Speeding Ticket

[Deland Jessop]

While travelling home from work one night after shift, you are pulled over by a police officer from another jurisdiction. You fully realize you were speeding. Would you flash your badge to inform the other officer that you are also a serving police officer? (The polls are confidential, and no data is collected on what choice you would make).

[tan leather]

well.....I don't know that I'd flash my badge, but I'd acknowledge I was speeding, and try to have an honest and valid reason. I'd probably mention I was on the 'team', but leave the outcome completely up to his/her discretion. Does that sound reasonable?

[JayL]

hmmmmm...I don't think I'd be saying that in the interview...

[inspectors-son]

Hmmm...I don't speed!
That is the truth by the way!

[tan leather]

Well. JayL, what would you say in interview? You've already been pulled over for speeding.; So it must be acknowledged. You either have an explanation or not. You're an officer, are you going to tell me you wouldn't relay that info to the officer on scene and leave it up to them? At the end of the day, I'd follow whateve training suggestions or company policy indicated, obviously. And no, I don't think I'd be saying that in the interview exactly like that either. How would you handle it?
hmmmmm...I don't think I'd be saying that in the interview...

[JayL]

As with most things in policing its all about articulation. You say you'd mention you were "part of the 'team'". If you say that in an interview, expect your interviewer to ask you what your motivation is for mentioning that. What do you expect to get out of it? Is there an acceptable reason for saying that? Maybe. But, I can tell you for sure that the wrong answer is to mention you're part of the team, and that you'll leave it in their hands as to decide what to do. This type of answer illustrates that you feel you deserve some sort of special treatment. Nobody is above the law.

Also, let me assure you there is no "training" on what to do when you're pulled over lol.

[tan leather]

Well thanks JayL I feel properly chastised. Honestly, I'm not suggesting special treatment. But picture it. Are you NOT going to mention you are also an officer? Ok, maybe it's not ethical. Hey if you're speeding, you're speeding and should expect to pay the price like everyone else. I'm just picturing it and trying to be realistic. What I meant by 'training' is that you can't tell me it doesn't come up in conversation with the force you're hired with and appropriate response. But, then again, I am only a Junior member. :p
As with most things in policing its all about articulation. You say you'd mention you were "part of the 'team'". If you say that in an interview, expect your interviewer to ask you what your motivation is for mentioning that. What do you expect to get out of it? Is there an acceptable reason for saying that? Maybe. But, I can tell you for sure that the wrong answer is to mention you're part of the team, and that you'll leave it in their hands as to decide what to do. This type of answer illustrates that you feel you deserve some sort of special treatment. Nobody is above the law.

Also, let me assure you there is no "training" on what to do when you're pulled over lol.

[JayL]

You're not being chastised. I'm just being realistic with you. If you think that's the type of thing recruiters want to hear, g'head, fill you boots. If you're not suggesting special treatment, what are you suggesting? You mentioned you wanted the officer pulling you over to know you were "part of the team". If the interviewer asks why you mentioned that, and what you hope to gain, how would you respond? This is the type question that comes up in interviews quite often.

But then again, what would I know?

[Lynch]

Useless thread..... Just sayin

[tan leather]

I'm not responding in a manner I think recruiters want to hear, I'm only answering the scenario and how I would approach it. I think that's the idea behind this ethical discussion thread. I would say I was part of the team (maybe I could have phrased that more eloquently) because, oh I don't know, maybe my rookie colours are showing here but I think as an officer being pulled over by an officer for speeding, you'd mention it. Maybe a seasoned officer would know better. Maybe it's common practice, who knows? I do appreciate what type of questions come up in interview tho', seeing as I just got my COR and am actively submitting. this thread really promotes a lively banter tho'. I like it!


You're not being chastised. I'm just being realistic with you. If you think that's the type of thing recruiters want to hear, g'head, fill you boots. If you're not suggesting special treatment, what are you suggesting? You mentioned you wanted the officer pulling you over to know you were "part of the team". If the interviewer asks why you mentioned that, and what you hope to gain, how would you respond? This is the type question that comes up in interviews quite often.

But then again, what would I know?

[pretty]

That using police power, you know you are speeding then face it. You are a police and you must be the MODEL!

[inspectors-son]

Just a simple question. If you are a police officer, and "part of the team", you supposedly know the law and are aware of speed limits. Why are you speeding in the first place? Police officers, like many other positions in society, such as politicians or lawyers or even parents of children, are in a position of authority. Therefore, rightly or wrongly, are held to the same if not higher standards. Unless you are prepared to explain your actions and suffer any subsequent penalties, the best way to deal with the situation might be to not put yourself in it to begin with. That being said, I think we can all agree that occasionally these infractions are "overlooked" within the "family". Personally, I don't agree with it, but reality can't be ignored. If I put myself in the situation, I would not mention that I'm an officer. If I was asked about my profession I would mention it then. I am not preach in any way, so please don't take my comment the wrong way. I came to the personal realization a long time ago that I don't like explaining why I'm doing something I know I shouldn't be, and as a truck driver by trade, I also learned that speeding to get somewhere faster, usually doesn't work. I've had speeding tickets before (in the distant past) and I found the time saved was not worth the money spent.

[j5chow]

Useless thread..... Just sayin

That's a big 10-4 Lynch..

[tan leather]

You've mentioned a few good points inspector. But the scenario states 'you fully realize your were speeding'.....so how to respond in an ethical manner. My biggest consideration with this ethical thread was the flashing of the badge. As a hopeful officer, I realize ethically, you should not flash your badge. Accept the consequences of your actions. Anyone who has Never sped, throw the first stone. Maybe just never got caught. Ethically, right, you should not try to worm your way out of a ticket by hoping that flashing your badge might save you a few bucks. But, and this could just be me, I think it's done all the time. I could be wrong, but.....

[Elaine]

The officer pulled you over for a reason, and whether you are an officer or not you are expected to abide by the law like anyone else. That means you pay for the consquences of your actions like any other member of the public. It is hypocritical to do otherwise.

[fjacky]

I believe you are supposed to identify yourself as an officer in any communications with another officer. Although I have been wrong MANY times

[Lynch]

I identify myself, just so the officer knows the person (s)he is dealing with.

Whether I get the ticket or not is up to the officer.

[smilton]

First off, everyone speeds. You can't drive down the 401 or any major highway without speeding. Unless traffic is jammed, every highway I have ever been on, the traffic moves at least 10 or 20 km/h over the posted limit.

Would I let the officer who pulled me over know I was on the job? Probably would. I'd like to say, no I wouldn't, but I have a feeling that almost every officer would. I think every single person who gets pulled over would try and use some excuse / justification / edge to get out of a ticket (I'm a doctor, firefighter, teacher, I never speed, I'm late for a charitable event I've organized to feed hungry orphans, whatever) and I bet a lot of people do get let off with warnings, or reduced fines.

Would I be terribly upset if he or she gave me a ticket? Probably not, depending on what I was doing. If it was just some stupid speed trap, maybe, but if I was driving like an ass (which I don't) than maybe it might do me some good.

I can see why people who aren't police might be upset with this though and it could be a bit of a slipery slope in your behaviour.

[Froz]

My opinion is that it doesn't matter if you are a police officer or not, it's up to the discretion of the police officer that pulled you over if he/she deems it necessary to give you a speeding ticket. If you are a police officer while on duty on an active call that will exempt you from obeying the speed limit. Other than that, you are like any other driver on the road. I firmly believe and stand by identifying yourself as a police officer if you are a LEO with NO intention of personal gain. The police are one BIG extended family so why wouldn't you want to introduce and identify yourself as one. If you get the ticket, pay it and deal with it. That's the only way you learn to not speed again or at least try not to for the most part.

[lavics79]

First off, everyone speeds. You can't drive down the 401 or any major highway without speeding. Unless traffic is jammed, every highway I have ever been on, the traffic moves at least 10 or 20 km/h over the posted limit.

Would I let the officer who pulled me over know I was on the job? Probably would. I'd like to say, no I wouldn't, but I have a feeling that almost every officer would. I think every single person who gets pulled over would try and use some excuse / justification / edge to get out of a ticket (I'm a doctor, firefighter, teacher, I never speed, I'm late for a charitable event I've organized to feed hungry orphans, whatever) and I bet a lot of people do get let off with warnings, or reduced fines.

Would I be terribly upset if he or she gave me a ticket? Probably not, depending on what I was doing. If it was just some stupid speed trap, maybe, but if I was driving like an ass (which I don't) than maybe it might do me some good.

I can see why people who aren't police might be upset with this though and it could be a bit of a slipery slope in your behaviour.

Well said.

All in all, keep your ass in line, and you wont have any issues. But just like you said, if I were driving like an ass, I was looking for it.