CONDUCT OF A POLICE OFFICER?

Question

Today I was coming home from an appointment and was waiting for my turn to turn left to go up a small incline to get to my condo.  There is a traffic light at this intersection, but it was being repaired by a crew of workers.

There were three different Police Officers on the scene.  I moved over to the lane in which I was to turn to go home and a young Police Office (he was probably my son's age) looked at me, rolled his eyes and made a gesture with his hands of "what are you doing"?  I pointed to go left and he shook his head "no".  I opened my drivers side window and said I just live right up the road at the condo complex.  He told me (very nasty) to "go up the road the other way".  I just moved to this city a couple of months ago and this is the only way in which I know how to get home.  There were no detour signs, so needless to say, I was at a loss.  He yelled over to me "turn on Woodmont".  I said to him (he walked over to my drivers side window at this point) that I don't know where Woodmont is and how do I go?  He yelled at me that I just said that I live here so I know where Woodmont is.  I said that I just moved here.  He screamed at me that if I say one more thing he'll arrest me.  I said "whatever you want".  He waved for me to leave.  The older officers (quite obviously older than myself) just looked at me.  I pulled around them, when up the street, finally found Woodmont and then was lost from there.  I got home a little while ago.  I had no idea where I was going and where I would end up.  I was also very sick to my stomach (and barely made it into my house).  Needless to say, the added pressure of being lost didn't help my situation.  Medically I had gotten very bad news about myself yesterday, so I was still upset about that, added to the pressure of physically being sick today and then getting lost.

Do you think that I should report this Police Officer's conduct to his Superiors?  I have never had an experience such as this.  I realize that life is not fair and everyone has an "off" day, but I thought that Police Officers were supposed to help people in need, not harrass them.  I guess that I should mention that I have both family and friends on two different police departments within the state who were equally shocked at this Officer's conduct.  I did not mention to them that I am considering reporting the Officer-in-question's conduct. Has anyone else ever experienced something like this?

Please, if possible, refrain from making rude and/or nasty comments.  I would certainly appreciate that.

Thanking you all in advance for your answers.  Happiness To All.

Joe · Accepted Answer

Yes, you should report it.  That is rude and discourteous conduct, and no citizen should be subjected to treatment like that.  My self-imposed rule was to try to always treat and speak to civilians in a manner I would want for my mom, no matter how stupid or ridiculous I might think their actions were.  But understand, this is something that will result in a counseling session or oral admonishment at the most, unless he has a history of this kind of stuff.  If he's been reprimanded for this kind of thing before, he could get a day or two suspension.

Anonymous · Answer

I know getting lost is no fun. I have had panic attacks from getting lost in Seattle at night when there are some creepy people around. 

The fact is the officer was probably trying to be firm and didn't want you to be hurt. How do you know that the road might have not been stable or mabey there was an accident and he didn't want you to see the gore? Sometimes when I am firm, I seem like I am angry becuse I have a usually quiet voice.

The fact is you are capable of speaking english, are smart and probably have some means to use a phone if you need it. You can find your way home.

KC V ™ · Answer

I do not discredit your explanation of events, however, I'm certain the officer most likely has a different version of his own. Most often there are three sides to an issue...yours, theirs, and a middle ground of which is probably closest to what really happened.

With that in mind, it sounds to me like you were upset, the officer made an assumption that you knew they had blocked the turning lane, and between the two different versions of this issue...there was definitely a miscommunication and understanding of each others thoughts.

Although I believe, based upon your side of this issue, the officer could have been a bit more tactful, it would be difficult to say who was wrong instead of who could have been more understanding of the situation.

The officer didn't know you were having a difficult personal issue, and who knows, he could have been having the same.

If you believe there could have been a miscommunication between the two of you...I'd suggest you chalk it up to a bad day for both. 

I certainly hope your issue is better than the other day and my prayers are with you!

Anna E · Answer

It does no harm to call and report the incident to the police.  When you indicated that you had just moved here, the officer should have taken the few seconds needed to tell you where you needed to go.  If he was having a bad day, so what.  It sounds like he needs a refresher course in  public relations.

☼ GƖơώ ✞ Ѡɪηǥs ☼ · Answer

Yes I have.  And now that I think back, I have to laugh at myself!
Let it go.  Maybe he was just having a bad day.  We all do!
I know that when I do, I don't even stop to realize just what I may look like or how I affect others with "my bad self"!

jakflak · Answer

When an officer is telling you to not go a certain way in traffic you have to obey it, not argue with him in the middle of an intersection.  I would likely have been rather annoyed with you also. 

Think of it from his perspective.  He's trying to keep traffic moving in a situation that is statistically the highest odds of him being killed in the line of duty (standing in traffic).  He's watching the entire intersection, then someone pulls up and starts arguing with him.  All  he wants to communicate with you is to keep driving.

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CONDUCT OF A POLICE OFFICER?

6 Answers