Cop yelled at me for taking the lane

[kenyonchris]

I haven't done so for cycling reasons, but I've done the following in similar situations:

- Note the time and the intersection (if possible badge or car #)
- Call the non-emergency police line (NOT 911)
- identify the officer using the above and VERY POLITELY explain the situation and that you would like the officer to be reminded of the applicable law(s)

I've done this for sudden and illegal U-turns (without siren/lights) and other questionable acts by officers. The people I spoke with are always polite, understanding, and even sound somewhat grateful that this is being reported. I think they realize that their officers are only human and can use occasional "policing" themselves.

LOL. This makes me laugh. An officer telling a cyclist to go straight from a right turn only lane is putting that cyclist in jeopardy and his department needs to be aware of that action so that he may be re-trained.

I would hate to be the poor LT. though who has to field the calls from people who would like the police to "be reminded of the applicable laws." I don't know how many he takes a day, because we never hear. Someone needs me, I turn around, I get there a quickly as I can, and I don't run code, as per policy, unless the situation dictates (lots of situations are jeopardized by lights and sirens..robberies in progress, crazy people, drug busts, people with guns...all are alarmed by sirens). When responding to a call or attempting to stop a vehicle, we are, BY LAW, not held to the traffic code, regardless of whether we are running code or not. If I am just tooling down to the QT to get myself a smoothie, I adhere to the posted speed limit and make only legal, safe turns. And God help the officer who does otherwise on his way to lunch or a break and gets complained on. Our department is very clear about that. But 95% of all complaints come in on officers who are trying to get somewhere to help someone.

And, again, if someone is scratching on your window in the middle of the night, you want me to wait to make the next legal U-turn and proceed at the posted speed limit? Or you want me to whip it around, get my butt there, and hook him up?

[witeowl]

LOL. This makes me laugh. An officer telling a cyclist to go straight from a right turn only lane is putting that cyclist in jeopardy and his department needs to be aware of that action so that he may be re-trained.

OK... So you agree with me that it should be reported, but then laugh?

And, again, if someone is scratching on your window in the middle of the night, you want me to wait to make the next legal U-turn and proceed at the posted speed limit? Or you want me to whip it around, get my butt there, and hook him up?

I'd like you to at least turn on your lights before or while whipping an unsafe U-turn from the far right and across four lanes of traffic (as was the case here). Sure, I'd also expect lights while speeding to reach the scene (except when the situation dictates a stealth approach). I don't believe that this is unreasonable, and I'd be surprised to hear that this is any different from departmental expectations.

The only other phone call I can recall had to do with the request that an officer signal a turn so that I didn't sit like a jackass waiting for him to come one direction to find him going another. I don't believe any shooters would have been alarmed to hear an indicator blinking off in the distance.

Sure, my phrasing of "remind him of applicable laws" may have been a little awkward (I was trying to say complain, but complain NICELY), but let me throw it back at you: How should this officers' department be made aware of that action so that he may be re-trained if not with a phone call to the station? I'm honestly left scratching my head.

[HillSlugger]

A few weeks ago I was biking along on a fairly quiet upcounty road, one lane each way with a double yellow divider. I had a cop car come up along side of me, put down his window and tell me that I should be staying more right so as not to impeded the cars. I felt he was endangering me by doing this and I was fairly pissed but I did not say a thing. The law around here says I should stay as far right as "practicable", whatever that means, but meaning it's pretty much up to me to determine what's safe. Cops are not always right!

[kenyonchris]

OK... So you agree with me that it should be reported, but then laugh?



I'd like you to at least turn on your lights before or while whipping an unsafe U-turn from the far right and across four lanes of traffic (as was the case here). Sure, I'd also expect lights while speeding to reach the scene (except when the situation dictates a stealth approach). I don't believe that this is unreasonable, and I'd be surprised to hear that this is any different from departmental expectations.

The only other phone call I can recall had to do with the request that an officer signal a turn so that I didn't sit like a jackass waiting for him to come one direction to find him going another. I don't believe any shooters would have been alarmed to hear an indicator blinking off in the distance.

Sure, my phrasing of "remind him of applicable laws" may have been a little awkward (I was trying to say complain, but complain NICELY), but let me throw it back at you: How should this officers' department be made aware of that action so that he may be re-trained if not with a phone call to the station? I'm honestly left scratching my head.

When the officer was wrong....as was the case in directing the bicyclist to go straight from the right hand lane, which was more than a one time occurance and was potentially dangerous to the cyclist... it certainly needs to be brought to someone's attention. I was laughing because it was being compared to cops making illegal U-Turns. We ARE supposed to signal, and honestly, I try to make sure everyone knows where I am going, ESPECIALLY when I have to do something totally unexpected. And, if I need to, I put my lights on to let people know that something is going to happen, then turn them off. But you have NO idea what happens when I turn my lights on, let alone the siren. People PANIC. I have had people drive INTO oncoming traffic to get out of the way. If I have to....in a situation that dictates I need to run code, it is far worth the risk to put lights and siren to clear the way (usually a life or death situation). If not, we try to navigate as best we can, as quick as we can, as safely as we can. It is against policy to run lights/no siren (I flash my lights if I am going to make a hazardous turn so people know something is happening, but turn them off once I am out of the way).

No, as it has been pointed out, cops are not always right. I certainly am not, I have violated policy by not turning my signal on before turning because I have one hand on the radio mic and one on the steering wheel and I saw my opening and took it...but I try not to have this happen, sometimes it does. A little slack is nice....civilians ask ME for it all the time!!

[witeowl]

A little slack is nice....civilians ask ME for it all the time!!

After everything I've seen police do over the past 37 years, and calling in twice or thrice... I think I've given plenty more slack than I've gotten.

As an ex-cabbie, I'm more than appreciative of all that the police do for us... but I won't hesitate to call in over a dangerous bone-headed move. I figure if I complain and there was a good reason for the move, the complaint will be dropped. No biggie. But if there's no good reason, well, then... I can only hope that my complaint will be heard.

Ah, but whatever. Enough threadjacking. My suggestion regarding the OT stands.