Like or despise them we need the cops, 99% of the time they are just doing there job and earn a paycheck like the rest of us. If a cop is turning the "heat up" and talking to you, it's because somebody called them or they notice something odd about you, requiring a closer look. Because he or she is wearing a badge does not make them always right, like the rest of us they make a lot of mistakes. They do have one of the toughest jobs there is to do. I guarantee you most of the time, when they are doing a good job, somebody is going to think the cop is harassing them. They are doing what they have to do, just like the rest of us. As a citizen stand your ground if you think you are doing right. Ask them questions too, challenge authority if appropriate (have your $h*t together). I ran a cop off one my properties just a couple months ago. I was checking a property and i had parked my truck in the middle of the lot. I was doing what I like to do, walk the property (see things you won't see driving the property). I was at a dumpster, with a 5 gallon bucket and my "HOOK" that I use to probe dumpsters. I had put some wire and a couple of aluminum cans in the bucket. A city cop pulled up and asked, "and what do you think your doing?". I said checking this dumpster! He told me I was breaking the law and he could cite me and ticket me. I said really and what have I done? You are in violation of at least three misdemeanors and that he was going to ask me to leave the property only once! I told him I think he's maybe on the wrong property. Perhaps I'm not the person he was looking for and if ok with him, I would like to check another dumpster. He now gets out of his car (he should have done that first) tells me to put my bucket and hook down, hands on the hood and spread your legs, adding you don't listen to well do you? I told him I listen very well and heard everything he said, infact I recorded it! If it would be ok to show him my name tag and my
business card. I was wearing a wind breaker but not zipped up, my name tag on my shirt, would easily been observed had he choose observation before exercising his overbearing authority. He was not done with his mouth though, Telling me I was really stealing from the trash company, as they recycle those cans and that anything in the dumpster is now their property. I asked him if he was done with me? Yes he said! Well I have some questions for you if that would be ok, Fire away he says. How about some identification, like do you have a business card with your full name and badge number. He gives me one from his shirt pocket, I handed it back to him after taking my time examining it. If you would please, write the name of you immediate shift supervisor for tonight. Now in a very low tone tells me your free to go! Oh I know that, but would he tell me, what brings the police to my property? Is there something I can help with? Now he tell me that dispatch had a call about some teenagers on the roofs. I told him I'm convinced he's on the wrong property and he should go find out where he's supposed to be. Also not to worry about my trash companies profits, they made record profits last year. One more thing I might "STEAL" all of the tash on this property and recycle it (I'm guilty). I really hope this cop decides on a new occupation or learns he puts his pants on just like the rest of us (one foot at a time). I have no idea why he was there, we have onsite security, Almost never need police. The only real crime is, metal theft (tweakers/inside jobs. If cops are needed I'm usually the one calling them to the property. I really have fun with the code enforcement and building inspectors, (I could write a book about those encounters and profit killers). Just a note about recording conversations. I do it for my own benefit (not for any court room). As a tool and a method of reviewing how I deal with people in general. I find I make a lot of mistakes when communicating with others. When I treated someone wrong, my own words let me know I need to correct and learn from my mistakes. A pilot taught me that recording tool a long time ago. He used it to review how he communicated in the cockpit, a place you want to limit mistakes and perfect skills!
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