You know, when I was a kid, I put quarters in a bubble gum machine and never got a badge, but some people get lucky.

bubbles,

You write "Cops will routinely prowl for burglars or cruise the park after 11pm (when they should be the ONLY vehicle in the park) without headlights."

I hear cruising the park is number one on VPD top ten.

Jones...You're putting words in my mouth I never uttered. NOWHERE have I ever said that a cop can't chase a bad guy. What I DID say was: "Sure they can catch'em. Just turn on the overhead lights. Now, how could that be a problem?" THAT is what I wrote. It's in the post. You can look it up. You probably saw it; it was right above the criticism doesn't equal hatred line.

The siren is probably a good idea, too. Using those devices on the police car, he is free to chase at whatever speed he finds necessary. If you're chasing a bad guy, it probably isn't necessary to avoid tipping him off that you're in pursuit. He KNOWS that. The lights and siren DO, however, give other drivers on the road some warning that there is a reason for them to be extra careful -- something's happening and they need to pull over and stop before somebody runs over them. It's called common sense. And, if because you're using the lights a bad guy does get away, you won't be criticized as much as if you injured or killed an innnocent driver and his passengers. You won't be fired like the guy on 59 was for driving without any lights.

Most citizens really want to support their local police -- I know that I'd like to. The problem is that there are an awful lot of us who simply don't trust that what you're doing is for our benefit. We see most uniformed patrol officers as little more than -- wait for it, here it comes -- revenue generation officials of the city government. But, I DON'T hate you.

bubbles,

Wacky weed? Is that supposed to be a insult? Is that how you talk to citizens?

Bubblehead, I hate to bust your bubble, because you are so much more intelligent than the rest, but consider this, one of your family members getting "T" boned while pulling onto the roadway that just appeared clear a half second ago was in fact not because the police officer traveling at a high rate of speed did not warn them with his overheads. I don't have lights and sirens on my vehicle, but if I speed I get ticketed because I am endangering others lives.If there is just cause for speeding they should warn others.Just because they can doesn't mean they should.

Rogue just bubbles to the surface when a slight is perceived.

Scheesh! The cop turns on the overhead lights and then chases the bad guy down. As for the "yeah right" comment; I don't know about you, but if a cop turns on the lights behind ME, I pull over and stop. Those who don't, get chased. The lights are to protect those who aren't involved in the chase and would like to avoid it.

Turn on the overhead lights and they will stop....yeah right

Jones..."If speeding is an absolute as cop-haters on here insist, a cop would never be able to catch other speeders because he would never be able to catch up to them"

Sure they can catch'em. Just turn on the overhead lights. Now, how could that be a problem?

BTW...criticism DOESN'T equal hatred.

Zorro..."Bottom line, is it legal for cops to speed on their way to get donuts?"

Well, who's gonna write'em a ticket? But, then it depends on whether they do something else stupid and get caught. Remember a few months back, a cop running without ANY lights ran over a couple and demolished both the patrol car and the couple's car. He got fired. It also wasn't his first dance with stupid in a city police car either.

Bottom line, is it legal for cops to speed on their way to get donuts?

I was driving once and came up to that intersection between Victoria College and that Valero station across the street. Soon as I got there, a police car with no lights on zipped right through it and I had to slam on my brakes so hard my car fishtailed and I spun 180 degrees. My light was green, his was red. He must have been going about 80, too. I caught my breath and saw he stopped as well for two seconds, waved at me through the window, then turned his lights on and kept going. He nearly killed me. I wasn't too happy with VPD that night, either.

Breaking the speed limit without lights and sirens on is one of my pet peas. They are endangering everyone when traveling 20+ mph over the speed limit with no lights on. This caused an accident recently on Hwy 59 and Beck rd. I did hear that the on board camera was activated when the lights were on, maybe they don't want to film the bad driving? If it is a 911, turn you lights on.

They don't have to follow them. They have a badge and a gun. Don't criticize the protected class.