DUI Insurance

[SPF2245]

Ronbo,
Many agencies have removed the "verbal warning" for DUI, if you have probable cause to believe a guy has been driving while intoxicated...you must place the subject under arrest per policy. Is that to say that is what has occurred? Don't know. But I know that I've never recieved a days suspension for arresting someone, but sure have felt the pain of "cutting a guy a break". The other part of the problem stems from this, by Fed. stats a guy who has driven drunk once and been caught has driven impared upto 400 times before and not been caught. It's not that I'm saying Calcob is one of those making up the stats, but it's on my mind everytime I conduct field sobriety checks.

As for the civilian remark, look up the definition of "civilian" (Webster-one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting ) and you'll see why most officers refer to them as such, and it's not derogatory.

[pcoghlan]

This is a pretty difficult situation and not being a cop myself I wont try to make judgment one way or the other. I do think that it is a little too easy to take sides against the cop as the original post appeals to the parent in anyone here with kids. Totally understandable.

Believe me, I grew up in the UK and Ireland and when I hear people's opinions about Northern Ireland it makes me realize that they hear a small sound bite and form an instant, and usually wrong, opinion.

For my part I do feel very bad that CALCOB got a DUI. I do have to ask whether there was no one else that could have driven the car that night. If the answer is no, which would surprise me, then I feel REALLY bad for him. That said the cop, whether you agree or not with his actions, WAS doing his job.

I haven't seen what a cop typically sees but I suspect a few fatal crashes with bodies strewn on the road would change your thinking too.

Paul

[Ronbo]

Understandable, however there's a reason we have a "human bridge" between the black and white letter of the law and the grey area of everyday life.

Vending machine justice is a very real problem with these automated traffic systems and the like. Robot police, judges, and lawyers are probably in the future.

I am concerned about the reference to the terrible accident and wonder about the effect it has on judgement calls all officers have to make, wether policy or not. If I lost perspective with some of the stuff I've seen, I'd never get behind the wheel again. The current DUI laws are excessive and flat. It's also the largest source of police (and government) abuse of power.

As a Police officer I'm sure your aware you can charge someone with DUI if any alchohol is in their system.