I Really Needed That Ticket

I was pulled over by a police officer because I was going faster than I was supposed to in that designated area. The zone was a sixty-five mile per hour zone and I was do eighty. I have agreed to the terms that I was found guilty of this and now come to you the reader explaining why it may be dangerous to be speeding in certain areas and ultimately everywhere. During this experience I have learned that there are many consequences for not driving safe, because there is never a good reason to speed. I have learned that it is extremely dangerous to speed and that there will be consequences, even if they are minor like, obtaining a ticket, and occasionally they are major, like killing running into someone else. It does not matter what happens after, you should not be speeding ever because there is never a good

Law enforcement officers are given much power and authority over one’s civil liberties. Not only do they have a duty but also a responsibility to enforce laws and ordinances in their jurisdiction, maintain order and protect its people. In some cases, the only way to accomplish this is through legitimized use of force. Use of force can best be described as "the amount of effort required by a law enforcement officer to induce compliance of an unwilling subject" (nij.gov, 2012). With that said, law enforcement officers have been given the right to apply only enough force necessary to control a situation, while defending others, preventing escape, during self-defense and while a subject is resisting arrest (Pollock, pp. 234). It is not until that force becomes excessive that it becomes say an issue.

Every day people walk down the street of New York wondering if they are going to be stopped. Paul Butler a law professor at Georgetown University and a former United States Department of Justice prosecutor says that “the problem with stop and frisk is not only that it makes the citizens of New York less free, it also makes them less safe” (Butler, 2012). This brings the feeling of the people in New York to light, as they feel like they are less than others and less free with the ability to them being stopped and searched whenever an officer has a suspicion. Not all officers have the right sense in mind when it comes to their suspicion about someone, because “according to the analysis, just 1.5% of all stop-and-frisk arrests resulted in a jail or prison sentence. Just one in 50 stop-and-frisk arrests, 0.1%, led to a conviction for a violent crime or possession of a weapon. Close to half of all stop-and-frisk arrests did not result in a conviction” (Lee, 2013). The percentages show that officers’ suspicions aren’t always correct and that they may use their own stereotype about someone when they stop and frisk. This policy is ineffective because they don’t have a 100 percent on catching people, and many times officers’ own opinions on someone gets in the way. This policy is kept around for the little percentage it has worked and to give the officers an option to do a stop and frisk if they feel necessary. If this policy

Moreover, minorities were detained for longer periods of time per stop than whites, and were 80 percent of those whose cars were searched after being stopped. The discriminatory treatment of minority drivers was duly noted by Volusia County Sergeant Dale Anderson, who asked a white motorist he had stopped how he was doing; the motorist responded “Not very good,” to which Anderson responded, “Could be worse – could be black” (civilrights.org, 2011).

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the pros and cons of the Stop and Frisk policy in New York. This paper covers a short history of Stop and Frisk. It also will address the progression of the policy throughout the years. Furthermore, it will relate the topic to the management, gender, and race class focusing in on how the unconscious bias plays a role in how the police choose who to stop. The paper also includes some statistics of Stop and Frisk encounters. It will conclude with the group opinion of the Stop and Frisk policy.

One of the biggest mistakes in my life occurred at that time. It was 1:45 am already and the highway was as very dark. I was still going 80, and I never thought there would be a sheriff automobile just waiting for someone at almost 2:00am in the morning to be speeding in an empty highway such as the one I was in. But some how he caught someone, and that “someone” was me. He pulled me over on the side of the

On September 11, 2015, I was pulled over and accused of going 76mph on a road where the speed limit was 45mph. At first I was in shock because I was unaware that my driving was so recklessly, however, that same day one of my tires was found to be flat resulting in a trip to Tire Kingdom to purchase a new tire. When I arrived, a few of the mechanics on duty commented on the size of my tires. They informed me that the rims that were on my car at the time, and had been on my car since before I bought it, were nineteen inches long and the rims designed for my car are supposed to be fifteen inches long. They then went on to explain that due to the size of the tires versus the size of the car, my speedometer was actually displaying my speed to be

Whenever a police car goes by, I instantly think about two things: One, that someone is hurt and possibly not surviving, and two, I feel paranoid more than “protected.” If a cop is behind me while I am driving, I instantly think I’m doing something wrong…..even if I am driving perfectly legal. Whenever a cop car, a fire truck, or ambulance goes by, for a few seconds I wonder where they are going. The sirens peak interest for just a short amount; but then I forget all about it and go on about my day. I feel sorry for them, but I’m safe. On the opposite side, cops are fearful during most traffic stops. While the opinions on cop safety and cop brutality can be argued until time stops, The Harvard Courant states the tension felt by cops with the issues has become evident in the fact that traffic stops has decreased by at least 4% since last year. Motorists are seeing police as more aggressive than ever before, and additionally, they are instigating confrontations while having video footage ready. Both sides of the situation seem to be led by fear.

Officers many times like to intimidate citizens perhaps because it makes them feel good or they think they will not get caught. Jean Benson is a 61 year-old grandmother from Florida. She was driving through Louisiana when she was pulled over Police Officers Often Misuse and Overuse

Racial profiling and traffic stops are always a hot debate in our country. Recently, race issues with the police have gotten even hotter with the situations in Ferguson and New York. No matter where a person stands on the issue, the numbers that suggest racial profiling and traffic stops are difficult to justify. Racial profiling is described as the use of race as a key factor in police decisions to stop and interrogate citizens (Weitzer & Tuch, p. 435, 2006). A study was done in Baltimore, Maryland where 533 drivers were stopped on I-95, and more than half of the people stopped were minorities. Likewise, 63% of people that were asked to step out of their

Being stopped by police for no apparent reason is unfortunately a common complaint among people of color The phenomenon is known as "driving while black (or brown)," and it is so widespread that the complaints are now basically routine news.

2) Based on the totality of the circumstances, the officer pulled Mr. Hightower based on unreasonable suspicion and no probable cause. Mr. Hightower from Metropolis drove a late model Corvette at around 3 am down Main Street does not arouse suspicion to a reasonable person. In addition, the arresting officer did not witness Mr. Hightower commit any traffic violation or any crime and it is legal to drive around the city at 3 am. The officer violated Mr. Hightower’s Fourth Amendment right of protection of unlawful

Imagine that you’ve recently moved into a new town due to accepting a promotion for a new job. You’re excited for the next step in your career and the opportunities it will bring for you and your family. You’ve left home early to arrive to work on time when suddenly a cop pulls behind you, siren blaring and its florescent red and blue lights flashing. You slowly pull to the side after quickly checking your speedometer wondering what you could have done wrong. After turning off the car you pull out your license and registration and roll down your window as the officer approaches your driver’s side door. The officer directs his attention from the inspecting the outside of the car to you and asks if you’re new in town. After your response of yes

Police officers continue to put their lives on the line to protect others. They don’t even know you and everyday they wake up, put on their uniforms, and set out to do whatever it takes to keep you safe. It is not their fault you or someone you know broke the law and got a ticket or was arrested – it's your own fault; you chose to break the law, that police officer was only doing his job. "Police officers take risks and suffer inconveniences to protect the lives, defend civil liberties, secure the safety of fellow citizens, and they endure such risks and tolerate such inconveniences on behalf of strangers."

Everyone has an opinion of police officers; whether it’s positive, negative or indifferent. Regardless of the city, as soon as a person encounters an officer, that person will come away with a lasting impression, hopefully it’s a favorable one. Gone are the days of having extra time to meet people and engage in “community policing”. How often have you heard “I was pulled over by the nicest officer today and got 2 tickets that I totally deserved”, or “The police stopped and frisked me today because I matched the description of a suspect, but I understand they were just doing their jobs”? No, they were “harassed”, the tickets were “unfair”, or “those officers had nothing better to do”. Fewer still are people that truly understand the purpose, importance and the cause and effect of even “simple” traffic stops. (In the police academy instructors stress that there is no such thing as a “routine” traffic stop).