Do cops have to follow the same traffic laws as everyone else?

[demarco]

I know there are circumstances which require them to use their lights to get somewhere like an emergency, robbery, etc...

However I live near a Georgia Public Safety Training Center, and cops from all over GA come here. When they are living they always go 80,85, and I have seen at least a few drive 90+... They go in and out of lanes, they don't use turn signals... Even in Atlanta when I work on the occasion, they will want to make a red light and use there lights to get through and then turn them off. This really irritates me, because as a citizen I try my hardest to obey the traffic laws. But I see so many cops who I believe abuse their power... And I have even seen them park in a "No Parking" area to run into a store to grab something real quick, they will just pass through red lights, and this just irritates me...

And can one cop who doesn't do this pull another over who is speeding, and write him a ticket?

[teyrnon72]

I was a cop for 4 years, so I can understand what you are talking about. However, you also need to understand it from a cop's point-of-view. There are very FEW calls where you are authorized by policy to run lights and sirens to a call. Technically, in the jurisdiction where I worked, you could not even run code (lights and siren) to a code blue (where someone is not breathing or doesn't have a pulse). So, think of how you would feel as a cop having to go this call (often a call about a child) and not be able to get cars to move out of your way with your emergency equipment? So, yes, sometimes cops speed w/out their lights and siren wailing, but often it is because they are responding to an urgent call where policy forbids them from running code.

Cops have precious little time to stop and get something to eat...75% of the time, they have just enough time to run into a store to grab a candy bar or some caffeine. So, if it doesn't hurt, let the guy/gal who has been up for 20 hours grab a snack or something to keep him/her awake for court the next morning.

Now, not ALL cops are doing these acts because they are going to calls. Cops are complained on all the time, so if you see something flagrant, then get the car number and phone it in. If you just complain about it and don't take any action, you can't really expect anything to happen and you can't get too angry about things.

Hope that helps!

[kendell]

I forgive them when they tur on their blinkers

[parnell]

Yes i ahve noticed this too
it is irritating
abusing their power
pfft


and yes i think it is possible for a cop to do this to another

[voliny13]

No, they don't have to follow traffic laws because who will give them a ticket?

[naseem]

They are supposed to abide by the same laws except when their lights are on(and they are not supposed to abuse that privilege either), but there is no police for the police. so they can pretty much get away with anything.

and theoretically one could, but he probably wouldnt.

[melville]

Yes they do,

but have you ever seen a cop give another cop a ticket ??

[jarel]

Usually their supervisor is suppose to cite them for job performance which is related to the laws. This happens when a cop gets a lot of civil complaints against him/her and a supervisor usually rides with the officer. Although this is rare, it has lost many rookies on probation to terminated. People have to be keen and take down information to report the reckless driving and other obvious violations. Being out of jurisdiction is a simple report of gold bricking and many police officers have been fired for it.

[iker]

The Law in every State is: cops must obey traffic laws unless they are responding to an emergency.

But as a practical matter, they do what seems reasonable for the situation. As do we all. Except gov is on our back.

The very thing us (U.S.) "We the People" were able to do when Ben Cartwright used his public right-or-way without permission from government and wore his guns in town. The last free man in America. (yea, I know, he was white and mythical) And he owned his land free and clear, enjoyed "Property rights". Before Credit America ruined it.

Unfortunately, the Police Powers of The State have been perverted so as to generate revenue. A violation of the separation of powers doctrine; that's the job of the legislature, through taxation.

So you have a choice; let it pass or chase them down and take them to task. Your call.

grasshopper: can you chose wisely?

[gwen]

No one is above the law. But unfortunately, we see the opposite. This is very sad. An ordinary citizen can be arrested and persecuted quickly. But when it comes to law officers, it would take almost a lifetime to arrest and persecute them. If they would be eventually, you will find them bailed out or case been dismissed.