| Author | Message | ||
     L_je |
I'm not sure if this should be filed in "trip reports", etc, but since it happened to me while on my Uly, I'm putting this in BB&D: _________________________________ L_JE leaves Georgia with style... Aug 22nd was my 2nd to last day at work, and around 7:30pm I was making a trip home to drop off some office stuff, and take care of my dog. On the 24th, I was supposed to drive up to VA, where I would be joining my family and starting a new career. I had just spent 14 hours at the office, and I had a topcase filled with textbooks and picture frames. Worse yet, I had to go back into the office later that night, so this was just a dinner break. About a mile from my house, in a steep, downhill, twisty section, I was moving into the left-turn lane, when I saw blue lights. I've only gone through here about a thousand times, and knew full-well that I had earned a speeding ticket by this point. ...So, since I was already signaling, and in the left turn lane, I completed my left turn to get off the main roadway. Halfway into the left turn, I signaled right, straightened up, and slowed down as I pulled off onto the shoulder, and into the grass at the edge of a fairly steep drainage ditch. I'm pretty short, and I was looking down, trying to figure out where I could put my feet down, without spilling downhill into the ditch, and then whooooooooosh...the police cruiser came sliding diagonally to a stop right in front of me! Since I was in the grass, and in full panic, I locked my front and rear wheels pretty easily, and my back end started to slide around. Eventually, my back tire managed to slide back onto the roadway, and caught some asphalt, at which point I managed to top-off my day with a 2mph "highside". When all was said an done, I was left lying in the road, with my helmet against the officer's right-rear tire. I'm not sure why, but I decided to immediately stand up; after seeing the officer run around the back of the cruiser with his hand on his holster, I realize that I was probably better off on the ground. At this point I was really glad I was wearing a full face helmet, because I had a funny feeling that I was going to eat some more asphalt. I was also glad that I was wearing a carbon-kevlar back protector under my HiViz 'Stich, because it would surely help to absorb the imminent beating! ...and maybe the kevlar could help to take some of the zing out of those 9mm rounds! The officer was pissed, I mean beet-red-screaming-cursing pissed off! "Why the hell were you going so fast? I had you clocked at 52 mph after you were slowing down! Blah blah blah..." So, I'm now thinking...52? You tried to "pit" me with your squad car because you clocked me at 52? The officer ran my tags, and then said something into his mic that sounded a lot like "so, this isn't it" or something to that effect. Now things are starting to make a little more sense... I think they were after someone else. By now, the officer had now calmed way, way down. He apologized for "making you crash your bike" and pointed out that all too often, motorcycles take-off when they see cops, and that he was trying to keep me from running. I can understand this, because I see guys wearing Hi-Viz 'Stich jackets, on 90 rwhp bikes, running from the cops allll the time. Riiiight. The officer told me that he wasn't going to give me a ticket, or even a warning. But, by this time, I thought that I would like to get a ticket, just so I could request the dash-cam footage of this "high speed chase". Yeah, if I were the officer, I woulnd't want to have to file any paperwork on this traffic stop either. So in the end, I added a little more "character" to my sidecases and brush guards, and found out that business-casual khaki slacks mean that you are not ATGATT! I don't think the officer will be so quick to bring a motorcycle to such an abrupt halt in the future. He had a split second decision to determine if I was going to flee while I was making that left-hand turn; he decided I was going to run, and he gunned it into the turn, probably cutting off much of the corner; this is the only way I can figure out how the patrol car ended up where it did, as quickly as it did. A fitting end to my time in suburban Atlanta. And, if you don't speed, this won't happen. | ||
| Packdog |
Gadzoiks man! Glad you're alright and you bring up good point. In the last 10 or so years as the high HP sportbikes seem to have become more popular - or at least I see more of them on the road, frequently riding in packs and stunting - I have seen more aggressive action from the police. For the most part I think aggressive action is not warranted. Is there a point where endangering the public is justified by the police force? Even if it is the (suspected) perpetrator of a crime? I have a habit of sometimes swerving around manhole covers at the last second if there is no traffic around and I deem it safe to do so. Kind of an obstacle avoidance practice for me. I was riding with my girlfriend at the time, she was ahead of me. I swerved around a manhole cover and an officer hidden behind some bushes saw me and pulled me over. No lights or anything, he just zoomed out and squeezed between the other bike and me, forcing me to the side of the road. I had to brake fairly hard (another thing I practice for fun) to avoid him. I pulled to the side of the road, it was gravelly and there was a fairly deep ditch (around 3 ft deep I estimate). Since I outbraked him, he threw the cruiser in reverse, and backed into me. Although I dropped the bike, I stayed on my feet - hopping on one foot until I got my balance! First he accused me of pulling a wheelie. I suppose it could have appeared that way to him. When I denied it, he accused me of riding in the same lane as the first bike - which actually isn't illegal in WA state. I told him no again, then explained what I was doing. By this time the first rider had turned around and arrived back at the scene. She was quite aggressive and vocal because she thought he had come close to hitting her when he squeezed between us. He just told us "Watch yourselves and be careful" then hopped in the cruiser and peppered us with gravel as he tore out of there. He wasn't a young-ish officer, so I supposed it was just adrenaline and inexperience. I've been pulled over a handful of times on a bike and most of the time the officers have been calm, cool, in control and very professional. Even so, episodes like yours and mine make me wonder how they select candidates for training. | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Wow, I think you are a lot calmer about this than I would have been. Kudos to you for being adult and composed. | ||
| Thespive |
BTW - you can file a claim with the PD or City and they will pay to fix your bike. --Sean | ||
| Etennuly |
Wholly Crap! That ain't right! I agree with Thespive. You need to file a claim if for no other reason that someone might question the officers aggressive behavior towards an innocent bike rider. His next innocent biker might be you again, or one of us here, so I'd raise a little hell with them. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
With what's been going on at Deal's Gap and other places, we can expect this type of behavior to increase. Unless all the "Torque" riders kill themselves off or change their ways (yeah right), this crap is going to continue for the rest of us. Jason, I know how you ride and there is nothing that I have seen you do EVER that would have justified this officer's behavior. I recommend you pursue the issue. He endangered your life unnecessarily and should be reprimanded. Not giving a ticket isn't the universal "get out of jail free" card for dumb behavior. "So if I accidentally kill or injure you or damage your property it's ok because I didn't give you a ticket?" I call bull$hit on that! You had friggin' bags on! What if your daughter had been tucked in behind your top box? Inexcusable total $hitbag! | ||
| Aeholton |
I agree. File a claim with the city, county, or whoever the officer represented. He wrecked your bike. No excuse for it. | ||
| Danger_dave |
Personally - I'd rejoice about the no fine or demerits, call the insurance co, fix my bike and move on. (Message edited by danger_dave on September 30, 2007) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Personally - I'd rejoice about the no fine or demerits, fix my bike and move on. But the fine would be what? $100? $200? How much does a new saddle bag, frame puck, helmet, and whatever else he damaged cost? Either way, File a Claim!!! | ||
| Chrisgrant |
I would have to not only file a claim and press charges against the bastard, I'd consider filing a law suit against the officer personally and also the government that he represents. He would never do anything like that again! I have a real problem with cops on a power trip that think that they are above the law. | ||
| Danger_dave |
You left out 'call the insurance co' on the quote. Let insurance chase fault and back to happy daze. Pisser about the damage - but they'll fix that. Belated commiserations BTW L_je (Message edited by danger_dave on September 30, 2007) | ||
| L_je |
There was no meaningful damage to my bike. I merely enhanced some scratches that I already had on the bike...and, it's nothing that a little Line-X can't fix. The officer had a split second to make some maneuvering decisions, that in the end, turned out to be over-kill for the situation...I certainly cannot find too much fault in that. However, what I can fault, is that this fellow was a Lt., not a Cpl, nor a Sgt, but a Lt. -It was fairly priceless to watch the look on his face after he had calmed down; I had my back to traffic, but I could see this sinking look on his face as he was watching traffic go by. To passers-by, it looked like my bike t-bonded the cruiser, but my bike never actually hit the car; and I can't really say that I "hit" the car either; I think I pretty much came to rest against the tire. -So, who signs off on the Lt's traffic stops? Yeah, I would want to avoid paperwork on this one, too. To all those guys who take off and run from the cops, thanks guys! I really like paying the price for your actions. If you want to speed, at the very least take some responsibility for your actions, and own up to the ticket. My wife pointed out that she was really glad that this didn't happen to her; if this happened to my wife, I think I'd be far, far more upset. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
L_je, You are trying to justify the crazy actions of this out-of-control menace-to-society one man blitz krieg. He had absolutely no right jeopardizing your life with what almost amounted to deadly force by cop car. Even if you would have been the perp he thought you were he still would have been out of bounds with his dirty harry behavior. File a complaint so this dick-squeeze can explain his over the top action to his superiors. Go one further and send a letter to the editor about how this maniac cop practically killed you. Please don't let this guy off the hook so easily. The next biker might be killed by this guy or another like him. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on October 01, 2007) | ||
| De50man |
What were you doing? Speeding? A mere traffic violation, a civil infraction. And that butter bar deemed it necessary to take your life in his hands? Do what you feel is right, but I would urge you to report it for all the other bikers he could potentially hurt. That is outrageous. The point being, he had absolutely NO reason to act the way he did. He endangered you and other civilians by his actions, for a traffic violation! I don't know about you, but I could certainly do for less of these super-human cops that are more interested in showing off their badge than doing their job. Disclaimer- I don't think all cops are like this, I have friends that are cops... But the ones that are, should be dealt with with a firm hand in my opinion. I'm very glad to hear that you weren't injured, it could have been much, much worse. | ||
| Rwcfrank |
If he had a dash cam you owe it to yourself and the general public to report this incident. I would simply go to the clerks office for the jurisdiction that the officer works and complete a request for payment of damages. Complete the form and explain the total loss $$$ and what happened, be sure to include any information you have about the officer, and mention litigation at least once in a non threatening way. Then call his office (police or sheriff) and tell the station commander or watch commander about the incident, including the fact that you completed the claim form. Keep a ledger of when you did what you did and any and all calls made or recieved. Usually, they will want to settle quickly before you get an attorney. Based on your description of the events you were the victim of excessive force. Civil rights violation | ||
| Mikef5000 |
The officer had a split second to make some maneuvering decisions, that in the end, turned out to be over-kill for the situation... If you don't file a claim, he might not think much of it. Then next time it could be your wife. Or it could be somebody with a kid on the back. Or just another guy that's not as lucky as you. It was irresponsible, and should be paid for. | ||
| Osup |
Wow! One of my main reasons for moving to a Uly from the Japanese supersports is so I wouldn't be stereotyped in this manner by the police. I understand you didn't sustain too much damage, but by not filing a claim and making his wrong doings known, he may cause much more damage to someone else. I'm glad you are OK. | ||
| Jflaig |
Glad to hear that you are OK. Make a claim/complaint and raise some ruckus. This needs to be elevated to above the officer, and known by his supervisor, at a minimum. I am moving back to GA next summer and want to avoid this kind of crap when my ULY is on the road. This is unacceptable by any LEO. Take care and glad you are OK. What part of GA were you in, metro ATL, or other? | ||
| Mm128 |
L_je, Him (COP) thinking that you were a speeder is NO excuse... I am a current cop of +5 yrs... I have done my time on the road. If we make a good stop then YEAH on us... BUT.. if we make a BAD stop and "SOMETHING" happens.... then its on US and the DEPARTMENT. You have a claim. You CAN and SHOULD SUBPOENA the 911/ Dispatch traffic and the Dash Cam coverage of that officer. I guarantee you that there is a code used (such as 10-22) meaning "Disregard that is NOT correct).... If the radioed that they had the WRONG vehicle stopped and your damage is caused by there UNLAWFULL stop... YOU GET PAID!!!!!!!!!!! My LAST department keeps $10,000 on hand for a CHECK WRITE OUT just for this. Let me know IF you need to know WHERE to start first. -Matt (LEO SOUTH GA.) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
L_je, If you don't do something about this then you should have kept it to yourself. We weren't even involved and yet we are all just pissed off. The cop went out of his way, unlawfully and in error, to make your life miserable. Time to turn the table on that biker hater. | ||
| Mm128 |
L_je, ALL COPS... MUST by LAW use CARE AND DUE REGARD in EVERY aspect of their job. He VIOLATED that when he caused you to wreck your vehicle (bike). He and his Department ARE and SHOULD be held liable. Thats what gives the GOOD cops like myself a BAD NAME. All he would have had to do is a report stating that he THOUGHT you were some other person... and that your accident occurred while he was attempting to block your vehicle AFTER you were coming to a stop. It would have been THAT simple of a report for the most part. DEPENDING on the severity of the individual they were looking for would dictate his punishment.... IE... IF he was thinking you were a MURDERER or TERRORIST... moving infront of you is NOT out of the ordinary for LEO. -Matt (LEO SOUTH GA.) | ||
| Swampy |
Matt, I like your style. Even cops have to be responsible for what they do, they are not above the law. | ||
| 911_racer |
I work in law enforcement. I would never let another cop treat me or anyone else like that. take it to court if you can. maybe you could get a free set of bags at a minimum. good luck. |
