Why, oh why, is it always the cops' fault???

[mickeylove2]

I can't stand it when something happens that involves a police officer and the first thing people do is start pointing fingers! It's always the cops' fault!!! Why can't people just stop and believe for a minute that sometimes it's no one's fault and that accidents do happen. Yeah it sucks but it does happen. And then you have the other person who could possibly have been at fault but noooo you don't want to believe that, you just automatically jump on the bandwagon and start blaming the cop!

OK sorry for the vent, here's what happened. On Tuesday night some people that I know, not friends but hung out with a few times and we would speak when we ran into each other, left a bar at 1:45am, something happened and their car and a police officer getting off duty collided at an intersection. The police officer was hurt, the driver and 1 of the passengers were killed and 2 other passengers were critically hurt with 1 in a coma and on life support the other seemingly ok, needing a few more surgeries but awake and breathing on his own. The investigation is still going on, obviously, but soooo many people are already wanting to execute the police officer!

Now, I do not know exactly what happened, I doubt no one really does, but I'm not going to pass judgement on any party because from what I'm hearing, it was just simply an accident. My heart and prayers go out to all involved and their families but I don't think that anger and hatred are going to do anybody any good.

 

[AKL_Megs]

It's just the way it is. The media doesn't help. Police Officer's are held to a higher standard, so when something happens, people immediately point fingers, even if the officer isn't at fault. I am unfortunately all too familiar with this.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

If the police are at fault, someone gets $$$

 

[mickeylove2]

If the police are at fault, someone gets $$$

I understand that but the details haven't even been released to family yet, they are still interviewing witnesses and recreating the scene. My bil is a police officer and so far from what I have been told, it really wasn't anyone's fault. The snow mounds created a blind spot for the driver and since you can turn right on red, they pulled out and as they did that, the officer came through the intersection, his green, and slammed into them. Their car flipped and you know the rest. It's really just a terrible accident if this turns out to be the facts.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Often we hold the people who hold us accountable to laws--in particular to traffic laws.

As far as the accident--I am not a proponent of "can't an accident just be an accident". A collision at an intersection occurs b/c someone failed to yield right of way. That is no accident. That is carelessness.

I would rather a proper investigation take place and fault found, b/c most often, an accident occurs when folks are not paying attention.

When a death is involved, I don't care who you are--but if you caused the accident, you will be held responsible.

In the event of the officer, since he was using a "company" vehicle, often--the burden of "paying" will be heavier than a private citizen.

Someone died and I don't blame one person for wanting to not only know what happen--but lynch the cop if it was his error that caused the death.

Just as they'd "lynch" anyone else if they happen to be reckless.

I'd get your beef for a little fender bender--but a collision strong enough to cause death and multiple injuries--isn't "minor" or as stated..."just an accident".

I wonder what the accident report and witnesses have stated.

 

[cheermom1]

If the police are at fault, someone gets $$$

you are so right that is what people are thinking at this point

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I understand that but the details haven't even been released to family yet, they are still interviewing witnesses and recreating the scene. My bil is a police officer and so far from what I have been told, it really wasn't anyone's fault. The snow mounds created a blind spot for the driver and since you can turn right on red, they pulled out and as they did that, the officer came through the intersection, his green, and slammed into them. Their car flipped and you know the rest. It's really just a terrible accident if this turns out to be the facts.

That modifies my post a little bit.

The car should have taken greater care. To pull into an intersection that you cannot see is wreckless. Nose out if needed. Have your passenger get out and be your spotter. But don't play Russian Roulette.

Very unfortunate.

 

[JessicaR]

The car that was involved in the accident was leaving a bar at 1:45A? Why would they automatically think the cop was a fault in this case?

 

[mickeylove2]

The car that was involved in the accident was leaving a bar at 1:45A? Why would they automatically think the cop was a fault in this case?

That's a great question, and pretty much the point of my post! They automatically think that it's the cops fault, why??? Because he's a cop would be my guess. As far as them leaving the bar at 1:45 am, toxicology results haven't come back yet, but the owner and bartenders at the bar are pretty good friends of mine and they told the police that the driver wasn't drinking alcohol, unless he brought his own supply, all video and receipts show that he was buying soda all night.

 

[Skatermom23]

I understand that but the details haven't even been released to family yet, they are still interviewing witnesses and recreating the scene. My bil is a police officer and so far from what I have been told, it really wasn't anyone's fault. The snow mounds created a blind spot for the driver and since you can turn right on red, they pulled out and as they did that, the officer came through the intersection, his green, and slammed into them. Their car flipped and you know the rest. It's really just a terrible accident if this turns out to be the facts.

Someone is always at fault. As you described the accident, it sounds like the driver was at fault for turning into the intersection. Just because you can turn on red doesn't mean you do. You have to check and make sure it is clear. IF the snow prevented him from seeing, then he should have waited for a green light.

 

[bettymae1121]

The snow mounds created a blind spot for the driver and since you can turn right on red, they pulled out and as they did that, the officer came through the intersection, his green, and slammed into them. Their car flipped and you know the rest. It's really just a terrible accident if this turns out to be the facts.

Based on what you posted, and baring any currently unknown evidence...

The fault is with the driver of the car that turned right on red, I'm affraid. Becuase of the blind spot, he should have waited for the green light. Right on red is only permitted when safe, and the blind spot made it unsafe.

I can only speak for myself, but unless the story I hear/read indicates that a cop may have responsibilty for an incident, I never assume it was the cop's fault. I either keep a neutral opinon until all the facts are in, or figure the other party is at fault.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Someone is always at fault. As you described the accident, it sounds like the driver was at fault for turning into the intersection. Just because you can turn on red doesn't mean you do. You have to check and make sure it is clear. IF the snow prevented him from seeing, then he should have waited for a green light.

I so agree with this. This is one of my pet peeves!!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's a great question, and pretty much the point of my post! They automatically think that it's the cops fault, why???

Probably the same reason we assume that all drivers leaving a bar that get into an accident must have been intoxicated.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I so agree with this. This is one of my pet peeves!!!

Me three.

I had presumed that the cop was being lynched b/c there was something obvious that occurred--i.e. he ran a red or something.

I can understand that we don't have all the facts and my prior posts had to do with why someone would make an accusation--much the same as in this very thread, the blame is shifting to the other driver soley b/c he left a bar in the wee hours of the morning. Tox screenings are standard--but it seems with the additional commentary, that the it may point to driver error creating unsafe conditions.

 

[mickeylove2]

The main point to this subject is that yeah, ok the driver of the other car is probably technically at fault, but he's dead so no one wants to blame him, yeah they were leaving a bar so people assume he was drunk, yet they still want to blame the cop. It just irritates me that the bandwagon is already rolling, without all the facts out in the open, and the biggest concensus is that it's the cops' fault, period. Just because he's a cop. I just don't get it?!?! Am I being clear? I don't want to sound like I'm finger pointing, turning on red was obviously the wrong move to make, but it wasn't like the driver was being malicious as if he was street racing or running a red light. Why can't people just chalk it up to a terrible accident?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The main point to this subject is that yeah, ok the driver of the other car is probably technically at fault, but he's dead so no one wants to blame him, yeah they were leaving a bar so people assume he was drunk, yet they still want to blame the cop. It just irritates me that the bandwagon is already rolling, without all the facts out in the open, and the biggest concensus is that it's the cops' fault, period. Just because he's a cop. I just don't get it?!?! Am I being clear? I don't want to sound like I'm finger pointing, turning on red was obviously the wrong move to make, but it wasn't like the driver was being malicious as if he was street racing or running a red light. Why can't people just chalk it up to a terrible accident?

It almost sounds like you know him personally. If he is not fault, then it certainly is not fair and it would be EXTREMELY important that they do rule on the other driver.

But terrible accidents happen for a reason and that reason needs to be known. Clearly this man will need that or his reputation is ruined.

Honestly--I dont' care why someone causes an accident--I just care if they did. Not all reasons are terrible.

Wanting to right this off just b/c he is a cop is almost as bad as teh lynching. Having known people seriously injured, minorly injured and even killed in car wrecks--it is ALWAYS important to determine the cause of accident.

Insurances won't pay out without it and why--for example, should the deceased drivers insurance pay a dime if it were indeed the cops fault AND vice versa.

 

[krcit]

I think people want to find blame because it's too scary to realize that accidents do happen. You know what I mean? Like when someone dies of lung cancer, people will always ask 'did he smoke?" because they want to believe that the dead person is somehow to blame in their own death and that it won't happen to them. Does that make any sense?

 

[ols386]

Someone is always at fault. As you described the accident, it sounds like the driver was at fault for turning into the intersection. Just because you can turn on red doesn't mean you do. You have to check and make sure it is clear. IF the snow prevented him from seeing, then he should have waited for a green light.

That's what I think. How can it be the officer's fault if he had a green light. The other driver is at fault, IMO.

 

[KandD]

OP I know what you mean...there have been quite a few cases in my area where cops have been blamed and sometimes even sued for things that have gone wrong.
The one that sticks out in my mind is from quite a few years ago so I can't remember the exact details but a young kid (late teens I believe) was driving a dirtbike type vehicle (which is illegal), the cops tried to pull him over, the kid would not stop, the kid ended up getting killed in the chase that ensued (the part I don't remember is if he fell off or was hit by a vehicle). The entire family was up in arms about how the police were profiling the kid and I think they said that they should not have been chasing him. But he was driving an illegal vehicle and he didn't stop for police!

I just read another article recently about a guy who was wanted for some type of felony, the police pulled over the guy's cousin instead thinking the cousin was the guy they wanted. The cousin flees from his vehicle and a police officer chases after him on foot. The guy throws something from his belt area during the chase, the officer catches up to him, tells him to put his hands on his head or in the air or whatever, the guy reaches for his belt area and the cop shoots him. No gun was found on the guy and the thing he had originally thrown from his person was a Blackberry. It was a case of mistaken identity and the guy wasn't even armed but that could have been cleared up very easily if the guy didn't run! I can't imagine being that office and having to live the rest of my life knowing I killed the wrong person.

I am not saying that police are NEVER at fault. I actually work in a field that lends itself to a lot of disagreements with the police and some of their policy. But it does seems that as soon as something goes wrong it is the police officer's fault.

 

[akcire]

I think one of the biggest reasons that people are quick to blame when a cop is involved, is because the cops do the investigating. People are always certain that a cover-up will ensue, I think they call it the Blue wall. Had the accident occurred between an insurance salesman and a car salesman the blame game would not be so rampant at this point. I am not condoning it, this is just my perception.

Also any time loss of life is involved, an accident draws more media attention.

Additionally the litigious nature of society has people looking for the villain in every situation. Certainly many accidents can be prevented, and carelessness is often times a factor; but if you listen to the media at times you would think that the person 'responsible' for the accident woke of that morning with intent--I guess that is what gets ratings?