Can citizens give citations to police officers that violate traffic laws?

If they can give us penalties and fines for breaking the traffic laws, why can't we do the same? I constantly see police speeding (without lights on for pursuit), failing to use a blinkers when changing lanes, rolling stops at stop signs, and so forth. what are the laws concerning these issues (especially in Texas)? Who can, if not citizens, give the officers a checks and balance of their (usually abused) power?

Eagle1 Fox2

No, you cannot cite police officers for breaking laws.

If you see it happening, then get the vehicle number and call it in to the local police station and report it. If they have a supervisor worth anything, he will at least take some action if it can be verified because if police are breaking the rules, then it just makes the entire department look back. Beyond that, there isn't much you can do.

However, I will tell you that there are often reasons for the police doing something that you may be unaware of. For instance, when a police cruiser is looking for a vehicle that they may have seen speeding, they will often not turn on their lights until they have caught up to the vehicle and have positive identification of it.

Also, they may be on an urgent call and just not think it necessary to use their lights if the conditions do not warrant. There are two sides to every story, and in some cases you may be right, but I urge you to think about their side too.

laughter_every_day

A cop cannot impose a penalty or fine. A cop can accuse you of a crime, and you can plead guilty or have a trial. If you are convicted of the crime, by plea or trial, then the court imposes the sentence. As to your question, there is no private criminal prosecution in the u.s. The decision to use taxpayer money to pursue a criminal conviction (for rolling a stop sign or for murder) is reserved to the DA or city attorney or other such prosecutor. If you observe a crime by a cop, you can report that crime to the cop's superiors or to the local prosecutor, but the decision to file the charges will be made by the governmental official charged with making that decision.

The Dude.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. No.

Although other cops can give cops tickets. There are plenty of local cops who tag state cops and state cops who tag locals.

Chuck P

No, but you can call their superiors and report them. They are not above the laws, they must abide by them also. So take down their plate number and call the department that they work for.

Poppy

You can ask them to stop ask for there book and issue the cop a ticket, but I think it requires bigger balls than I or you have, soooo.....
Get the car number and call the supervisor on duty(non emergency number for PD) tell them what you witnessed and let them handle it.

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