"Use better Judgement next time"

[Rauswaffen]

Ugh, I've been running into cops more and more in the past few days.(Which normally I like, it shows they are about and doing their duty)

But, this time no.

I was at Wawa's on 25th ST in Easton. My woman and I were checking out our shit we bought and a Palmer popo gets in line behind us. He didn't say a thing(at first) so I'm like, "Yeah, these cops are really accepting," In fact I was about to turn to him and start a discussion of how he liked his new Sig. (Palmer just upgraded from Older S&W 5906's to .40 Sigs)

Then he drops the bomb, "Do you have a license for that?"

Ugh.

I respond, "Sir, you know I don't need a license to OC."
He then spits out, "Well, it is not a good idea."

Me:"Sir, I have taken into consideration the pro's and con's of OC, and I choose to carry this way."
He responds as if he was sitting on a throne looking down at his jester and says, "Well, you should use better judgement next time."

I respond, "Ok, sir, I'll be sure to take your 'advice' into consideration"
(He picked up on the sarcasm and gave me a scowl)

So I did.........
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and OC'd again today.

A friend of mine works with Palmer PD. I should ask him who that guy was and why he had a thorn bush stuck in his panties. I also should have had Shana (The woman) give him one her tampons to stick in that bloody hole that used to be his personality generator.

[Curmudgeon]

Or...

What you coulda done was get his name right then and there so that, instead of posting it here, you could be typing out a complaint for official oppression.


...just sayin'

[camper]

What sucks the most, is that because you're 21 I'm sure you LOOK 21...and had you been 20 or 30 years older there would most likely have been no comment made at all, and you would have gotten to find out how he likes his SIG.

camper

[HiredGoon]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Or...

What you coulda done was get his name right then and there so that, instead of posting it here, you could be typing out a complaint for official oppression.


...just sayin'

I'm not sure that encounter would be considered "official oppression". The LEO asked a question and then gave his unsolicited opinion.

He didn't demand the LTCF or even ask for I.D. and didn't make a big issue of it.

True, he didn't need to say anything at all... but I don't think it was so bad of an encounter.

He got to see that some folks enjoy their right to OC and don't cave in on the spot.

Still, a letter to his chief would be appropriate.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by camper

What sucks the most, is that because you're 21 I'm sure you LOOK 21...and had you been 20 or 30 years older there would most likely have been no comment made at all, and you would have gotten to find out how he likes his SIG.

camper

I have no doubt LEOs and others are looking at age, dress, etc., when evaluating their response to OC.

Too bad. They could do a lot more good by having some sort of up-beat encounter, fostering good will, and still size up the OCer.

Why all the negative? Do they really believe they are acting for the public good?

I see we still have a long way to go.

[camper]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

I have no doubt LEOs and others are looking at age, dress, etc., when evaluating their response to OC.

Too bad. They could do a lot more good by having some sort of up-beat encounter, fostering good will, and still size up the OCer.

Why all the negative? Do they really believe they are acting for the public good?

Agreed. This encounter put a sour taste in the OP's mouth (rightly so) and instead it could have been a nice conversation which helps to foster pride in the community and the mutual respect between a citizen and a civil servant. Instead, prickism rules.

Hopefully other LEOs here take note and pass it along, and consider that simply being decent to the public will do more to strengthen relationships instead of trying to be an authority figure when one isn't needed.

camper

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by HiredGoon

I'm not sure that encounter would be considered "official oppression". The LEO asked a question and then gave his unsolicited opinion.

He didn't demand the LTCF or even ask for I.D. and didn't make a big issue of it.

True, he didn't need to say anything at all... but I don't think it was so bad of an encounter.

He got to see that some folks enjoy their right to OC and don't cave in on the spot.

Still, a letter to his chief would be appropriate.

*bold is mine*

I should have been clearer. I don't believe a call to a lawyer is warranted here. A well worded letter and perhaps a call to the chief would do wonders.

My concern is, if we don't do anything about these little encounters, even the relatively mild ones, the LEOs may see them as little victories, and continue their course.

Also, 'props' to the OP for not caving on the spot. It's a nerve-racking situation when it happens to you.

[YllwFvr]

Agreed with all of the above. Handled well. A letter would be a very good idea.
I like the idea that bad ones should have a complaint and most certainly the good ones should get a thumbs up call to the chief. These guys get so much heat that a nice call sure would be a great way to come into work some morning and have the chief have a quick word with you about the professionalism shown. Might circulate around to the other guys as a good example.
Let us know if you send a letter. Good job. Glad to know you OCed the very next day too!

[Paradigm]

Clearly a bad encounter. The simple fact that a cop saw you, a common citizen, OCing is obviously enough for the entire force to turn out, draw their weapons, put you against a wall, and search you. Better luck next time!






Just kidding! Well handled. Congrats on standing your ground.

[headcase]

I happen to agree that there is no reason to get crazy over this. A letter or even a vist to the station would be as far as I took it.

As far as the actual encounter goes, I am not sure I would have left it there. I am fairly sure I would have made him painstakingly explain exactly what he considered "better judgement" and if it equaled his thinking that it was good judgement for an uniformed officer to be inserting himself in a negative way into the life of a citizen obviously doing nothing illegal.

"You know, I was just going to turn and ask you how you like your new Sig. Now, instead of having a nice respectful conversation, and leaving feeling good about our area law enforcement professionals, I find myself engaged in a verbal sparring match with you about whether or not I use good judgement in my daily life, because I choose to exercise one of my rights. Thanks for that. Thank you for doing such a fine job of community service that I am going to be thinking about what a jerk you are for the rest of the day. Again, thanks for that....Oh, and by the way, maybe you should think about pulling out your uniform shirt so that it covers that thing up. We wouldn't want some opinionated officer coming up to you and trying to make you feel like a jerk because you carry your firearm Openly, would we.". Or something along those lines.....