Please, could you just give me a warning?

[SGT Dave]

Po-leeece / SGT Dave / Sullivan

Whew! Had to jump in the middle there...keep everyone from flaming Sullivan. Since I know he's just picking in fun, I'll be the first to say I DO give other officers warnings:

"If you, for SOME reason, drive my car, DO NOT add or delete channels!"

"Do not show every report as "unfounded" if you don't apprehend/identify a suspect."

(When I was a detective) "Don't tell the victim I come in at 9:00 so they can call about 9:05 to ask about their case" (sound familiar investigators????)

"If you call me by radio and I'm obviously on walkie and my 'Go Ahead' response is echoing, DO NOT ask me my '10-20'!" (For non-LE, that means I'm in the toilet reading Law and Order.)

And above all...

"DON'T TOUCH MY 'WHITE OUT'!!!!!!"

[Evnings]

I used to write about 50% and warn 50%. Now, I write about 90%. I stop a lot fewer cars, but the stops I make are for more henious violations than in the past. My usual response to anyone wanting a warning was a simple " No, You are being issued a citation for your violation. " That was the end of my discussion on the matter. I always got complained on if I started to get creative in my responses to citizens during traffic stops, so I quit trying to be creative.

[Mike Tx]

oops!

[Army MP]

Our department dosen't have written warnings, only written citations and verbal warnings.

Mike

[Jensenfarm]

As just John Q Motorist, I normally drive my 5-7 mph over the limit on the long 4 hour hauls to see my sons, but I don't drink at-all, or drive tired.
If I get pulled over, I reminice of all the times I did do something to deserve a cite and didn't get one, and figure I'm still getting off pretty good, so when the officer approaches my window (interior lights on, hands on wheel ) I 'fess up and tell him exactly how fast I was going, or any other bonehead thing I might have done, and take my lumps like a big boy.
I haven't gotten a MV cite in at least 15 years...figure I'm due, but won't b***h when it happens!

[Bravo8]

I AM THE POLICE! RESPECT MY AUTHORITAAAHHHH!

Donuts Man, these guys get donuts? We don't have a donut shop in town.

Now go away....or I shall taunt you a second time

Originally posted by Mike Sullivan:
Give us a break! We can't help it if we break the law. What the hell would you do without us? You'd have to give each other warnings. That would be bad. Cops ticketing cops. Then when you started fighting over donuts...

[ 09-22-2001: Message edited by: Bravo8 ]

[Sgt. Slaughter]

Please, could you just give me a warning?

Just wondering what some of your responses are when citizens whine before you give them a citation.

[FLLawdog]

"Did you see the speed limit sign?"

"Yeah"

"There's your warning"

[Mike Tx]

But officer, I support the policemans balls!

[SGT Dave]

"Yeah, I'll give you a warning-if you do this again you'll get another ticket or go to jail."

I can't believe what people ask for "Warnings" on sometimes. Myself and another officer are usually tied for writing the most Driving While License Revoked citations/arrests. You would be surprised how many people drive after suspension even in this small town, and continually even after being cited. Probably 25%-50% of these ask after being stopped "Can't you just give me a warning?" On a DWLR!

I guess it never hurts to ask...

I don't write written warnings-my department doesn't lend them any more credit than a verbal, and my time is more valuable than that. I will make an exception for equipment violations that I want to see corrected, but, IMHO, a written warning for a moving violation is a waste of time.

NOTE: On our written warnings for equipment violations, the person is supposed to correct the problem, and present the citation and (presumably) the corrected problem/automobile to any law enforcement officer within 7 working days. As a joke, I have often thought about sending someone with one by the Highway Patrol station sometime when there's a lot of "brass" around, and let him present it to them-FOR DWI!

Drunk-"Yeah bud, got a warning ticket I need to get you to sign off on."

SHP Trp.-(removing his official issue Cross Pen) "Okay, what's it for?"

Drunk-"Drivin' drunk…cop just wrote me a warning ticket and said I needed to report to any cop in a sober condition within 7 days."

SHP Trp.-(Faints, possibly from lack of blood to brain or stroke/aneurysm.)

[Summer Rain]

I agree with Sgt. Dave, written warnings for equipment standards or an expired inspection/emissions sticker (if it's not too expired) ... but definitly not for moving violations. And rarely do I see any of the officers give warnings at all.

[Niteshift]

I decide if they get the warning.... their request has nothing to do with it.

And please, no crying (especially the men)

[THE BRONZE]

I have a threashold for speeding before I give a ticket under normal circumstances. If I happen to have one of those rare times where I'm bored, and stop someone under that magical line, I might write them a warning. When someone asks for a warning for doing more than twenty over, I politely tell them they're nuts.

[tcsd1236]

No. I can't give you a warning after I have already come up to your window with my yellow copy of your invitation to court. If I was going to give you a warning, I wouldn't be writing you a ticket. Why do they usually wait to ask for the warning until AFTER you have the ticket written??!!

[Bravo8]

My answer..........no. No explaination needed.

Originally posted by SGT Dave:

I don't write written warnings-my department doesn't lend them any more credit than a verbal, and my time is more valuable than that. I will make an exception for equipment violations that I want to see corrected, but, IMHO, a written warning for a moving violation is a waste of time.

I agree. Unfortunately, department policy says everyone gets paper. That means no verbal warnings, either a citation or a written warning.

If it's a stop for say......a suspected DUI, and everything turns out ok, I just don't log it. That way I don't have to explain where that written warning is....