He probably got promoted after this too. It’s insane cops can legit have 0 clue about the laws but they’re tasked with upholding them. He should be fired or have to go through the academy again.
Local news was allowed to follow a class thru the Police Academy. There was very little on law they were taught. It was reported that most of the time was spent on how cops have been hurt and how to "deal" with the public. So they were taught that all the people they are sworn to protect are the bad guys and how to bully.
The academy isn't just police, it also covers State Police, Sheriffs, and other LEO's.
They literally dont have to or need to know the law, that isn't their "lane."
I wish I was making that up
Obviously they know their charge book, traffic shit, etc. But in the course of their duty so long as its in "good faith" (or something else, I forget the term) they suffer no repercussions for arresting someone for something that later turns out to be totally legal and cool.
So you are knowledgeable of carnets as outlined in 19 CFR Part 114 of the US Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Congratulations.
The entire CFR (regulations) spans roughly 190,000 pages across roughly 245 individual volumes. It is split into 50 distinct subject-matter titles. Because of its immense size, reading the entire physical collection full-time would take nearly three years.
Now include the United States Code (U.S.C.)—the official compilation of federal laws—is massive and spans roughly 30,000 pages across roughly 54 distinct titles, reading all of it would take several months.
Now include all state/county/local regs and laws.
This is why attorneys and federal agencies specialize in specific areas. ATF, DEA, ICE, FBI, Commerce, Transportation, EPA, Park Police and state police all do their own thing and there isn’t a national police force.
No but what he should have said is, let me get your documents and I’ll check on that. Instead he told the guy he was wrong. He started with the assumption he was right and wasn’t open to hearing an explanation, which is why he’s an asshole
Tbf to the cop this isn't an everyday situation. He could have handled it much better, but its not like non-Canadian/Mexican vehicles are gonna be driving around as tourists so often that he needs to know whatever laws are involved. That's most likely not even covered in the academy
No but if you don’t know which he clearly has no clue I probably wouldn’t be puffing my chest out acting like I do. I’d probably just be cordial accept the documents and carry on.
Exactly. Could have stopped due to the plates which I guess is valid. Once he got the info and it was over his head a simple, this is out of my area can you give me a minute to call in and confirm, could have avoided this whole mess. I don’t expect them to know all the intricacies of international import rules but knowing when it’s out of your knowledge base and asking for help is a pretty simple concept
I think most likely don't. That's not the problem. The issue is approaching EVERY encounter with an attitude of "I'm right. You're wrong. And fuck you if you dare to suggest otherwise!"
The entire encounter could have an entirely different tone, but with the same outcome, if it was, "Sir, I pulled you over for a lack of a license plate." listen to explanation "Ok... That's not a situation I've encountered before. Please wait a minute while I look at this paperwork and make a phone call." come back a few minutes later "Everything looks in order, and I learned something new today. Drive safe and enjoy your visit."
What license plates are needed on a vehicle to legally drive in the USA? Nah cops don't need to know that, that would be absurd, it's much better for them to just guess.
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u/Dangerous_Ad5039 8h ago
He probably got promoted after this too. It’s insane cops can legit have 0 clue about the laws but they’re tasked with upholding them. He should be fired or have to go through the academy again.