To serve and protect?

Abso-freaking-lutely! But they really should add "And be thoughtful" to that motto.

I got pulled over tonight! I’m on my way to the post office after kicking my own ass at the gym and I see I’m being tailed. After a mile or so the blue lights get turned on so naturally I pulled over immediately. Officer “not so subtle at tailing people” gets out of his car, walks up and says “License and registration, please”. As I’m getting my license he asks “Do you know why I stopped you?” Let’s stop here for a moment.

Now me being me, I thought of a thousand hysterical (or what I thought would be hysterical) responses in a matter of seconds. After thinking it over I decided it’d be best not to impose upon him my sense of "humor" however, that did not stop me from testing the water…

So I say “Uh, failure to signal when you were pulling me over?”- he giggled. Good, he’s got a sense of humor. As he takes my license he says “No, I couldn’t read your tag until I got right up on you. I’m going to run your license and make sure you’re not a bank robber before I let you go. Be right back.” After a few minutes he comes back and I tried to hand him my registration, he says “Oh no, you’re fine I don’t need the registration.” So I said “So you know I’m not a bank robber?” he says “Yeah, you’re not a bank robber.” All this time he’s looking in my car (which I found rather irritating) so I asked him “Would you please stop eyeing my filthy car, I’m a little self conscious.” Again, more giggles. He says “I don’t think some CD cases and a yoga mat constitute filthy.” Then, “Your tag cover really is hard to see through.” I just sat there staring at him. He shifted uncomfortably. Then he said “You know, it’s hard to read the tag” So I responded with “Well actually I didn’t know.” (I honestly didn’t!) So I stepped out of the car and walked with him to the trunk. I stood there looking at it, a little pissed off with myself for not recognizing how oxidized the plastic cover had become. He says “See, it really is kinda hard to read.” I told him that there was no need to defend his decision to pull me over, he was right- it was hard to read. Plus me and my yoga mat passenger/accomplice really could have been bank robbers.

I'd like to add here that I think I’m one of the only people in this city that really doesn’t mind being pulled over (on the incredibly rare occasion that it has happened). If I screwed up, well, I screwed up and deserve to be told.

To make a very long story short(er) I chatted with him a bit about community affairs, where he was from, how long he’s been with the department, made him laugh so hard he made a weird coughing/wheezing noise, twice! etc. etc. etc. and finally ended the conversation with “Well, it’s been nice chatting with you but if you don’t mind I’ll happily take my ticket and be on my way.” he says “Oh no, I wasn’t going to ticket you, I just thought you should know.” I thanked him for being such a thoughtful individual, told him to have a safe evening and was on my way.

Thank God he had a sense of humor (and understood mine)! I can (and am) easily misunderstood for being a smart ass when in actuality my humor just tends to be incredibly caustic.