03 April 2007

Double Standard for Lawbreakers with a Badge?

Should different rules apply to police when they break the law?

Gambrinus wonders about that in a post about an at-fault driver who happens to be a cop.

I can personally chime in that I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often (or if it does, why it isn't reported). I see cops violate traffic laws all the time in downtown and Clifton. And elsewhere, too... I remember driving back from Columbus one time and a county sheriff overtook me, then cut in front of me to take the exit. I was mad so I took the exit, too. I followed him to a DQ where he met another cop for some ice cream.

The CPD is unbelievably oblivious to its public relations problem, apparently choosing to believe that it's only problem is that people say it has problems. Conducting their affairs in a way that engenders respect rather than disdain would be a step in the right direction. But a law enforcement agency that believes it is above the law and proves it by applying one standard for itself and another for everyone else will not be respected or supported by the public for very long.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's not just traffic laws. As I stand waiting for the bus on Ezzard Charles Drive, I watch the parade of CPD employees driving in their own cars on the way to work and in City cars. The majority do not wear seat belts. The county and township police clearly make it a point to buckle up. Cincinnati Police routinely and historically pick and choose among laws to select those they will enforce. It's a big problem.

Anonymous said...

Remember a few years back when Si Leis was in a wreck but got off without a ticket? Not that's he's CPD but you'd think if he keeps wanting to run unopposed, he'd take one for the team.