SEE THAT POLICE CAR IN YOUR MIRROR?

SEE THAT POLICE CAR IN YOUR MIRROR?

Have you ever been driving down the road, minding your own business, when you see a patrol car come speeding from behind. That officer is on your bumper and you're really not sure what to do? Did you do something wrong, are you about to be pulled over? Are you wondering what the officer is thinking?

As real estate agents or regular citizens, we put a lot miles on our cars and I'm sure this scenario has happened to each and everyone of us at one time or another. Just the sight of a patrol car causes you glance down at your speedometer; adjust your hands on the steering wheel to the 10 and 2 o'clock position and put your seat belt on. (If you hadn't done so) These are normal reactions. In fact, that's why police departments use marked patrol cars. The patrol cars act as a deterrent and changes your behavior by doing nothing more than being seen.

Because of my background as a Pennsylvania State Trooper, people often vent to me about experiences they've had with the police. One of the biggest complaints I hear is how rude the officer was or how the officer made a big deal out of something as trivial as a license plate light being out. I then explain the situation from the officer's point of view.

The number one goal of all officers is to go home in one piece at the end of their shift. One of the most dangerous things they'll do during this shift is make a traffic stop. They don't know if they're pulling over grandma on her way to the store to pick up a gallon of milk or a guy who just killed someone in a robbery and is driving a stolen car. Many officers have been killed or severely injured when they stopped a vehicle for a small violation and were not prepared. Maybe he was thinking, "I'll stop this guy real quick, pen out a warning and head to the station to finish up some paperwork." Just another "routine" stop. As he's walking up to the car, he's thinking about the argument he had with his wife before he left for work or his son's little league game he missed. Then, when he looks into the car, he's staring at the muzzle of a gun. Good officers don't let themselves fall into this type of complacency. They treat each traffic stop as if they were stopping a potentially dangerous subject. It reduces the chances of them staring down the barrel of that gun.

So the next time you see that patrol car in the rearview mirror, put yourself in the officer's shoes. Nine times out of ten, he's on his way to a call and just wants to get around you. But there's always the chance that he's sizing you up. Don't take it personal if he "lights you up". Just find a safe place to pull over. If you're polite and considerate, the officer will usually act the same way toward you.

But like in any profession, there are always a few bad apples in the bunch. If you run across one of these officers, be courteous. Don't give him or her an excuse to escalate the encounter and when it's over, contact his supervisor. Believe it or not, if this officer has been a problem, his department may be looking for an excuse to terminate him. The last thing they want is an officer giving their police department a bad name.

So weather you get a traffic ticket or warning, thank him for doing his job. Who knows, he might have saved you life by preventing you from repeating the violation and possibly being in a accident. Because the last thing he wants to do is knock on the door of your loved ones and tell them you were killed in a traffic accident.