Re: quattro-digest V4 #363

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

The webfooted Linus Toy <linust@mindspring.com> wrote:

> My cousin is a Seattle cop;  used to drive a 5.0L Rustang on DWI patrol.  On
> another assignment, he relates a story about a Southern (US state) trooper
> riding along with him one night, observing our version of law enforcement.
> Key distinction:  In his Southern state, the troopers *expect* someone they
> stop to step out and stand next to their car with license and registration
> in hand before the trooper gets out.  Oh yeah, don't forget to say "Sir"
> when talking to him, either.  

Linus, one thing worth commenting about here is that there ARE 
differences in the culture between the PNW and South.  (I've lived in 
both.)  I suspect some of the difference is due to cultural 
expectations about politeness and forms of address.   Also, I can attest 
that the WSP trains cops in Washington to keep subjects IN the car!  
The southern officer may well have been trained differently.  When I 
go into a convenience store in Texas, I expect to hear "Yes Sir" and 
"No Sir" from the clerk, and I generally do.   Just a difference in 
culture and behavior.

I still recall being stopped in Winnemucca, NV one night - and 
stepping out of the car politely - and hearing a shout from behind:

"That's a good way to get shot!  Get back in the car!"

Which I did quickly, jah shoor, y'betcha!  Evidently the gent behind 
me was not of Southern extraction.......

> A few of his other stories, meeting some of
> his colleagues, and even his attitude give me reason to wonder sometimes
> about the power we give to police.  Suffice to say, even with a reasonably
> educated police force (college degree unofficially required to get on to
> SPD) there's still some scary cops out here.  

True enough.  Fortunately, they are not the majority.  It's not a 
perfect world, and no group of people you can point to in any 
position are perfect.


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Al Powell, Ph.D.                 Voice:  409/845-2807
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