A growing number of police chiefs are getting their cops to lay off their cellphones while driving. You know, the hand-held kind — the kind that the rest of us aren’t supposed to use behind the wheel because it violates the law, because it could cost us a $100 fine, and because of that other reason, too:
It’s a driving distraction that can get somebody killed.
On the other hand, state law exempts cops from obeying a ban that’s routinely violated by the rest of us. After all, police are trained to handle a few radio frequencies and a computer screen while chasing speeders, drunks and outlaws. This column has suggested they can handle it all since the law still bars cops from making personal calls while driving. Can’t we trust them?
The people with no exemptions say no. They’ve complained to chiefs all over the state.
“Police are the worst!” said Walter Stevens of Garfield. “I can tell they’re not talking to their supervisors because there’s too much laughter going on.”
“They’ve got the same glassy-eyed, distracted look as guys in oversized SUVs doing 40 mph,” added Rich Pellegrino of Rochelle Park.
No one likes double standards.
“If there’s one thing the public hates about government, it’s hypocrisy,” said Denville’s Christopher Wagner, “and if there’s one thing they really hate, it’s hypocrisy in somebody in uniform who’s sworn to uphold a law that he routinely violates.”
Wagner ought to know. He’s Denville’s police chief. God help the cop who gets called into his office because somebody in the chief’s Morris County town spotted one of his men snickering into a fistful of phone while gripping the wheel of his police cruiser with his other hand.
“I remind my men that it’s a violation worthy of a day off without pay,” said the chief. Read full article in North Jersey.
most cops can drive excellent and can handle multitasking. on the other hand some people can not drive at all. They did not make the law because cops were on the phones crashing they made it because everyone else got into accidents and especially young drivers.
“state law exempts cops from obeying a ban”
Period, the end. So stop crying about it.
Your job gives you perks that non-employee’s dont have- and you dont see my crying about it. You have your “employee discounts” & cops have there version of “employee discounts” as well.
What’s right is right though I know a few cops that don’t like to drive and talk on the phone because they don’t think it looks good. Besides they are not getting paid to talk on the phone so unless it is work related they should not be on the phone and driving anyway. They are not above getting distracted.
If they are using it for work then I don’t mind at all. I’m sure there are times that it is necessary. Of all people, they know how dangerous it can be to drive while distracted- they see the results firsthand.
“After all, police are trained to handle a few radio frequencies and a computer screen while chasing speeders, drunks and outlaws.”
If cellaphoning just a ‘training issue’ – put a training program together – similar to a defensive driving course or EVOC or CVO- so us private folk can benefit.
If you believe that police officers can’t talk on the phone and drive safely then they can’t talk on the radio, work lights and sirens, computers ect. Then every police vehicle should be manned by two officers . See what that will do to your property taxes.