How does the law affect those in law enforcement?

Question

What happens to police officers or other law enforcement officials who cause car accidents by:

Driving drunk?

Speeding?

Falling asleep at the wheel?

Driving recklessly?

Do they automatically lose their job?

Answer 1

The only one of those a police officer is likely to be held accountable for is drunk driving, and then only if someone is injured.  Only a cop can give another cop a ticket, and the reason must be extremely serious or the others will ignore it (so that the guy doesn't drive around the block 5 times before responding to an officer down call).

It has got to be something that would cause extreme public outrage or it will be ignored.

If he loses his license to drive, he loses his job.

Answer 2

The other cops cover up for them...

Answer 3

They are dealt with jsut like every other citizen.

There are stringent psychological and behavioral tests for police officers.  They are expected to act as a model citizen.   When they mess up and do things like this, they are treated jsut as anyone else in the same situation.

Speeding wouldnt warrant job loss, falling asleep at the wheel is not a crime, its just stupid, reckless driving  depends on the degree of recklessness, and driving drunk  means you WILL be fired.

Answer 4

they are treated the same as anyone else

Answer 5

No they don't lose their job.

They just get a slap on the wrist and are told to not do it again and are returned to duty.

Law Enforcement Officials are above the law in most cases like this.

The most that will happen to them is they'll get a formal reprimand put in their service record.  

Answer 6

Honestly driving drunk is the only one that an officer will get fired over, and in Utah will lose their certification anywhere from a couple of years to the rest of their life. Drunk driving is unacceptable in all cases, and if there is a cop out there that doesnt arrest somebody for driving while impaired then they are a disgrace to the badge. I am in law enforcement, and if I ever pulled over an officer who was driving while impaired, I would immediatly call my supervisor to meet me at the scene and that officer who is drunk would be arrested, no questions asked.

Driving recklessly could also get an officer fired, depending on the circumstances.

Answer 7

they are arrested just like anyone else. they are then first suspended while a investigation is being done. if they find you were guilty then they will fire you. this can all be done befor e trial is ever happened.

----------retired texas deputy sheriff----------