Should law enforcement officer service records be available on the Internet? ?

Question

You are pulled over, officer asks for your license and insurance. You ask for the officers law enforcement agency and badge number (or federal officer ID.) While they run your record, you run the officer's service record on your cell phone.

Is it a real police officer? Does the image of the officer on your phone match who pulled you over? Do they have a discipline record you should be aware of? Are they new to the patrol and may no be familiar with a local law that you may know?

Answer 1

If you are pulled over by a marked vehicle, and the LEO is in uniform, then you have no need to attempt to look him up. In many cases, the officer will identify him/herself by name and agency upon contact with you. If he does have a disciplinary record or is a rookie, it's of no relevance to the traffic stop.

Answer 2

No it is a blatant violation of laws put in place that provide safety to Police Officers and their families.  There is no reason the public needs to know the service record or private records of a police officer.  If there is an issue with an officer IA does investigate.  The public as a whole are not trained nor experienced enough to handle personal/private information on anyone other than themselves.  In fact, asking this question is very ignorant and laced with animosity.  It is simple, Obey the laws and police won't "hassle' you as the public seems to say all the time when inconvenienced with a traffic citation.

Answer 3

Not hardly. This is a privacy issue. Your criminal and driving record isn't.

Answer 4

good idea . most come straight out of the academy with a ..i am better than you and above the law attitude. if they mess up , it should be added to a public file . another way is to start making them show up to court , get a trial by jury , and have everyone in the community get the bad cop's goose by making sure no one is ever guilty for minor stuff. enough cases dropped , so will the ego of the cop with a bad attitude. if our records are able to be seen by the public , so should theirs. there should never be a double standard. if they keep clean , they will not have to worry about the public records. another thing , if you are afraid to have your records / life judged by the public { who pay your salary through taxes } you should find another line of work. good question , star for you.