ProtoTypical writes:
I am in favour of not treating people like criminals just because they have the ability to commit a crime.
I agree with this. Too often these days we are made to feel like a criminal even though we're trying our best not to be.
Last month, I was in a car crash. A woman made an illegal U-turn and ran right into my car.
Fast forward to us standing around waiting for the cop to give us the crash report for insurance. When the cop came over, she was holding a crash report and a ticket. She gave me the report and explained to me what I needed to do. When she was done explaining, she asked me if I had any question.
I swear on my mother's grave this is exactly what happened. Sounds silly, but it's the honest truth. I very politely and calmly asked her if that ticket she was holding was for me.
That woman cop immediately took a couple steps back, put her right hand on the gun ready to unholster, left hand out in front, and started talking in a loud and commanding voice "sir, I need you to calm down RIGHT NOW! Calm down sir. Calm down. Are you calm?"
I just stood there looking at her and nodding, thinking that I might become the next Rodney King. By this time, the other cops around were looking our way with dirty looks.
I know how crazy that sounds, but I swear that's exactly what happened. A simple question about a ticket she was holding in her hand made that woman cop think I was going to pound the hell out of her or something.
Was this a reasonable behavior we would expect from our peace officers?