[DavidI]

As a cop, I may be able to answer a couple of questions.....

There are 2 kinds of cops in my Dept that patrol the streets. 1 is traffic enforcement and the other handles criminal calls. Both can issue citations, but the primary role falls upon the traffic cops. They write traffic accidents and handle DUI checkpoints and such. Of the hundreds that I know, the majority REALLY know their stuff. The can recite vehicle codes in their sleep as the majority of us have to look them up. If a traffic cop pulls someone over, that person is almost certain to get some kind of citation. That shows that the cop is being productive and proactive. There is no quota of any type. Contrary to what TV or books say, I do not know of any way to change these cop's minds about the citation.

For our safety, we ask that all people remain in their cars as we approach. We also ask the occupants to show their hands because we want to make sure they are not holding a weapon. Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous things we do. In fact, just last week 2 cops were killed while doing a so called "routine" traffic stop. The monster Timothy McVeigh was stopped in a traffic stop for nothing more than speeding after he had blown up the Oklahoma Federal Building. The cops who stopped him did not have a clue as to who he was. I have lost some dear personal friends (3 good solid cops) due to traffic stops and gunfire.

As far as identifying ourselves and placing identifiers on our cars, there is a good reason for that as well. Most of us carry guns while off duty and don't look like a "typical cop." We want the officer pulling us over to be warned that we may be a cop, so there are no surprises should he spot a gun on our lap. Unfortunately, there have been several cops killed by fellow cops in scenarios just like that one because of misidentification. I had cops put guns on me while I was doing an undercover operation because they did not know that I was a cop too.

As it relates to the intial point of this thread, I am not sure if it is a violation or not. I know that most aftermarket modifications (exhaust, light color, too low) are illegal in some states. Whether the cop knows that a mod has been done is another question.

Occassionally, some cops lose their composure and do something stupid. Haven't we all done the same? I have done it both on the job and when my P-car acts up.

Cut Larry some slack. He acknowledged his mistake. We are all adults.