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Sunday, July 27, 2008

Keep It Clean Or I'll Turn Off The Comments

"Joe, this is a letter in response to "blutojthetotmoms" recent comments of your SPD story. I want to get a few facts straight and I have a couple questions for her that I feel need to be addressed. I am in no way affiliated with the SPD and in all honesty do not know a single officer in that department. I hope that this post doesn't start more of a discussion about that current situation because that is not what this post is about. I don't know about that situation and don't know the Officers involved. The problem I have are in regards to some of "blutos" comments concerning it.

To begin, I have seen many stories on your site about personal use of government/local/business vehicles. There are many different agencies/departments that allow the use of work vehicles for personal use. I am not going to sit here and try to act like I know all of the individual agencies policies regarding their use off duty. I will say however that some policies are pretty much the same for everyone. I think what a lot of people don't understand is that these vehicles are part of an employees benefits for working for that agency/department. Lets take MSP for example. MSP certainly does not have the best salary in the state when it comes to law enforcement, they are far from it. One of the attractions/benefits that they have to entice individuals to work for them is that they will receive a take home vehicle. This is basically a part of their salary/benefits. It is no different then a hair dresser getting a discount when they get their hair cut at their place of employment, or a restaurant worker getting a percentage off of food if they decide they want to take something home that night. Every job has its perks and fringe benefits, this use of a vehicle happens to be one of them for certain Police Officers. That being said, is there anything wrong with an MSP employee using their take home vehicle to go grocery shopping? ABSOLUTELY NOT! That is part of their salary package. Now, when they do this there are definitely policies and procedures they have to abide by. Every department is different but MSP for example requires that you wear a certain type of clothing, carry your service weapon, and be available to respond to calls, among many other policies. Once again, I don't know these policies for every department/agency that has take home vehicles but these are some examples. So when people are crying about tax dollars paying for someone to take their kids to socc er practice they need to realize that if the vehicles weren't allowed to be used for that they would have to raise the salaries of the individuals. One way or another an agency's benefits have to be competitive so that they can hire/retain employees.

I have an issue with the ignorance shown in some of "blutos" posts. First, you stated, "There is no excuse EVER for a cop breaking the law". Please show me any evidence that the Officer's in question broke ANY law. If you can show me the law that says that a Police Officer in the State of Maryland can't purchase or transport alcohol purchased by them in a Police vehicle I will eat my words right now. The reason you won't be able to find it is because it is NOT AGAINST THE LAW. It is a violation of their agencies administrative policies and that is it. I don't know what you do for a living but it is no different than say a Wal-Mart employee ringing themselves up for something that they were personally purchasing. It is a violation of their companies policies and that's it! Would you be causing the same fuss if you heard that a Wal-Mart clerk bought a pair of sunglasses from Wal-Mart and rang herself up for it? Of course you w ouldn't. I am in no way condoning what they did, they violated their policy and it should be handled accordingly, administratively. Do I think they should be suspended/fired, of course not. That is definitely a little harsh for buying some beer while in a police vehicle, especially considering they weren't in uniform or consuming it until later. But the main point is that NO LAW HAS BEEN BROKEN.

Secondly, you go on to say "do they cut any slack?Do they ever stop a guy who has just had one beer out at dinner and say "OK,just let your wife drive "HELL F--K NO!" Wow, are you seriously that oblivious? You obviously have some rage and frustration pent up against the Police. You mean to tell me that you've never been stopped for a traffic violation and received a warning? I guess that isn't cutting any slack? You really think that we lock up driver's after having one beer with dinner? I guess as soon as an Officer smells alcohol on a driver he just pulls him out and puts handcuffs on him. He doesn't give him/her any type of field sobriety tests or a preliminary breath test, nothing, he just locks them up. You can't be serious can you? If an Officer locked up everyone that had one beer at dinner he certainly wouldn't have a job for very long. That would look real good in court,

Judge: "Officer, what was the defendant's blood alcohol level at the time of the incident."
Officer: ".02 BAC your honor"

I suggest you do a ride a long sometime with an officer, hell Joe knows who I am and I'll be willing to allow you to do a ride a long with me. You can see just how much slack we cut to people on a daily basis, I think you would rethink your stance then.

"I am tired of people defending cops when they break the rules they make the rest of us abide by.Thats why I cut them no slack and think no one else should." Since when have you been charged/arrested/cited for buying alcohol, putting it in a cooler, and putting it in the trunk of your car? You could be on the clock, in whatever uniform/attire you wear to work, tell your boss you're tired of his $h*t, use a company vehicle, and go and purchase a dozen 30 packs of beer and stick them in the trunk and you still aren't violating any law. So please tell me when you have been made to abide by this "rule", that you are so pissed off at these Officers for breaking??? You mean to tell me that you have never stopped on your way home from work and purchased a bottle of wine or a 6 pack of beer for the evening? You know how many times I've been on my way home and wanted to stop by the gas station and grab a 6 pack to relax for the evening? All the time, but I don't because my department policy doesn't allow it. Have you ever had to think about what you were wearing or what you were driving or what you do for a living when wanting to purchase alcohol?

You obviously have some serious issues with the Police and I would imagine it stems from the fact that you can't stand it that some people have a job where they get to tell you what you can and can not do. It eats you alive and builds up an obviously large amount of resent in your body. You can't stand knowing that if you get pulled over by the Police it is up to them to decide whether or not you get a citation or a warning that evening and that kills you.

Like I said, if you ever do want to know what we deal with on a daily basis or how much "slack" we cut people, please feel free to give Joe a call and ask him who I am so that you can come ride along with me one night. Then you can have your opinions.

-Anonymous"

49 comments:

  1. i agree i noticed on a topic on here a couple weeks ago regarding the gangs at the commons bluto made racial comments herself then bashed another commenter for it .bluto stick to one side of the boat when you paddle it.

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  2. "That is definitely a little harsh for buying some beer while in a police vehicle, especially considering they weren't in uniform or consuming it until later."

    Later as in Hebron.

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  3. Oh, did anyone mention that this is the Daily Times fault?? I thought I would before Joe did.

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  4. 9:09 I heard it was Barrie Tilghman's fault. lol.... just poking fun, Joe :)

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  5. now these are the types of comments we should be posting! factual, helpful information without cussing or bashing anyone. thank you officer for clearing this up, i never saw the big deal with the situation anyway. the only law i see cops break is speeding and it's frustrating but not something i'm going to pout about.

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  6. Yea taking it home in a iced down cooler.
    They had to be drinking it on the way to baltimore, or why did they have it iced down?
    You say yur a cop, couldnt you figure that one out.
    Did you not say it was against your dept policy to even stop and buy it to take it home in there vehicle.
    They should not buy beer in any police vehicle.
    I drive a truck,read the dot regulations on even having alcohol in a commerical vehicle, for any reason even taking it home .
    They will take your license. And you will probably never drive a commercial vehicle again.
    So they should be fired in my opinion for having alcohol in a police vehicle at anytime.

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  7. What a great article. Let's put this to rest for the LAST time and move on.
    The SPD deserve our respect for putting their lives on the line every day.
    Hell, if one of them wants a beer, it would be my pleasure to buy them one for their dedication and service.

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  8. WHATEVER! Did I ever say anything nasty about the officer involved or his family history?I dont even know any Underwoods.NO-Did other posters say awful things?YES.So why are you wasting your breath on me?Am I an easier target?
    I have nothing against cops in general,I just think theres a time and place for a beer run and when you are in an offical police vehicle en route to an offical police outing its NOT the time or place.
    And yes,to answer your question,I do have a grudge when it comes to SPD in particular.During my last year in Salisbury,I had them on speed dial because of the druggies and thieves in my neighborhood.I could not drive down the street without having to honk at some gangsta blocking the intersection selling dope.Every day at lunchtime work trucks swooped in to get their "lunch fix".That was just the tip of what I dealt with and I NEVER got any help from the police,despite emailing and/or phoning Barrie T and Sgt. Livingston and Capt Ulm and other figures personally.I even offered them up videotape of drug deals with visible tag numbers-they never "bit".Community policing,my foot.Two months after I moved out of Doverdale area a girl was shot right in front of the home I lived in.Two landlords I called to complain about their drug dealing bounced their tenants but the police,who are paid to answer complaints,always had an excuse for why they could not do something.In one instance,when a neighbors son tossed beer bottles into my yard and made loud noise at night,the SPD officers went easy on him because he was home on leave from the service and then sent a SGT and 4 officers to MY house saying this neighbor,whose son didnt even live with her in her Section 8 house(which you and I pay for),wanted to sue me for calling the police on her!The next day guess who picked up three cases worth of beer bottles off the curb?They were drinking when the cops arrived and nothing was said,even though they were outisde on a public sidewalk.Funny how I see others being cited for public drinking.
    I endangered my safety and my familys,to do what you guys tell us to do,reporting unusual activity and doing my part to keep the neighborhood clean and look where it got me.No wonder people do not cooperate with police and talk when they witness crime in Salisbury.Sorry if I was a little harsh but there were commenters who said way more inflammatory things than I have.and as far as DWI goes,you cannot sit there with a straight face and tell me that you just would let someone go if they had only had a beer and they were driving home...seriously.
    So yes,I am sooo glad I never have to deal with them (SPD)again.At least where I live now we have for the most part good honest and approachable law enforcement officers who obey the law themselves and work well with their public and WELCOME feedback from citizens instead of patronizing them.
    This is the last time I am commenting on this subject-pick on someone your own size,jackboots.

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  9. I quess a pecan log rant would be inappropriate?

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  10. Typical Totmom. Bash away and when she gets bashed, takes great offense. Grow up and grow some thicker skin if you want to run with the big dogs. Thank you.

    p.s. Good Post Joe A.

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  11. I find it humorous you think MSP is underpaid. They make a killing, AND get a take home vehicle. And by the way, dont start the dangerous job bu!!$hit.

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  12. Bluto.....don't get your panties in a knot. I have to agree with the post on this one. I have personally stopped many, many people who were too drunk to drive and permitted them to call someone to come and drive them home rather than make an arrest. Not every time - but many.....it was my discretion. It is, after all, a protect and serve mission......not a seek and destroy. All that being said, Those City officers weren't committing any crime. They weren't very bright for violating their agancies policies - but no crime. Not an offense to be fired over - this time. If it happens again - maybe. I noticed the animosity in your comment immediately when I read it but I figured that you have the right to your opinion......but so does everyone else here. I don't know the officer who authored this post but he/she seems to be fairly well rounded, well spoken, and most importantly, imho, accurate. Lighten up kid. I, too, lived in the city and was disappointed on more than one occasion with the response by the City Police relating to college parties. So much so in fact that I had to go to my Sheriff and get his permission to act in my official capacity. It wasn't the officers - it was the administration. Some of those officers are the finest I've had the pleasure to work with. Just because your pissed with the way your complaints were handled doesn't make those officers criminals.

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  13. good posts 10:36 and 10:54. TOTMOM needs to lighten up and get a life.
    I wouldn't want to be a local police officer's job if I could and don't get me started on our firefighters...top notch!

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  14. "The SPD deserve our respect for putting their lives on the line every day."

    I know a roofer that puts his life on the line everyday, and he doesn't get to sit in air conditioned car and drink beer all day.

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  15. looks to me that's her whole problem-she's a wannabe robocop.
    she is entitled to her opinion-and you know what they say about those.

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  16. For your info I have family members in DOC and I do know that they are not supposed to go into liquor stores in uniform,even if they are on their own time.Why should police officers be any different?I just dont see why I am the "b*tch" and the brunt of everyones ire but not word one has been said about those people who made personal remarks about Underwoods father and family life.I have NEVER attacked a cop personally,just the "machine" in general.Did I hit a nerve somewhere?Because thats how I feel right now.
    And Grandad I have the greatest respect for you but you cant tell me that if my husband or anyone else with a CDL license had beer on the their breath that their career would not be totally OVER and ruined after a traffic stop.I'm sorry,it just seems like there are different rules for different people,especially when it comes to this blog.

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  17. LMAO @ 10:48. Thank you! Needed a good chuckle!

    I understand that heated opinions can often be exchanged here, and frankly, that's one of the things that keeps me checking back every 30 seconds to see if there's something new, but I'm wondering why Joe chose to single out Blutoj on this one. Reading all those old comments, there were far ruder comments than hers that were posted anonymously. Whether I agree with any of the opinions or not, it seems to me that she was singled out just because she didn't hide behind the guise of anonymity.

    I don't agree that there should have been a stricter penalty for the officers, but Blutoj, I've got your back. It doesn't seem fair that in all that, YOU were the one who was called out. If everyone's going to be pointing fingers accusationally, they shouldn't be afraid to say who they are.

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  18. 10:34am---hence, why you drive truck...

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  19. Excellent Post...I humbly agree.

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  20. Just a little note down memory lane for me. Everyone remember when the Civic Center had the New Years Eve Party with so many bands performing in different rooms? Well my hubby and I decided we would go with some friends of ours which in turn hung out with some officers in our area (salisbury). Anyways to make a long story short, you wont believe the amount of alcohol that was brought in my these officers and the worse part of it alot of them where drunk and drove home that night. As a matter of fact, I made the comment that me and my hubby had drank to much and I should call someone to take us home. One officer said, "Dont worry about it, if you get stopped tell them you were with us (meaning the police officers that were there) and they will let you go."
    I agree with bluto, there are different rules for certain people. If you are a officer and are friends with them you get one set of rules but if you are by yourself you are punished unbelievely.

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  21. TotMom,
    Your damned if you do and damned if you don't.
    Everybody thinks I'm a racist liberal!?!? WTF?

    I know the feeling, keep being who you are and learn whatever you can, and speaking your mind.

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  22. Easy Tot........Beer on the breath is not a legal term. The restriction on CDL licenses require a BAC of .02. Whether or not the driver is arrested is an officer discretion thing. That discretion is frequently based on many things. There may seem like there is a double standard but I will say this. Police officers are held to a higher standard - and believe it or not - by their own peers. Times have changed and they continue to do so. (Twenty years ago police officers were known as fat, donut lovers. Now you are more likely to see them at the gym than at D/D.)

    These officers weren't drinking while driving. They were purchasing beer for later....right? The reason Law Enforcement Agencies have policies that prohibit this is because of public perception.

    Also. Anyone I've ever spoken to, held you in high regard. You weren't held to any double standard here.....you simply chose to take one side of a very polarizing issue. If anyone knows about that - it's me. If you take a side on ANY issue, someone will take you to task for it. It is borne of a combination of a difference in opinion and the fact that ppl can comment anonymously. It's the nature of a blog.

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  23. "Twenty years ago police officers were known as fat, donut lovers. Now you are more likely to see them at the gym than at D/D."

    The more things change the more they stay the same.

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  24. I agree with bluto, there are different rules for certain people. If you are a officer and are friends with them you get one set of rules but if you are by yourself you are punished unbelievely.

    1:35 PM

    YOU COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER!
    They are not held to any standard at all unless they are caught sleeping with children or hit and run and those things my dear you can't cover up.

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  25. OMG..here we go Joe with the "I put my life in jeopardy everyday for you people" You wanted to be a cop right? You knew what your responsibilities were and you chose to be a cop. Stop whining and do your job. We all put our lives in jeopardy every time we walk out the front door in this city and what about those correctional officers who deal with these prisoners all day every day? Ya think they ride the easy bus?

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  26. Another can of worms? The officer did not drink the beer on his way to his class, therefore he did nothing wrong period.

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  27. Yea taking it home in a iced down cooler.
    They had to be drinking it on the way to baltimore, or why did they have it iced down?

    Okay Meathead...I always ice my beer or ANY beverage down in the morning so when I reach my destination it is ice cold! What is so weird about that?

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  28. For most cops a good days work and a cold drink of water would kill em.

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  29. Granddad--"Police officers are held to a higher standard- and believe it or not--by their own peers."

    Their own peers meaning other police officers? Yeah right!! You expect me to believe that one. I KNOW BETTER!! Their peers are the ones that are having parties, getting drunk and driving home. Who is going to go against one of their own when they stop them for driving crazy?

    Remember not to long ago the police officer who was driving home from a party, struck one of his neighbors trucks,damaged it, and then left the scene. Well the truck that was damaged (the neighbors) I know personally. His comment was he could not believe the guy is on paid leave of absence. He is a CDL truck driver and he knows that if that happened to him he would have been locked up, key thrown away, and lost his job to boot. Now tell me Grand Dad there is no double standard and police officers peers keep them to a higher standard. Try to convince someone else. This chick knows better.

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  30. Their own peers meaning other police officers? Yeah right!! You expect me to believe that one. I KNOW BETTER!! Their peers are the ones that are having parties, getting drunk and driving home. Who is going to go against one of their own when they stop them for driving crazy?

    AMEN...they cover up for each other and when it comes to you doing the same they throw you in the slammer and add some shit to your charges that never happened. Maybe that's why alot of you cops are hated because you are liars! Tell the truth and most people wouldn't have a problem with you

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  31. Bluto, the reason that I singled you at is because you are listed as a "Contributor" to this site. In my opinion that means that in some way sbynews endorses your comments and/or opinions. If you were just another poster putting that info up then I would have never written the email. I told Joe this same thing in the email that I sent to him.

    My main point is that you keep saying that you are tired of the police breaking laws that you are forced to obide by when in fact these officers DID NOT BREAK THE LAW. You keep inisinuating that you would get into trouble for doing the same thing they did when in fact you wouldn't. Nobody would bat an eyelash if you rolled into Cheers in your own vehicle or a vehicle owned by whatever company you work for and bought beer.

    Furthermore you posted a comment again that insinuated that I attacked you for saying something about the officer personal life. Read my post again please, I never once commented on opinions that were made of his personal life, not once, nor did I accuse you of saying anything.

    Last you keep talking about someone drinking a beer with dinner and being arrested for DUI. I don't know what misunderstanding you have of the law but no state that I know of has a law that says you can't drive after consuming one beer. Trust me when I say this, police officers do not want to arrest people that are below the legal limit. I speak from personal experience because I have arrested people before that blew a .11 BAC at the traffic stop but by the time you get them back to the police dept and they take an actual official BAC test they blow a .07 or .06 It happens and it sucks being the officer that arrested them. You get criticized for locking someone up that wasn't above the legal limit. Then when you go to court and the defendant gets found not guilty you feel stupid for arresting them. Nobody wants the reputation of being the officer that loses DUI's in court, or locks people up that weren't breaking the law.

    Like I said, Joe knows who I am and how to contact me. If you would like to know what is is like to do what we do, or the decisions we have to make on a daily basis I invite you and URGE you to come ride with me one night shift. If you want we can go out with the sole intent of looking for drunk drivers and I can show you the three types of drunk drivers. The ones who have consumed alcohol but are below the limit and safe to drive home, the ones that are borderline and need to have someone called to come pick them up, and the ones that are drunk, are dangerous, and need to go to jail.

    You would have my respect if you come ride with me one night and then still have the feelings/opinions that you have. What I can't respect is someone who has your feelings but refuses to open their mind and ride with a police officer to experience it first hand and find out if their beliefs and stereotypes are true.

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  32. I really have to laugh at the people putting down the police in this comment section.
    If you were ever stopped by a cop, you would be the most polite person in the world and if you needed a cop in an emergency, you would be the most grateful.
    Cops do a great service for us all and continuing to pick at them does nothing but make them wonder why they are even trying.
    Let's move on to the real bad apples, the firemen. Just kidding!

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  33. Anonymous 4:30

    You and I definately disagree on a quite a few assertions.

    First off, I wholeheartedly disagree with your assessment of taking home State owned vehicles in light of the nations energy crisis.

    Even Joe and I disagree on this.

    But I've got news for you buddy. . .and hear me out on this.

    I remember quite vividly while working at a Federal installation a few years back, for a private contractor.

    At the time the Federal Budget extension agreement had not yet been reached by our Congress. As a result, the federal government laid off millions of federal workers for a few days because there was no funding. The guy I worked with everyday - a federal worker - didn't show up because of his furloughed. When the agreement was signed he reported back to work and informed me that his was, in fact, paid for the days he wasn't working.

    NOW DO YOU THINK THAT IS FAIR? AND THAT IS VERY HARD TO STOMACH FOR ANYONE BECAUSE I AMONG HUNDREDS OF OTHER WORKERS KNEW EXACTLY THE DISCRIMINATION BY NONE OTHER THAN YOUR VERY OWN GOVERNMENT.

    I'll tell you something else, a few months ago there was a Maryland House Bill that was introduced to EXEMPT ALL FIREFIGHTERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIERS, AND SCHOOL TEACHERS from paying any property taxes on their own homes. To make up the difference, the bill proposed raising the taxes on all ordinary citizens. DO YOU THINK THAT IF FAIR?

    I tell you folks, AMERICA IS RIPE FOR A REVOLUTION.

    This Country has never been the same since J Edgar Hoover left office.

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  34. I believe everyone sees the abuses of our government officials -i.e riding government vehicles for own personal use w/family members, State Road Administration vehicles, list goes on and on.

    When those in authority try and and justify this type of behavior they are just adding gas to the fire. All citizens are not imbasiles, especially with advent of internet. Before internet, the activity wasn't communicated and noticed so much. Now everyone knows. Why do you think China puts a muzzle on the internet.

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  35. Anonymous 430 said...
    My main point is that you keep saying that you are tired of the police breaking laws that you are forced to obide by when in fact these officers DID NOT BREAK THE LAW. You keep inisinuating that you would get into trouble for doing the same thing they did when in fact you wouldn't. Nobody would bat an eyelash if you rolled into Cheers in your own vehicle or a vehicle owned by whatever company you work for and bought beer.

    I would have to disagree with this very strongly. You see I own my own company and give all my employees a handbook of all the company rules which they have to sign off on before they start work. One of the rules states that anyone driving any company vehicle ( even the moped ) is not allowed to have any alcohol or illegal drugs in said vehicle or on their peson at any time for any reason. I have also put in a zero tolerence policy, the handbook is your warning. With that said, if I pull in to Cheers ( or anywhere else for that matter and see you loading it into one of my vehicles
    you will be imediately unloading it and calling a cab and the unemployement office. You are right on one thing I would not bat an eyelash, I would just fire your a$$ for breaking company LAW. If you want to do it, do it on our own time in your own vehicle in your own clothes. I put way to much of my time and waaay too much money into my business to have some clown give me a black eye over something they did knowing it was wrong. So, whether it is a govt. law or a company policy it is still a written law you must abide by. This is what is wrong with the world today. Everyone thinks everyone else owe's them a living and has to give them warnings for things that are clear written rules.

    People nowdays will sue you over anything, what happens if they got in an accident, even if it was not ther fault, and all the beer spills out. How do you explain that one to the insurance company?

    I don't know about you but my premiums are already thru the roof & have never had an accident claim in all 15 years of business.

    Sorry for the long rant

    RH

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  36. Law is common or legislative. Law has a prescibed punishment, is enforceable by law enforcement and has a right to trial. A policy and procedures manual in a company is not LAW.

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  37. Thanks for all the support,points and counterpoints.I wanted to also chime in that while my PT job doesnt require a company vehicle,my spouses job does and his employer is a civilian company and they are quite open and upfront about rules involving the use of company vehicles and right at the top of the list is alcohol.Its pretty much like that with most company fleets,but I guess its a moot point.I do apologize if I offended anyone.

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  38. I am a law enforcement officer and I will come to the defense of totmom on a single issue. The deputy who was arrested for dui was not an exception. I know of many cops who work and live in the county from all five agencies who drink and drive. The reason the public will never find out is because most cops including me will not arrest another cop for dui unless there is an accident. That is my defense. That said the spd officers did not break the law they violated dept policy, based on my agencies policy which is probably similar to spd they might lose a couple days pay. In closing MSP does not make a killing, we make a decent income based on the educational requirements for the job. The take home vehicle comes with a 25 mile restriction.

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  39. Anonymous said...
    Law is common or legislative. Law has a prescibed punishment, is enforceable by law enforcement and has a right to trial. A policy and procedures manual in a company is not LAW.

    7:54 PM

    It may not be a government law but it is my law in which you agreed to abide by when you signed on to work at my place of business. Just because it may not be a government supplied law does not mean there should be no consequenses.

    My rant does not have to do specifically with the two officers in question but the more general term of most of society not wanting to follow the rules, and if they get caught breaking them they feel they are owed a break/warning with the promise not to get caught again. Notice I did not say "not do it again". You see if you show softness people will walk all over you. Remember the old saying "give em an inch and they will take a mile" well it is more evident in todays world than ever.
    Sorry , call me old school but I think people should be more accountable for their actions and should suffer th consequenses of their actions. I have made several mistakes in my past & am bound to make them in the future, everyone does, but will always be man enough to stand up and face the punishment. Guilty as charged.

    RH

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  40. anon 8:16

    Why wont you arrest another cop for DUI unless its an accident? Do you think that is fair? Why not let everyone go and not get arrested unless there is an accident involved?

    To me this is a DOUBLE STANDARD no matter what agency you are with.

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  41. Response 8:16 Post

    You've just said it all in a nut shell when you said;

    "I know of many cops who work and live in the county from all five agencies who drink and drive. The reason the public will never find out is because most cops including me will not arrest another cop for dui unless there is an accident."

    My response: And that is exactly why the public's perception of law enforcement is a double edged sword.

    And this double standard is why the divorce rate runs so high among law enforcement officials.

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  42. 9:11 post:

    YOU ARE EXACT RIGHT!!!

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  43. I agree that there is a double standard, and the reason i wont lock up another cop without there being an accident is they are like brothers to me. plus if you did that you would be ostracized in the law enforcement community. also to be fair i have let many citizens go without locking them up for dui and i have not yet stopped another cop for dui. i was speaking hypothetically.

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  44. not all police are bad, but it only takes the one that lets his position go to his head, and makes the rest look bad; having family in law enforcemnt, and having an issue with a rogue cop, I have seen both sides.

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  45. If an off duty Trooper is supposed to wear a certain type of clothing while using the police vehicle. Then why did I see one today getting out of his cruiser wearing a cut off shirt and shorts. Scraggly looking fellow he was and wasnt wearing a gun neither. He had an "E" tag on car too.

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  46. If you see a Trooper in their vehicle wearing a cut off shirt and shorts, get their tag number and location and call the barrack to complain. You can dial #77 from your cell phone. It's a FREE call. Supervisors can't be everywhere all the time and rely of citizen input. Make the call and the employee will be dealt with according to Agency policy. If you don't believe it, ask a Trooper the next time you see one.

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  47. Oh, I forgot to add the most important part. If you call the barrack and file a complaint you can do it anonymously. So please don't reply with a comment regarding how "you fear retaliation" if you make a complaint. If you see a Trooper who is in the wrong. Call the barrack.

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  48. As a Retired Maryland State Police F/Sgt. I will say that your citizens do not know what our policies and procedures are. Yes, we do have some rules about vehicle use while off duty, but MSP has become very laxed about enforcing some of the rules. Thanks to the unions, the higher ups face alot of retaliation for confronting the issues.
    The rule about wearing a certain type of clothing isn't a harsh rule, we just ask for you to be neat and clean, not asking you to dress in a 3 piece suit and tie. SO CALLING THE BARRACK COMPLAINING WILL NOT DO YOU ANY GOOD OR JUSTICE ANYMORE!
    -WM

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