Woman cleared in wreck; officer was going 98 mph

Actually police pay is pretty darned good, even in the city of Richmond.  It starts out at about $38k and increases rapidly with time employed:

http://www.richmondgov.com/departments/police/Personnel/Police_Recruit.aspx

Police work is also relatively safe.  Deep-sea fishermen are far, far more likely to die or be seriously injured.  Fishermen work so that people can have food on their plates every day.  Loggers (who supply the materials needed to shelter you and your family), aircraft pilots and flight engineers, iron and steel workers, farmers and ranchers, roofers, electric linemen, drivers (truckers and salespeople), refuse collectors, miners, shipping hands, and taxi drivers all have a higher likelihood of dying (or being severely injured) on the job than policemen; and many if not most of the police fatalities while on duty were heart attacks, automobile accidents (not assaults), and other causes not directly due to an assault by a criminal.  For a few examples, check out:

http://www.odmp.org/

Even just being a licensed driver carries about the same risk as police work!

Hidden in the numbers on the government websites are several facts.  One is that the benefits package that goes with being a government employee is gold-plated compared to that which the private sector can afford.  Another is the iron-clad job security.  Every police officer knows he basically can’t be fired.  Criminal activity among police employees—the same conduct for which an average citizen would be sent up to the Big House for years—is routinely excused and unpunished.

It’s now common knowledge that statements like “No laws were broken, and no department policies were violated” are simply bureaucratic code-words that mean that the police department knows its officer committed a criminal act, and intends to do nothing about it.

For all the ranting about the police, I see no misdoings by the police other than the failure of the office involved to adhere to standing orders.

Based on what probably was the best information available at the scene, police issued a ticket to the civilian driver. When additional information became available as the result of proper and thorough investigation, the ticket was rescinded as it should have been.

The constant insults hurled at the police as a result of this incident are completely unnecessary and unwarranted. I defy anyone who has commented to provide credible information showing that nobody in your profession or trade has NEVER violated policy, procedure, or law. Why anyone would expect the police, as a group, to never include an occasion person like that, defies the imagination.

Personally, I would not be willing to put my life on the line for the little police are paid, or be willing to accept the generally unjust and unfounded criticism with which they are routinely assualted.

The “I pay your salary”...“you knew what the job was about” ..etc., are examples of why law enforcement is a thankless job, and that type of criticism, sense of entitlement and complaining, is really what breeds the cinicism, sarcasm, and arogance, that you in fact complain about.  It is unfortunate.

To: “As It Should Be”  VERY nicely said!  I was thinking the same thing aobut the pay, etc.  They agree to the salary and possible circumstances, etc. when they hire on.  It’s their choice.  No one forces them to get those jobs.
If only more people could think sensibly like us!!!

tajones - i didn’t believe he was an officer either

they don’t usually refer to each other as cops

he comes across as a wannabe with no real knowledge, or someone attempting reverse insults, hoping it will lead to more bashing of real, honest policemen and women