Do the drivers you stop speed off madder than heck?

Ronnie Garrett Editorial Director Law Enforcement Technology magazine I got stopped by a police officer today. I’m not proud of that fact, nor am I disputing whether I should have been stopped. I was guilty. The officer pulled me over for what he defined as a rolling stop – no further explanation required. However, during this stop, I received more than I needed. I received an in-depth education as to why police officers are sometimes sarcastically referred to as “Officer Friendly†– though I think a more apt term could be “Officer Unfriendly†or perhaps “Officer Having a Bad Day.†The officer stormed over to my car. As I watched him walk over, I worried that I must have done something pretty serious since he seemed so angry. When he reached my car, he loudly barked, “Do you know what you did?†Because at the time I honestly believed my stop had been sufficient, I said, “No I do not.†He informed me that I had missed the stop sign, and this was a serious matter. I did not dispute anything he said. I simply replied that I was sorry. I have been told before that officers shouldn’t ask drivers if they know why they are being pulled over, though many officers do. Honestly, I don’t think I’d have minded the question had he not asked in a manner that implied I’d committed a heinous crime and was headed for the slammer. The officer then angrily inquired about my driving record. Heeding my mother’s advice to “Kill ‘em with kindness†when someone is being rude to you, as nicely as I could I replied, “I don’t believe I have had a ticket in more than 11 years.†Insinuating that I might be lying, he then grumbled, “We’ll see about that when I check your license.†He strode away in a huff, and my last thought was: “I am definitely getting a ticket today.†Now I understand there ARE people dumb enough to lie to cops about anything and everything, but I’m not one of them. How was he supposed to know that? Hmmm … Couldn’t he tell from the fact that I was being polite and respectful? The officer returned to my vehicle and grumpily explained that it was my “lucky†day. He wasn’t going to give me a ticket because my driving record was indeed clean. He then launched into a very passionate and angry diatribe about how inattentive driving is a hazard, and that I need to pay better attention when operating a motor vehicle. And I agree with him wholeheartedly. However, I believe such teaching moments can be handled in a courteous and respectful manner. This officer acted like a father yelling at his teenager daughter for crashing the family car. I left feeling rather irritated, but not because I was stopped -- the officer was justified in pulling me over. I just don't think I deserved to be treated in an unprofessional manner. This was not the first time I’d ever been pulled over, but it was the first time I’d ever had an officer be rude to me, especially when I was being polite, respectful and courteous to him. Negative encounters like this teach citizens that officers can be jerks and tarnish the law enforcement profession as a whole. Citizens have a right to expect to be treated with the same politeness and respect they give officers. Most citizens understand officers must come across as stern and authoritative – sometimes called “coldly professional†– but there is a difference between that demeanor and being just plain rude. Obviously, there are times when the situation warrants a tougher approach, but it’s important that officers know the difference between the two. Officers deal with people at their worst, and that can be a really difficult thing. But I’ve seen plenty of examples of good policing over the years in my own hometown – even in difficult situations. Years ago, one of my neighbors’ kids was arrested for drug possession. I watched as the officer explained he was going to handcuff him and take him in. As he escorted the youth to his squad car, I heard him say “please†and “thank you.†Whether that officer actually MEANT that “please†or “thank you†wasn’t something I considered at the time. However, his professional and courteous appearance and demeanor made all the difference in how I viewed him, and I suspect in how the teenager viewed him as well. Examples of good community policing can be found everywhere. Unfortunately, the instances that stick in people’s minds are the situations where an officer behaved much like the one I met today. A police instructor friend of mine taught me that one negative comment or experience can take as many as 11 positive comments or experiences just to equal out. That said I really don’t want to get pulled over 10 more times, hoping for good experiences, to convince me that this ONE officer was having an off day. For the benefit of the officer and the department as a whole, it’s important our men and women in blue save the “tough guy†attitude for the times when they really need it: when someone is being argumentative, combative, drunk and disorderly, or uncooperative. When a motorist is cooperating, thanking you for your time and even the ticket you have given him, why not leave the attitude at the squad car door and treat this citizen the way you would want to be treated? That’s the kind of image officers should want to present, and that’s the type of image the public wants to see. I’m sure anyone who deals with traffic on a daily basis gets mad as heck about traffic violations. However, citizens will likely pay more attention to what you’re saying if they are listening to your words rather your anger.