Ticket for pulling onto HWY too fast? Officer Ego

[rainin]

I recently received a ticket for pulling onto a busy HWY too fast. My wheels did brake loose a bit (I drive a 6-Speed), nothing obnoxious. The crossroad where I came from is on a slight decline, so without drifting backward I have to ride the clutch a bit anyway. A car was turning down the road I was sitting on and another car was behind him. So I saw my opportunity and pulled off, my tires squealed a little (Wasn't speeding at all, shut down around 45MPH, speed limit is 50MPH I believe) and low and behold a cop hits his lights and gets about an inch away from my bumper and I pull down the next street. I have my seatbelt on, he approaches, yelling at me like I'm his child. Although it was tough, I was very respectful. He tells me to put my hands on the steering wheel and look straight ahead because he's "50/50 right now if [he's] taking [me] to jail for reckless driving". Mind you, he is yelling this at me and I haven't said anything yet. And proceeds to call me an "asshole" for driving like that. He snatches my license and walks back to his cruiser. He was very unprofessional and quite rude. He comes back about 15min later and says "I'm just coming back from SWAT training and I'm not trying to pull anybody over", then tells me he knocked the ticket down to a improper turn ticket and that I'm going to lose my license if I keep driving like this. I really don't understand the ego trip in the beginning of the stop, but it was uncalled for. I am slightly under the age of 25 and drive a newer model white sports car. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with it or not, but I would like to know if its even worth my time to take it to court as he made it clear that he "knocked it down to a improper turn". I really don't want to make matters worse for me. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Duranie]

You can complain that the officer was rude and unprofessional but you still were cited for a reason. A ticket does not get dropped just because the cop was a jerk. It is up to you on how you want to proceed. Are you allowed to go to traffic school to have the ticket dropped? I am not sure what state you are in.

 

[FlaRiptide]

Personally, I'd take the chance and go to court. Chances are good that either the officer won't show up (automatic win), or you get a sympathetic judge. At most, you would lose and have a small additional court cost. Worth your day in court? Yes.

 

[rainin]

Thank you for the quick replies. Basically yes, I know I am going to have to pay the fine and yes I am eligible for traffic school, which would reduce the ticket fine slightly, but more importantly drop the points that I would have received. I have no problem with that and its pretty much my word against his in court, that is, like FLARiptide said, if he shows up. I guess what's really bugging me is, how can I report or make it known that this officer was as unprofessional as he was. Its ridiculous that people, not just me, get treated like this, like criminals, for no reason on a daily basis. Who is it I should call to and complain about this officers behavior (A general idea would be great, not asking for specifics). I have a feeling if I call his desk Sergeant, nothing is going to happen. This has been an on going problem in and around the Tampa Bay area for a bit now. In fact the local news ran a story recently about these same situations. Thanks again!

 

[FlaRiptide]

I was going to suggest calling his desk Sergeant. But, perhaps you are right that nothing may be done. Then again it wouldn't hurt. There is good and bad in everything, and the Tampa Bay area police force is no different... (My area as well)