City of Charleston Police

[Matts94Z28]

Last night on the way home (11:30pm) I noticed an officer roll through the red light at Tobias Gadsen and Savage rd. I initially thought, no big deal. My light turns green and I make a left off of Savage onto Tobias Gadsen towards Paul Cantrell and end up behind the officer. At that point the officer creeps out into the intersection, runs the light and proceeds to speed toward 526/Glen McConnell. Once he reaches the red light at 526 going towards Glen McConnell, he decides to run that light as well, but this time he almost hits a car turning onto 526! He had to get into the brakes hard to avoid the collision, but still ran the light. No lights or sirens on the entire time!

How can an officer who is essentially driving a billboard for the city do such a thing?

I ended up calling the department and reporting the incident only to have the dispatcher become irritated with me. I finally got a call from the officers supervisor and I have the chance to file a formal report, but don't know if I should.

Thoughts?

[chrisheltra]

Cool story bro.

Id fial the report.

[Matts94Z28]

At this point the supervisor said it will be addressed, but the report will ensure that action is taken against the officer.

[1998ta__1991rs]

never know what was going on

[Matts94Z28]

The dispatcher confirmed there was nothing going on at that time.

[gearmesh, inc.]

File the report. Nothing pisses me off more than those that are supposed to be serving the public serving themselves like that. If we did the same thing in our own vehicles, we would get a 4 point violation for EACH of the three lights that were blatantly run.

It would have been nice to have gotten that on video so the local news could show it.

[LadyInRed]

I'd file the report. Especially if the dispatcher confirmed there was nothing going on.

[snakeplissken]

Who's the CO that called you back? My brother in law is a Capt. Pm me if you want.

[98Blackbird]

Well if he was dumb enough to do it with you behind him and other cars on the road he gets what he gets. Those guys have huge numbers on their cars too. Wonder what was up.

[bababuschka]

I would report it, their #1 priority is public safety...not much else is needed to say about this subject w/o ranting....

[shdw on th sun]

never know what was going on

no lights, no emergency

[Kwiksilver]

Coming from a bunch of street racers... nice :yourock: . That guy will be the first to the scene and blow away your would be home invader and will shake your hand and say "glad I could help" . Let it be.

[cobraetti]

Coming from a bunch of street racers... nice :yourock: . That guy will be the first to the scene and blow away your would be home invader and will shake your hand and say "glad I could help" . Let it be.

nice

[Carlrx7]

let it go!! or this!

<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/w8v7lF5ttlQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

-Carl

[Matts94Z28]

Who's the CO that called you back? My brother in law is a Capt. Pm me if you want.

I don't remember the supervisors name and he did not give me the name of the offending officer. However, the squad car was number 360 from team 4.

[LXtasy]

Coming from a bunch of street racers... nice :yourock: . That guy will be the first to the scene and blow away your would be home invader and will shake your hand and say "glad I could help" . Let it be.

Matt is not one who races on the street.

[shdw on th sun]

If he's on his way to save someone's life, he'll have takedowns and possibly sirens on (not almost killing unsuspecting commuters)

If he's on his way to "chill" with another officer in a bowling alley parking lot, he'll most likely just run a few red lights

[Kwiksilver]

Matt is not one who races on the street.

Wasn't directed at Matt

[BigdaddyDupree]

He should be fired. Or burned

[MARTYROBBINS]

Matt is not one who races .

fixed it for you

[Mike]

Should of seen the shit storm this FHP officer received for pulling this Miami Police officer over.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nq1sscJcZdA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Listen to what this North Charleston Cop says about pulling other cops over @ 5:47
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nijNaHkkdnc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[bababuschka]

Too many acronyms....I completely agree with have police officers arresting other police officers. Why do you think there are Military Police??? Because there are bad apples in every form of Law enforcement, from your local sheriff's offices to the numerous ABC branches. It's called Checks and Balances for a reason.

[ForceFed4g63]

I know the Mt. P cop that busted the Charleston city cop for dui last week and even he was catching some shit from the rest of the department. I say file the report, he was putting other lives in danger, enough said.

[shdw on th sun]

video of bitchy cop that got busted breaking the law

she was a BITCH!


cops always talk about how lenient they're are when they're getting busted, then rape the fuck out of you when they pull you over

[WWhittle]

Are you sure the dispatcher said "nothing was going on"? I'm suprised to hear they would tell you that.

[Matts94Z28]

Not in those exact words. She confirmed the time of the event to verify there was not a call.

Regardless, should this officer be allowed to run 3 lights without using his lights/siren if there were a call?

[schardbody]

i'm on the fence. shitty pay, shitty work, and respect from few people yet they still do it, but on the other hand they shouldnt be above the law.

i'd probably let it ride for the simple fact that he might remember the car that was behind him on the night he happened to run a couple red lights and could give you a hard time.

[WWhittle]

Not in those exact words. She confirmed the time of the event to verify there was not a call.

Regardless, should this officer be allowed to run 3 lights without using his lights/siren if there were a call?

To answer your question, yes, a police officer can break traffic laws while responding to a call. Depending on the nature of the call, they may or may not run lights and sirens.

[csikx]

If he's on his way to save someone's life, he'll have takedowns and possibly sirens on (not almost killing unsuspecting commuters)

If he's on his way to "chill" with another officer in a bowling alley parking lot, he'll most likely just run a few red lights

I let the first post slide, but two?! You're an idiot.

[CINDERBLOCK]

I let the first post slide, but two?! You're an idiot.:hysterical:

[98Blackbird]

The FHP officer was a bit dramatic and that NCPD officer was fired after that incident.

[shdw on th sun]

I let the first post slide, but two?! You're an idiot.

:rolleyes:

[spdracr0]

Ok this is something I take seriously. Right after I graduated high school, my friend TJ was hit and killed by a sheriffs deputy running at a high rate of speed , no lights and no sirens. There was no reason for this to happen. Just the other night I had a sherriff's deputy pass me running at least 100 mph on a wet road, once again no lights and no siren. I do not mind some spirited driving, but sometimes it is just way out of hand..

[PapaBear]

To answer your question, yes, a police officer can break traffic laws while responding to a call. Depending on the nature of the call, they may or may not run lights and sirens.

I can understand running no lights/sirens when arriving into a neighborhood for a call or something, but on a main thoroughfare......not so much.

Blatant disregard and abuse of power as far as I'm concerned......but, you never know what was going on, we all could be way off base.

[bwelch]

Maybe he had a turtle head poking out!

[PapaBear]

Maybe he had a turtle head poking out!

That doesn't matter at all. If you had a turtle head pokin out / prairie doggin, and you ran three red lights and almost caused an accident, you would be in for some trouble.

Unless his lights are on and siren going, he is basically a commuter.

[WWhittle]

I can understand running no lights/sirens when arriving into a neighborhood for a call or something, but on a main thoroughfare......not so much.

Blatant disregard and abuse of power as far as I'm concerned......but, you never know what was going on, we all could be way off base.

The question was asked if he is allowed to do what he did if on a call and I answered the question. I will quote the statute when I get back to my house later.

An officer can't do anything right in most peoples eyes, it's a thankless job, and they still love it. I say thanks, and cut them some slack.

I had to remind my wife the other day of this same thing- she got a ticket for 40 in a 25 in the neighborhood. She said "this asshole cop gave me a ticket today". I thought it was interesting that she thought he was an asshole for doing his job.....lol.

[ForceFed4g63]

The question was asked if he is allowed to do what he did if on a call and I answered the question. I will quote the statute when I get back to my house later.

An officer can't do anything right in most peoples eyes, it's a thankless job, and they still love it. I say thanks, and cut them some slack.

I had to remind my wife the other day of this same thing- she got a ticket for 40 in a 25 in the neighborhood. She said "this asshole cop gave me a ticket today". I thought it was interesting that she thought he was an asshole for doing his job.....lol.

I'm all about thanking cops and being grateful for them, but when they put other people in harm's way they cross the line, just like any other driver on the road.

[snakeplissken]

I wouldn't file a formal report since his super knows about it.

[WWhittle]

I'm all about thanking cops and being grateful for them, but when they put other people in harm's way they cross the line, just like any other driver on the road.

Yeah not going to get into a pissing match over this. Like I said earlier, there are many circumstances that justify an officer to disobey traffic laws. Seeing an officer speed or run a stop sign doesn't mean much unless you know the totality of the circumstances.

Not saying they are all angels, just pointing out the other side of it.

[Matts94Z28]

I wouldn't file a formal report since his super knows about it.

This is what I am leaning towards.

Now thew rest of you can argue over hypothetical situations. Carry on.

[Jeff]

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[04ctd]

Matt, you were there, you saw it, do what you want. I read your posts, and you seem to be reasonable & intelligent (within the confines accepted on CHP)

here's my experience: every time I went to my boss to fire someone/get rid of them, they would say "show me the STACK of paperwork (counseling, reports, infractions) that PROVES they are a liability to this company/job/mission"

and I had to have a stack of paperwork to get rid of people.

I believe most jobs are the same, including Cops. if his Supervisor gets a dozen phone calls, and no one FILES a report...there is no stack of paperwork to justify a dismissal.

but like the post last month, where it seemed the Patrol Officer was gonna follow the lady to her house & rape her, if it is NEVER documented, then there is no record, and he can go on doing it, because no one cared enough to document the problem.

if you do not document the problem, then it did not occur.

and you gotta have perspective: the shift supervisor has XX amount of guys, and that is barely enough to cover the shift. so if some guy calls and says _______

but it does not bother you enough to file a formal complaint...it must not have been that bad.

the shift captain knows how many calls he gets on that squad car, and if he gets enuff, he will start telling callers "come on in, and lets start documenting this"

the view from the other side of the badge is much different.

[Matts94Z28]

I don't want the guy to be fired. Not at all. I just hate to see a LEO making careless mistakes while 4-5 other cars are around. I am sure you guys are well aware of all the LEO's getting in trouble over the last few years! Heck just last year an officer hit a car in the same exact intersection.

To be totally honest, the first two lights he eased through didn't really bother me... hell he didn't even get that much further ahead than I did. What sent me over the top was when he almost hit an innocent commuter! If he would have had his lights on then that "near miss" would not have happened. I know I don't stop at green lights to look for cops running lights.

I see cops flash their lights and go through intersections all the time. I usually do not care. It doesn't matter to me whether they are responding to a call or just in a hurry to get home.

I did not call to bitch, complain, and act like a cop hater, as some of you make it seem. How would you guys act if I would have come on here and told you guys that I just witnessed an accident caused by a LEO running without his lights?

I bet it would be a bit different.

[csikx]

Now thew rest of you can argue over hypothetical situations. Carry on.

:hysterical:

+rep!

[PapaBear]

I'm all about thanking cops and being grateful for them, but when they put other people in harm's way they cross the line, just like any other driver on the road.

This was my only point.

[shdw on th sun]

We're all trying to prove the same point, however this "thankless job" excuse is bullshit. If I go get a "thankless job" as a trash collection specialist (garbage man) can I drive around town like a jackass too?


I'd say you're probably good at this point. The call was good, now he's on the boss' radar, but a formal report is probably going to be a waste of your time.

[WWhittle]

We're all trying to prove the same point, however this "thankless job" excuse is bullshit. If I go get a "thankless job" as a trash collection specialist (garbage man) can I drive around town like a jackass too?


I'd say you're probably good at this point. The call was good, now he's on the boss' radar, but a formal report is probably going to be a waste of your time.

Don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say that was an excuse for anything.

[csikx]

Don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say that was an excuse for anything.

No sense in trying to have an intelligent conversation with that dude.

[shdw on th sun]

No sense in trying to have an intelligent conversation with that dude.


Really, dude? Really? My opinion differs from yours, therefore I am incapable of intelligent conversation? Anytime someone disagrees with you, they're a moron?


I believe police officers deserve the utmost respect (if it is earned, and volunteering for a job like that is a damn good start), and show that to them, however I also feel like this "above the law" mentality is hurting their image

[csikx]

Really, dude? Really? My opinion differs from yours, therefore I am incapable of intelligent conversation? Anytime someone disagrees with you, they're a moron?


I believe police officers deserve the utmost respect (if it is earned, and volunteering for a job like that is a damn good start), and show that to them, however I also feel like this "above the law" mentality is hurting their image

It's not your opinion that I find it hard to have intelligent conversation with you. It's your blatant use of made up examples.

[MonteC]

I let the first post slide, but two?! You're an idiot.

Rep!

[chrisheltra]

I believe police officers deserve the utmost respect (if it is earned, and volunteering for a job like that is a damn good start)

How is a paying job considered volunteering?

There is a way to volunteer (work for free, or without compensation) and be a officer.

[1 Slow Z]

Let's face it, all cops suck.

Pot stirring complete.....

[WWhittle]

How is a paying job considered volunteering?

There is a way to volunteer (work for free, or without compensation) and be a officer.

Is that a question or a statement? Just wondering.

[shdw on th sun]

How is a paying job considered volunteering?

There is a way to volunteer (work for free, or without compensation) and be a officer.


i mean, they weren't forced/drafted to take the job


verb (used without object)
9.
to offer oneself for some service or undertaking.

[csikx]

i mean, they weren't forced/drafted to take the job


verb (used without object)
9.
to offer oneself for some service or undertaking.

Amen to that. Same as the military.

[chrisheltra]

Is that a question or a statement? Just wondering.

Statement

i mean, they weren't forced/drafted to take the job


verb (used without object)
9.
to offer oneself for some service or undertaking.

I wasnt forced/drafted to take my job either. Did I volunteer?

[shdw on th sun]

Looks like that word can be used more than one way

[snakeplissken]

Looks like that word can be used more than one way

For now - read more, post less.

It's just better that way.

[shdw on th sun]

^ 5 star post


I'm good, thanks though. I'm no forum first-timer, just have a low post count on this particular board.

Am I the only person in this thread that can concede when a point is made instead of simply attempting to silence every other point of view? I mean, it's whatever. Nobody is going to get internet butthurt on a car forum :boohoo:

[snakeplissken]

I mean, it's whatever.

Obviously you're not from Ohio. That's somewhat better.

[shdw on th sun]

:confused: