Ridicule

[Nellie]

I was at a high school football game recently with my nephew. We had some obnoxious teenagers sitting behind us, but that's normal at these games. During the game, a local sheriff deputy walked by in front of the stands and waved to the kids. As he passed, one of the kids started snorting like a pig, and another yelled, "I smell bacon!"

My nephew looked over at me and said, "What would you have done if you were already a CHP officer and heard them do that?" I had no answer for him. All I knew is that I wanted to turn around and give the kid a lecture.

My topic for discussion is ridicule. I'm sure many of you have faced this. Is dealing with ridicule something addressed at the academy (besides getting yelled at by the instructors). I'm primarily referring to ridicule given not only by people you cite, but also folks who just do it to try and provoke or to amuse their friends, like in the example I gave. How do you handle this, if at all? How does it make you feel?

[Your Mentor]

First off, the yelling and pressure at the Academy is THE method of addressing this issue. Here are some things you must consider; particularly for a highway patrol officer. This is a people job. Your interpersonal skills must be above par to work the road. We do not condone strongarm tactics, even among our peers. You will be asked to deal with far worse situations than the one you describe. You will be required to role into some horrible accident scenes and be the calming force while surrounded by seriously out of control people. You will have to deal with people who are angry at you for writing them citations every day you work the road. Whether they articulate it or display it by their demeanor it will be uncomfortable. What would I have done in that situation? If I were in your shoes, off-duty with a family member? I'd have ignored it. If I was the cop on duty? I'd look directly at those teenagers and make eye contact with each kid while appearing to look unflustered and neutral. Then, based on their response, I'd walk over to them and simply ask if they needed something. If they said no I'd respond by saying, "Oh, I thought you were trying to get my attention. Enjoy the game guys." And walk off. The kid who was trying to show off would feel like a fool no matter what he says after you leave. I've done nothing unethical or unprofessional. Quite the contrary. The kids would have received more attention than they wanted because now everyone around is scrutinizing them.

Being the father of four boys, the youngest two fifteen, the oldest twenty-three, I can tell you that lecturing boys when they're actively posturing in front of peers, is a complete waste of time. I'm fortunate in that my sons are all very considerate kids. Lecturing anyone on the road, now-a-days anyway, is pretty much a waste of time as well. It used to be you either cited or lectured. We live in an anti-authority society now which has little respect for the law, let alone the active side of the law (us). Anymore you either cite or just give a simple verbal warning, "Okay, well please slow down." One sad reality on the road is that the entire "Heroes of 9/11" is pretty much lip-service. The public, no matter how professional you are day in and day out, is ready to pounce on cops. It's a sad statement.

The bottom line is you can't take the disparaging remarks you will hear personally. People will say the most horrible things when they're desperate to get out of a ticket. I had a clergyman (I won't say which denomination but let me just say I grew up in this religious faith) call me every name in the book, crumple up his copy, and tell me I was going to burn in hell! I was shocked to say the least. I barely said a word to him during the stop (talk as little as possible with the violator on a stop). He was just angry that his clergy status didn't get him out of the citation. He was doing over 90 mph. He called the Area office the next day and apologized. Don't think for a second that incident didn't effect me; I was upset when I went home that night. My only satisfaction was that I'd maintained a professional demeanor and outlook during the entire stop. Oh yes, and I tape recorded it.

[Nellie]

Thanks for the answer.

You are right about the lecturing of teenagers. That is why I didn't even try. I have two teenage daughters and one teenage nephew. My daughters are a great "conscience" for me; they are both sharp as tacks and alert me to when I am wrong, which used to be my wife's job. When my wife or I try and give some advice to my nephew that may even come close to be considered a lecture, his eyes seem to gloss over. At that point, we've lost him.

[SB 405]

Hey Nellie....Turn around and tell the kid to get some new material because the "smell bacon" blast is a little worn out. Mentor what you need is one of those really cool Jack Webb type responses like (insert Jack's voice here).."Let me tell you something kid,you smell bacon do ya?...well I smell a punk kid who thinks calling a peace officer names makes him a big man in front of his friends but you know what my friend,guys like you are all over the streets of this city and I've heard them all mister so don't think for one minute think I'm worried about you,your kind or what any of you think of me...now enjoy the game"....kind of Webb-ish sounding,don't you think?

[HwyChaser]

I would have and have dont exactly what Your Mentor stated. I usually say "I'm sorry, I didnt hear you. Did you need something?" Stand there and stare at them like you are waiting for an answer. Trust me, they ALWAYS look like an idiot.

[Dipmo]

SB 405 wrote:

).."Let me tell you something kid,you smell bacon do ya?...well I smell a punk kid who thinks calling a peace officer names makes him a big man in front of his friends but you know what my friend,guys like you are all over the streets of this city and I've heard them all mister so don't think for one minute think I'm worried about you,your kind or what any of you think of me...now enjoy the game"

That's great; I can actually visualize Jack Webb delivering that line. That would be a great comeback, but then I don't think I would want to make that kind of time for such a small person occupying such a small portion of my day. I say make eye contact with the twerp and move on. I've got better things to do with my life than worry about him.

[slowfiveoh]

First off, the yelling and pressure at the Academy is THE method of addressing this issue. Here are some things you must consider; particularly for a highway patrol officer. This is a people job. Your interpersonal skills must be above par to work the road. We do not condone strongarm tactics, even among our peers. You will be asked to deal with far worse situations than the one you describe. You will be required to role into some horrible accident scenes and be the calming force while surrounded by seriously out of control people. You will have to deal with people who are angry at you for writing them citations every day you work the road. Whether they articulate it or display it by their demeanor it will be uncomfortable. What would I have done in that situation? If I were in your shoes, off-duty with a family member? I'd have ignored it. If I was the cop on duty? I'd look directly at those teenagers and make eye contact with each kid while appearing to look unflustered and neutral. Then, based on their response, I'd walk over to them and simply ask if they needed something. If they said no I'd respond by saying, "Oh, I thought you were trying to get my attention. Enjoy the game guys." And walk off. The kid who was trying to show off would feel like a fool no matter what he says after you leave. I've done nothing unethical or unprofessional. Quite the contrary. The kids would have received more attention than they wanted because now everyone around is scrutinizing them.

Being the father of four boys, the youngest two fifteen, the oldest twenty-three, I can tell you that lecturing boys when they're actively posturing in front of peers, is a complete waste of time. I'm fortunate in that my sons are all very considerate kids. Lecturing anyone on the road, now-a-days anyway, is pretty much a waste of time as well. It used to be you either cited or lectured. We live in an anti-authority society now which has little respect for the law, let alone the active side of the law (us). Anymore you either cite or just give a simple verbal warning, "Okay, well please slow down." One sad reality on the road is that the entire "Heroes of 9/11" is pretty much lip-service. The public, no matter how professional you are day in and day out, is ready to pounce on cops. It's a sad statement.

The bottom line is you can't take the disparaging remarks you will hear personally. People will say the most horrible things when they're desperate to get out of a ticket. I had a clergyman (I won't say which denomination but let me just say I grew up in this religious faith) call me every name in the book, crumple up his copy, and tell me I was going to burn in hell! I was shocked to say the least. I barely said a word to him during the stop (talk as little as possible with the violator on a stop). He was just angry that his clergy status didn't get him out of the citation. He was doing over 90 mph. He called the Area office the next day and apologized. Don't think for a second that incident didn't effect me; I was upset when I went home that night. My only satisfaction was that I'd maintained a professional demeanor and outlook during the entire stop. Oh yes, and I tape recorded it.

If only all LEO's had this particular outlook......

As upset as you were that night I guarantee that Clergyman was far more upset that he talked in such a childish manner to someone with such a professional unwavering demeanor, regardless of your occupation. Stressful yes, but you dealt with him the best way possible.

I know some of you probably dont like me and dont take this the wrong way but I dont care. I will say that, that particular example is a perfect display of professionalism. It even had personal involvement but hey, rise above it. Good job man.

[dw]

Act calm and professional and the tape recorder always wins!

[Welpe]

Working as a student assistant to the local PD, I am often interacting with my fellow students (writing them a warning for noise violations). While it is nothing compared to what an officer has to put up with day to day, we do catch flak from some people. I've learned while doing this job and others that you just need to let it roll off your shoulders. I don't take anything negative that gets said personally because I know they are saying it because of the job I am performing and the uniform I am wearing. Not to mention the fact they are almost always intoxicated and it is usually the alcohol talking anyways.

[bcjack]

God!!!! Does that bring back memories!!! From 1969 to 1973, I was a Police Explorer and in High School. Being a Police Explorer was a very proud thing for me, as I was really looking forward to being a police officer. I regularly got confronted by assholes that would call me "Junior Pig", "Narc", and all of the other things I could be called because I chose to be a Police Explorer. I actually got into three fights in High School solely because I was a POLICE Explorer. Well...There is really a God!!!

During my 16 years as a Reserve Officer, I was able to arrest most of the jerks that treated me like crap or started a fight with me because of my career choice. I did not set out to look for them, they just continued their stupid ways and we crossed paths.

To those CHP Explorers, hang in there and be committed to your chosen profession. You are pursuing a noble profession and don't let anything stop you from getting there...