Editor’s Note: In PoliceOne “First Person” essays, our Members and Columnists candidly share their own unique view of the world. This is a platform from which individual officers can share their own personal insights on issues confronting cops today, as well as opinions, observations, and advice on living life behind the thin blue line. This week’s essay comes from PoliceOne Member Brandon Roberts of the Waldo (Fla.) Police Department. Do you want to share your own perspective with other P1 Members? Send us an e-mail with your story.
By Brandon Roberts
Waldo (Fla.) Police Department
You know you’re an interdiction addict when ...
1. You find yourself being suspicious of every vehicle one the road, whether it is grandma and grandpa or a Brady bunch.
2. You start turning off your radar and looking for those cars travelling under the speed limit.
3. You relentlessly study the traffic law book trying to find the next “B.S.” reason to stop a car.
4. You begin to think every truck driver is dirty!
5. Your wife or kids have heard you talk to much about interdiction off-duty, that they point out vehicles while driving down the highway.
6. You chose to work for that lower-paid department just because they have a low call load, or they support interdiction where the larger agency may not, or you are so back logged on calls you don’t have the chance to work it.
7. You get stuck working at an agency with no highway and you are completely bored with law enforcement because you can not work interdiction.
8. You supervisor has to tell you “I don’t think they are smart enough to hide any dope in the fenders. I think you can just search the inside.” And he is right, but you still like to be thorough.
9. You are one of the only officers who LIKES having a video camera because it catches all the PC and consent, so there is no question in court.
10. All the other officer’s think you are crazy because you stop cars constantly for minor violations. They just don’t understand...
Hi, my name is Brandon, and I am an interdiction addict...
Don’t worry, there are several more out there, just like you.
