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Monday, November 28, 2011

Above The Law?

One of the things I take pride in with Salisbury News is producing articles in which the Main Stream media is too afraid to go after. This story is one of them. However, I also take pride in leading stories such as this one to allow the local MSM to use the excuse, well, it was on the Blog, now they can report it. That is, IF they're willing to truly do their job.

Here's the deal. You know those speed cameras that are up in Salisbury. Well, what if I were to tell you that the most serious offenders have actually been Police Officers.

Not City of Salisbury Police Officers but the top offenders have been the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, the Maryland State Police and the Fruitland Police Department, ALL lead by and or former State Troopers.

The first set of tickets and images came in and get this, the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office had FIFTEEN tickets. The Maryland State Police had FIVE tickets and Fruitland had only ONE.

OK, if that isn't bad enough, (Officers speeding MORE than 12 miles per hour in a School Zone, how about if I were to tell you that FIVE of the FIFTEEN WCSO offenders are REPEAT Offenders. That's right, FIVE of the very same Officers were caught repeatedly.

There were NO City of Salisbury Officers, yet Chief Duncan told each Officer, flat out, you get caught, you get a ticket and you pay the fine. Clearly the leader of the SPD has been taken seriously.

Salisbury News learned that while former Sheriff Hunter Nelms was in Office, IF an Officer had been caught and even reported it was automatically assumed the caller was accurate and the Officer would be written up.

Now, you have to wonder, will outside agencies be held accountable for these fines. At this point the SPD is expecting revenues above $20,000.00 a month from these speed cameras. I was driving into the Office the other day and watched one of these Officers flying down Rt. 50 heading towards Salisbury at a very high rate of speed with a child in the car. It seemed to me he was taking his child to school, but I can't be positive about that.

Nevertheless, there's clearly a problem with Police Officers speeding in this area and especially on Rt. 50. Most would not publish such an article in fear of retaliation. Yeah, I might have some issues in the near future but what's right here Folks?

Should the local media clam up and keep quiet about such matters because they're afraid they might get snagged slightly speeding? I guess time will tell. I'm not trying to be a rebel. I'm simply telling the facts. Yeah, we'll get 150 to 200 comments stating they were on calls and yeah, we'll reject those comments, unless they have names to them.

In the mean time we'd like to know your thoughts. Are Police Officers and Agencies above the law? We already know they can by law use their cell phones because they have been trained to do so. Its called multitasking. I'm cool with that.

HOWEVER, I have seen the Sheriff's Office fighting for speed cameras in their school districts, as if the people speeding are criminals and they must be stopped. Can a police cruiser stop any faster than other vehicles while speeding, talking on a cell phone multitasking in a school district?
This should get VERY interesting as I look forward to your replies/comments.



New Posts to fall below.

81 comments:

Anonymous said...

Most cops think there above the law & for that little by little they get less respsct.

Anonymous said...

Policemen speeding is an everyday occurance that has been going on since the invention of cars. My thought is "if the lights ain't flashing and the siren ain't sounding" they should be held responsible for anything over 10 mph.

To make your posting more credible you should name, names. Postings of "I heard, she said/he said are rumors and gossip in my book.

Anonymous said...

I think cops abuse their powers more than any official in this country...

I hate to see cops speeding, while on or off duty specially with their kids in the car... (I have seen this many times)...

At the same time, wasn't it State cops whom caused 2 to 3 accidents within 3 days? meaning everyday for 3 days a state cop was in an accident because of speeding or hitting someone when pulling out of a hidden spot when using radar...

What bothers me the most is when I see off duty state cops pull up to the state police barracks "E" and fill up their personal car with stat funded gas... Not to mention I think all cops should never be allowed to drive the cop car home or anywhere unless on a call in which he will have to be clocked in and at work...

Anonymous said...

Excellent article Joe keep after them....

Anonymous said...

Joe, I am so glad you posted this! I have noticed more and more police officers driving recklessly and/or speeding. Using lights to pass through red lights, etc. I had it this morning when I saw an undercover car speeding on my road today while taking my child to school. Apparently we were driving the same route. But as the police officer wove in and out of traffic well above the speed limit (on rt 50 in the area of Wi Middle) I lost sight of the car. It is inexcusible that police are driving in dangerous ways. This MUST stop! Im glad to hear Chief Duncan is holding her officers responsible for their actions.

Anonymous said...

Had I not been alert, I could have lost my life. I stepped on a one-way street, while a police officer was traveling at a high speed on that same one-way street (wrong direction for him.) The policeman was taking a short cut. Not on the Shore

Anonymous said...

In Delmar when Red Speed was pitching the idea they told our Mayors, country councils and public that the town could submit a list of names and tag numbers that were not to be processed. These included our police, fire fighters and he even said the Mayors and councils as well. This could be the reason there are no city cops who violated.

Anonymous said...

I once asked a former trooper about the speeding thing, as I frequently saw local LE blowing by the troopers that were sitting in the median, and the trooper said they didn't give them tickets.. they called it a 'professional courtesy'.
Like you said, Joe, right is right, and wrong is WRONG.
Kudos to Chief Duncan.

Anonymous said...

Joe, we have your number.......... it's just a matter of time. You keep stirring, and when the dust settles, you will pay dearly.

Anonymous said...

Can you provide us with names JOE?

Anonymous said...

I observed 2 separate Salisbury City cops not wearing seat belts on Friday. They are not above the law! If I didn't wear my seat belt I would be fined!

Anonymous said...

The sheriff's department better not pay those fines with our tax dollars. Officers should be held accountable.

Anonymous said...

Joe, can you look into and tell us what's going on with Georgia House in Salisbury? Are they closed?

Anonymous said...

i have heard right from State Troopers mouth when asking "why do you think you are allowed to speed"?. I was responded too with exactly, "because I earned the Badge". I, I, I, same old mentality.

They forget the simple Phrase - Protect and Serve. Their acts of recklessness does the exact opposite of BOTH. losers.

Anonymous said...

Don't say that Trooper,Officers and Deputies don't have to pay the speed camera tickets because I did. I have paid several on 695 in the work zone.

The problems with issuing tickets to police cars are many. Tracking down who actually was operating that car, that day at that time (some agencies rotate cars), prove beyond a doubt that the officer was not performing official duties, ie: running down a speeder, going to a call where speeding is authorized but lights and siren are not (burglary,bank robbery in progress). The city police officer would have to run down all of these possibilites before authorizing the electronic ticket, otherwise he would get embarassed if the officer came to court and proved that he was acting officially and the judge would throw out the ticket. Lastly, the Salisbury PD officer who authorizes these electronic tickets has to face the other officers, deputies, and troopers who he would be writting the tickets too. The last thing that he or Chief Duncan wants to do is start a turf war or pissing match with all of the agencies that surround her little island in the big ocean. Chief Duncan can control her officers without fear of retaliation so certainly her own officers will get cited.

Anonymous said...

I agree with 11:13. I'm sure many of these tickets will never see the light of day but I hope Mike Lewis takes this seriously and makes his officers pay out of pocket if they do get fined.

Anonymous said...

I do not know why speeding by officers is even tolerated unless of course reponding to a call or clocking a speeder. One mile over the speed limit is against the law. It shouldn't be allowed by the departements no more than allowing them to drive drunk. A law is a law.

Anonymous said...

I was in the process of paying a speeding ticket issued by the aforementioned process.Now that I have a copy of this article,I have a precident to refer to and fully intend to argue it in court.Thank you.

Anonymous said...

As this country faulters and stumbles the police state will be a reality in every state.
I am glad it is happening. Their speeding doesn't bother me a bit. I enjoy seeing them go by hoping they are on their way to prevent and fight crime or even to the coffee shop.
Just my opinion , go police , I support you.

Anonymous said...

12:12
What court will you argue in? My understanding was that there is not a court or appeal process with these cameras? Does your ticket provide for one?

JoeAlbero said...

anonymous 12:37, you absolutely can challenge these tickets. In fact, they set up a special court room/time just for these speeding tickets.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the clarification Joe, that's good to hear. IYF, have you or anyone else seen the Sherrif's car parked at night in front of the Tourism Ctr. half in the turn lane and half on the media with their lights off? I have seen it twice in the last month, just an accident waiting to happen.
12:37

Anonymous said...

officers are the worse offenders. courtesy cards should not exist for the officer or family members, they are not above the law, they (yes the officer and family members) should be setting the example

Anonymous said...

I travel from Salisbury to Cambridge and back everyday. Everyday I see police officers operating their vehicles at a high rate of speed, tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic. They do not have their lights flashing or their sirens working. They are simply on patrol. They have no right to do any of these things any more than you or I. If there is no emergency the same law applies to them.


I marvel at the signs along the roadway about aggressive driving. The police are the worst violators in this category. When they do have a crash, you will notice they are always severe. I don’t just blame their superiors, however, our elected officials are just a responsible. I would suggest that if mayors, county executives, and even governors didn’t condone this behavior it would stop.

Training has nothing to do with using a cell phone. Police officers are just distracted by them as you and I. Yes, let them use them for police business and emergencies but the don’t need them for anything else. They can pull over to the side of the road just like you and I. Police officers make just as many mistakes as anyone else and when they hit someone they are just as injured or just as dead as when any one else does

Anonymous said...

10:32, please, PLEASE let me know when you saw a police officer filling his PERSONAL car with gas from the pump at Barrack "E". Please let me know and I will personally have that officer charged with theft. Oh, that's right... you have NO CLUE! Because it didn't happen. State gas pumps, wherever they may be, are accessible to ANY state employee and ANY state vehicle. Believe it or not, a lot of state agencies have minivans, small Accords, and other regular cars. Just because a car wasn't a police cruiser does not mean someone was stealing gas. Get a clue.
As for the question, I have no problem with cops paying a fine for speeding if they are caught on camera, as long as they are not en route to a call or chasing down a traffic violator. (And these two incidents can be easliy verified.) Hit someone in the wallet and they will USUALLY learn a lesson.

Anonymous said...

I guess no names of officials can be provided.....???

Anonymous said...

This post is quite ironic. I was driving by Parkside High School earlier today when a State Police officer in an unmarked car blew by me. He was running at least 50 in a 35. I know he wasn't responding to a call because he had to slam on his breaks for a red light. I caught up with him at the red. Sometimes speeding doesn't get you no wheres.

Anonymous said...

Mike Lewis must have really hurt your feelings Joe. I have some ex girlfriends like you.

Anonymous said...

The case on you is building Mr Albero. Tick Tock.

Anonymous said...

License # SG 29651. Very late every morning on Rt. 50. Must be late for dinner in the afternoon getting home for dinner too. Exceeding 65 mph regularily. punk.

Danny D said...

As a former cop, I can personally tell you that most police officers think they can drive any speed they want. State troopers even have a name for this its called "Trooper Speed". By law when you are running code, you have to have your lights AND siren on. It makes me made to see fellow officers driving 70, 80, plus and not even going anywhere special. USES LESS SPEED CAUSES ACCIDENTS!

JoeAlbero said...

anonymous 1:45, if there's one thing I do know about Mike Lewis, he will hold his Officers accountable. Don't you think for a second he wouldn't.

anonymous 1:47, JR or JT, do you really believe the hundreds of comments you send in similar to this really worries me. You need to get real and stop acting like two year olds.

One would have to assume that I do nothing but break the law on a daily basis to have any fear of such a statement. Are you suggesting they'll just make something up or set me up. Are you really that stupid.

Anonymous said...

Nobody breaks the law like the government. Power corrupts.
Ron Paul 2012!!!

Anonymous said...

This is Anon 1:47 and I am not JT or JR or any of these "folks" I am just a member of a local law enforcement agency who knows for a fact that your days are numbered. Consider yourself warned Mr. Albero.

dogg said...

Someone above stated that it would be hard to prove who was in what vehicle at what time doing what. I disagree with that statement. You cant tell me that there is not technology that shows which officer is in which car at what time of the day. Please dont try to argue that point. I see the software all day long. plus there are several paper copies of the log made for every shift. Any switches in vehicles are also noted in the log. The log files know who was where and when they were there. As far as if they were on official duty, guess where that can be found...YEP!!!! in the official log!!! Besides, why does the city officer have to prove anything. If my wife got a ticket while driving my car, who do you think would get the ticket?? Suck it up and follow the law like the rest of us.

dogg

JoeAlbero said...

anonymous 1:56, LMAO! There isn't a single reader coming to Salisbury News that believes there's a single police officer that stupid on the entire Eastern Shore that would make such a statement.

Like I said JT or JR, grow up.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and great job SBYNEWS!!! Most media/news folks won't report any negative stories concerning the government, especially local government in specific terms. SBYNEWS ROCKS!!! Does this make all the other camera tickets given to the public null and void?

Anonymous said...

1:06 PM: Right on

I drove a route from Salisbury to Cambridge also for 3 years and it always amazed me how reckless the State Troopers operating in that area were with their speeding. I know there were 2 serious accidents near the Vienna bridge resulting in at least one death during that period. The troopers would slow down for about a month afterwards then things would go back to normal.

All it would take to enforce the speed limit on 50 would be one or two mobil speed cameras. It would increase revenue and take a couple of Troopers off this road.

The operator of these speed cameras as guaranteed their cut of the ticket revenue so, that cost the taxpayer if these drivers aren't made to pay the fines that are to be levied.

Anonymous said...

Comments like 1:56's goes to show just how influential Sby News really is, not that I believe a word they wrote.
When someone is called out on here it only bothers them when their actions have been called home to roost.

Anonymous said...

CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN HOW OFF DUTY OFFICERS ARE ALLOWED TO USE THEIR VEHICLES TO GO SHOPPING, SHOREBIRDS STADIUM, DRIVE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL, ETC? SO GLAD MY TAX DOLLARS PAY FOR THEIR GAS!!!

Anonymous said...

Still no names or tag numbers Mr. Joe???

Anonymous said...

TAX DOLLARS AT WORK! COPS GET TO USE THE CITY VEHICLES TO DRIVE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL AND RUN ERRANDS, WISH I COULD USE THE CITY GAS PUMP FOR THAT STUFF TOO!

Anonymous said...

Put Navtrac on all the cars it will stimulate the local economy and you will have digital evedence on every aspect of the vehicles, from safty, maintanance to abuse.

Anonymous said...

Off duty use of the county, state vehicles is a Part of their CONTRACT. State Officers receive $5k less for this benefit. I'm sure they would rather have the money then to drive their marked cars to the grocery store, when some citizen can ask them a half dozen dfq's.

Anonymous said...

What is seriously disturbing are the threats you have received from purported officers or fraternal brothers just because of posting the truth. More intimidation tactics from our "finest" men and women in uniform. even 3:10 condescends to citizens asking dfq's or dumb effing questions. EXACTLY what is wrong with the privileged elitist mentality of I earn the badge.
Garbagemen and tow truck drivers have a more dangerous job. (thats true too)

Anonymous said...

ANONYMOUS 2:31;

I would love to explain to you why certain Police Officers are allowed to use their vehicle for off duty use. I will be specifically referring to the State Police because they are virtually all issued take-home vehicles and because I used to be a State Trooper so I know their policy and procedures quite well.

The Maryland State Police uses the take-home vehicle as a recruitment incentive and benefit. The starting salary for the MSP is currently $40,207.00 per year. MSP does not offer any type of adjustment in pay based on location. Therefore, a Trooper who lives in a low cost of living county like Garrett County makes the same as a Trooper who lives in a very expensive cost of living county such as Montgomery County.

As you are probably aware, Maryland has an above average cost of living. Out of 49 States which have State Police Departments, Maryland ranks dead last when you compare the salary of a State Trooper to that of their cost of living. Keep in mind that Maryland also has the highest per capita income of any state in the Country.

To compare this to another large agency in Maryland I will continue to use Montgomery County and the Montgomery County Police Department. The MoCoPD has a starting salary of $46,972.00 That is a difference of almost $7,000. This is the largest reason why the State Police offers take-home use of their vehicles. If it weren't for employment incentives like the use of a take-home vehicle there wouldn't be many candidates who would choose the State Police when there are much better paying agencies in the State with much less restrictive hiring standards.

Also, State Troopers can be stationed or moved to anywhere in the state at any time. There are many Troopers that commute over 2 hours to work each day, not at there own choice. Troopers also are required to appear in court on their days off. Would you work for a company which at any point in time could move your office 2 hours from where you currently work unless they provided you some means of transportation to your new office? Especially when this could happen multiple times in a short amount of time (1-2 years).

Yet another reason for take-home use is the presence of more Police Officers on the road. The amount of State Troopers in comparison to the area they patrol is EXTREMELY low. Some counties in this state have only two Troopers working at any time. By having more Police Officers on the road it increases the safety of not only other Police Officers but also the citizens of this State. Whether you believe it or not many State Troopers respond to calls while they are off-duty (and not getting paid).

I believe I've supplied you a decent amount of reasons for the use of a take-home vehicle. If you need more just ask.

Officer Gonagetya said...

Careful 4:10, we can get you too!

Anonymous said...

"Are you suggesting they'll just make something up or set me up. Are you really that stupid"

Yes they seem to be stupid. If 1:56 is in fact a LEO *which I doubt* they are showing that your post is correct. If they are trying to falsely accuse an innocent person, they think they are above the law. Either way they lose. All 1:56 is doing is justifying the reason for this post.

Anonymous said...

A few years ago, a state trooper was following me on RT50, right on my bumper. There was no place for him to pass, so I speeded up. He pulled me over and asked why I was doing 68 in a 55. I said, a few years ago my wife ran off with a state trooper, and I thought you might be bringing her back.

Anonymous said...

Every single one who speeded should pay the fines, get points and lose their vehicle. To do less is an absolute travesty of justice. Come on Mike, do the right thing!! Make your childish officers accountable. Or, fire them. Whichever cleans up the lack of respect for the law.

Anonymous said...

Wow, you people are so falling in behind "Mike" Sheriff Lewis. You quickly forget he was a Trooper and was stationed on the Western Shore for the latter portion of his career and you think he drove the speed limit. Get real. Why do you think he rides around in a undercover car (dodge suv) with black windows so no one knows its him speeding. A previous poster said it right these officers and troopers are driving two hours to work without getting paid for it and only two or three working a county. How fast do you want them to get to your burglary in Sharptown, when they are coming from Pittsville.

Anonymous said...

You people need to be quiet before you wake a sleeping dragon. 99% percent of drivers comit three traffic violations per mile (source AAA). A nearly none of us drive the speed limit or within a few mile over. So unless you want to take forever to get where you going or start getting fined for going 58 in a 55 instead being allowed to go 65-68 in a 55, you better leave well enough alone. I just let them go by and ride behind them at a good distance back.

Anonymous said...

I said, a few years ago my wife ran off with a state trooper, and I thought you might

That joke hasn't been funny in a hundred years.

Anonymous said...

I have several cops living in my neighborhood, from different agencies. I like having a police car parked next door to me. I feel a little safer. People see that car and others and have second thoughts about doing anything illegal.

Stop being so hateful and jealous because cops can take home their vehicles.

That benefit serves many uses. It also makes drivers use a little bit of common sense when they see it on the road. Lord knows we need more of that.

Flerndip said...

I hope you save these comments so you can have evidence in court when these so called officers threaten you, and I hope you have all of their IP addresses also to prove (if they are police officers) that you have been threatened with the BS they are trying to pull Anon: 10:50, 1:47 and Anon 4:50 threatening a reader.

Phil said...

JT or JR. No guts. Can't even use your real names. At least I can use my first name. IF it was really an officer that made threats like that, remember, IP's can be traced. I would bust you hard. LOL IDIOT

Anonymous said...

Let's see............Dead in St Michaels......Dead on Vienna bridge........Dead at Berlin barracks......and so on and on. Above the law??????Yes. They are never charged with murder. Always some bull poop excuse or other. I must state that lately MSP have slowed down. Wicomico is never a problem, Worcester must be sleeping somewhere, and Berlin and Fruitland are more than a little overzealous. Just my opinion, peace out.

Anonymous said...

Finally, we have the hard proof that we've all witnessed from these hypocritical jerks. I've driven to OC for work for 23 years and get passed by State Troopers all the time doing 70+ MPH. Some days I'll go thru 5 speed traps between Salisbury and Ocean City. I can drive all the way to the Bay Bridge Tunnel and see only one Virginia cop, but I'll see 5 on the way to OC. One day a trooper passed me going about 75 and I sped up to follow him and he pulled in a crossover to set up radar to catch speeders. So....he was speeding to catch speeders--totally logical. One time I asked a trooper why they are always speeding, and he flat out told me that he didn't want to hear it. A friend of mine pulled over a trooper on 495 (citizens arrest) and he got mad and told her "You're making me late for a class." I could go on and on.

maurice said...

i agre with the fact everybody should be responsible for thier actions.but in the pic you posted it looks like the car has emergency lights on,does that not get an exemption?just asking

Anonymous said...

Most people commenting do not understand Statutory Laws. The Police know they are not subject to Statutory Laws because they do not recognize the Courts as having jurisdiction over them.

Regular people mistakenly give the courts jurisdiction over their behaviors and allow themselves to be fined.

Police are smarter than that.
Thank you

Anonymous said...

are you kidding me, everyone news agency has written stories about police speeding, abuse of power. they have been writing about this for 20 years.

Anonymous said...

i just like to have a dollar for every fake ass sherriff i've seen on the phone while driving.

Anonymous said...

Maybe while the SPD is collecting pics of the sheriffs speeding,they can issue citations for the illegal tinting on their cars.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

8:54 PM 9:32 PM

I hope this is the same person. If not, we have two troubled people on here.

Anonymous said...

Joe, seriously. Why don't you go after real criminals like Jeff Simpson stealing tax payer dollars by abusing his work schedule. He has only worked(and I use that term loosely)3 days out of the last 2 weeks. Several people have asked about his abuse of times, but he keeps his own time sheets and gets away with it. He doesn't have a permanent residence in this city, county or state and that is a requirement. He has been here over a year and he still hasn't registered his personal vehicle with the state of Maryland. This guy is a fraud and he is costing the tax payers millions of dollars.

Anonymous said...

Like someone has already posted, if you want everyone and that includes police officers to do the exact speed limit everyone better leave 15 minutes earlier than usual when they plan to go anywhere. If you want agencies to start pulling people over for 1-2 mph over the speed limit then good luck because everyone who drives speeds whether it be 1 mph over or 10 mph over. I have heard Fruitland Police been referred to as highway patrol because of all the traffic they conduct, but how many tickets do they actually give out? They are stopping people for violations which may lead to bigger crimes.

Anonymous said...

You haven't driven to the CBBT recently if you only saw one officer. Northampton county is the new Greenwood. Dodge Chargers are everywhere, and they are county boys.

Anonymous said...

the law gives law enforcement an exemption on the cellphone law. WE the people aren't allowed to talk on the phone while driving - but the police are. WE the people aren't allowed to speed - but the police are. WE the people aren't allowed to carry firearms for self defense - but the police are. The police represent the government. The government can break the law......WE the people can't. Anyone else see a problem here?

Anonymous said...

wouldn't a legal request to red speed for release of ruling class no tickets be interesting reading

Anonymous said...

I love having our State Trooper and his car in the neighborhood also. It's very rural where we are and also a dead end. He even came down our long farm lane and introduced himself. Give them all a break. I don't think I could deal with the jerks they have to for 5 minutes. I could not deal with people's BS all day long and still keep my cool that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

Police are allowed to talk on the phone because of confidential information being shared between officers that they don't want streaming over the radio at that time. Use other than that by officers is immoral. I am glad Duncan has laid down the law, so to speak, with her officers. Keeps them grounded.

Anonymous said...

Seriously! All the people complaining about law enforcement and nit picking everything (even things that you don't know to be a fact) obviously have never needed to call them for assistance. If you bunch critizing are in need of an officer I bet your attitude would change. All I'm saying is get the facts straight before going on a rampage with non-factual information. Anon 2:31 hit the nail on the head. As far as the topic at hand, if you get a ticket from the speed cameras law enforcement or otherwise, you should have to pay which if you check they do! I think instead of officers issuing warnings from now on it should be ALL TICKETS! If you break the law yourself then don't complain when you get caught.

Anonymous said...

We are all criminals in this country of to many laws, but some criminals work for the government so they get away with murder.

Anonymous said...

7:34
I think you are wearing rose colored glasses. Sure he was introducing himself ;) In reality, he was checking you out, and be sure he ran your tags and background. I have lived next door to a policeman for 38 years in two different towns. Both came by and "introduced" themselves. Yes, it is a little reassuring, but by nature they are suspicious of everyone.

Anonymous said...

@10:32 - No way anyone is filling up a personal vehicle at the barracks. As mentioned in an earlier reply post, many "non-traditional" police vehicles and even more non-police government vehicles fill up at state puimps!

@11:58 - An issuing authority (city officer) doesn't have to "run down all possible" excuses before clicking the ticket button.... The officer operating the vehicle in question has to prove his speed was legitimate - otherwise they pay out-of-pocket.

@Joe's 12:40 post - As defined in the law, there are only 2 or 3 possible defenses to a speed camera (civil) citation. These are limited to proving that your tag and/or vehicle was stolen at the time of the violation, identifying the actual operator of the vehicle if you claim that it was not you (the owner), and potentially that the zone was not properly posted (in the case of work zones). Of course, judges make their own rules of evidence as they see fit - so anything is possible in a court of "law." The process is NOTHING like defending yourself in a criminal case for a "regular" traffic citation.

Anonymous said...

The article does not give enough information. Where the alleged cop speeders responding to a work related incident.

I don't believe Chief Duncan is getting into a a pissing match with the sheirff's department. She should turn the tickets over to the sheriff's department, then the sheriff's department has to determind whom was driving, was it work related, if so null void ticket, if not the person pays the fine like any other millions of people who speed.

What is everyone one in a up roar about. Its a very simple matter

Anonymous said...

9:14 I doubt suspision more like curiosity involved. I'm sure he already knew of me and a background check wouldn't be necessary.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Joe, we have your number.......... it's just a matter of time. You keep stirring, and when the dust settles, you will pay dearly.

November 28, 2011 10:50 AM

I really hope this is not an officer. If you are Anonymous, You are not only a bad officer, your probably Dirty too. And, Your time will come as well. Bad cops get caught, eventually. Right Sparpaglione.

Tom Sawyer Like Joe I don't hide behind Anonymous

Anonymous said...

Watch yourself Sawyer!

Anonymous said...

speaking of speeding..why are people allowed to run 12 mph ( speed camera ) over the speed limit in a school zone before being issued a ticket? The speed limit is 25, not 37mph. It is for the safety of the children !!! Might as well change the speed limit to 35mph in the school zone !