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OK, guys, I've read all your responses to my previous post and I think most
of you completely missed the point.
I agree with everything Badge 988 did and his handling of the offense, and I
believe he was MORE than generous with the offender - In his position I would
have treated the guy more harshly because of his presumption. That is NOT what
my post was about and I did NOT say anything about that.
Let me give you a little background.
I was raised here in northeast Oklahoma, the oil patch where we have real
cowboys and Indians (that's what they call themselves around here) and we
certainly do have our share of outlaws and corrupt politicians. I lived here
most of the time until I left in 1968 at age 30.
All that time I was taught a couple things that apply here:
1. Law enforcement officers are your FRIENDS, public servants who are there
for your help and protection. You should feel free to approach them under any
circumstance. And you should ALWAYS be courteous to them, NO MATTER WHAT.
2. When you are hailed by ANYONE, you respond to their hailing as courteously
and as promptly as possible, NOT making them come to you, but voluntarily going
to them as a sign of total cooperation. By all means avoid anything that might
be interpreted as being sullen or surly. Greet them in a friendly, cheerful
manner because they are (until proven otherwise) your FRIEND. Anything less
is disrespectful.
These two things have stood me in good stead over the intervening years. I am
a friendly guy and my full intent is to respond in a friendly manner. Those
who know me will agree fully.
I left Bartlesville for the big city (San Antonio) in 1968 and from there went
to Panama in 1971. I spent a total of 22 years there, including the Noriega
years, returning here in 1998. During the time I was in Panama I was subject
to the laws and the various police forces over the years. In Panama, the fine
for disrespect to an officer (HIS perception) is $25. I have interacted with
them over misunderstandings and minor or perceived infractions on quite a number
of occasions. All of them were armed. My approach there was the same as here,
be just as courteous and friendly and cooperative with them as humanly possible.
Above all, respond PROMPTLY to being hailed or pulled over, NOT by being sullen
(which was almost sure to get you a ticket for disrespect) but by approaching
the officer with the glad hand.
I do everything I can to be friendly and cooperative with policemen. But I do
NOT appreciate being confined without at least knowing the nature of the charges
against me, especially in a car whose inside temperature quickly rises to 125°
upon stopping, even with the windows open, unless the wind is blowing crosswise.
If a policeman expects everyone he stops to start shooting at him as soon as the
car door opens, maybe he ought to look at his own motives and behavior. I guess
there are people like that, and that is why policemen are armed. But I think
that people like that are a very small minority and it does not behoove the
public servant (which a policeman is) to treat EVERYONE like a homicidal maniac.
I refuse to be tarred with the same brush.
I will continue to be friendly and straightforward with policemen but I will
NOT allow them to punish me without valid reason.
--
George Downs Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!
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