Expanded version for the record.
While driving east down Grant Rd. early Sunday morning (2:30 am 5/31/09), I was traveling behind two police cars. Without benefit of emergency lights or even a turn signal, both cars braked and made an illegal u-turn just east of Oracle Rd. right at the no u-turn sign at the end of the raised median in front of the Jack-in-the-box. Not being enough room there for two cars, one stuck out and caused me to slow. I beeped my horn as I drove by sliding a bit into the right lane as the second cruiser continued after the first. Both cruisers then proceeded west back towards Oracle Rd. making another u-turn at oracle and came up fast behind me passing three other cars. Then the lead car turned on his emergency lights and pulled me over around Grant and 4th Ave. I rolled down my window. As Officer Kidd (49555) approached with another Officer trailing behind on the other side of the car, I asked...
"So, what could I have done wrong?"
His response was,
"Illegal use of a horn."
I said, "Illegal? Like that u-turn you guys just made?"
His response,
"You don't know shit!"
I repeated what he said and then told him to call his Sargent, that I couldn't
talk to him. He asked me for my license and registration. I dug out my registration and insurance card, handed them to Officer Kidd, and informed him my drivers license was in the trunk. Asking if he wanted me to get it, he said yes, to get out. I opened the trunk and got my license out of my backpack. After handing it to him, I asked if he was going to call his Sargent. He said no, and went back to his car. Officer Morales (47531) told me to get back in the car. I asked him if he was going to call his Sargent, he did not respond. Getting back into the car, I pulled out my cell phone and called 911. Sitting in the car talking to the 911 operator, Officer Morales told me to put my hands on the wheel. I put one hand on the wheel and continued to hold my phone with my right talking to 911, requesting a Supervisor. After concluding the call, I went to put my phone back into my pocket. Officer Morales reached in and grabbed my left arm aggressively, the phone being in my right, and told me to put both hands on the wheel. I did so. While waiting, Officer Morales asked random questions...
"Are there any weapons in the car?"
"Are you a diabetic on the way to the hospital?"
I answered the questions and asked him,
"What happened to protect and serve, you know I pay your salary."
He told me,
"No you don't, the Mayor does."
I asked where do you think the Mayor gets the money.
He replied,
"I don't know."
I said, "you don't know?"
He replied,
"No."
I leaned my head back with both hands on the wheel and waited.
Sargent Flores (42397) arrived. Talked to both officers and then came up to my window. Asked me if I wanted to get out to talk, I said yes. And asked if I could take my hands off the wheel. He said yes. I told my side of the story, he listened. Kept asking me if I had anything against cops. But listened and gave his opinions and explanation that police cars are not required to use emergency lights unless running a red light. That I was wrong to use the horn. He said this wasn't his traffic stop and the rest was up to the other officers.
I was issued a fix it ticket for not having a license plate light (an add on, not sure, never noticed. Will check tomorrow) and a citation for unreasonable use of a horn. Unreasonable?
ARS 28-954 (b)
If reasonably necessary to ensure the safe operation of a motor vehicle, the driver shall give an audible warning with the driver's horn but shall not otherwise use the horn when on a highway.
A $171 ticket. What? So if you beep your horn for any other reason that a policemen can say is not necessary, that's illegal. A one hundred and seventy-one dollar ticket!
I believe I was reasonable, I gave an audible warning that the police cruiser was blocking the left lane. I believe the Police Officers were unreasonable, I believe the letter of the law to be unreasonable.
