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Professional Courtesy : How To
OK after numerous pages of "the other thread" I think we all know how we feel about professional courtesy. However I think a real problem is that in different parts of the country different etiquette is in order so I thought perhaps we could have a thread that discusses these differences in some detail.
First of all professional courtesy is not a pass to commit crimes and I am not saying that it is. This is still being hashed out in the other thread so lets not start a second one here doing the same thing. My purpose here is to see what actions officers in different parts of the country would like to see you exhibit if you want them to even consider giving you a break. Let's keep it civil.
I'll begin with my department. I am retired NYPD and there (at least up to when I retired) the common courtesy shown to the officer on duty is:
1. Pull over immediately! Don't make me chase you. I don't want to have to go 100 MPH through traffic only to catch up to you and find out that you are on the job.
2. If it is night have your interior lights on and hands on the wheel. Usually that alone lets me know you are on the job because no civilian is nice enough to do that.
3. Identify yourself right away. Don't wait until I am writing to fill me on who you are. In NYC at least this is usually done by having your shield and ID on your lap (not waving like a flag so everyone can see) and usually stating something like... "I'm sorry bud. I'm on the job".
4. Be polite. Don't expect anything because nothing is for sure. Be thankful when courtesy is given. If courtesy is not given take it inside and see your or his PBA rep if this is between 2 NYPD guys. If yelling is to be done do it inside the station house. Not on the street where all the customers can see us. In the end remember the old saying "The man in the bag is always right". [The man in the uniform is always right meaning the on duty officer.]
From what I gathered reading the other thread I would venture to say that in other parts of the country the appropriate behavior for a traffic stop between two officers is vastly different. That difference in and of itself could be what ends up getting some of us a ticket since our behavior or difference of "style" could be construed by the on duty officer as arrogance.
So could some officers from different jurisdictions tell us the proper way to deal with an on duty officer in their neck of the woods if you hope to get any courtesy at all?
First of all professional courtesy is not a pass to commit crimes and I am not saying that it is. This is still being hashed out in the other thread so lets not start a second one here doing the same thing. My purpose here is to see what actions officers in different parts of the country would like to see you exhibit if you want them to even consider giving you a break. Let's keep it civil.
I'll begin with my department. I am retired NYPD and there (at least up to when I retired) the common courtesy shown to the officer on duty is:
1. Pull over immediately! Don't make me chase you. I don't want to have to go 100 MPH through traffic only to catch up to you and find out that you are on the job.
2. If it is night have your interior lights on and hands on the wheel. Usually that alone lets me know you are on the job because no civilian is nice enough to do that.
3. Identify yourself right away. Don't wait until I am writing to fill me on who you are. In NYC at least this is usually done by having your shield and ID on your lap (not waving like a flag so everyone can see) and usually stating something like... "I'm sorry bud. I'm on the job".
4. Be polite. Don't expect anything because nothing is for sure. Be thankful when courtesy is given. If courtesy is not given take it inside and see your or his PBA rep if this is between 2 NYPD guys. If yelling is to be done do it inside the station house. Not on the street where all the customers can see us. In the end remember the old saying "The man in the bag is always right". [The man in the uniform is always right meaning the on duty officer.]
From what I gathered reading the other thread I would venture to say that in other parts of the country the appropriate behavior for a traffic stop between two officers is vastly different. That difference in and of itself could be what ends up getting some of us a ticket since our behavior or difference of "style" could be construed by the on duty officer as arrogance.
So could some officers from different jurisdictions tell us the proper way to deal with an on duty officer in their neck of the woods if you hope to get any courtesy at all?
Comments
And anytime I am stopped, I act professional and respectful - and I always tell them to do what they have to do.
As to the article. I totally agree with how you expect off duty officers to act when stopped. The only thing I like is for them to hold their badge and ID low and not have their hands on the wheel. Some departments have to record every interaction with the public, and the not so friendly media has made issues in my area where officers have identified themselves on a stop and not been cited. Best to let the on duty officer identify you with your badge right away and control the conversation.
Finally, if you know what you did wrong, acknowledge it, be polite, humble, and thankful if you are let go.
Hence saying, " I'm an off duty xxxxx and have a weapon.". That pretty much solves the issue of identification without being a douche. Everyone I know extends Professional courtesy with the exception of the Repeat high speed offenders.
It is an unwritten courtesy to extend to firemen, ems, and nurses (they may save your ass). CO's are extended courtesy as long as they are not abusing it (they seem to think we won't write them for anything). I think that pretty much goes for everyone. Just don't abuse it and be brotherly when we make contact.
With that being said, I've been stopped by OHP and Louisiana State and both extended courtesy (I didn't realize speed on bridges was lower in LA. Totally HUA).
Just out of curiosity, why no love for volunteer firefighters? Is it because they're not on the city payroll? That seems kinda short-sighted to me. I mean, whether you're on payroll or not, you're doing the same job. It could be said that volunteers do more because they do it as a selfless service to the community and not as a job
I did hear that after hurricane "Katrina " there was a convoy of 10-12 police vehicles (mostly from a north jersey sheriffs office) that were driving fast , lights on, in the left lane on their way back to jersey when they were stopped by a west Virginia state trooper. The trooper broke their chops and told them to cut the lights off and slow down.
Personally I would have told him he was a a$$hole. Especially after he was told we were coming back from volunteering a week of our time, unpaid, to help other brothers and sisters out so they could get a few hours sleep and check on their own houses which were destroyed by the storm.
I remember when he was pulled over he showed his badge and that was all it took. Nothing really said except have a great day! They had respect for each other. But that was for a traffic violation.
I was so very proud of who my father was and what he chose to do. Even as I got older, Vegas was still small, if I were at a HS Party and the cops came to break it up they either knew me from the Police Picnics or when asked my name. Then the look...GO HOME!! Yes sir and I was gone. But always told my father before he found out from someone else.
Things have changed. I don't see the loyalty or brotherhood as it was then.
My husband is a Federal Agent and have seen the issues between FBI, CIA, and local cops. Maybe where I am (ID) it's different then other places. Where if a cop showed his badge to another cop there was respect and a handshake.
One thing my father always told us never...ever...to do is say "Do You Know Who I Am"? His feelings were you're not a cop number one, he is, and show respect. If he didn't know you or who you were he would in about 10 minutes.
Funny! My brothers friend along with my brother and others were involved in a minor accident. And his friend said it! BIG mistake. The officer called my father, told him what happened and then what he said.
All my father said was to charge him accordingly and no favors.
So I have lots of Law Enforcement friends who work in many different capacities. Two in Corrections, a few who did or does Dispatch, a Sheriff, Narc Officers, OSI, etc.
Let me finish by saying they're all LEO's and deserve respect for the job they do. But don't disrespect the job by allowing a fellow officer to drink and drive.
That's not only disrespectful to the badge and the job but the public you swore to protect.
Phew...I'm done.