Police Benevolent Association Card in the USA
Discussion
Just read something interesting: in NYC families of policemen get issued with a Police Benevolent Association card. Upon being stopped by the police for minor traffic indiscretions, the relatives can show their PBA card, which gets them off from receiving a traffic ticket as a "professional courtesy".
BHML said:
Just read something interesting: in NYC families of policemen get issued with a Police Benevolent Association card. Upon being stopped by the police for minor traffic indiscretions, the relatives can show their PBA card, which gets them off from receiving a traffic ticket as a "professional courtesy".
Did nobody tell you? This is the same here... Honest...
KungFuPanda said:
Bulls
t.
Hmmmmmm...t.And.....
So certainly not complete Bulls
t. Not a complete free pass, but there does seem to be acknowledgement from both Police, associations and lawyers that this is a thing.It's true. There are different levels including a metal card which gets you out of most traffic violations. The lowest level only applies to local police though. When stopped you hand over your license with the card but don't mention it. If accepted you will be sent on your way.
In the US public officials have a "person in good standing rule". For example, a city officials rom Hoboken NJ was pulled over for blatant drink driving in NY. As is expected, the NY police called the NJ police to ask if they could proceed with charging him. As it happens, the police in NJ hated the official so responded with "do your job". This was so unusual that the NY police asked for clarification before they charged the drunk. The reason I know this is that the official put in a formal complaint because he was charged. He thought that he had given enough to society to be above the law.
Another interesting twist in NJ is that you can buy your speeding points. As if to prove that all they care about is money, you can pay extra to not get points. So, I was pulled for doing 26mph over the speed limit in a built up neighborhood. Before you get your hang man's noose out for doing excessive speed, I wasn't. It's another quirk of the US system. The cop just made a number up and had no evidence to support it. So, he gave me a ticket for careless driving. This is the ticket they hand out like candy. There's no requirement for evidence and its effectively indefensible. I took my ticket to court to meet a Judge that was more Judge Judy than Judge Judy. I bargained to no points and a $450 fine.
In the US public officials have a "person in good standing rule". For example, a city officials rom Hoboken NJ was pulled over for blatant drink driving in NY. As is expected, the NY police called the NJ police to ask if they could proceed with charging him. As it happens, the police in NJ hated the official so responded with "do your job". This was so unusual that the NY police asked for clarification before they charged the drunk. The reason I know this is that the official put in a formal complaint because he was charged. He thought that he had given enough to society to be above the law.
Another interesting twist in NJ is that you can buy your speeding points. As if to prove that all they care about is money, you can pay extra to not get points. So, I was pulled for doing 26mph over the speed limit in a built up neighborhood. Before you get your hang man's noose out for doing excessive speed, I wasn't. It's another quirk of the US system. The cop just made a number up and had no evidence to support it. So, he gave me a ticket for careless driving. This is the ticket they hand out like candy. There's no requirement for evidence and its effectively indefensible. I took my ticket to court to meet a Judge that was more Judge Judy than Judge Judy. I bargained to no points and a $450 fine.
KungFuPanda said:
Bullst.
It really isn't. t.An ex from many years ago had an NYPD lieutenant for a sister, and she had a mini shield/ courtesy badge that they can give to family members, basically for this purpose. Used to display it when very illegally parked and never once got a ticket.
Edited by GCH on Wednesday 13th July 16:02
thatsprettyshady said:
I read on here that certain BiB will treat a PH sticker on your boot lid in the same way 
A competition licence next to the (old paper) driving licence has seen a couple of my friends end up having a conversation about motorsport rather than the speed they were doing when pulled over.... 
La Liga said:
Sounds like a quick way to get in trouble over here. Intend to take one course of action and then take another because someone is a police officer / member of their family.
Yep.One of my first tickets was given to the aunt of a bobby who seemed to think she should be let off due to her nephews career.
She soon piped down when I explained how proud he would be of her trying to wiggle out of a ticket by name dropping him to other officers.
Absolute t
t and so is anyone who 'turns a blind eye' in those situations. 
There is definitely some form of "police supporter" pass in NYC
I have family out there, they financially support the police dependents trust and get a bumper sticker and a badge of some sort to carry
Anecdotally they tell me it will get them off minor transgressions
My family out there are Irish/Americans and the NYPD could also be called the Irish/Italian pd
I have family out there, they financially support the police dependents trust and get a bumper sticker and a badge of some sort to carry
Anecdotally they tell me it will get them off minor transgressions
My family out there are Irish/Americans and the NYPD could also be called the Irish/Italian pd
h0b0 said:
It's true. There are different levels including a metal card which gets you out of most traffic violations. The lowest level only applies to local police though. When stopped you hand over your license with the card but don't mention it. If accepted you will be sent on your way.
Another interesting twist in NJ is that you can buy your speeding points. As if to prove that all they care about is money, you can pay extra to not get points. So, I was pulled for doing 26mph over the speed limit in a built up neighborhood. Before you get your hang man's noose out for doing excessive speed, I wasn't. It's another quirk of the US system. The cop just made a number up and had no evidence to support it. So, he gave me a ticket for careless driving. This is the ticket they hand out like candy. There's no requirement for evidence and its effectively indefensible. I took my ticket to court to meet a Judge that was more Judge Judy than Judge Judy. I bargained to no points and a $450 fine.
I've heard the same from family in US. Cops are under pressure to write massive amounts of tickets to shore up local govt finances. Not committing an offence is no guarantee of not getting a ticket for said offence. These "get out of jail free" cards keep cops' nearest and dearest out of the system whilst the well off can buy similar treatment for donations to Police charities. (for those who think it sounds like extortion it is). Once the wealthy and connected are protected it's hammer time on the poor and the black. Another interesting twist in NJ is that you can buy your speeding points. As if to prove that all they care about is money, you can pay extra to not get points. So, I was pulled for doing 26mph over the speed limit in a built up neighborhood. Before you get your hang man's noose out for doing excessive speed, I wasn't. It's another quirk of the US system. The cop just made a number up and had no evidence to support it. So, he gave me a ticket for careless driving. This is the ticket they hand out like candy. There's no requirement for evidence and its effectively indefensible. I took my ticket to court to meet a Judge that was more Judge Judy than Judge Judy. I bargained to no points and a $450 fine.
It's a wonder people haven't got angry and started shooting cops......... Oops, hang on....
La Liga said:
Sounds like a quick way to get in trouble over here. Intend to take one course of action and then take another because someone is a police officer / member of their family.
Does indeed.One of my crewmates once stopped a car well over the speed limit on the A1. When the offence was pointed out the driver asked 'Do you know who I am?' identified himself as a very senior officer of one of the northern police forces and produced his warrant card. Said crewmate thought for a couple of seconds & then told him he was being reported for the speeding offence. Response from the senior officer was that if he hadn't reported him he would have found himself reported for neglect of duty.
paintman said:
La Liga said:
Sounds like a quick way to get in trouble over here. Intend to take one course of action and then take another because someone is a police officer / member of their family.
Does indeed.One of my crewmates once stopped a car well over the speed limit on the A1. When the offence was pointed out the driver asked 'Do you know who I am?' identified himself as a very senior officer of one of the northern police forces and produced his warrant card. Said crewmate thought for a couple of seconds & then told him he was being reported for the speeding offence. Response from the senior officer was that if he hadn't reported him he would have found himself reported for neglect of duty.
In Texas, you will see a lot of vehicles with this sticker on the rear window, sometimes layered 5 or 6 deep.
You get them for making a donation, funnily enough, $100 annually.
Corrupt as fk.
You get them for making a donation, funnily enough, $100 annually.
The 100 Club said:
The 100 Club financially rescues the dependents of firefighters and law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty by paying their debts and providing an education for their children.
Your membership also helps provide life-protecting equipment such as bulletproof vests, radio equipment and armored personnel carriers for area law enforcement agencies and fund scholarships for officers to further their education in Criminal Justice.
Whilst not exactly a "get out of jail free" card, it is seen that the Police will treat you more lightly for minor traffic offenses like rolling through a STOP sign or failing to indicate when changing lanes etc.Your membership also helps provide life-protecting equipment such as bulletproof vests, radio equipment and armored personnel carriers for area law enforcement agencies and fund scholarships for officers to further their education in Criminal Justice.
Corrupt as f
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