Cops Writing Cops

Radley Balko | September 25, 2007

Here's a charming little website where cops nominate one another for the "Dick of the Month" award.

Nominees are cops who dared breach police "professional courtesy," and wrote a ticket to another cop whom he caught breaking the law.

Thanks to several Hit & Run regulars for the tip.

Comments

Brian Sorgatz|9.25.07 @ 11:48AM|#

This website earns my "Pig of the Month" award.

I really do endorse that term for some (not all) cops, in the same spirit that some doctors are quacks and some lawyers are shysters. Professional misconduct deserves a term of contempt.

|9.25.07 @ 11:50AM|#

All the lowlifes posting on the website are too chickenshit to post their own name and badge number. I hope somebody starts a rival website where the ethical cops post the names of the whiny cops.

|9.25.07 @ 11:52AM|#

Where's the site for cops who plant drugs in other cops' cars, though?

And hell, I'd pay good money for the site for cops who conduct wrong-door SWAT raids on other cops' homes...

|9.25.07 @ 11:54AM|#

A better name for the site would be whinyasstittybabies.com.

|9.25.07 @ 11:54AM|#

Public servants my ass. I got a ticke for speeding, it's so unfair because I'm a cop, and shouldn't be encumbered by the same restrictions that I enforce on the peons. What a bunch of arrogant assholes.

The Wine Commonsewer|9.25.07 @ 11:56AM|#

We always knew about cop courtesy but it was always a wink and a nod. What does it say, really, that the constabulary is right out front with this crap? We're not going to hide it any more. We deserve the respect that the slimy citizens don't often get.

LOL at the cop who claimed he didn't notice that the speed limit dropped from 65 to 45 and got radared at 61. Well, that happens to the rest of us all the time. Try telling it to the judge and see how much courtesy you get.

The Artist Formely Known as Tr|9.25.07 @ 11:57AM|#

Thanks for posting this, I was trying to figure out how I was gonna make myself vommit this morning.

The Wine Commonsewer|9.25.07 @ 11:58AM|#

Funny, my boy asked me that question just last week and I can remember asking my father the same question at about the same age.

Do cops ever write other cops tickets?

My dad just LOL.

GILMORE|9.25.07 @ 11:59AM|#

After reading a bunch of those, it seems the "dick" award is for giving Cops the same standard that civvies have to live by... meaning, 'zero tolerance'.

the idea being, they can dish out whatever they please on citizens, but they are supposed to have freebies when it comes to their own speeding, recklessness, drunken misbehvior etc.

really... the attitude there is, 'we're cops. not little people' a la blade runner. We Dont Get Speeding Tickets.

Maybe there are some that are just trying to uphold a code of conduct and standards that mean sometimes you dont burden the system with unnecessary cases, but I dont see that here. I see whining senior servicemen who think they've earned a pass from any indiscretion because they've 'protected and served' so long

The Artist Formely Known as Tr|9.25.07 @ 12:01PM|#

Reason posters, Please go to the forum on cops writing cops, and post how you really feel.

Dave Krueger|9.25.07 @ 12:01PM|#

There's an excellent thread started today under the title "Professional Courtesy?" in the forum on that website. The very articulate post, by someone named jakeboone, is worth reading. Unfortunately, he'll probably take a beating for suggesting that cops should have at least an average level of personal integrity.

Timothy|9.25.07 @ 12:04PM|#

Jake's the man.

|9.25.07 @ 12:04PM|#

You're too kind. :)

The Wine Commonsewer|9.25.07 @ 12:04PM|#

Refusing cop courtesy and writing that cop a ticket was what started Robert Blake down the wrong road in Electra Glide In Blue. Long time ago, maybe I don't remember right.

Really? They let Jake post? Wow.

The Artist Formely Known as Tr|9.25.07 @ 12:05PM|#

Well done Jake !!!!!

The Wine Commonsewer|9.25.07 @ 12:07PM|#

Nicely said, Jake. Just enough grit to show a little anger without punching them out or spraying them with a 50 cal. Well done.

Jim H|9.25.07 @ 12:08PM|#

What a bunchy of whiny scum! I love their stories:

As I am driving, I'm really not paying attention to where I am at or how fast I was going. I was pretty much keeping up with the cars in front of me and next to. Most of the time I had my cruise set at 77-79 in a 65.

When the officer approached her vehicle and told her he had stopped her because she made a left turn ware she should not have. she asked if he could take into consideration that her brother was a police officer?

not realizing in time the sign changed 65 to 45 i was slowing down and was nailed doing 61 in a 45 by Officer Brown

When I get pulled over by any of the complainers and try any of these lame excuses, do you think they'll not write the ticket?

|9.25.07 @ 12:09PM|#

I have it on good authority that Jake is not a man at all, but a Chiroptaen agent sent at the behest of his atomic brethren.

Episiarch|9.25.07 @ 12:10PM|#

I remember being told years ago "the police do not have ticket quotas". Since you knew they did (ticket revenues are assumed in the budget and had better come in), I found myself thinking "they must lie about everything."

Well, they don't even bother now.

|9.25.07 @ 12:12PM|#

Really? They let Jake post? Wow.

Man, standards have really gone downhill. ;)

Their comments are unmoderated, and there's no checking for copitude when you create an account. How long it stays up is anybody's guess, but the story just got BoingBoinged, so the mods will probably be pretty busy today.

|9.25.07 @ 12:13PM|#

I have it on good authority that Jake is not a man at all, but a Chiroptaen agent sent at the behest of his atomic brethren.

I deny everything!

grylliade|9.25.07 @ 12:13PM|#

My favorite is the guy who complains that the officer writing him the ticket didn't realize all the guys that he'd let off the hook over the years, including one guy who was doing 150+ on LSD. Seriously, I can see letting off your buddy for 5-10 mph over the speed limit; everyone does it, it's not too dangerous. But letting a guy go who's high and driving three times the speed limit?!? That's disgusting.

|9.25.07 @ 12:15PM|#

"I've given breaks before for people doing 19 miles over the limit. I have even let one go for doing 150+ on LSD"

Yeah, way to do your job, asshat.

Episiarch|9.25.07 @ 12:19PM|#

I have even let one go for doing 150+ on LSD

Dude, that was you? I never got a chance to thank you! I was too busy punching through my windshield and trying to fly.

|9.25.07 @ 12:19PM|#

Jake Boone, a.k.a. the Atomic Fruitbat:'

Magnificiently well done! I can't wait to see what kind of responses that post gets.

"As I am driving, I'm really not paying attention to where I am at or how fast I was going. I was pretty much keeping up with the cars in front of me and next to."

Aw, and you got a ticket for that? Welcome to the world of mere mortal civilians, Officer Whiny Pussy Puss Puss-Ass.

|9.25.07 @ 12:21PM|#

Apparently I can't type today. Do-over:

Jake Boone, a.k.a. the Atomic Fruitbat:

Magnificently well done! I can't wait to see what kind of responses that post gets.

|9.25.07 @ 12:24PM|#

Pass this website around guys. Everybody needs to visit it. Communists, John Birchers, Jewish Lesbians, Law and Order Politicians, Anarchists et al. If you visit a comics chat room, post it. If you visit Daily Kos, post it. I'm sure you get my drift.

VM|9.25.07 @ 12:25PM|#

Well done, Jake!

|9.25.07 @ 12:27PM|#

Thanks for all the kudos, guys, but I need to give a big hat tip to H&R's own Jennifer, who, ace reporter that she is, clued me in to the existence of said site.

thoreau|9.25.07 @ 12:31PM|#

I think this site does an excellent job of highlighting good police work.

|9.25.07 @ 12:31PM|#

And here I thought that only hot chicks with low cut blouses got out of their tickets.

|9.25.07 @ 12:36PM|#

I'd be happy to look the other way when cops give each other break on traffic tix if they'd only stop smashing down doors on innocent people, beating female bartenders, planting evidence, etc., etc.

wsdave|9.25.07 @ 12:38PM|#

Thanks for all the names: Now we know who to hire for our police force.

|9.25.07 @ 12:45PM|#

Pass this website around guys. Everybody needs to visit it. Communists, John Birchers, Jewish Lesbians, Law and Order Politicians, Anarchists et al. If you visit a comics chat room, post it. If you visit Daily Kos, post it. I'm sure you get my drift.

Send it to Scalia.

|9.25.07 @ 12:53PM|#

It seems the blessed circle is wider that it first appears. Not just cops, but almost anyone in a uniform...

I have been a police officer in NJ for the past 2 years 9 months and have never wrtitten a cop, firefighter, correction officer, nurse, doctor, postal officer, etc.

|9.25.07 @ 12:58PM|#

I have been a police officer in NJ for the past 2 years 9 months and have never wrtitten a cop, firefighter, correction officer, nurse, doctor, postal officer, etc.

I notice libertarians weren't on the list. I wonder why. But then I'm really naive today.

grylliade|9.25.07 @ 1:10PM|#

To be fair, if you read the thread on their forums titled "Should cops write other cops" (top post, 19+ pages) there are a lot of officers there who are good cops and do their job. They use their discretion at traffic stops, and while they might give a fellow cop more of a break, they will write up other cops if they deserve it.

Doing anything to change the overall attitude of police in this country requires that we acknowledge those officers who do a good job, as well as call out those who do a bad job. There are some cops out there who are willing to call out the bad cops; encourage them, support them (though not mindlessly), please. We need more cops like them.

The Wine Commonsewer|9.25.07 @ 1:11PM|#

And here I thought that only hot chicks with low cut blouses got out of their tickets.

Worked for my sister-in-law. Course she cried and she had two kids in the car.

|9.25.07 @ 1:15PM|#

A commenter over at BoingBoing just pointed out that the cop who let off a guy "doing 150+ on LSD" was probably referring to Lakeshore Drive in Chicago, not the drug.

So that's something.

But Episiarch's comment is still funny.

M|9.25.07 @ 1:16PM|#

she cried and she had two kids in the car

Twins? And did the cop deliver them?

|9.25.07 @ 1:20PM|#

Here's Chicago's version:

http://secondcitycop.blogspot.com/

Not quite as cartoonish, but pretty whiny and reactionary.

Hey, maybe if we declared martial law, these assholes would cheer up a tad.

|9.25.07 @ 1:47PM|#

Is UltraDPG, the author of "I am a tax attorney" from here, perhaps? It's an extremely well-written post. You can see the old world craftsmanship in every word.

miche|9.25.07 @ 1:48PM|#

I like the guy complaining because a cop got a ticket after popping a wheelie on his bike. He dumped the bike, but hey, there was no injury or property damage.

theOneState|9.25.07 @ 2:19PM|#

J sub D,

I notice libertarians weren't on the list. I wonder why.

We don't wear uniforms.

|9.25.07 @ 2:23PM|#

Question, who is more likely to flaunt a traffic law? John Q. Public or the cop in a black and white? I'm not referring to police chases or emergencies, I'm referring to just patrolling. I'd like to see some cops ticket on duty cops. The disregard for traffic laws by police vehicles insults the very people who pay their salaries.

sv|9.25.07 @ 2:28PM|#

flout, not flaunt

David|9.25.07 @ 3:05PM|#

Flaunting a traffic law: "I crossed at the green, not in between, yay me."

|9.25.07 @ 3:09PM|#

It's not something that any ordinary person can buy. -referring to the Fraternal Order of Police sticker on the back...

Fuck You!

Cactus|9.25.07 @ 4:33PM|#

And they wonder why average law abiding people are developing a a seething hatred for law enforcement. Not young Libertarian types but old people, middle aged professionals and suburban couples with kids. I;m seeing more and more sheer contempt and outright hate for the police. Not from the usual folks who have a built in distrust like black folks and other minorities in the inner cities but otherwise docile law abiding white folks. Painfully law abiding but just hating cops more than some black folks from the hood I know. The cop crowd needs to have the proverbial come to jesus moment and get itself straightened out or they're in for some serious trouble. When you have that kind of hostility building under the surface unpleasant things start happening.

|9.25.07 @ 4:46PM|#

"The disregard for traffic laws by police vehicles insults the very people who pay their salaries."

Hear hear.

If traffic laws exist to set a standard for safe behavior on the road then cops who "flout " the laws make the roads more dangerous. What possible reason could there be for cops to endanger people when not in a pursuit?

If traffic laws exist to generate revenue why should cops get a pass the tax?

I can't see any reason why a cop should get a pass. In fact ethically they should write themselves a ticket if they notice they've broken a traffic law.

The amount of power granted to cops requires a very high ethical standard.

rho|9.25.07 @ 5:00PM|#

The cop crowd needs to have the proverbial come to jesus moment and get itself straightened out or they're in for some serious trouble

You have to change the duties we charge cops with first. Right now they are expected to do way too much that should be left to personal discretion. There's not enough money to hire that many perfect cops.

theOneState|9.25.07 @ 5:19PM|#

Huh...I never knew they had official courtesy cards for friends and family.

I love this: "So when you get your supply of 2006 PBA cards treat them with respect..."

|9.25.07 @ 5:21PM|#

I notice libertarians weren't on the list. I wonder why.

We don't wear uniforms.

You mean my tinfoil hat doesn't count?

VM|9.25.07 @ 6:18PM|#

theOneState | September 25, 2007, 2:19pm | #
J sub D,

I notice libertarians weren't on the list. I wonder why.

We don't wear uniforms.

ORLY????????

LibertyPlease|9.25.07 @ 6:31PM|#

This T-Shirt will be my uniform

|9.25.07 @ 7:10PM|#

LibertyPlease,

That might not work>

|9.25.07 @ 10:11PM|#

"I notice libertarians weren't on the list. I wonder why."

"We don't wear uniforms."

"ORLY????????"

YA, RLY!!!!

M|9.25.07 @ 10:43PM|#

It now occurs to me to wonder what percentage of reckless drivers I see on the highways are off-duty cops.

Citizen214|9.26.07 @ 2:04AM|#

A comment from someone called dep214 said, "yes we deserve a small break and i was proud to give one?it has never gone beyone what we have stated."

One recent reminder that these breaks are not limited just to speeding:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/specials/undueinfluence/

The Cyclists|9.26.07 @ 9:26AM|#

"But now we must go. For although the lights are still red, mere rules do not apply to us."

...

"We are above mere traffic regulations."