# Don't know how to feel about this cop's question...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [October 30, 2011, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263 "2011-10-30T06:02:45Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 11
### Author:  [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/201 "2011-10-31T19:19:08Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> so am I to be resigned to the idea of anytime a cop sees me parking in handicap parking, regardless of my legality to be there, they are going to “light me up” and treat me as if I’m a law-breaker, simply because of my appearance?
Come on dude, he was just hitting you with bright lights purely for the aesthetical effects:
> [@Opinions...2nd try](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-2nd-try/596795/54):
>
> It looks crazy in regular light, real world scenarios but under the bright lights on stage, it helps bring out every detail and striation in your musculature.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/202 "2011-10-31T19:24:24Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> Shit, I just went out right now and checked.
It’s 2:00 in the afternoon, maybe you should check at night since that’s when you said this happened.
Besides, maybe the comment about not being able to see it was BS. It could have been a way for him to approach your car without looking like a jackass. _Most people_ (that aren’t doing anything wrong) would see that as a cop that’s just checking…just doing his job. It’s similar to when I ask an employee to do a project then, a little while later I make some excuse to walk past them. The excuse is BS, but it’s a good way for me to check on them without looking like an ass for doing it. This way, if you aren’t doing anything wrong, you could just show him the placard, answer a few questions and everyone can be on their way. If you didn’t have a placard or if he didn’t believe it was yours then he could detain you while he runs your ID against it.
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/203 "2011-10-31T19:25:33Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> Well, I understand that the general public might not know what hand controls look like, but I would like to think that a police officer would be a little more knowledgable. But I might be wrong. But the combination of a valid placard with hand controls puts the likelihood of malfeasance pretty low.
How does the presence of hand controls prove that _you, the driver_, are a handicapped person? All it shows is that this is a car modified for use by a handicapped person.
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### Author:  [@blinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkie)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/204 "2011-10-31T19:29:48Z")
Well I know I get really pissed when an obviously able bodied person flips on a placard and grabs a handicapped space. Sounds like you just got a guy who was going to bust an able bodied person (YEA!!) and then got embarassed when he realized you were in a chair. Lighten up with him
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### Author:  [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/205 "2011-10-31T19:34:37Z")
Blinkie! Welcome back!
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### Author:  [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/206 "2011-10-31T19:43:04Z")
I realize this is a Pit thread now, but I wanted to address the substance:
It is the police officer’s job to determine if the placard is being used as issued. It is not ordinarily the police officer’s job to determine if the placard was properly issued to begin with; it is the motor vehicle office’s job.
Using other anti-discrimination law as a guide, I would imagine that a police officer asking someone using a placard if he (in this case) is handicapped anough to be entitled to it violates Title II of the ADA, with the poissible exception of a police officer specifically assigned to determine if the tag was properly issued.
> [@Rick](#):
>
> Considering the OP’s posting history here, are you sure you named the correct individual with the attitude?
It’s entirely possible for more than one person in an encounter to have attitude 🙂
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> It’s totally unnecessary in order to determine the driver’s legal status and it’s an invasion of privacy. Everything can be determined simply by checking the information on the placard and the drivers license of the driver.
I fully agree.
> [@chiroptera](#):
>
> I don’t see what was wrong with what the cop did. He asked you to verify whether or not you were really disabled
Not his role. If the holder has satisfied the issuing authority as to his need for a placard, it should be treated as legitimate.
> [@CitizenPained](#):
>
> While I find a lot of things police officers do to be ‘rude’, I won’t deny that most of the time they get a Get Out of Miss Manners Free card. It’s their job.
I see nothing wrong with the idea that everyone should do their job as politely as possible at all times.
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### Author:  [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/207 "2011-10-31T19:45:47Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> I can’t make it _more_ visible than hanging it from the rearview, you nasty bitch.
>
> And the tinted window remark was total bullshit. You can see the placard perfectly well through my windows. I’ve been driving that car for more than 7 years, I’m pretty familiar with it. Shit, I just went out right now and checked. He just used the tinted windows as an excuse. Like I’ve said, I’ve never had any ticket or anything because of them, they are perfectly legal.
Shit, Jamie, you drive a car that’s over seven years old? Isn’t there a doctor or gym or orphanage you can sue so you can upgrade?
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/208 "2011-10-31T19:49:51Z")
> [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](#):
>
> I see nothing wrong with the idea that everyone should do their job as politely as possible at all times.
In a perfect world yeah. When you find that place’s Stargate address please let me know.
When Jamie gets perfect then he can really start bitching. Till then IMO (and probably the large majority of most other posters round these parts) he needs to chill a bit.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/209 "2011-10-31T20:00:42Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#):
>
> Shit, Jamie, you drive a car that’s over seven years old? Isn’t there a doctor or gym or orphanage you can sue so you can upgrade?
I’m looking…Can’t let the Mazda make it to double digits, that’s for damn sure! :eek:
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### Author:  [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/210 "2011-10-31T20:04:04Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#):
>
> Shit, Jamie, you drive a car that’s over seven years old?
He drove a car over a seven year old?! That’s sick.
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### Author:  [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/211 "2011-10-31T20:04:47Z")
> [@Acsenray](#):
>
> How does the presence of hand controls prove that _you, the driver_, are a handicapped person? All it shows is that this is a car modified for use by a handicapped person.
The hand controls, alone, don’t _prove_ anything (other than the car has been modified). I never said that it did. I said it just adds to the context of an above-the-board situation, when combined with the presence of a valid placard.
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### Author:  [@Hbns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hbns)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/212 "2011-10-31T20:13:00Z")
> [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](#):
>
> I see nothing wrong with the idea that everyone should do their job as politely as possible at all times.
I cut a little extra slack to those who deal with cheaters, frauds, and liars on a daily basis and have had to listen to every excuse under the sun for why the cheater, fraud, or liar should be excused this one time.
The cop was rude and blunt. Tactful? Probably not. But I’m guessing it cuts to the chase nine times out of ten.
Of course he could just roll on by. WAG, but I am thinking catching handicap parking violators without it being reported is a pretty rare occurrence. I think I could shake that one off in the name of finding out that somebody out there is actually trying to enforce those rules.
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### Author:  [@ballardfam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ballardfam)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/213 "2011-10-31T20:28:36Z")
> [@Hbns](#):
>
> I cut a little extra slack to those who deal with cheaters, frauds, and liars on a daily basis and have had to listen to every excuse under the sun for why the cheater, fraud, or liar should be excused this one time.
Yeah, I’ve seen way too many people cheat/lie & use a handicapped parking space that disabled people really need. I’ve been asked if I’m legit occasionally when taking my dad somewhere (wheelchair rider) in his car. I’ve always been happy to think that a cop is actually prioritizing the issue.
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/214 "2011-10-31T20:32:48Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> The hand controls, alone, don’t _prove_ anything (other than the car has been modified). I never said that it did. I said it just adds to the context of an above-the-board situation, when combined with the presence of a valid placard.
:rolleyes: Whatever. I should know better.
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### Author:  [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/215 "2011-10-31T20:33:09Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#):
>
> Having hand controls doesn’t mean you are truly handicapped any more than having a handicapped placard means you are truly handicapped.
Indeed, someone driving someone else’s car which has one of those placard things in it isn’t going to dismantle the controls, presumably. The hand controls are no more evidence than the placard thing.
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### Author:  [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/216 "2011-10-31T20:58:14Z")
> [@Alessan](#):
>
> I disagree. Asking someone \*how \*they became disabled would have been a personal and intrusive question; asking them \*whether \*they were disabled isn’t.
Except that does not apply. The OP was asked why he was disabled, not if.
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### Author:  [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/217 "2011-10-31T21:00:57Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#):
>
> Except that does not apply. The OP was asked why he was disabled, not if.
Actually, the OP was asking how he should feel about the cop asking why he was disabled. I say ‘meh’.
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### Author:  [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/218 "2011-10-31T21:08:12Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#):
>
> Except that does not apply. The OP was asked why he was disabled, not if.
Bahhh, given previous history I am reluctant to take any Jamie related encounter as a perfect unbiased recollection of events.
But even then, the “why” can be interpretted to mean "in what manner are you disabled?’ and or “are you actually disabled?” and not “what tragedy occurred to make you disabled?”
I seriously doubt the cop gave a rat’s ass as to the history of events that lead up to the disability. Its pretty damn obvious he just wanted to know if Jamie actually WAS disabled.
So, at best/worst the cop used the wrong word in his search for truth, justice, and the American way. BFD.
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### Author:  [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/219 "2011-10-31T21:37:44Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#):
>
> And the people who say “of course” the cop lit me up, he saw a young, muscular guy in a sports car sitting in a handicap spot, so naturally he thought it was placard abuse; let me ask: so am I to be resigned to the idea of anytime a cop sees me parking in handicap parking, regardless of my legality to be there, they are going to “light me up” and treat me as if I’m a law-breaker, simply because of my appearance?
I understand that young black men occasionally have this problem. It probably does suck.
> [@blinkie](#):
>
> Well I know I get really pissed when an obviously able bodied person flips on a placard and grabs a handicapped space. Sounds like you just got a guy who was going to bust an able bodied person (YEA!!) and then got embarassed when he realized you were in a chair. Lighten up with him
Hey **Blinkie!** Good to see you!
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### Author:  [@G-SE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G-SE)
#### Post date: [October 31, 2011, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-know-how-to-feel-about-this-cops-question/601263/220 "2011-10-31T22:18:26Z")
Go wheel yourself off a fucking cliff already. Do the world a favor.
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