And I won't give you a ticket or take you to jail. Here is an article paraphrased from Tuesday's February 24th, OREGONIAN. You can read the entire article at oregonlive.com. "Portland City Council members on Wednesday are expected to settle two lawsuits stemming from a former Portland police officer's misconduct during a traffic stop. In the early hours of a day in 2006, officer John Wood told the women to lift their skirts and show him their underwear or he would arrest them for drunk driving and take them to jail." Both women complied and Wood completed the stop without giving eith one a ticket. Although the article doesn't mention their ages if memory serves me correctly the women were in their mid twenties to early thirties. The amounts the women are expected to receive from their settlements are $53,005 and $52,200 for damages from the traffic stop.
What makes this story even more interesting is in 2005 Wood was accused of acting in a similar "deviant sexual manner" toward another woman while on duty and the city kept him on duty.
In late 2006 Wood pleaded guilty to two counts of official misconduct stemming from one of the two traffic stops, agreed to resign as a police officer and to give up his police certification. He was placed on two years probation and ordered to perform one hundred hours of community service.
I find this story troubling in several ways. First, I think any man that uses a power position to satisfy his sexual needs is a scumbag. I mean I like looking at women in underwear as much as the next guy but to hold jail over them to get women to perform the way he wants them to is a disgrace to the male gender every where. Second, the police officer shouldn't have even been on the force at the time of the traffic stop. He should have been fired in 2005 after the first instance or at minimum sent to counseling. Third, I am kind of stunned that the women complied. My sister probably would have told the officer to go ahead and arrest her. Then after getting out of jail she would go after the officer full force with complaints and lawsuits. Fourth, I'm not sure the dollar amount of the settlement is enough or to much. Fifth, I think the officer should have gotten jail time.
So the questions of the day are: 1. How do you react to this story? 2. Should have the officer been fired after the first incident? 3. What would you do if you were placed in the situation these two women were placed in? 4. Did they get to much of a settlement or not enough? 5. Was the officer's sentance enough?
Remember Top Chef fans the final is tonight!
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Okay, questions of the day:
1) How do I react? I'm appalled.
2) The officer should have been fired after the first incident.
3) I have no idea what I'd do if in that situation. I think first I'd laugh and ask if he could possibly be serious. If we were in a deserted area, I'd be very much afraid he'd want something else after a peek at my fairly pedestrian undies. I'd also be afraid he might not be a real cop and could be seriously dangerous. I guess I'd just play it by ear and hope for the best.
3) The settlement sounds okay to me. Enough to punish the department a little and gives the women a nice chunk of change for an incident that was only humiliating and not physically dangerous. The fear I mention above is a factor, though. I don't know what that's worth in dollars.
4) I do hope his sentence included giving up any pension he was entitled to. Beyond that, maybe he should have to register as a sex offender. Put him in jail? Not here, where they're letting all kinds of offenders out anyway and the jails are way crowded.
Thanks for the reminder about Top Chef. I did catch up with the show I missed, and was sorry to see Fabio go.
I have been stopped by a policeman because he "thought I was cute"...My heart was pounding....
Hi Pat
WOW some really great suggestions!
I never thought about having him register as a sex offender but that would be appropriate for him and would impact his life more than jail because it would follow him ever where.
Also consider whether or not he was a real cop is also right on because they have had several instances in Portland of men impersonating police officers and pulling over women.
He keeps his pension.
Bill
PS
Hope your mom is getting better, mine is getting a little better.
Hi Lisa
The police officer was wrong you aren't cute you are very pretty!
Bill
I'm with Pat on this. Appalled at the fact the officer pulled such a stunt, more appalled at the fact he had a previous incident and was still on the force. As to what to do -- I've not been pulled over, but I do think I'd adhere to the advice that one continues driving until at a gas station, convenience store or other area with other people. Some advise calling 911 to let them know you're being followed by an officer with flashing lights and where you'll be stopping -- this has, on more than one occasion, prevented a stop by a "pretend" cop with nefarious intentions, so to speak.
I also think he should lose his pension and be listed as a sex offender, as what he was engaging in was sexually deviant behavior, IMHO.
Lisa, your experience had to be scary! I worked with a lot of cops when I was working with Golden Gloves. Most were great, a few were not folks I really cared for -- bad attitudes. I suppose all professions are the same.
Bill and Pat, I hope both Moms are recuperating and doing better.
Can't remember if I told you, but Deb got Mom an app't with a sinus specialist clinic in Phoenix for the 17th. Please pray she can get in earlier, in the event treatments may take several days or a week. She needs to be back in Greenville on the 22nd, to rest up and be ready for her app't with the cardio on the 24th.
We had a similar situation here a few years ago, with a cop pulling women over and then asking for sexual favors. They complied too, but the key factor is that they were actually driving under the influence, and knew he'd throw the book at them if they didn't. It doesn't make what he did right, but it helps me to understand them going along with it a little better.
If a cop asked to see my underwear, I'm afraid I'd hurt myself laughing. Seriously.
Hi DR
I am appalled when anyone, man or woman, uses a position of power to gain sexual favors. It just irritates the heck out of me.
When you think this situation could have been prevent had the police officer been fired for the first incident it makes it even more appalling because people in power must have not thought it was a big deal.
I think the idea to call 911 and continue driving is an excellent plan!
I hadn't thought of him being a registered sex offender but since Pat mentioned I think it is perfect pushingment for the officer.
I'm glad Deb got an appointment for your Mom but am upset that she has to wait until the 17th. I can't help but wonder if an urgent care clinic or an emergency room might not be a better plan. Of course I will pray that she not only gets her appointment earlir but has plenty of time to rest up for her sugery.
Bill
Hi Mary
I laughed at your final comment.
I can understand why a woman would comply. First, who is a court going to believe an officer or the woman? Second, a drunk driving stays on your record for four years, your insurance costs go up substantially, in some occupations a drunk driving can cause you to lose your job. I'd comply with a woman officer rather than to get a drunk driving.
Bill.
Bill, Mom's been to urgent care and we've seen specialists here in G'ville, all to no avail. That's why the idea of the clinic specializing in sinus issues and how they may relate to head and neck issues is so appealing -- we've been looking for an answer to this for well over a year, both in Phoenix and here, with "regualr" ENTs to no avail. Yes, she has sinus problems, yes she has balance problems, they all agree, but no one has any solutions nor seems to be particularly concerned except us.
Hi DR
Well then I am glad you found a specialist even if the appointment is to far in the future.
I'm praying that they have a cancellation and your mom gets in earlier!
Bill
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