Foreword: I don't have (much of) a problem with cops. I've had run-ins of both the good and bad variety; since I lost my traffic ticket and have NO idea what township it was issued in/near, I'm just arbitrarily choosing a location for the ISP. That said.....
*cue booing, hissing, raspberry noises, general disgruntledness*
How bad are the Hoosier state troopers?
Bad enough to issue me a citation for going 82 in a 70, on a deserted highway, at night? Nope, worse.
Bad enough to write my mom a ticket for going 66 in a 55? Still worse than that.
Bad enough to cite my dad for talking on his hands-free phone in a construction zone? Keep going.
The Indiana State police are so sh*tty......they have absolutely no reservations about writing tickets TO OTHER COPS. Most law enforcement officials will let you go about your way if you flash your badge, because they have better things to do than cite a fellow officer (like tracking down chainsaw murderers and whatnot). Not these guys. In fact, I'm pretty sure they revel in ruining people's days, cop or otherwise.
When I got pulled over (for going the speed of traffic), there was no "do you know why I stopped you?" or "I'm Officer ____ of the _____, can I please see your driver's license and registration?" Barked at me for my DL, came back a few minutes later with a computer printout and tossed it through my open window. No explanation of what the violation was, who HE was, what the next step is to clear the ticket, etc. Beyond that, the ticket was vague and offered little insight on what to do next.
I get it, they're just doing their job. But they're doing it so OBjectively, I think they've lost sight of the fact that they're still human beings with the capacity to make SUBjective decisions. I've heard stories of the IN state police citing people for doing no more than ten miles over the speed limit and other such nonsense. No one I know--friends or family--has had a good experience with Indiana's finest. Even a badge-wearing buddy of mine has stated "yeah, these guys can be real bastards." And that's coming from another cop.
Unfriendly. Unreasonable. Unavoidable. read more