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Yesterday morning (03/18/08) at 9:07 AM I caught a few comments going back and forth between 2 or 3 traffic police. They were on Tac 2, I believe, and I think one was spotting and the others were chasing.

What a difference between these guys and the guys I usually hear on North precinct radio! They seemed very jaded and kinda mean. One particular comment surprised me so much I wrote it down:

"Apparently they don't give you brains when you go to Lakeside School, just money."

Somebody must have had a Lakeside sticker on their car.

I will continue to watch my speed very carefully on certain streets, as I don't think I want to meet these guys! Are they all like that? (Traffic cops)

No.

Brad/N7JGX
Whidbey Island, WA

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Whatever.....

Oh good.

T68 is worse

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I generate Board Warnings

We all develop stereotypes as a result of our life experience. Consider yourself lucky to get view into an often closed society-
police work

If they they are on a bike, they have been around long enough to know a thing or two about a thing or two (Not a newbie job). They are also likely slugs as the bike is not the road to a promotion generally speaking. Investigations and supervision is, traffic is generally not. Deadend road career-wise but most do not realize it until its too late (which eventually add the frustration).

They do the same thing day in day out. Almost always the most universally disliked position by both the public and other department members in many departments. Always a negative contact. Same thing day in, day out, same excuses. Crap from your co-workers alike.

Often referred to as "leather gods" or the like, they are viewed as lazy by other officers. Often traffic is a good place for a burned out guy to go because expectations and demands are so low and readily defined- write X number of rags a day and your supervisor is happy.

Don't get me wrong everyone of these guys would still chase an armed parolee down a dark alley alone in the rain to catch the guy that robbed, beat or raped you- someone they do not know ( and pay the ultimate price in the process if need be).

To say anything other than most of the guys on motors really feel the way the comment you heard would be inaccurate in my estimation. Hell most cops feel that way.

So YES, they are all generally like that with few exceptions in my experience. Realtors, Doctors, Attorneys and everyone else becomes jaded, cops should be afforded the same luxury. Experience is valuable. Experience is time and equals Jaded folks. Personally, I would not have it any other way

Commstar --

Thanks for the informed viewpoint. I do appreciate it!

One of the things I like about having a scanner is that I get a very different view of what really goes down in my neighborhood. I've been VERY impressed with the officers in Seattle. Professional and practical, they really seem out to solve problems, not just earn a paycheck.

I guess that's why the traffic cops surprised me. I'm sure there are a few forces at work there - as you mentioned, they see the dickheads of society every day, and at their worst. People lie to them, try to threaten them, play dumb, spit on them, and much worse I'm sure. I've dated a couple of Metro bus drivers and heard their horror stories, so being a traffic cop must be much worse.

There is probably a bit of selection at play, too. I can imagine that if a recruit is considered promising, their supervisors likely steer them away from dead-end paths such as traffic. This would leave less promising guys on the bikes. "Leather Gods?" Sounds like a great movie title!

I will continue to drive carefully, and report drunks.

The best thing that traffic cops can do to improve their image (if they care) would be to keep busting aggressive drivers! I LOVE seeing those asshats go down!!


I'll be out of touch for a few days as I'm spending the weekend at a science fiction conference. I'll be wearing an outfit that's sort of Mad-Max-meets-Tina-Turner. I never have trouble finding a place to sit when I wear that!

No, No, no.
They're upset because SPD issued Harleys.

Ever watch the show "Speeders" on TruTV! Just catch a couple of episodes and you'll see some of the stuff they hear! P.S. I heard them one day last summer up in north Seattle (they were talking about 110th and Aurora) on Events TG 6768.