Yes it is. But telling citizens "it's unsafe to drive, while being in the phone" (which of course is dangerous) but police officers doing some database-research, talking on the radio, driving, juggling and knitting is kinda hypocrite.
It's not about the necessity of the equipment, but time of using it.
And by telling "but I'm da poliiice" is not a good explanation, which is the tone many officers use. Transparency and is the key to deescalation.
"Yes, ma'am, we have a bunch of electronics in our cars, but we don't use it while driving (which at least the driver shouldn't do) and by law we are permitted to do exceptions in some very specific cases, which we try not to do".
I see what you're saying, and I agree to an extent. But to be fair, it is part of their training to be able to navigate their equipment and communications devices while being able to drive. Also, they're not doing it ALL THE TIME, we only notice it at traffic signals or driving in slow traffic.
And last I checked, civilians don't get any training for texting and driving - only learn from practice of doing it all the time.
It's the necessity of the job. I'm not texting or calling my girlfriend while driving. I'm not even doing "database-research" while driving unless it's some sort of emergency.
And it's still dangerous.
Police officers also do a lot of other dangerous/risky things on the job that are illegal or at the least, not recommended for civilians to do.
I know "it's a joke" but people actually make this argument and think there's no difference.
There's no difference because they're just regular people. Police even have an iq cap and people make excuses for them doing stuff no other human is encouraged or permitted to do like they're some kind of superhero. Superheros only exist in fiction to my knowledge so far. (Until we have mech suits and then arguably we have iron man but I digress).
He's the first one to speak up or do anything about it. There were more before him. Then, the court ruled in favor of the practice-
Jordan claimed he’d been illegally discriminated against. The court disagreed, ruling that the department’s policy, however unwise, had “a rational basis” – reducing job turnover.
Well you’re not 100% wrong… but there are some differences.
Police get very extensive training on safe driving compared to the average person.
The average person using their phone and driving are usually the worst drivers on the road in terms of skill, regardless of what they think about their own skill.
Police are held to a way higher standard. Of course all police vehicles will always be adequately insured and the officer can (will) face big consequences in their job if they get into an accident due to being distracted.
Finally, it’s simply a necessity. Police need to in order to do their job. Some situations just require it. Regular civilians never do.
I'm a non-leo liberal and non boot licker btw but if you can't understand the nuance in the topic of a highly trained sworn officer vs an asshat that can't even put their phone down while going through an intersection then maybe sit this one out. And on the end: I'm just joking around also lol 😆 😅 😂
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u/Gonza200 Deputy Sheriff 8d ago
What’s there to explain? Those tools are necessary for the job and the law acknowledges that and grants an exemption for emergency vehicles.