The police

I thought about writing a column on the Super Bowl, the latest Democratic conspiracy to express its hatred for President Dubyah, or even about the impending snowstorm the DC Metro area is getting tomorrow. But this has all been done. I felt it was time for something original, something that only I would know about.

My experience with the police.

After work Wednesday night, I approached my car and noticed something stuck to the windshield. As I peeled it off, I realized it was a ticket! Not a parking ticket, but a $50 fine for not having a front tag. I'll explain the reason for this later. Furthermore, the officer wrote "yes" in the box that read, "Tow request."

Tow request??? I almost got towed!!!

Being the paranoid person that I usually am, I decided to fork over $7 and park in a nearby lot the next night. The ticket was bad enough, but I CANNOT afford to have my car towed. That would be awful.

After work on Thursday, I gave one of my co-workers a ride home. He told me that he would have to leave early because he was taking the bus home this night, but I figured we could use an extra hand so I offered to play chauffeur.

This kid lives way up in Northwest DC and as we arrived in front of his building, a police car passed me. I didn't think much of it so I took the next right in order to swing around to the front of his building. But after I made the turn, I saw the police car speeding up behind me. What? I didn't do anything! Five seconds later, the officer lit me up. I pulled into a parking lot, rolled my window down all the way, and kept my hands where he could seen them. Having almost been an officer myself a few months back, I knew the drill. And since it was 3:15 a.m., any car on the road would arouse suspicion.

Officer: What's up? Driver's license please.
Me: Sure. {takes off gloves, takes out wallet, and hands license to officer}.
Officer: What happened to your front tag?
Me: You know, funny story. The screws that hold the license plate are stuck and I cannot get them out. I have been meaning to get it fixed. I'll show you if you want.
Officer: Ok. Where you headed?
Me: Home. Well, I am dropping him off [points to kid in passenger seat] and then I am heading home to Virginia. We work at a bar. I have a Maryland ID but I moved to Virginia two weeks ago.
Officer: Where in Virginia?
Me: Sterling.
Officer. Ok. Are you straight? Nothing to drink tonight?
Me: No sir, nothing at all.
Officer: [hands back license to me] Have a good night.

Phew! No ticket. Although I was prepared to show him the citation I received the night before if he wrote me up. But do you know what's weird? I was nervous. I was five weeks away from becoming a police officer in December and now I am nervous?!? We've all been there. As soon as the officer gets on your bumper and lights you up, your mouth dries up, your heart rate increases, and your palms become sweaty.

Fast forward about 20 minutes ...

I was on the G.W. Parkway heading home, traveling about 55 MPH in the 50 MPH zone. I was in the right lane and there was a car a few lengths behind me, but I noticed another car traveling in the left lane at a high rate of speed. He was probably going about 70. It was pitch black out, but I looked at the headlights and knew it was a Ford Crown Victoria (again, learned from my police training). Figuring it was another police officer, I slowed down to 50 and just cruised.

The officer followed the first car for about a half mile, obviously looking for any signs of a DUI or DWI (excessive or too little speed, swerving, rapid acceleration/deceleration, etc.). Apparently that car was 10-41, so he made his way up to my car. I could see him in my side mirror and knew he was watching me like a hawk. I just told myself to keep both hands on the wheel, maintain my speed, and keep both eyes on the road.

After almost a mile, I too was determined to be 10-41. The Park Police officer sped up to about 75 and took off before pulling into the department's headquarters a few miles ahead.

For the remainder of my ride home, I don't think I went 0.5 miles over the speed limit. And when I made it home unscathed, I took a deep breath and was thankful to be home without another ticket!!!

-Jason