speeding tickets for speeding and "stop-sign-running" tickets for running stop signs.

Second, consider why e.e. cummings gets to write poetry in all loser case letters and yet be considered a brilliant poet, but when students do that, they flunk English class. Why is that? Hmmm.

Well, in cummings' case, it's called poetic license. That means that once you know the rules, then you have authority to break them. That's the way English works.

Sometimes the police are called to answer an emergency. They know the laws, but have the authority and training to "break" them when needed. Example, a funeral. Your light is green, but the cop is leading a funeral procession, and he has the authority to stop the "green light" traffic, and let the funeral party continue through the red, to keep the cars together.

So, if they are responding to an emergency or some other call, they may have to speed or run a red light...

That's the great hope of all us traffic grumblers, by the way... some day, when we're dead, we'll get to run the red lights, too. :-)

Answer 4

There are clauses in the Highway Traffic Act (at least in Ontario) that allow officers in the performance of their duties to go through red lights, speed etc. There are rules to follow when doing this however. Just because the roof lights aren't on doesn't mean they are not on route to an important call. "Harassing" people who break the law by giving them tickets IS my job.

Answer 5

we can not generalize that every cop breaks the law. and we cant say that since they can do it so can i... that's how childish you have become in analyzing the big picture.

if EVERYONE ran a red light, disregarded everyone else and only think of themselves, then we would have a lot of dead people in the intersection.

we obey the law because it is the right thing to do.
you cant say that i'll break the law because someone else is doing the same thing. two wrongs doesnt make a right.

Answer 6

when those police officers run that stop sign or run that red light doesn't mean they are breaking the law they may be going to a call that could save someones life...just because they don't have their lights on does not mean they may not be going on a call to save someones life..Just like an ambulance the call just may not require the use of the lights and siren....some states lets you ride along with officers...maybe people should check that out so they can understand their jobs..walk in that police officers shoes and see what they go through before you judge them.....

Answer 7

Simply put: its called discretion Or in lay terms- sometimes when you work in a cookie factory, you get to eat some free cookies.

FYI, most cops won't write a speeding ticket to a doctor or nurse either (for obvious reasons).

Unfortunately, cops tend to be less lenient with wisearse punks with bad attitudes...like somehow they picked you to victimize because you're ohhh sooo special? Please, just stop doing stupid stuff to get the attention of the police and you'll see they won't bother you.

Answer 8

This question has been asked many times. I always give the same answer. When you call the Police to respond to YOUR emergency would you want them to obey all the traffic laws? If you want the Police to stop "harrassing" you stop breaking the law.

Answer 9

Policeman are upholders of the law and not the law itself.

Police are subject to the same laws and regulations as all other citizens.

the difference is they are subject to harsher penalties when they break them as they can be prosecuted under the law and also subject to internal disiplanary measures as well.

Police are people as well and subject to the same faults and foibles as anyone else. But they stand up for us generally and do a good job.

i would hate to think what society would be like without them

Answer 10

Go to their superior or make a phone call to their superior anonymously. Cops are human too and sometimes turn to the bad side. Good luck!