All due respect to SAPD

I have to admit, I'm not a big enthusiast when it comes to our local police force. And it's not because I don't think they're doing their jobs right, or because I have it out for them. It's like that common customer service saying:

(and this is totally not a direct quote...lol) The bad experiences will always outweigh the good ones. A person is more likely to tell ten people about bad service as opposed to talking about a good experience they've had somewhere.

This is me with our local police. It seems to me that although I have run across some great police officers, I often remember the bad experiences most. So I should apologize for coming across as if all of our uniformed men and women in the police department are not worthy of recognition. It's just my trashy mouth spewing out word vomit for all of my FB friends. Sorry guys.

I remember being a freshman sophmore in high school and not officially having my driver's license. I was working at McDonald's at the time, and was driving my brother's truck. I shouldn't have been driving, but at the time there was no one else in the house that could pick me up or take me to work. I would usually get out at midnight or later, and didn't feel safe walking home 2 miles in the dark. So one night I'm driving one of the girls home because she didn't have a vehicle and lived in the area. I just so happened to turn right at an intersection where a sign was posted "no turn on red." Being young and naive, I didn't even see it and turned anyway.

Needless to say, I was pulled over immediately by SA's finest. The woman officer was quick to jump on my case and point out that I didn't have a license and that I made an illegal turn. She was dead set on citing me. A few seconds later, another young officer came over to see what was going on. The gentleman somehow felt compassion for me and asked the other officer to give me a break because it was late and I was young, and I was trying to get home from work. After a little bit of a debate amongst the two officers, they let me off with a warning. I never did forget that policeman. He was one of the kindest police officers I had ever encountered. I was very thankful he was there.

Another time (maybe 10 years ago), I had been in a minor accident and realized I didn't have my proof of insurance in my truck. The officer who responded to the scene asked why? I had to try and explain that my mother had borrowed my vehicle and possibly taken out my insurance card. He said he was going to issue a citation unless I was able to provide him with that card. He allowed me to make a phone call and have my mom bring the card to me. He didn't have to do that, but he did. Again, I was thankful for his help.

I can't say there haven't been ocassions where I was let off with a warning. I'd be lying if I did. It's like one of my FB friends, Rudy, pointed out: There's good and bad in everything. I've been more quick to point out the bad, and haven't even said that I've had some great experiences with police.

Earlier I made an awful remark about an incident involving a fatality with former SAPD spokesperson, Sgt Gabe Trevino. It was an ugly thing to say. I wasn't there, and I can't base judgement when I don't really know what actions were taken and what they were based on. It was a total blow below the belt, and for that I apologize. I also give kudos to my friend Paula, who works closely with the police department and gets to see everything from the inside and out.

Thanks for letting me vent a little and then making me realize that I should take a step back. Yes, I've complained about the police force many times in the past. But I have to realize that not all of them are bad apples (although you have to agree that there are those few...don't make me name cases...LOL).