I have to say that I have noticed a disturbing trend over the last ten years regarding LEO's here in Washington state. I hope no one takes this the wrong way and it is no doubt a policy change that has occured way up the chain of command so you can't lay the blame on the LEO's. Here in Washington state&nbsp\\;there has been a focus or should I restate that as emphasis patrols aimed at pulling over anyone going over the posted limit by 5mph. Instead of letting folks know that they are doing a emphasis patrol they just dole out tickets. I have been included in this "emphasis" patrol twice over the last ten years, and it has led me to the conclusion that it is nothing more than a way to raise revenue. Now don't get me wrong I support the WSP and other local agencies as I believe they are doing a lot of good out on the roads, but when they start these patrols I know the state, county or city must be low on dough. I have several friends that are LEO's and they have stated the same thing as I have just mentioned. There becomes a fine line between upholding the law and becoming a revenue officer for the state. I would like to know what has happened to common sense?&nbsp\\;The last time I checked there was a small clause in&nbsp\\;a very important document that states "The government shall not inact common sense laws." I am the first one to stand up and say yes sir officer you caught me going ten over and I am ready to take my&nbsp\\;punishment for acting outside the known law, but I have to say I get pretty upset when I have to look in every driveway, behind every sign etc. to see if it is ok to drive with the flow of traffic for fear of getting pulled over and issued a ticket when the week before it was fine.
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Just my .02
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Ride safe everyone.&nbsp\\;

 

+1 Bagger Sam. When I was a motorman, I tried&nbsp\\;not&nbsp\\;to cite bikers for things that I do/or have done, unless their actions&nbsp\\;caused an accident or Blatantly careless.

 

I like cops, I know&nbsp\\;I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for their quick responses to my 911 calls while I was dealing with my crazy ex before and after my divorce. (he's a junkie with a gun hobby) I will be forever grateful for the guys who stepped up to the plate and fearlessly put themselves in the line of fire to protect me and my little girl.&nbsp\\; I thank God everyday that none of them were hurt in any of those very dangerous situations.&nbsp\\; A HUGE THANK YOU to the guys in Thorndale, PA and NJ State Troopers out of Buena as well as the guys in Rising Sun, MD.&nbsp\\;
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However, SOME just have a grudge to settle and they pick the wrong people to take it out on sometimes.
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For instance, the cop that pulled me over and handcuffed me so hard I had bruises on my wrist for driving on suspended because I missed payments on my speeding ticket (the only one I have 15 over in 50), then proceeded to tear my car apart searching it. I wasn't speeding or drinking, and the only reason I was driving was an emergency (my daughter was spending the night at my father's house when I recieved a call that my little brother was on his way to the hospital via ambulance)&nbsp\\; It was 2 am and I had grabbed the first jacket on my way out the door which happened to be my leather riding jacket.&nbsp\\; I fully cooperated with him and actually begged him to answer my cell phone when my father called while I was sitting in the backseat, but he continued with the harsh treatment and rude comments even tho by that time I was in tears.&nbsp\\; I was actually relieved by the time I got the county hotel because they finally loosened the cuffs a bit and the officials there treated me with as much dignity as they could while requiring me to squat and cough in a cold shower. IMO that's a shame on the arresting officer.&nbsp\\; I have absolutely no criminal record, and up to that point no had&nbsp\\;experience in the county hotel.&nbsp\\;
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I didn't expect that he would just let me go scott free, but there was no reason for such harsh treatment.&nbsp\\; I'm no angel, and I have my share of tickets by now, but at no time before or since have I ever been treated so terribly.&nbsp\\; It was also the first and last time I ever wore my leather while driving my car.&nbsp\\; I have no proof that was the reason for such harsh treatment, but I don't want to take the chance.&nbsp\\; [sm=rant.gif]

 

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+1
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I always thought the key was correcting the bad driving behavior. If I stopped a person and he/she admitted they were wrong, I would generally let them go with a warning (but not for DUI, etc.). The ticket really doesn't add any value to the need for corrective action when the person admits what they did.&nbsp\\;I could generally tell who had been stopped before. Those who were first-timers were generally pleasant and acknowledged their error. Those who had been stopped and ticketed many times in the past were the ones who typically got loud and obnoxious. Those who made the most noise were typically those with the worst traffic record and the most roadside experience.
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I remember stopping one driver who had expired plates...a minor violation. My intention was to let him know the tags were expired and release with a warning. As I approached the car, the driver started yelling and screaming about not speeding and that I had&nbsp\\;absolutely no right to stop him. He had an audience within his car and loudly demanded that I give him the reason for stopping him. I told him I did not stop him for speeding, but that I had stopped him because his tags were expired. He was quite sheepish when he signed that summons. Mouth and attitude are a primary reason why some get tickets while others get warnings.
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The police are human too. Treat them politely and you'll generally come out ahead.
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Andy

 

Hey dg, all the LEOs you meet, in all the states you travel are ill mannered, discourteous, unprofessional, etc., etc.&nbsp\\; Don't know you brother, but, sounds like you've met alot in many different&nbsp\\;places, and they're all bad... might be time to look homeward &nbsp\\;

 

It's all about their riding style and attitude.&nbsp\\; If you ride like an a$$ then you deserve a ticket.&nbsp\\; Makes everybody look bad.&nbsp\\; We're just peolpe doing a job, that's getting harder and more dangerous everyday.&nbsp\\; Be safe.
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Rob

 

I have a question for the LEO's on here.
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I have never been stopped on my bike.I tend to just lay back and cruise.
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If and when I do get pulled over,what should an should not do ??
Turn it off..set it on it's jiffy stand..leave helmet on or off....????
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With&nbsp\\;my extensive driving history I have found that most Leos are just doing their jobs. I have almost never gotten a ticket I didn't deserve. But I have been given warnings more often than not or issued a ticket that carried a larger fine but no points. I stick with yes Sr no Sr etc.. And yes, I have had my run in with Jo Super Cop that have given&nbsp\\;me a ticket for anything and everything. My most ludicrous ticket was for improper use of tags. The vehicle was registered and insured to the business but was under the weight to be a commercially registered vehicle. The truck got impounded, and I had 3 more tickets to go with it and no moving violations. Arguing with the cop was probably why I got the other 3 tickets, but&nbsp\\;were all dismissed. On the other hand, I was blasting down a back road on my way home and got busted for speeding, about 100. He let me go with a no point ticket with the instructions to mail in the money and do not make him go to court! It is all about time place and mitigating circumstances. Believe me, I deserved most of the tickets I have gotten and more so the ones that I didn't get!

 

What I would do is pull over in a area where you won't get hit by passing vehicles, turn off the bike and place it on the jiffy stand. Do not go into your pockets, keep your hands in plain view, don't get off the bike, don't make any sudden moves. You sit their and wait for the officer to approach you. What you want is for the officer to feel comfortable. Then in return you will be comfortable. Say hello to the officer when he approaches and listen to what he has to say. If he/she ask you for your license then tell him what pocket it is in and let him no you are going to that pocket. The point of all that is that the officer doesn't know you or that you haven't been pulled over and ride safe on your bike. There are officers who have been killed because they pulled someone over who just robbed a bank, committed a rape, or murdered someone. So listen very carefully to what the officer is saying to you and follow his directions. If he says you were speeding and you say, "no I wasn't". You are going to get a ticket. Like I said in my other post if you admit that you were wrong and apologize you may catch a break. Believe me I know how everyone feels about being pulled over. I am nervous when I'm pulled over by the police. Police officers work a thankless job so respect goes along way.

 

BaggerSam,
&nbsp\\;I had heard somewhere and it makes sense to me,leave your helmet on if you are wearing one.It was said that the Officer might view it as a weapon.
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I also have a CHL and always carry.I certainly know to let him know that asap.
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With me carrying,I was wanting to know the info you supplied because I sure don't want him more nervous&nbsp\\;or pissed off than might be warranted,then spring that news on him.