Disarmed

[timdsmith72]

I think I would need a potty break after that.

Nah. First you say it...Then you do it....

[flintknapper]

davidtx wrote:

How do you sign up for a ride? Should I plan on leaving my gun at home?
Just to avoid any confusion - I'm serious.

Yes!

You'll find your ride largely uneventful, but go on one if you get the opportunity.

Mostly you'll be impressed by the communication involved and the ability to summons and coordinate help (assuming you ride with a city cop and anything actually happens).

For the average cop on the average day (patrol), they could leave their gun at home too and do just fine. There really is no need to stay "on the ragged edge" every minute of your shift.

Go for a ride (or two) though....it will give you an insight to how law enforcement works, its not an easy job, but worse than that....a thankless one.

So... to all the good cops out there:

For those who just can't lose the "gung ho", well................

[GOP]

Semantics, semantics...

The cop has a right to disarm, simply being a jerk about seems to be the norm for most cops in my experience. Arguing that he has to have a reason is ridiculous, as any cop can claim they disarmed for safety reasons.

File a complaint for them being rude? Wasted effort, in my opinion.

[5thGenTexan]

I agree, if you get the chance do several rides. Over the years when I was younger I rode once or twice a month. Met quite a few exceptional guys, yeah I met a couple that are jerks too.

Until you've seen what those guys go through you can't understand why their careful factor is so high. I've seen how easy it is to get blindsided. Sometimes it's just a gut feeling and you learn if your gut says be careful you listen to it. Sometimes it may not make sense to others but there are times that prickle on the back of your neck can save you from a whole lot of trouble.

[GOP]

I did a ride along for a college Government class as a project. We had a choice between that or sit in on a court case. I thought the ride along would be more interesting. I did it in Yoakum, which has a population of about 5k. I met the cop at 7pm at the station and rode with him till 3am. He gave one speeding ticket and harassed a few skate boarders for being in the street. Other than that we spent our time driving around drinking free coffee and eating free donuts. Yep, pretty much a stereotype in action. Also, I learned that small town cops make a pittance, 16k a year.

[MojoTexas]

Also, I learned that small town cops make a pittance, 16k a year.

That right there is the reason (in my opinion) for the "Barney Fife" stereotype about the police in smaller towns. In every stereotype there is typically a small grain of truth.

In no way am I maligning police officers in general, but if you're a good enough LEO you're going to work for the departments that pay better. The smaller towns paying smaller salaries are going to tend to attract the rookies and guys that can't get hired at the better departments. This isn't 100% true in all cases, but I have known more than one particular small-town cop since grade school, and they were goobers back then and are goobers now...the only difference is now they have a badge and a gun.

I think that's why I always try to give the police the benefit of the doubt (even the goobers). Along with public school teachers, they have my respect for doing a very important and unappreciated job for very little money.

MojoTexas

[flintknapper]

they have my respect for doing a very important and unappreciated job for very little money.

Amen!

I wish it were different for them.

[GOP]

Also, I learned that small town cops make a pittance, 16k a year.

That right there is the reason (in my opinion) for the "Barney Fife" stereotype about the police in smaller towns. In every stereotype there is typically a small grain of truth.

In no way am I maligning police officers in general, but if you're a good enough LEO you're going to work for the departments that pay better. The smaller towns paying smaller salaries are going to tend to attract the rookies and guys that can't get hired at the better departments. This isn't 100% true in all cases, but I have known more than one particular small-town cop since grade school, and they were goobers back then and are goobers now...the only difference is now they have a badge and a gun.

I think that's why I always try to give the police the benefit of the doubt (even the goobers). Along with public school teachers, they have my respect for doing a very important and unappreciated job for very little money.

MojoTexas

Yeah, I see your point. They cop was about 60 years old, had worked for several departments, and was trying to "slow down" a bit at a smaller town. I liked the guy, but he was all that you'd think of a small town cop. I couldn't help but think if something bad went down he wouldn't be prepared.

[bayouhazard]

BayouHazard and TrueFlog:

I do not understand your adversarial stance with
LEO's asking about your gun. I feel that you are setting
yourselves up for a worse confrontation than is necessary.

If I get stopped for an alleged traffic violation, they will get my DL, CHL and insurance with no attitude. If he asks about my gun, I will tell him about my primary with no attitude. If I get a ticket, I will take defensive driving and get a price break on my insurance. That's a typical traffic stop for me.

If he "disarms" me then he intentionally turned it into an adversarial situation and I will remain polite but no longer cooperate with someone who treats me like that.

If he starts fishing I will remain polite but if he treats me like a suspect then I probably shouldn't say anything without legal advice.