# Passing a LEO vehicle **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 15, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073 "2013-06-15T16:20:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/61 "2013-06-18T16:13:23Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > **REALLY?** :eek: > > You’re **really** on a public board arguing for police officers to be able to get out breaking the law by virtue of what they do for 8 hours a day? Driving drunk, no less? > > You’re really arguing for police officers to be able to get away with DUI while everyone else get’s completely boned? > > You wouldn’t by chance be the megalomaniac the OP was talking about, would you? What are you babbling about? I said nothing of the sort. I said cops should get a pass for \*minor violations such as most ordinary people would get a warning for \*some times. I said nothing at all about cop getting a pass for DUI, in fact I said they should lose their jobs for one. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/62 "2013-06-18T18:48:57Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > What are you babbling about? I said nothing of the sort. I said cops should get a pass for \*minor violations such as most ordinary people would get a warning for \*some times. > > I said nothing at all about cop getting a pass for DUI, in fact I said they should lose their jobs for one. If it’s something everyone get’s a pass on theres no reason to be flashing you badge is there? And your post did sound like you were suggesting cops get out of DUI. Be a little careful in how you word things. Better yet, don’t make it public that your badging your way out of tickets. Joe & Joy Sixpack aren’t likely to look at that very favorably. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/63 "2013-06-18T19:07:05Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > If it’s something everyone get’s a pass on theres no reason to be flashing you badge is there? > > And your post did sound like you were suggesting cops get out of DUI. Be a little careful in how you word things. > > Better yet, don’t make it public that your badging your way out of tickets. Joe & Joy Sixpack aren’t likely to look at that very favorably. Not everyone does all the time. But I think it is critical to show the badge as you are carrying a gun. The LEO who pulls you over and spots it if you are pretending to be “Joe Sixpack” will likely over-react. Since I am not a LEO, where did you get the idea I was “badging my way out of tickets”? Be a little careful how you read things. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/64 "2013-06-18T19:36:03Z")
I have no ethical problem with ID-ing myself to another cop. Virtually every cop I know would want to know that. It lets them know that I am not a threat. Can they extend some courtesy for a minor violation? Again, almost every one that I know would. I am talking about a few miles over the limit or a couple over to whatever they have their radar set. There are plenty of cops who blatantly break the rules as if they don’t apply to them. DUI, riding up the shoulder in a traffic jam, parking where its prohibited etc. That is not what I am talking about and I DO have an ethical problem with that. If the officer could let Joe Public off with a warning then he can let a fellow officer off with the same. There are officers out there (most departments have at least one) who treat everyone the exactly the same. Seven miles per hour over? You get a ticket(s). No excuses, no warnings. They got picked on in school and now they have some power. Those types give cops a bad name as much the speeders-with-a-badge. Maybe worse. The difference between Joe the factory worker and me is that I will stop and help another cop in trouble if he needs it. You can bet on it. Joe? He might call 911 or video the incident but get directly involved? Far less likely. Like it or not, there is a brotherhood among cops. To be sure, it is abused sometimes but, for the most part, minor violations are often overlooked as an acknowledgment of that bond. If, for a minor violation, an officer says “I do not want to know that the driver is a cop, nor would I care” I would have to question his common sense about the rest of his actions as an officer. I certainly wouldn’t want him for a partner. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/65 "2013-06-18T21:11:52Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > There are officers out there (most departments have at least one) who treat everyone the exactly the same. Seven miles per hour over? You get a ticket(s). No excuses, no warnings. They got picked on in school and now they have some power. Those types give cops a bad name as much the speeders-with-a-badge. Maybe worse. Oh, God fucking forbid a cop actually apply the law equally to everybody. The fact that you feel that type gives cops a bad name says a lot about you as a cop. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/66 "2013-06-19T03:56:25Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Since I am not a LEO You made it sound like you were at least somehow in the field one way or another. > [@DrDeth](#): > > In Patrol Procedures, we were told that the proper patrol speed is 25MPH, even if the speed limit is 35 MPH. So, Cops drive under the SL all the time, and there’s no violation for passing them. > > Now in some cases, like if the Cop car had it’s lights on, you shouldn’t pass. > > But here’s the thing- the ticket has to be written for a CA MVC violation. What is that County Deputy going to put? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/67 "2013-06-19T15:36:34Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > You made it sound like you were at least somehow in the field one way or another. Worked my way thru college as a Security guard, including a govt gd, now today I work in what some might call Code enforcement. So, yeah, I see how you got that impression. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/68 "2013-06-19T17:51:49Z")
Applying the law equally to everybody sounds good at first but has little use in the real world. Every violation/violator and the circumstances are different. To do it your way I’d have to treat everyone who who goes five miles over the limit the same. The kid who just got his license, the guy who I’ve warned twice and cited once for the same thing, the out-of-towner who is a little lost, the guy in the school zone with kids around and the guy on a country road at 1:00 AM. Does that make any sense? Of course, not. The law makers realize this and give cops the ability to exercise discretion. I doubt anyone would want to live in a world where no one got a warning for anything. If every violation resulted in some sort of enforcement action you’d be crying about the police state and paying higher taxes due to the need for more cops, courts and jails to handle all the violators. To repeat, I feel no sense of entitlement regarding traffic or other laws. I wouldn’t demand to be given a break. Perhaps I used the term “flashing my badge” a little too loosely in my OP. I always produce requested documents and keep my hands on the wheel. I apologize for whatever the infraction. I also produce my “cop” ID and offer it if he’d like to see it. This has happened four or five times over 30 years. Once for not having my headlights on when my wipers were going in a mid-day rain and the others for low level speeding on divided highways (including the incident in the OP). I’ve never had an officer say “I don’t want to see it.” Responses have ranged from merely, “Have a nice day” to “Slow it down a little” to a bit of a lecture. No tickets, however. Finally, in case you didn’t already know this, the best way to get a warning is to be polite and respectful to the officer. Your attitude and demeanor have a lot to do with what he is going to do. You may still get a ticket but maybe you could have gotten two or three. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/69 "2013-06-19T22:13:08Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Applying the law equally to everybody sounds good at first but has little use in the real world. Every violation/violator and the circumstances are different. To do it your way I’d have to treat everyone who who goes five miles over the limit the same. The kid who just got his license, the guy who I’ve warned twice and cited once for the same thing, the out-of-towner who is a little lost, the guy in the school zone with kids around and the guy on a country road at 1:00 AM. Does that make any sense? Of course, not. The law makers realize this and give cops the ability to exercise discretion. I doubt anyone would want to live in a world where no one got a warning for anything. If every violation resulted in some sort of enforcement action you’d be crying about the police state and paying higher taxes due to the need for more cops, courts and jails to handle all the violators. > > To repeat, I feel no sense of entitlement regarding traffic or other laws. I wouldn’t demand to be given a break. Perhaps I used the term “flashing my badge” a little too loosely in my OP. I always produce requested documents and keep my hands on the wheel. I apologize for whatever the infraction. I also produce my “cop” ID and offer it if he’d like to see it. This has happened four or five times over 30 years. Once for not having my headlights on when my wipers were going in a mid-day rain and the others for low level speeding on divided highways (including the incident in the OP). I’ve never had an officer say “I don’t want to see it.” Responses have ranged from merely, “Have a nice day” to “Slow it down a little” to a bit of a lecture. No tickets, however. > > Finally, in case you didn’t already know this, the best way to get a warning is to be polite and respectful to the officer. Your attitude and demeanor have a lot to do with what he is going to do. You may still get a ticket but maybe you could have gotten two or three. This is all true. My beef is that off duty cops should not be doing things where they are getting pulled in the first place. And we shouldn’t be publicizing the professional courtesy thing. It doesn’t sit well with some. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/70 "2013-06-19T23:05:19Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > This is all true. > > My beef is that off duty cops should not be doing things where they are getting pulled in the first place. And we shouldn’t be publicizing the professional courtesy thing. It doesn’t sit well with some. Oh come on. Off duty cops are just like everyone else. Driving 5 MPH over the speed limit when it’s safe, accidentally having a tail-light out, etc. All these are things that are usually solved with a warning… unless you’re a douchebag (or in some jurisdictions, the wrong color). ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@Mr\_Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Nobody)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/71 "2013-06-21T08:56:04Z")
Seems to me the point some are making, and others are obviously missing (or ignoring) is that if it’s a minor violation that Joe Q Public would often get a warning for, then lets see if Off-Duty Carl K Cop gets his warning without flashing his badge. Joe’s not pulling out his work ID card to show the LEO, why should Carl? As soon as he does that, it’s almost a sure thing he’s only getting a warning. Why does he get that advantage over Joe Q? I will say, that in the case of being pulled over for something serious, cops are looking for suspect or something and they are all on edge, then of course and off-duty LEO should identify himself, especially if he is carrying a weapon, but not for the purpose of getting out of a speeding or rolling through a stop sign type of ticket. If it’s minor enough that Joe gets a warning, Carl will also. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/72 "2013-06-21T15:34:11Z")
Off duty cops shouldn’t **intentionally** be doing things that may get them pulled over, I agree. But everyone makes mistakes. And, maybe you’re right about publicizing professional courtesy. There is a vocal minority that think that the practice is just outrageous. I’d venture to say the the majority of people don’t care/understand when officers treat other officers a bit differently than the rest of the public for minor violations. Maybe I can just get a warning for bringing the whole thing up? ---
**Author:** ![JBDivmstr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@JBDivmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBDivmstr)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073/73 "2013-06-21T16:17:05Z")
In 30+ years of driving I’ve been pulled over more than a few times, and I have _ **never** _ received a ‘written warning’. :dubious: Ass-chewings, on the other hand… 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/passing-a-leo-vehicle/661073.md?page=3)