Pulled over for doing the speedlimit!

if you cant deal with the attention, probably shouldnt buy a ferrari!

 

Is it technically an 'abuse of power' ? sure it is.

Is it a big deal ? NO.

I once had a cop pull up next to me in the viper and tell me to 'go for it'... I was worried he was going to then give me a ticket so I said no. He promised he wouldnt give me a ticket...he wanted to race.

It was a empty highway. I did it. We got to about 120 or so. then we both pulled over and he told me it was his favorite car and he was going to buy one when he retired which was only a couple years away.

I thought he was very cool.

 

Jerry, Cali must have better cars. Our marked cars can only make 120 down hill with a tail wind.

 

Just for the record, I was in the Lambo I've never been stopped in the 355! (although I've deserved it a thousand times!!!)

 

[joke]I used to pull chicks over if I thought that they might have nice boobs![/joke]

 

Im not sure how fast he ended up going...but I pulled back at 120ish. He WAS trailing behind me

 

The negative posters obviously haven't been in situations where it's good to have police officer friends/relatives. I would be happy to show the guy the car. I would have even offered a ride sometime. Heck take ALL the cops in my area for a ride!

Then, "What tickets?"

 

As JSL intimated - it's a small town. Tight knit community, actually. While it ain't Mayberry, R.F.D., it's friendly enough, especially in comparison to it's neighboring 'burg. So, as opposed to the recommended, withering freakouts, one is more apt to share a moment, and have a good laugh, and even have some good come of it.

 

Well I want a ride in the viper if I ever make it out to California.

 

Look, I'm as big a defender of the police as anyone. When we get in trouble, who is the first person we call? But, they make mistakes too. If this story is true, this was a mistake.

He didn't need to use his lights and siren. He could have gotten the person's attention and asked him to pull over some other way. He could have waited until the car stopped and asked him if he could see his car (like ordinary Joe's do). He could have pulled along side and given a "thumbs up". He could have driven in front of him and signaled pull over. He could have done a lot of things more sensible.

If he had done any of these alternatives I would be completely OK with the incident. But, using his authority to stop the car was not right. Its not the pulling over that bothers me.... it's the use of lights and siren and what that implies.

I don't see any difference in pulling over a fancy car just to look inside for his own amuzement and pulling it over to look at your 20 year old daughter. It's just not right and I'm sure his superior would agree.

Using a badge is a serious thing and it's power needs to be treated with respect. It's not for making practical jokes.

 

Sorry Doc but no joking allowed. You are now next to be hung by the neck until dead!

 

I once got pulled over for taking my '64 Vespa VNB 125 to the body shop in my Smart Fortwo (This was back when I lived in Vienna, Austria)
The cop pulled me over and said: I just wanted to make sure "I wasn't seeing things". Wished me luck with the restoration of the Vespa and a safe drive. I have to see if I still have the picture somewhere ... nobody ever believes me

 

Scott- You must have a hole in your cheek from your tongue. Some of these responses are hilarious. You would think nobody had ever talked to a police officer before. I never worry about being stopped when I know I am on the borderline of doing something wrong (7 mph over the limit, for instance). Be polite and respectful and nothing happens except a little time elapses. JSL got it exactly right. If the same thing had happened to me, I would have known the kid just wanted to look at the car. No big deal. Abuse of power? Get a grip. The kid is no risk to your daughter or wife and would die protecting them. Remember that.

My neighborhood officer has ridden in my car and loved it. I will probably let his wife drive the car once she gets brave enough. My exhaust is most likely too loud (Novitec on a late model 575M without the central muffler), but I know I may be stopped for that, but will probably never get a ticket if I am polite.

I get stopped two or three times a year, normally in my wife's SUV. Even out of state, you have to be jerk or really incompetent to get a ticket. There are enough jerks out there to ensure the officers do not have to nail everybody.

How about a little perspective here? Police officers never know when their lives are at risk on a routine stop. We lose two or three here in Albuquerque every year. So for once a young car enthusiast can be relatively sure he can talk to someone who will not shoot him during a routine stop. An honest young officer at that. How about we hang the bad guys out there, not the good guys?

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Constitutionally, the stop was unlawful because he did not have probable cause. He pulled you over and wasted your time for his own ego satisfaction. I would be curious to know whether he asked for your drivers license and ran your tag during the stop.

If he pulled me over to ask a question, I might let it slide. But if he started snooping in any respect, I would protest to law enforcement. It was clearly an abuse of his position and you were clearly detained with no justifiable cause. Not to sound dramatic, but your civil liberties were infringed upon. Recognise this behavior for what it is....a cop with a badge disregarding the law. I suspect this is the least of his infractions as he has no hesitation about not following the rules or respecting those he is sworn to serve and protect.

 

Thanks Terry, I am really not surprised by some reactions and the funny thing is I do agree the officer should not have stopped the OP. I agree it was an illegal stop. I agree it should not be completely ignored. I just don't see the crazy reactions of some "the get him Fired crowd". Funny thing is the internet lawyers can't even get the standard correct for a traffic stop. It is "reasonable suspicion" not "probable cause". My point is reasonable suspicion is a pretty low standard and quite frankly pretty easy to find. I can find some violation on about 90% of the cars on the road if I simply follow them for a short time. So atleast the guy was either just being honest about his reason instead of just looking for some silly reason to stop the OP or he really didn't think about the fact that he has no right to stop someone for no legitimate reason. Either way he did a dumb thing but I don't think he needs to be fired but hey some want his head I guess. I am just glad when in the past 16 years that I made some dumb mistakes no one tried to get me fired. I was corrected and learned not to make the same mistake twice. Anyway Terry if you make it to Tennessee I promise not to use my Blue lights to make you stop and talk to me. lol

 

No need to ask...just pull him over.

As implied in my earlier post, I have plenty of cop friends. and it's not because I cower beseechingly every time they appear in the vicinity, but because of shared interests and mutual respect.

So, like the OP, if you feel it's necessary to grovel and lick their butthairs clean because of the terrible fear they inspire in you, and then delude yoursef that forgetting about respect for your own rights is what respect for the law and appreciation for these "heroes" means, by all means, go for it and enjoy the experience.

 

Scott- The difference between you and the kid is experience. In your line of work, I just hope he gets enough experience to live a long and prosperous life. Does not always happen. We all screw up and learn from our mistakes. Hopefully without buying the big one in the process. Like I said before, we were in the same line of work, just a difference in scale. We both buried too many friends.

If I get to Tennessee, the beers are on me. Some good trout fishing there, I am told, so may happen.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Dude...you have serious issues. I doubt you actually have "plenty of cop friends" with an attitude like that.....they probably think you are a tool...and you amuse them.

I'd have laughed and offered the cop a ride, in exchange for a ride-along with him someday.
I want our LEOs to understand what it is like to be in a car of such enormous performance potential. I'm sure they'd appreciate that often 10 over doesn't feel anything like 10 over and the exotic owner may have made a slight error in judgement and not be a hooligan.

It's a nice thought anyway.

(that's right Taz...I'm still on that topic! )

 

So you agree with 90% of what I wrote, but still want to claim that you disagree with me. I see.

20 healthcare workers were fired for merely retrieving George Clooney's health records after he went to the hospital following a motorcycle mishap. Not a big deal, right? Guess what, they were fired. It was an abuse of privilege, an invasion of privacy, and a violation of his rights. This is exactly the same thing. Personally, I think that was a bit harsh, but if that is the standard, then everyone should be held to the same standard. Cops are not above the law. Agree?

Concocting an excuse, or being able to, is not a justification. What part of abuse of privilege don't you understand. Don't count on this too much, btw. Public officials have been brought up on charges for malicious prosecution and they have paid huge penalties and served time. The law wasn't written to make it easy for you to harass people if they don't play ball or don't show you their car or don't give a thumbs up in response to yours. Get that straight.

Very big of you.

 

After his last post I'm willing to kick in another $20!

 

Alright now! That is way out of line! As the OP, I didn't in any way grovel or lick their *******. Where do you get the right to make assumptions which are grossly insulting? This kid didn't ask for my license or run my plates. He was a pretty nice young man and I enjoy sharing my cars with people. But, to make the assumption that I groveled or licked anything, when you know nothing about me at all, is inappropriate and insulting. With my background, which you know nothing about, grovel and cower aren't words that would come to anyone's mind. Get a life! You can live life with a chip on your shoulder thinking everyone is out to get you or you can relax a bit and enjoy life a little. Since I have personal relationships with most every police chief, mayor, civic and business leader here in central California, I could easily make life tough for this kid. But, I chose to invite him over for a ride! With a son who was a cop, I understand how tough it is. Give him a break! I wasn't too troubled. But, perhaps you should think a little bit before you hit that "submit reply" button.

 

Yes Sir, Be glad to see you. Not bad fishing but I regret to tell you I sold my boat this summer. I have let you down but I'll give you the 355 and I still have a couple of friends with boats.

 

What makes you think cops don't understand speed? One cop I know of, and have met, has a Murci. Several other fchatters have met him as well. Now I agree that is the exception, not the rule, but numerous cops have fast project cars and superbikes. And they all have an appreciation of speed from their training.

Since my cop buddies let me use their cabins/boats/ATVs and made me a godfather to two of their kids and let me get away with a lot of stuff and I feel comfortable enough to drop in on them or their parents unannounced I get the feeling they don't agree with you.

 

I think you possibly missed the fact that I am one of those butthair guys but honestly I do not want you to lick mine clean. Relax dude you can have an opinion but no need to attack the OP because I seem to have P___ you off!

 

This one certainly ran off the tracks in a hurry.

Lemme see here, we have: cops, cop haters, firefighters, lawyers (there's a shock), businessmen, a lone wolf noob and just plain old FerrariChat citizens turning a pleasant thread into ****** slapping competition. You lawyers should be familiar with that term. The rest of us call it pissing in each others' cheerios, you call it arguing for sport, and this ain't P&R.

Soo... wadda ya think a good old God fearing moderator is supposed to do with this train wreck? OH, I know, PICK ME!!!

Close it. Yup, this one's history.

And ojbj consider yourself lucky that I'm still in the Christmas spirit. Your crap in here would normally earn a noob a couple days to reflect, quietly from the time out box, but again, my mood is good,and you escape unscathed. And now, the tracks are cleared and the train can move on down the tracks.

DM