Lesson learned, don't yell at the police

[Taurus]

Normally I have a great deal of respect for police and support them anyway I can. I truly appreciate the work they do.

Having said that, while on my bike ride today I had an encounter that made me question that............ for a moment or two. I was riding down a fairly quiet road and was approaching a curve and coming at me was one of those big Ford police pickups definitely speeding in a 25 mph zone. Long story short, he cut the corner really close and basically ran me up on the curb and into the drive strip. As he passed I let him know my feelings in a rather loud and demonstrative manner. He whipped around and headed back towards me, I assumed to see if I was OK. Instead, this rookie looking cop in street clothes jumped out and threatens me with a ticket and confiscation of my bike on the spot, on what grounds I don't know.

I told him if he felt that strongly about it it he should call over an on duty supervisor and we'll all talk about it. He didn't seem too interested in doing that and started making more threats so I just rode off. I'm 65 and don't have the time or temperament for such bravado on his part. He was clearly wrong, I was in a bike lane and he was not watching what he was doing.

Guess I'll need to watch my back for a while or pick a different route.

[Frankie the Fink]

In my 72 trips around the sun, I've only had two bad cop experiences and many exemplary ones. Maybe the guy just had a bad day. Being an LEO is a sh!t job in today's world so I'd say give him a one time pass....I wouldn't be a cop right now for love nor money.

[GTOguy]

I've made ten less trips than Frank around the sun, but I'm hopeful. Like Frank, I've had one or two negative experiences with the police, once as a teen, and once in my 20's. I was respectful, but in the wrong. I have nothing but respect for police who are underpaid, dis-respected, villanised, in harm's way, and on the verge of losing their pension and being imprisoned or financially ruined on a daily basis. No Thank You.

[Torqaholic]

I think most cops are fine people. Used to wave at them to let them know my appreciation for the work they do but I discontinued that practice. There's no benefit to it for me, only the possible hazard of them misinterpreting my action. People see what they want (or expect) to see and if the cop happens to be a power tripping asshole my intentions won't mean diddly, so screw that noise.

[Taurus]

I agree, never really had a bad experience until today. Must of caught him on an off day I suppose. In reality, I wouldn't want his job either.

[Bill]

02. N.W.A - F _ _ _ tha Police - YouTube

Geto Boys - Gota Let Your Nuts Hang - YouTube

Cop probably didn't appreciate you blasting this from your in bike stereo.

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by Torqaholic

I think most cops are fine people. Used to wave at them to let them know my appreciation for the work they do but I discontinued that practice. There's no benefit to it for me, only the possible hazard of them misinterpreting my action. People see what they want (or expect) to see and if the cop happens to be a power tripping asshole my intentions won't mean diddly, so screw that noise.

Four local cops were eating in my favorite Italian restaurant one afternoon where I am well known. Upon leaving I cornered my usual waitress and quietly paid their dinner bill. She told me on my next visit they were shocked as hell and had never had that happen before.

[slewfoot]

He knows what he did.


My wife is taking notice on me for being less tolerant claiming I am being nasty. Thing is she is very non confrontational (except with me).

Yesterday, we went to the local grocery store. I drive across the front of the store, make a turn to a parking spot.

I stop to allow a lady from the opposite side to pushes her now empty cart in front of me while I wait. Stupid bitch left it right in the space I was turning into.

So I said something

[CurtP]

Maybe your spandex shorts and bedpan on your head intimidated him.

[TheRealBadger]

Most cops are like most people - great. Some are not.

Why would you let that slide? At the minimum it’s a coaching moment for a young officer. At worst you are getting a shithead a heat check.

[LATB]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

He knows what he did.

Racial profiling because the OP is black?

[slewfoot]

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by CurtP

Maybe your spandex shorts and bedpan on your head intimidated him.

Me wearing spandex would a good enough reason to be arrested.

Not for me, nor do I ride with folks that wear it.

[Taurus]

Originally Posted by LATB

Racial profiling because the OP is black?

Do they profile 65 year old white Dutch dudes?

[Rodnok1]

Him turning around and giving me shit would have ended badly for him and no way I'd controlled myself let alone my mouth. He'd heard words make truckers piss themselves. I don't give 2 ****s if he's off duty cop so that shit would have just added to the who gives a **** list.
He was a ****ing dick and turning around was a double dick move and he'd been treated as such.
You did get his name and badge number since he wanted to play the I'm a cop card right. A visit to his precinct to see the boss straighten shit right put.

[Torqaholic]

Originally Posted by slewfoot

...Yesterday, we went to the local grocery store. I drive across the front of the store, make a turn to a parking spot.

I stop to allow a lady from the opposite side to pushes her now empty cart in front of me while I wait. Stupid bitch left it right in the space I was turning into.

So I said something

Reminds me of the time I took the heavily pregnant wife shopping in a snowstorm. Saw a guy getting ready to leave who was parked close to the store so I waited, he took his sweet ass time but I was patient. As he finally left some skank came whipping in and took the spot. Told her I was waiting for the spot and why, her reply was basically "tough shit".

Sure hope she could see on the way home, it was snowing terribly... And no doubt the gun grease coating her wiper blades was doing her no favors either. Sometimes karma needs a helping hand

[ZipZap]

I yelled sooey at a cop back in 1974. He followed me home and told my folks

I don't remember this one because I was so young, but my mom always told me the story of our family getting pulled over for something and when the officer got to the driver's side window to talk to my dad, my sister and I were yelling "what's a penny made out of?"

I've had a couple dick encounters, but 90%+ positive. The worst was actually at a sober checkpoint late at night after having traveled home across country (LAX/IAD) after a full day working and I was just annoyed at being stopped. "Where are you coming from?" Airport. "Where are you going?" Home. "Where is home" Am I being detained? It went downhill from there, with one Fairfax cop throwing their educational flyer at me through the window.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

Him turning around and giving me shit would have ended badly for him and no way I'd controlled myself let alone my mouth. He'd heard words make truckers piss themselves. I don't give 2 ****s if he's off duty cop so that shit would have just added to the who gives a **** list.
He was a ****ing dick and turning around was a double dick move and he'd been treated as such.
You did get his name and badge number since he wanted to play the I'm a cop card right. A visit to his precinct to see the boss straighten shit right put.

Yes, they probably would arrest OP right there at the police station, for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, maybe fleeing and eluding, too. You don't think cops don't stick together and retaliate? Does OP have the whole thing on video? No?

Good luck with that.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Taurus

I agree, never really had a bad experience until today. Must of caught him on an off day I suppose. In reality, I wouldn't want his job either.

You didn't get a pic of the plate, truck number, or even his name and badge number in case he tries to retaliate? Sorry dude, but this is one time where you should have let your inner Karen out and demanded to see an on duty supervisor.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

You didn't get a pic of the plate, truck number, or even his name and badge number in case he tries to retaliate? Sorry dude, but this is one time where you should have let your inner Karen out and demanded to see an on duty supervisor.

The cop isn't required to call a supervisor for OP, especially if the cop is off duty, just tooling around in his taxpayer funded ride. And let's say OP called 9-1-1 to report the incident and demanded a supervisor show up. How do you think that would go? Without video, backup officers are going to back the play of their guy, it's a team sport, and you are on the wrong team.