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Here's an issue for you
Bullzeye
Member Posts: 3,560
My school, apparently to silence the shrill grousing coming from the PTA, has arranged for a State Police trooper to "patrol" the school grounds on a daily basis.
Now, I can tell you right off the bat, we are in no need of that kind of drastic security. There's maybe one incident a month, usually a fistfight. The students are by and large respectful, the community is tight knit, and drugs have not had nearly the same impact it seems as they have had on other, larger schools nearby.
In any case, this officer has turned out to be a real horse's rear. He is about 5'4, with a big bulging belly, and looks like he's been out of the police academy for about 10 minutes.
I havent seen one incident in which he wasnt given proper respect, yet the guy is, simply put, a jerk.
He roars into the parking lot at about 40 miles an hour, going the wrong way into a one-way horseshoe turnaround, and parks at a 45-degree angle over two handicapped spots at the front of the building.
No, I'm not joking. It gets better.
He calls all of the students "kid" or "Hey you!" (he never bothers to learn anyone's name). He'll walk around with a notepad randomly asking people's names. Reason: "I think I mighta' seen the likes of you somewheres before..."
He's constantly trying to eavesdrop on conversations between groups of students, and he will on occasion march unannounced into a class in progress and remind everyone (with his trademark scowl) that "I'm the law around here, and if anyone hears anything about a party or some weed, you better come'n tell me or I'll see to it that you catch an accessory charge!".
And the really sick thing is, he seems to REALLY enjoy what he does. You'd think he was in the Rampart division of the LAPD or something.
Naturally, the students (including me), without exception, hate his guts.
The principal considers this officer's actions to simply be "proactive intervention". She's clearly delighted with all of the extra time she has now, since Officer Friendly has gladly taken up the duty of catching smokers behind the building and dragging them in by their ears.
Just last week, I left my English report in my car. School policy is that you need to get permission from a teacher if you need to go back to your car, and so I did.
Officer Friendly, who happened to overhear the covenversation, followed me out of the building, surreptitiously got into his car, and waited until I had unlocked my car door and stuck my head inside to get my report, at which point he punched the lights, tore into the student lot, and rolled up not four inches from my bumper.
I was then required to show my license and explain "What the HELL you're doin' down here!". I told him the story, he snorted, looked at my report, handed it back to me, and slammed his car in reverse, showering me with gravel.
I am about at my wits end here.
He's unnecessary, he's rude and contemptuous, and he's nasty.
I've been nominated by the student body (at our Friday student council meeting), to do something to try and get this situation fixed.
As is, it's like having an especially militant version of Robert Mitchum patrolling a church social with a Tommy gun.
If I felt the situation was bad enough that a police officer would help, I'd be the first one to welcome him. But this is just insane.
I would like some comments on how might be the best way to go about resolving this. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
PS- I did consider talking to him directly, but I decided that I wasnt in the mood for a knuckle sandwich.
Edited by - Bullzeye on 04/16/2002 19:54:11
Now, I can tell you right off the bat, we are in no need of that kind of drastic security. There's maybe one incident a month, usually a fistfight. The students are by and large respectful, the community is tight knit, and drugs have not had nearly the same impact it seems as they have had on other, larger schools nearby.
In any case, this officer has turned out to be a real horse's rear. He is about 5'4, with a big bulging belly, and looks like he's been out of the police academy for about 10 minutes.
I havent seen one incident in which he wasnt given proper respect, yet the guy is, simply put, a jerk.
He roars into the parking lot at about 40 miles an hour, going the wrong way into a one-way horseshoe turnaround, and parks at a 45-degree angle over two handicapped spots at the front of the building.
No, I'm not joking. It gets better.
He calls all of the students "kid" or "Hey you!" (he never bothers to learn anyone's name). He'll walk around with a notepad randomly asking people's names. Reason: "I think I mighta' seen the likes of you somewheres before..."
He's constantly trying to eavesdrop on conversations between groups of students, and he will on occasion march unannounced into a class in progress and remind everyone (with his trademark scowl) that "I'm the law around here, and if anyone hears anything about a party or some weed, you better come'n tell me or I'll see to it that you catch an accessory charge!".
And the really sick thing is, he seems to REALLY enjoy what he does. You'd think he was in the Rampart division of the LAPD or something.
Naturally, the students (including me), without exception, hate his guts.
The principal considers this officer's actions to simply be "proactive intervention". She's clearly delighted with all of the extra time she has now, since Officer Friendly has gladly taken up the duty of catching smokers behind the building and dragging them in by their ears.
Just last week, I left my English report in my car. School policy is that you need to get permission from a teacher if you need to go back to your car, and so I did.
Officer Friendly, who happened to overhear the covenversation, followed me out of the building, surreptitiously got into his car, and waited until I had unlocked my car door and stuck my head inside to get my report, at which point he punched the lights, tore into the student lot, and rolled up not four inches from my bumper.
I was then required to show my license and explain "What the HELL you're doin' down here!". I told him the story, he snorted, looked at my report, handed it back to me, and slammed his car in reverse, showering me with gravel.
I am about at my wits end here.
He's unnecessary, he's rude and contemptuous, and he's nasty.
I've been nominated by the student body (at our Friday student council meeting), to do something to try and get this situation fixed.
As is, it's like having an especially militant version of Robert Mitchum patrolling a church social with a Tommy gun.
If I felt the situation was bad enough that a police officer would help, I'd be the first one to welcome him. But this is just insane.
I would like some comments on how might be the best way to go about resolving this. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.
PS- I did consider talking to him directly, but I decided that I wasnt in the mood for a knuckle sandwich.
Edited by - Bullzeye on 04/16/2002 19:54:11
Comments
Scott
B - BreatheR - RelaxA - AimS - SightS - Squeeze
That's wrong man.
If this State cop is acting like this to some HS kids. What's he going to do to me or you for "not looking right"
Just because this guy is a cop. he should be able to conduct himself.
Doesn't sound like he's handling being the authority figure very well at all.
God complex or something.
If you have to, call and complain about it. Sooner or later .you'll get the guy who cares. the pay phone is your friend in this instance, so as not to become a target for this idiot cop
Scott
Very good idea
Scott
PC=BS
I am friends with a number of policemen in NY. I have a close personal friend who happens to be a state troop. I will pass your story on to him tomorrow and let you know what he says you should do about your problem with this guy. Do you happen to know where this guy is stationed? It may help to have this info.
Try to get someone from your local departments (City/County) involved. Talk to your local representatives.
Talk to...YOUR PARENTS! WAIT BULLZ, COME BACK, don't run away screaming, you can talk to those, uh, people - that's what they're there for.
We only have a few special years with our children in which they desire our time, attention, and love. After that time is over, it is gone forever, and we will be the ones that desire their time, attention, and love. Make those few, short years count -
From what I heard. He doesn't need to lie.
Scott
Perfect. The idiot works for someone, we all do.
I'm more than a little surprised that a New York State Trooper would be used to patrol a city school. Wonder how the jurisdiction conflicts are worked out? Let us know what you find out, it'll be interesting.
Ponderin' Clouder..
Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidn
You catch more flys with honey Let him make a fool out of himself with out your help. Stay out of his way and roll that videotape.
Happiness is a warm gun
What ever you do, don't take Jody Commanders advice. You will be no better, even worse than he to stoop to that level. Elbesta had some good advice, but be in a group of four or more while you are taping. Turn the tape over to the school board and the police internal affairs. If everyone at the school is offended, take a petition and deliver it to the school board.
The others are right too. In life, you will find many offencive people. You can't fix them all, so learn to deal with them.
Save, research, then buy the best.Join the NRA, NOW!Teach them young, teach them safe, teach them forever, but most of all, teach them to VOTE!
lets all be responsible! shoot a criminal!
You catch more flys with honey Let him make a fool out of himself with out your help. Stay out of his way and roll that videotape.
Geez I need to learn to spell
I have always admired all the fine upstanding LEOs and will always respect what they do for us.
I was just thinking maybee this Leo is on a powertrip. Hes just trying too fit in. even if it is as the hs bully. I bet he got pushed around alot when he was in school.
lets all be responsible! shoot a criminal!
There's no way I'm asking for his badge number. I'd probably end up in full-nelson.
It's one of those situations where I really, really, really wish he wasnt a cop. I know I could take him.
That wouldnt resolve the situation, of course, but it would certainly make me feel better.
I mean, come on. If some random person you worked with acted like that, I guarantee you someone would take a poke at him before too long.
Side question: Didnt it used to be that if you had a genuine problem with someone, the two of you settled it like men, amongst yourself? Or has this notion of "Dont handle anything yourself. Just run and tell the nice man with the badge" been around longer than I realize?
A fine cigar gladdens the soul."Remember, there are only two: The Quick, and the Dead"
Document everything and then go up the chain of command. If the guy as bad as you say. He'll be gone shortly.
As to having Cops on campus and some of the neagtive replies about in this thread, here's my 2 cents worth.
Just over a year ago, my son saw several of his friends shot at Santana High School. The only reason there were not more killed or injured was the S.D. Sheriff's Officer stationed at the school. He had the shooter in custody within 5 minutes. (Note) the school narc that nobody liked took several bullets for the kids that made fun of him.
The same thing happened 10 days later at Granite Hills High School. This time an El Cajon Police Officer returned fire hitting the kid's shotgun and wounding him in the face.
Not all officers assigned to school are the jackbooted thugs some of the posters to this thread would have you believe.
P.S. Bullzeye, You only have to be 18 to go to Frontsight. I took the Machine Gun class and had a great time. You should try it!!
Sounds to me like this little officer owes you an apology, I would go up to him tommorrow and demand he apologize, for his childish behaviour.
Thats what he needs to do, apologize, the nerve..
If he doesn't, well , at least you tried..
"The great object is that every man.... everyone who is able may have a gun." Patrick Henry
Letters, letters, letters. You say you have been nominated by the Student Body so obviously you have fellow students behind you. Write a Petition and get as many students as possiable to sign it an give it to his Superior. Personally I would ask every student who has had an encounter with this cop to write about their personal experience. Send copies to his Superior, Parents, Local Newspaper, School Administration, Local Congressman, Local TV Station, well you get the point.
The Pen Really is Mighter than the Sword!
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I'd advise you to take the high road on this one. Video tape the parking in the handicapped spots and any of his other transgressions. Don't get down in the gutter with him....it merely brings you down to his level....There's an old saying, "Don't get in a wrestling contest with a pig...you both get dirty and the pig likes it." I'm sure a video of any of the transgressions you have said happened will take care of the problem when shown to the school board. Beach
Everybody has a boss. And the boss has a boss.
What Nunn said.
"We become what we habitually do. If we act rightly, we become upright men. If we habitually act wrongly, or weakly, we become weak and corrupt" - *ARISTOTLE*
**Like Grandad used to say--"It'll feel better when it quits hurtin"
You silver tongued devil. I damn near choked on my coffee.
Clouder..
Bullzeye: I am truly sorry you have a bad police representive at your school. Perhaps you can document (video tape is good) the behavior of this person. I would guess that his supervisor knows about these traits but placed him there so as to modify his behavior. It isn't working. They need to put a better example of police at your school. Someone that enjoys being around teens.
As a parent I welcome the fact that police/deputy sheriffs are now stationed at local high schools. This was an example of foresight on the part of law enforcement, and saved lives on those two heinous days. If you heard the news, went to pick up your children, and didn't know untill you saw them that they were not the victums, you have no idea of the feelings I went through that day.
By the way. There is a law in Kalifornia that cell phones are not allowed in high schools. That law is routinely ignored now, and I heard the state is going to take it off the books. These two incidents have pointed out the error of the law makers ways.
Margaret Thatcher
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics."
Mark Twain
Scott
That being said, why havent the parents of these children who attend this school taken any steps to rectify a problem that should not be handled by the students? The bottom line is this, if what you say is correct and true, the teachers, principle, superintendent, and board members, all work for your parents, let them handle it, and force them(properly) to handle it, thats all that you should be doing bullzeye, and all that it should take to alleviate your problems. IF, AND IF, your parents dont have the spine to take care of the problem, dont touch it, cause they sure wont be there to cover your butt when crap hits the fan.
SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC
Here is what I found out from my state troop friend.
The trooper is a part of a federally subsidised program being used across the country. Apparantly this program came into being after the columbine incident. He works for the principal of the school and directly takes his orders from her. If he is acting like a jerk it is probably because this is what the principal has directed him to do. Complaining won't go far. If you complain to his c/o all the state police will do is contact the principal and ask is she is content with the officers performance, which she obviously is. The same with the school board. If the parents of the students wish they can contact the principal with their concerns about his behavior. If you can get the press involved do so. The only thing the police fear is the press as they are very concerned with their public image. Other than that you are powerless. I understand this is becoming very common in our schools. I fear this is only the start of worse times to come. We are living with ever increasing intrusions into our personal lives. Our freedoms are eroding daily. We will end up with a society that lives in fear of any authority figure. This is tyranny and I, for one, am outraged!
Seems we the people has been crossed out .and added in it's place was a great big swastika(sp)
Scott