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C-dub wrote:Sometimes, all it takes is a sincere handshake and an "I'm sorry."

Thanks for the wisdom!

Received a call back from the Director of Operations of the Azle ISD. The officer admitted that he did not fully keep his composure and has been verbally counseled. I had asked for a written apology but that was denied. So, my hope is that the counseling will assist the officer in all future contacts.

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ShootDontTalk wrote:

JSThane wrote: In short, that badge and the authority that accompanies it should only come out if and only if the situation falls in line with your official duties. If you have personal involvement in the situation, whether victim or at-fault party, call another badge to come over and take charge. Never try to use your authority in the heat of the moment when you're personally involved.

Yes sir. Well said and a clear definition of what it means to be a professional. Thank you.

Yes, indeed very well stated!

He was wearing a black polo shirt with a badge on it but as with the badge he flashed he never got close enough for me to make out what it said.. So, maybe the polo shirt is uniform for him but nothing like a city or sheriff deputy. I did not find out that he was truly an officer and his department until the local officer told me.

I spoke with his employer yesterday and they wanted a verbal statement and the Director of Operation and the HS principal would "speak" with the officer. Well that just says we won't do anything...so it off to the central office to swear out a formal complaint.

There was very little distance from where the contact occurred and where he stopped and got out (maybe 200-300 ft) and there was no safe place for me to pull and over and get out at that point.

Unfortunately I did not think to video the interaction. It may not have been safe to do so when in the middle of the street.

There is damage to both vehicles. The location of the contact and where he got out is between 50 and 100ft, and we were behind several cars at a red light. He could have rolled down his window and said let's pull off somewhere, etc...

Sorry for the slightly long post...

Earlier today I was involved in an MVA with come to find out after all is said and done a police officer for one of the local ISDs. I was changing lanes due a lane closure and failed to see the other vehicle. So, yes my fault for the accident but then the fun began...

This issue started immediately after the accident when he drove up beside me waving what appeared to be a badge. We got to a red light and he placed his personal vehicle in park and got out flashing the badge in his left hand and his right hand on the handgun in a ready to draw position. In the same instance he was yelling at me how I ran him off the road and calling me names, etc... I had rolled down my window to hear what he was saying and placed my hands on the steering wheel...For the safety factor I stated let's move to a safe place and work this out. His reply was that we would work this out one way or another even if I have to arrest you.

He never got close enough for me to determine if the badge was real or which department he may work for. He had also not verbally identified himself as an officer or the department he works for.

We made our way to a safer location and he immediately exited his vehicle and commanded me to exit my vehicle. Due to his previous behavior and continuing failure to identify himself I immediately called 911 and requested that a local officer be dispatched. I remained in my vehicle as I did not deem it be 100% safe to exit. The reason being that if he was not a real officer then that would not be a good situation or if he were a real officer then what would happen when I exited and my my weapon was partly exposed as I had to lift my shirt it to get to my wallet.

When the local PD arrived I provided CHL, DL and INS info and notified the officer where my weapon was located. He said "Ok, thank you telling me and I will be right back with you".

There were no issues prior to the accident so I am not sure why he presented himself the way he did.

So my questions to pose are: Even though I could not truly identify him as a police officer should I have immediately shown my CHL? Would anyone have actually exited their vehicle as ordered once at the safe location? I did not do so due to the identification issue and I thought it might escalate the situation as previously he was yelling and acting in a menacing manner.

I will most likely be filing a complaint with the ISD police chief for the issues encountered.