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I assure you, “friend of the police” cards have been going on for more than a few years. And from what my military friends tell me, handing a cop your military

I assure you, “friend of the police” cards have been going on for more than a few years. And from what my military friends tell me, handing a cop your military ID tends to work just as well.

geerlingguy 6y ago
In some communities other memberships can also hold sway. I remember one person mentioning some sort of scouting membership getting him out of a traffic stop.
- derwiki 6y ago
  I was told an Eagle Scout card might have the same effect, but it seemed.. un-Eagly to try.
- c22 6y ago
  I got out of a speeding ticket once because the officer was into the classic car I was driving.
- JoeAltmaier 6y ago
  The officer puts you in a category within seconds of meeting you - citizen, perp or 'blue line'. Their response depends upon this judgement call. My son the disable vet could not seem to get a ticket. He occasionally speeds, not egregiously, but the Fort Benning parking sticker on his truck window and the military ID in his wallet made a difference in the attitude of the officer.
  - spideymans 6y ago
    In my city, you'll sometimes see people riding around with the official cap or bumper sticker of the police union on the back of their car. It's no mystery why.
    - Spivak 6y ago
      Is it really that surprising that ingratiating yourself to someone who has power or resources on average makes you better off? Nothing about this has anything to do with police. You get a "baker's dozen" because the baker likes you.
      - jfk13 6y ago
        No, you get it because the baker doesn't want to risk getting caught for selling short weight, if the individual items happen to be slightly undersized. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html
        Spivak 6y ago
        Neat! I never knew the actual origin. But since we don’t flog bakers anymore I think my point stands in modern times — I know it’s only time I’ve ever gotten a baker’s dozen.
      - ashtonkem 6y ago
        The baker isn’t in charge of enforcing laws. Nor is the baker given a gun by the state with the expectation of using it. There is a big, bright line between “favors for valued customers” and “corruption”.
        Spivak 6y ago
        But we’re not talking about bright line corruption here. We’re talking about police being nicer and more lenient to their in-groups: veterans, other cops, emts, firefighters, personal friends, family, politicians they like, police union reps, the clerk at the Dunkin’ Donuts that always adds a shot of espresso on the house. The cards are literally corruption and bleh, but being friendly with the cops (or anyone) getting you special treatment sometimes is a human thing.
        kelnos 6y ago
- ashtonkem 6y ago
  We got let off with a warning because I have USAA insurance, even though it’s because my father is ex military.
non-entity 6y ago
> And from what my military friends tell me, handing a cop your military ID tends to work just as well. Not literally handing it over, but I've seen this work a few times growing up.
zb 6y ago
A relative started getting pulled over a lot for speeding right after he bought a red car. Solution: he’s an ex-Marine so he bought a USMC number plate surround (not even one of the custom plates that require proof that you’re a veteran!). Problem stops just as quickly as it started.

I assure you, “friend of the police” cards have been going on for more than a few years. And from what my military friends tell me, handing a cop your military ID tends to work just as well.

geerlingguy 6y ago

In some communities other memberships can also hold sway. I remember one person mentioning some sort of scouting membership getting him out of a traffic stop.

derwiki 6y ago
I was told an Eagle Scout card might have the same effect, but it seemed.. un-Eagly to try.
c22 6y ago
I got out of a speeding ticket once because the officer was into the classic car I was driving.
JoeAltmaier 6y ago
The officer puts you in a category within seconds of meeting you - citizen, perp or 'blue line'. Their response depends upon this judgement call. My son the disable vet could not seem to get a ticket. He occasionally speeds, not egregiously, but the Fort Benning parking sticker on his truck window and the military ID in his wallet made a difference in the attitude of the officer.
- spideymans 6y ago
  In my city, you'll sometimes see people riding around with the official cap or bumper sticker of the police union on the back of their car. It's no mystery why.
  - Spivak 6y ago
    Is it really that surprising that ingratiating yourself to someone who has power or resources on average makes you better off? Nothing about this has anything to do with police. You get a "baker's dozen" because the baker likes you.
    - jfk13 6y ago
      No, you get it because the baker doesn't want to risk getting caught for selling short weight, if the individual items happen to be slightly undersized. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html
      - Spivak 6y ago
        Neat! I never knew the actual origin. But since we don’t flog bakers anymore I think my point stands in modern times — I know it’s only time I’ve ever gotten a baker’s dozen.
    - ashtonkem 6y ago
      The baker isn’t in charge of enforcing laws. Nor is the baker given a gun by the state with the expectation of using it. There is a big, bright line between “favors for valued customers” and “corruption”.
      - Spivak 6y ago
        But we’re not talking about bright line corruption here. We’re talking about police being nicer and more lenient to their in-groups: veterans, other cops, emts, firefighters, personal friends, family, politicians they like, police union reps, the clerk at the Dunkin’ Donuts that always adds a shot of espresso on the house. The cards are literally corruption and bleh, but being friendly with the cops (or anyone) getting you special treatment sometimes is a human thing.
        kelnos 6y ago
ashtonkem 6y ago
We got let off with a warning because I have USAA insurance, even though it’s because my father is ex military.

non-entity 6y ago

> And from what my military friends tell me, handing a cop your military ID tends to work just as well. Not literally handing it over, but I've seen this work a few times growing up.

zb 6y ago

A relative started getting pulled over a lot for speeding right after he bought a red car. Solution: he’s an ex-Marine so he bought a USMC number plate surround (not even one of the custom plates that require proof that you’re a veteran!). Problem stops just as quickly as it started.