As I drove home down Dorr street last night I found myself trailing a TPD cruiser, and I noticed how bright the in-car computer screen was. As I moved closer I saw that the computer was not displaying a LEADS or NCIC screen, but SOLITAIRE.
This made me think of many things. First, I have spent countless hours in a patrol cruiser and I know, even in a city the size of Toledo, Police work entails hours of boredom. So I get it.
And while boredom is common for cops, complacency and distraction are a dangerous combination for a cop's safety. I would hate to have a cop killed because he was playing on the computer and failed to see a dirtbag walk up to the car and stick a gun behind his ear, or to the window.
Secondly, although I did not see if there were two cops in the cruiser, I assume the driver was not playing cards while driving. Regardless, there is enough stuff going on each day and night in Toledo that a patrol cop needs to be focused on the job. I would likewise hate to have a TPD cruiser miss a back alley drug deal, drunk driver, or citizen in distress because he or she was working a computer card game.
Lastly, with all the budget talk, worries about police management and resources, and the common attacks of TPD on the Internet -- its disappointing to see a TPD cop put themselves and the department in a position to defend this occurrence.
Why is solitaire even on their systems?
I like cops. I support cops. I respect cops. But, lets be real, keep an eye on the ball and the street, not on whether a there is a black jack to put your red 10 under.
TAHL
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4 comments:
How's this scenario:
Officer Friendly had been on his lunch break (You do get those at your place of business, right?)
In the final minutes of his break, he decides to pull up a game on his CAD. (You are allowed to do what YOU want on your OWN TIME at your place of business, right?)
At or near end of break, Officer Friendly is dispatched to a Code 2 call - no lights/siren - just get there as quick as possible. Having no immediate reason to kill the game, he proceeds to the call. Upon arriving at his call, if LEEDS, NORIS or NCIC is needed, he'll use that screen and dump the game.
OR -
During his break, being the only Unit NOT currently tied up on priority calls, Officer Friendly agrees to take a Code 2 call and interrupts his lunch, knowing he can finish his break later. If a database is needed upon arrival, then there goes a winning game of Solitaire and up comes the database.
OR -
Officer Friendly had information of a sensitive nature on his CAD. Not wanting to take a chance at divulging the information to prying eyes, he pulls up a Solitaire game he had been playing earlier in order to mask the information.
These are just a few possibilities - the list could go on, but I think you'll agree that everything is not always the way it appears.
GraphicsGuy: Think with Occam's Razor here. The man was playing solitaire because he was bored. No more nor less.
From AHL: I would hate to have a cop killed because he was playing on the computer and failed to see a dirtbag walk up to the car and stick a gun behind his ear
How often does this happen? The fact that I've been told is that most law enforcement officers spend their entire career with their sidearm in the holster. If that isn't true, and the criminals really are a constant danger, why are police so adamant that the rest of the world be denied the right to bear arms? Ohio has open carry, but just try it sometime and see how fast you are confronted, disarmed, slapped around and jailed for resisting arrest.
And, if you actually are a real attorney, I'd like your take on the legality of those stops.
And, while I'm griping about things, why don't you write more often? Lazy bum...
Graph - I know those situations happen every day, and like I said, I get it. If I was still on the street I would definitely defend computer access in the unit, including the ability to do more than just run pubic safety software.
I was not offended by the solitaire, but it did spark thought and concern.....thus my post.
Mad Jack
The fact that cops are not killed on the job daily, or that the fortunate ones never pull the trigger against a live target, does not mean they can become complacent. Its the little details that keep cops safe, including other traffic, given that most cops are killed by cars.
As to "cops" general support for gun control, I disagree with your premise. Many police chief and Sheriff's, being part of a given political administration, are forced to tow the party line on guns. Some honestly believe (I was say incorrectly) that an armed citizenry makes law enforcement harder.
On open carry, here my libertarianism and my police background collide some. I am all for it, but, if a citizen makes the decision to carry a weapon, openly, they must understand and accept that in America today the reality of such action.
They will attract attention, the police will investigate that attention, and will do so in the safest manner they can. Exercise your right to open carry - great. But, don't be surprised when approached by an officer - who, with weapon at the ready, instructs you how to get down on the ground with your hands far away from that weapon. Once you comply, and after being secured, clearly and rationally show you are neither a threat nor breaking the law, you SHOULD be allowed on your merry way.
Is such a seizure constitutional? Probably, execsising a right does not mean you are not immune from approach and investigation of that right. Are such investigations proper? I think so. Do you have the RIGHT to resist such detention? NO WAY!
Responsible gun ownership, possession and display means accepting some realistic expectations and restrictions related to that choice; including being detained for investigation if you walk down the street with a .45 on your hip.
Finally, I blog as much as I can with work, family and football. I post more on TheAssHoleLawyer than here on CopsAndLawyers, but I know I neglect this site.
TAHL
PS -- "I'm a lawyer."
Wow GraphicsGuy - things do not always appear as they are, and anyone one of those scenarios plus more could have been the case. My computer belongs to my employer, and what I do on their property is their business. Maybe they only play at stop lights and breaks, but I have seen Solataire on computer screens in cop cars too. The point made about cops needing to be aware and paying attention at all times, is what really matters, regardless of being bored or between calls. Maybe they should go ruff up some concealed weapon carrying citizens to relieve the boredom, you never know what might shake out.
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