State Trooper Observation

[gregintenn]

In the past, I have been quite critical of LEOs in general. Being in a position of authority, I hold them to a higher standard than the general population.

 

I will give credit where credit is due, however. A few weeks back on hwy 109, I saw a trooper helping an older lady change a flat tire. I admire this gentleman, and wish I knew who he was so I could contact his superior and commend him. I hope his spirit catches on within the LEO community. :up:

[jtmaze]

Kudos to him. Hopefully karma will be kind.

[Links2k]

Good to hear stories like this.

[RED333]

I have seen a few more help, local as well as state.

Most are good guys and gals.

[Sam1]

For the LEO's, have a question... I rarely seen this happen as well and thought that there may have been a policy in place that they are not allowed to assist with that kind of stuff.  Was my assumption wrong? I figured it had something to do with them being worried about starting to change a tire/help out and get clobbered in the back of the head by someone.

[leroy]

I well remember my mis-spent youth (...20's...) in the golden age of the fast car.  We lived and ran around out in the country right on the knox county, sevier county, blount county line on US 441.  Some of our best buddies and harshest disciplinarians were members of the THP.  They were great men, great lawmen, and all round good guys.

They were, in fact, men you could look to for help when needed and discipline when needed.  It looks like Greg may have run into some of their sons.  Thank You Lord for lettin some of them stay around.

 

leroy

[Ropin4gold]

http://www.odmp.org/officer/17386-police-officer-christy-jo-dedman

[East_TN_Patriot]

For the LEO's, have a question... I rarely seen this happen as well and thought that there may have been a policy in place that they are not allowed to assist with that kind of stuff.  Was my assumption wrong? I figured it had something to do with them being worried about starting to change a tire/help out and get clobbered in the back of the head by someone.

In many jurisdictions, this is the case.  The issue is not so much an officer safety one, but one of liability.  If a LEO changes a tire and does it wrong, the city/county is responsible.  Back in my law enforcement days, I happened to be in the radio room one morning and answered the non-emergency line.  A guy on the line asked us to come and change his tire and I told him we couldn't do that.  When he got a little snide, I explained that if I came and changed his tire and either stripped the lug nuts or didn't tighten them enough, his wheel came off in traffic, and he was injured in a crash, we would likely be sued.  To that he said, "Yup, you're right.  I probably would."  

When you consider that something as simple as changing a tire can cause damage to the vehicle (such as the wheel falling off, the lugs getting stripped, the jack slipping, the car being jacked up incorrectly, etc.), the fact that cops aren't officially trained on how to change tires, and that law enforcement agencies aren't insured for damage caused by faulty auto repairs, most agencies have gotten away from these sorts of activities.  Same goes for unlocking cars since using the slim-jim or j-hook can damage the lock mechanism, damage the wiring, damage the window mechanism, damage the window seals, scratch the car's finish, or break the window, departments have stopped doing it or require the caller to sign a waiver of liability form.   Instead, officers generally do a "motorist assist" where they call a wrecker company, car unlocking company, or one of the highway assistance vehicles that cruise the highways.

Edited June 24, 2013 by East_TN_Patriot

[mav]

In many jurisdictions, this is the case.  The issue is not so much an officer safety one, but one of liability.  If a LEO changes a tire and does it wrong, the city/county is responsible.  Back in my law enforcement days, I happened to be in the radio room one morning and answered the non-emergency line.  A guy on the line asked us to come and change his tire and I told him we couldn't do that.  When he got a little snide, I explained that if I came and changed his tire and either stripped the lug nuts or didn't tighten them enough, his wheel came off in traffic, and he was injured in a crash, we would likely be sued.  To that he said, "Yup, you're right.  I probably would."  

When you consider that something as simple as changing a tire can cause damage to the vehicle (such as the wheel falling off, the lugs getting stripped, the jack slipping, the car being jacked up incorrectly, etc.), the fact that cops aren't officially trained on how to change tires, and that law enforcement agencies aren't insured for damage caused by faulty auto repairs, most agencies have gotten away from these sorts of activities.  Same goes for unlocking cars since using the slim-jim or j-hook can damage the lock mechanism, damage the wiring, damage the window mechanism, damage the window seals, scratch the car's finish, or break the window, departments have stopped doing it or require the caller to sign a waiver of liability form.   Instead, officers generally do a "motorist assist" where they call a wrecker company, car unlocking company, or one of the highway assistance vehicles that cruise the highways.

 

You are exactly correct.  About a month ago my 78 year old mother locked herself out of the car while she was in north Alabama.  She called the police and asked if they could send someone to help her.  They refused and told her to call a locksmith.  She was pretty upset, and I had to explain to her that society has become so litigious, that it has forced police officers from doing things that were once commonplace.  It is a shame that dickheads in society who are looking to make a quick and easy buck have ruined it for the rest of us.

[Sam1]

makes sense, thanks for the clarification

[Patton]

While working as a LEO I have always stopped if possible. Obviously being very cautious of legal repercussions. I have bought people many gallons of gas, let them make calls from my cell phone, or given them a ride.

[frankmako]

old school guys still do old school help when needed.  new guys some do, most don't.  it is just part of the times we are living in. 

[whitewolf001]

If I'm not in a rush to be somewhere I'll try to help when I can, especially with women, the elderly, or fellow bikers.