Good Cop, Bad Cop

So, the other day, Kamrin and I were in the car and she mentioned to me that she saw a police officer in the car driving while texting.  She didn't think it was really fair that he would be able to break that law if we aren't allowed to. She also said he was a fat cop.  Oops.  I had to stifle a giggle on that one...but assured her that sometimes living life as a cop can make it hard to get to the gym and eat a healthy meal.  However, I do believe that if you're going to look for bad guys, you should be able to chase them too.  Police officers can be great - they are necessary - but one of my biggest pet peaves is when they simply want to get through a stoplight so they put on their lights and flash on through.  Grrrr.  Kamrin and I were discussing the police force and of course Mikka decided she wanted to be a cop so she could drive really really fast.  She is her mothers daughter and Uncles niece....we like fast.  I grew up loving the show 'Chips' and truly believed one day I would marry Ponch!  John just wasn't my type.  Cops were always cute and drove fast and did the right thing.  Sadly, this ain't always true.
That being said, I was reminded of a time, long ago, when I took a cop into my own hands.  I asked the girls if they knew my cop story.  They alarmingly said no.  So I told them.
Darren and I moved here on our own in the winter of 97/98.  It was an exciting journey - we were young and alive and had nothing to fear.  We had a great wee house, a nice truck, jobs.  Toronto was our city and we were going to own it.  Being young and not having to worry about our waistlines, we would get our breakfast at MacDonalds.  I always got a cranberry muffin and orange juice - convincing myself I wasn't bad for eating there.  It became a habit and of course, we got to know the people at the window.  On this particular cold morning, we got our food and headed back to the office around the corner.  The exit was on Dixie Road and there was a median on the road so car couldn't turn in from the opposing lanes; therefore, you don't check right when turning, traffic only came from your left.  That morning we didn't check right. Then as we pulled onto Dixie, a cop car swerved in from the right - he bypassed the median  50 feet back and was traveling down the wrong side of the road to get into the MacD's driveway in order to avoid having to turn at the light and go in the proper entry.  Darren slammed on the brakes, I screamed.  We paused for a minute - to ensure we and our healthy meals were still intact.  And Darren continued driving.  Now remember, I am the girl who does what is right (ok, usually) and I was also homesick and tired of rude Toronto people.  We got to the next light and I said, "turn around".  Darren simply looked at me, asking why.  "That cop just about totaled our car and broke the law and was an ass.  Turn around."  Darren again asked if I was sure.  I was pissed.  I was sure.  Poor Darren.  2 years into our marriage and I don't think he really knew what he was getting in to.  But, being who we are, he turned around and I said to pull up by the cop car - he was at the window picking up his coffee and sandwich.  We pulled the Explorer up right along side him.  He put his sandwich down and looked at us.  I signal to him to roll down his window by circling my finger and glaring.  He did so.  And then I laid into him.  I ranted about how he nearly hit us.  How he was a lousy cop.   How his breakfast should never come before the peoples safety.  My favourite quote was, "Your job is to serve and protect.  MY ASS!".  The poor kids at the MacD's service window just stared.  All the people in the line just stared.  I yelled at him for nearly a minute.  I am sure, as I leaned over Darren, he felt like it was an hour.  I threatened to get his number and call him in.  I said I was new to the province and that this policing was a joke.  I was homesick.  I was pissed.  Needless to say, he was a shocked cop and could only mutter an apology - about 5 times.  He also promised never to do it again.  With that confession I was pleased and said "have a nice day" and we drove away, cautiously, at the speed limit.  Darren was concerned for quite some time after that our truck would be black listed and we would get pulled over all the time for my outburst.  I didn't give a crap.
As I told this story to my girls the other day, their eyes were so wide and disbelieving.  So I told them that no matter who cops are, they are not above the law and are accountable to us, their citizens that they promised to protect.  Lesson learned.  Point taken.  I haven't yelled at a cop like that since.  Maybe word did get out to be on the look out for me and to avoid me.  I'm ok with that.