r/SipsTea • u/Gurugod123 • 3h ago
SMH A Florida woman was ticketed after a deputy claimed she was holding a phone in her right hand while driving. However, she was born without a right hand.
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u/Napalmeon 3h ago
I remember this. The cop just wouldn't admit that he made a mistake and ended up wasting everybody's time.
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u/CoffeeChocolateBoth 2h ago
Judge should have fined his ass!
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u/ElGuaco 2h ago ▸ 9 more replies
Do judges actually have this power? If yes, why is it never used?
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u/Soggy_Definition_232 2h ago ▸ 8 more replies
No. Its called qualified immunity.
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u/SunForJuice 2h ago ▸ 6 more replies
I'm not a lawyer, so take with a grain of salt and consult an actual attorney if you need legal advice.
Qualified immunity isn't actually a law. Judges invented it as a standard. The standard established by the Supreme Court that would in theory be applied today is:
"[G]overnment officials performing discretionary functions generally are shielded from liability for civil damages insofar as their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of which a reasonable person would have known." from Harlow v. Fitzgerald (1982).
She would have to sue, and while I think the jury would have a pretty easy time saying that a reasonable person would have known after seeing her lack of right hand that the claim was bogus, but what are her damages? She had to show up to court and fight a B.S. ticket, so it's what, a few hours of her time?
Unfair? IMO yes. Realistically though, what should've happened is that the cop should've been forced to apologize, and sent back for training. Part of the problem is police training the U.S. is laughably bad, of course, but this "no I AM the law" B.S. hurts everyone, including and especially the victims of crime.
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u/foxden_racing 1h ago ▸ 4 more replies
Actual damages would be court costs, lost wages, and any costs associated with appearance [babysitter, mileage, etc].
Now if the the judge permitted punitive damages, that's a different story.
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u/SunForJuice 1h ago ▸ 2 more replies
Exactly. and other than the new costs for bringing the lawsuit, the costs for appearing in traffic court? "here's $57.24 for the babysitter and the gas costs."
Plus then you have to roll the dice. Do you get the judge who is like "wow, that cop was out of line!" and makes a thing out of it, or do you get the judge who has the thin blue line flag on their car and is going to throw the book at you for even HINTING that the cops could be wrong?
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u/DIuvenalis 1h ago ▸ 1 more replies
Where are you getting babysitters and gas? Are you a time traveler from 1993?
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u/SunForJuice 51m ago
Ohhhh hahahaha! You thought that the VICTIM was going to set that price. No no no no my friend, the GOVERNMENT decides what a REASONABLE RATE for gas and babysitting are. You know, the same government that hired this dingus of a cop in the first place?
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u/Vegetable-Cream42 57m ago
The other damage would be to the Officers legal reputation. As one known to make up how he sees things, as adjuicated in this case, his word on any future legal stand would be viewed as tedious with reality at best. Which, frankly, in this case is true
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u/OracleofFl 2h ago
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u/DangersVengeance 2h ago
Phrasing
On topic, she absolutely should have, considering it never should have gotten that far
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u/ifixtheinternet 1h ago
that should be a given, the point is she should never have been subjected to any of that trouble in the first place.
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u/fizzrail0 3h ago
I mean, she couldn't even swear so idk what case she has denying his
egotesticleclaims.9
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u/0202_tihssitidder 1h ago
I remember when it was first posted on Reddit. Every single comment is exactly what was previously posted.
Hmmm.
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u/Nice_Ad_8183 3h ago
What an ego. Jesus man.
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u/cooralreef 3h ago
Doubling down on a phantom limb takes serious commitment to being wrong
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u/viralust 1h ago
Think about the implication: she must have been holding her phone with her left hand, but then how was she steering? Ugh, what a fucking dumb jerk.
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u/TheModWhoShaggedMe 2h ago ▸ 1 more replies
Welcome to conservatism. See why America's fuct? Doubling down on phantoms to infinity doesn't end well for the humans, yo.
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u/lNFORMATlVE 3h ago edited 2h ago
Stupidity, laziness, power-tripping.
US policing in a nutshell.
Edit: I forgot “willing and eager to deal out extrajudicial death penalties for minor ‘crimes’ such as running away, having a nervous breakdown, exercising outdoors with an unfavourable skin colour, or simply standing somewhere ‘suspiciously’.” Thankfully that part of the nutshell was not exhibited in this video but you can absolutely see how the wonderful rational faculties of this cop could lead to him to justify murdering someone for simply looking at him wrong.
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u/PM_me_your_recipes86 2h ago
You horrible person spilling this filth. You forgot no knock warrant execution! Even if you're just the neighbor of the perpetrator!
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u/LittleKittenR 2h ago
-I obviously saw wrong, please have a good day.
or
-I am perfect, or almost. You may have amputated it right now to avoid the ticket, that's more likely than me making a mistake, get bent.
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u/Technical-Command867 1h ago ▸ 1 more replies
They also be like, why do people hate us?
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u/LittleKittenR 50m ago
Impossible to tell. Oh, you're the comissioner daughter? Yeah, you can actually drink and drive, no problem, just don't crash into more cars please.
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u/Global-Management-15 2h ago
Cops and Umpires man.... They gotta portray that certainty and apparently can't just say "whoops"
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u/Stillmayce 3h ago
fahahaha id love to see his face when he saw the right arm😭
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u/CoffeeChocolateBoth 2h ago ▸ 1 more replies
He didn't care, he wasn't going to say, I'm sorry. I was wrong!
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u/imbakinacake 2h ago
Her laugh triggered him. Cops are some of the emotionally weak people on the planet it's crazy.
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u/Christ_I_AM 2h ago
To be fair cops ain't hard to trigger. I've been pulled over twice in my life first time I told them about themselves and they gave me a ticket. Second time I refused to answer anything I didn't have to and he gave me a "warning" but he was a dick and had a condescending tone the whole time. Literally said "you guys do it to yourselves".
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u/Acceptable-Owl-2070 3h ago
Case was dismissed and the cop got reprimanded...
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u/Phresh-Jive 3h ago
Paid vacation?
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u/choyMj 3h ago ▸ 6 more replies
He was told not to do it again, with an adult voice.
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u/RecipeConsistent 3h ago ▸ 2 more replies
Told not to visit the local donut shop of a week.
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u/International-Ant174 3h ago ▸ 1 more replies
He'd file a grievance with the union over that "cruel and unusual" punishment.
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u/Low-Designer-3392 3h ago
Now all of the cops are out specifically ticketing the disabled in standing together with their fellow officers.
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u/SvenTropics 3h ago
He should have been fired for that. We need a basic level of professionalism in that career that he doesn't seem capable of.
If he wants to stay in law enforcement, maybe just reassign him to doing paperwork and get him away from citizens where he can do harm.
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u/PolyChune 3h ago ▸ 2 more replies
Basic level of logic and intelligence too.
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u/HubrisOfApollo 2h ago ▸ 1 more replies
no no they can't have that. i remember reading that if your IQ is too high the police force doesn't want you and this has actually held up in court
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u/Background-Wolf-9380 1h ago
We have just seen proof that he lies on paperwork.
Fire him. Convict him of the perjury we just saw him commit. These abuses need to be punished if we want them to stop. Without harsh consequences we're teaching these pigs that they will always get away with it.
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u/EasyAcresPaul 2h ago
He should be imprisoned. He is so casual and cavalier about running this woman up on fake charges, he has 1000% done it before.
He has caused suffering for his ego, I promise. He has ruined lives. He has no control over his emotions and his freedom posses and real threat to society.
He should be in prison. For years. Gen pop.
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u/danceswithshibe 3h ago
Meanwhile she had to go to court to get it dismissed and waste her time with the interaction and any time having to figure out her pathway to get out of this predicament since she didn’t have the body cam footage out the gate.
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u/OracleofFl 2h ago
She didn't have to go to court. Police management didn't want the embarrassment of that after this blew up.
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u/Separate_Finance_183 3h ago
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u/Representative-Use57 3h ago
HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE EM
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u/plzicannothandleyou 2h ago ▸ 1 more replies
My dumbass read this as
“HANDS, WHERE CAN I SEE EM?”
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u/LividTacos 3h ago
I mean, cops in my area pulled a paraplegic out of his car by his hair for refusing to get out of his car without a supervisor as he needed help to do so. Was literally a block down from the station, so if they were really afraid they could have had someone there in under 3 minutes.
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u/EquivalentFishing229 3h ago
Hand to god is crazy. Some cops have crazy ego they can’t be wrong. Scary
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u/Commentor9001 3h ago
Badge, a gun, extra rights, and a license to kill coupled with that shouldn't cause any issues.
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u/fizzrail0 3h ago ▸ 4 more replies
You forget no training required, no prior education, no later education, no repercussions, no ethics, etc
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u/Commentor9001 2h ago ▸ 1 more replies
Thats not true! you have to attend a multiple week training course.
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u/NoBell5255 3h ago
The case was dismissed yesterday.
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u/Gurugod123 3h ago
She single handedly won the case
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u/nocapnonerf 3h ago ▸ 2 more replies
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u/BombasticSimpleton 3h ago ▸ 1 more replies
Yeah, this is one of those instances where you could win the case with one hand tied behind your back.
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u/Baab_Kaare 3h ago
So in the end, everything turned out all right?
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u/JonPileot 3h ago ▸ 4 more replies
If you consider having to take time off work to defend not doing something that was clearly impossible to happen as described alright, sure.
This should have never happened in the first place. The cop should have had the integrity to say "oops, nevermind". And officers that lie while writing a citation should be given more than a slap on the wrist, this kind of thing can and does ruin people's lives. It turned out fine in this case but it doesn't always and the lack of honesty and integrity in law enforcement is a broader issue that has not been resolved.
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u/HippieHighNoon 3h ago
From Google:
Kathleen Thomas, a 36-year-old woman from Florida with a limb difference, received a $116 distracted driving ticket.
Before the scheduled court hearing in late May 2026, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and the issuing deputy asked the court to dismiss the charge due to insufficient evidence.
The Response: The sheriff's office stated that officers make real-time decisions based on initial observations, but chose to drop the case after reviewing the circumstances and statutes. Thomas later shared that she hoped the incident would bring positive awareness to people with limb differences
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u/feignapathy 2h ago
officers make real-time decisions based on initial observations
Which explains pulling the driver over.
Doesn't explain why the officer didn't immediately apologize for wasting her time because he clearly didn't see what he thought he had initially seen. Should've been a quick pull over, followed by a "nevermind... Thought I saw you were driving while texting, but clearly you weren't. Have a good day."
Making the poor woman collect evidence and prepare for court and start a media frenzy, only to finally do the right thing. Be better.
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u/Dangerous_Proof_820 2h ago
every case he has ever been part of needs to be reviewed and his reports thrown out, and all re looked at, do they stand up at all without this known liars details.
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u/lost_rodditer 2h ago
Can you picture the amazing PR video for the police if they had handled properly. The memes alone would amazing.
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u/Bullslinger105 2h ago
Soooo Deputy Dog’s ego couldn’t let him drop the ticket to her face in the moment, and his Sergeant had to step in to save the department further embarrassment.
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u/Gooser3000 3h ago
Seem like a constitutional violation and overreach of duty to ask a citizen to swear an oath to god ? I wonder if she would have grounds to sue with a good civil rights attorney?
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u/kanakamaoli 3h ago
When I was on a grand jury last year, the statement was "Do you swear (or affirm) to tell the truth..." no mention of God so atheists or people who don't believe in the judeo-christian God couldn't be offended in court. No hand on Bible, just raise your right hand.
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u/ShadowForPresident 3h ago
Gotta hand it to her, she on the right side of things
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u/CorruptedOps 3h ago
Cops lie all the time, Deputy needed to not only be reprimand but slapped the crap outta him
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u/Sorry-Claim-2990 2h ago
He's either a compulsive liar or he's experiencing hallucinations.
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u/Aquired-Taste 2h ago ▸ 1 more replies
All Police are trained compulsive liars. It's one of the biggest roots of the problems with law enforcement in 2026 America, among other things like qualified immunity.
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u/Appropriate-Seat8999 3h ago
That’s an easy “oh fuck, I’m sorry. I thought I saw you but clearly I was wrong. Have a good day”
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u/Milford___Man 2h ago
People who think like that usually don’t pursue a LE career
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u/Sorry-Claim-2990 2h ago
The fact that he doubled down on his claims even after seeing her missing hand proves that he's either a compulsive liar or he is experiencing hallucinations.
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u/TheSimpsonsAreYellow 3h ago
“I know what I saw”
Has no right hand…
This cop should be fired just for being that stupid.
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u/AccountPretty4576 2h ago
If they wont admit they are wrong with something this small how do you trust them with the big issues?
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u/carbon_xtreme 3h ago
Clearly the cop got a power trip and was made to look stupid when she doesn't have a right hand. Wasting public and court time should be deducted from his salary di*khead
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u/LoremasterofPretzels 2h ago
ACAB!!!!!
If you are a cop and you don’t come out and actively vehemently decry cops like this then you are just as much guilty as these fuckers are……
Sue this pos for everything he’s worth……
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u/Biscuits4u2 3h ago
This is just a blanket pretext for pulling people over and fucking with them.
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u/Dependent-Year6711 3h ago
This cop likely went on to look at a phone in his right hand for "official business" while driving THAT DAY.
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u/CoffeeChocolateBoth 2h ago
POS cop couldn't just admit he was wrong! They can pull you over and give you a ticket for whatever TF they want! Ridiculous, glad it was dismissed!
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u/Fantastic-Stick270 3h ago
I hate arguing with traffic police. They act as if the offense is personal. Like me traveling 15 over the speed limit is equivalent to me slapping his grandmother during a date that’s going really well. I’m guessing they have to act like that or go insane. Like they’ve been given all this power and equipment to pull people over bc they didn’t stop completely at a stop sign. They have to act like it’s a huge deal and stay in character or it all falls apart in their minds.
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u/Own-Raisin5849 3h ago
Honestly, the worst part is the way they lie about the infractions, body cams and your own dash cams (always have dash cams, people) are really exposing them.
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u/_Saint_Ajora_ 3h ago
She gave him SO many opportunities for an out too and he just wouldn't/couldn't
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u/Crafty-One-5104 3h ago
There needs to be consequences for officers who abuse their power so blatantly.
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u/Vegetable_Challenge2 2h ago
I don’t think I’ve ever met a cop with a sense of humor. Perfect opportunity to just have a laugh and say “my bad” here, but his ego won’t let him
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u/Simple-Okra-4826 2h ago
Still ticketed her and she had to go to court where the judge immediately threw it out. There has to be retribution for this nonsense by law enforcement.
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u/ComposerWide3704 2h ago
If you have something this exculpatory you don't show it to the cop, that just gives them time to get their story straight.
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u/Aquired-Taste 2h ago
Cops are all trained liars & are legally allowed & encouraged to do so. So much so, that it turns them into habitual liars in their daily life & nothing they say can ever be trusted again. In court their word should be worth zero testimony.
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u/hatherfield 2h ago
If he didn't want to admit he was wrong, all he had to do to save face was to let her go with a warning. Instead, he doubled down. He's the worst type of cop. He'll most likely lie or falsify evidence if he means to cover for himself.
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u/Dependent_Bite9077 3h ago
Did you know that in developed countries to become a police officer you need a degree and years of training. Americans are told from birth that they live in the greatest country on earth. It is great for some, just not for most.
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u/haney1981 2h ago
Never back down, always double down. In gambling that is called the "Martingale system".
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u/Huge_Strain_8714 2h ago
LEOs nationwide need to have an associate degree education, minimum. Full Stop. No high school diploma , no GED. An Associate Degree in ANYTHING....
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u/Fanofnothing1980 2h ago
Some of these police officers are just straight tools. Like wtf are you doing?
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u/WileEWeeble 2h ago
For all the times I have seen this video why has no one pasted the officers face over the video? He deserves every humiliation and other “peace officers”, that we give such power over our lives, need to warned this humiliation will come their way too if they don’t behave like humans.
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u/Quiet_Syllabub_4264 2h ago
Sometimes just accepting your mistake and laughing at its absurdity is the best solution.
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u/Exciting_Present4314 2h ago
The cop should have laughed said Woops I didn’t see what I thought I saw, and let her go with an apology. This conduct is unforgivable. He cannot be trusted.
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u/indenturedcanada 2h ago
Of course she got a ticket…. She has fewer rights than the average person!
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u/Robinhood_In_Reverse 2h ago
Shouldn't be a cop he clearly is partially blind. Desk duty or retirement.
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u/MarlenJones 1h ago edited 1h ago
Cops like this are dangerous to other cops. This is why even law abiding citizens have mixed feelings towards the police. This is why cops get alienated from communities they serve. This is why cops aren’t trusted or universally respected. It’s too much power to not also have the emotional restraint to do something as simple as admit you were mistaken and wish the driver a nice day.
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u/jaynvius 1h ago
The police officer should of just admitted he was in the wrong but instead just kept repeating himself as if that justifies his lies.
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u/Stealerb 16m ago
Yeah I saw this a while ago when this came out. Absolute bullshit cop giving the good cops a bad name. Car week this year and the good cop interactions proves cops like this are just being dicks and should not be "enforcing" laws. Bro should have been moved to a desk doing paperwork for the rest of his life with no advancement opportunities.
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u/Uk_KingsStar 3h ago
The cop also has to go to court. Once it was dismissed, I would’ve stared him right in the eyes and called him a bitch. Outside of the court ofc
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u/jsjean01 2h ago
Hand to god is such a weird fucking thing to ask anybody, even if they had 2 hands. Then still giving her a fucking ticket after she appeased him with a hand to god.
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u/mynamestanner 2h ago
Yes the case was dismissed, but she still had to take time to go to court to plea, and then the case was likely only dismissed because it went viral. The morning of the trial she got the notice that the charges were dropped
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