Don't insult my intelligence
Honesty goes a long way in my book and as such can often be rewarded. For example, if I initiate a traffic stop and ask the driver if they knew why I pulled them over, their honesty can earn them a verbal or written warning. This is of course, dependant on the crime. Obviously I'm not going to verbally warn a driver I stopped for suspected DUI. "Honesty is the best policy" also works outside the traffic stop.
Frequently, I'll ask questions of suspects that I already know the answer to in order to gauge their honesty. Recently I responded to a call of someone trespassing. In and of itself, not a huge deal, right? Well, a guy matching the description takes off in front of me and I give chase on foot. He quickly gives up and my body is grateful. I really don't like to run. Anyway, another unit arrives and I've got the guy cuffed and I'm starting my search while I'm asking him questions. I tell him to be honest with me. During this conversation, he lies like a bed.
Frequently, I'll ask questions of suspects that I already know the answer to in order to gauge their honesty. Recently I responded to a call of someone trespassing. In and of itself, not a huge deal, right? Well, a guy matching the description takes off in front of me and I give chase on foot. He quickly gives up and my body is grateful. I really don't like to run. Anyway, another unit arrives and I've got the guy cuffed and I'm starting my search while I'm asking him questions. I tell him to be honest with me. During this conversation, he lies like a bed.
- "I'm not the guy you're looking for." Funny, you match every single descriptor given.
- "My name is Greg Smith." Well, your first name is Greg, but every piece of ID in your wallet says your last name is otherwise.
- "I don't use narcotics." Hmm, you've got a prescription for Methadone in your pocket.
- "I've never been arrested. " The rap sheet I just printed in the office says you have.
So, since he clearly demonstrated that he wasn't honest and certainly wasn't apologetic, he got charged with everything. Had he been honest from the get go, I would have given him a warning and completed some documenting paperwork just in case it occurred again. Honestly.
posted by Moe at 12:15
4 Comments:
I've been on a few ride alongs and just about every cop I've come into contact with says that liers are the ones they can't stand the most. One officer said, "I hate, in this order, child molesters, liers, and everything else."
On the ride along I was on this past Saturday there was a pretty blatant case of the pants-on-fire-itis. You can read about it here if you're interested: http://policequest.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/game-night/
Moe:
Great observations...been therem, done (from both sides fo the fence), and I've enevr encountered a situation where the TRUTH took the hit (except in warfare when it's the first victim)
PQ:
I have to admire the gall of some that when you catch them w/ their had IN the cookie jar, with cookie crumbs ALL over them, and their hands covered with chocolate, they tell you:
"I haven't taken any cookies...wasnt even NEAR that jar"...
Yeah, right.
For my NEXT "fairy tale"...
Once upon a time....
I always have a major respect for police officers and law enforcement. I figure if they pull me over for anything traffic related, I was probably doing something I shouldn't have been doing in the first place. (IE - Speeding etc...) Otherwise they'd just be sitting there looking pretty in their nice uniforms and white and blue police cars doing absolutely nothing.
Are some cops corrupt? Of course, but those are so far and few between that they give the good cops a bad reputation. There is also inherent paranoia among people. I see it every day especially when I write up their "innocent" cherub for doing something in plain sight on the video tape. "Not MY kid...."
Anyhow, thanks for doing what you do.
Thats like the pot calling the kettle black.
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