Jackie Searle

Chris Bertram

Criminal Justice 1010

December 3, 2016

Question:

Professional Courtesy is a mutual courtesy extended by police/law enforcement officers to other

officers (and in some instances/locales, their friends/family, firefighters, military personnel,
doctors, nurses, judges, etc.). It involves verbal warnings, where possible, on such things as
minor traffic violations. It is a break that is given when it is considered to cause no harm to
anyone else. Police give many breaks in their daily law enforcement activities, so it is reasoned
why not give a break to brother/sister officers? In your opinion, do you believe that police
officers should exercise Professional Courtesy? Does it help the practice of law enforcement and
public safety? Does is assist the criminal justice system in functioning more effectively? Does
professional courtesy raise ethical issues? Should professional courtesy be eliminated?

Answer:

This topic was a surprise for me. It goes without saying that there is courtesy given to

other police officers but I had no idea Professional Courtesy was of this magnitude. Where an

exception for some could lead to so much controversy. In this essay, I will give my opinion on

professional courtesy.

Professional courtesy used in correct conditions is an amazing thing. To extend a courtesy

to somebody that has just had an amazingly horrible shift, that could be the difference of

changing somebodys day. I understand the reason that professional courtesy was started. This is

one of the small and very few perks of being a police officer. Just like everything in life, there are

a few that believe they deserve above and beyond a small perk.

Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Donna Jane Watts experienced this first hand in October

2011. Watts attempted to pullover over Miami Police Department officer Fausto Lopez who was
speeding on a highway at over 120 mph. Lopez led Watts for seven minutes before he pulled

over. Lopez then informed Watts he was on his way to an off-duty job. Watts arrested Lopez who

had a history of speeding and dangerous driving. Lopez was fired shortly after. At this point, I

think she believed (like I do) that justice had been served. This was just the beginning of Watts

nightmare. Watts was investigated after the incident. It took 2 months to clear her of any wrong

doing.

A war had started between the police departments. Retaliation from the Florida Highway

patrol had begun. Vokaty, the brother of Lopez pulled over Miami officer Luquis. Vokaty then

asked Luquis How does it feel to be pulled over? Little did Vokaty know that Luquis brother

was a sergeant in Internal Affairs. When Vokaty realized the mistake, he pleaded with Vokaty not

to inform anybody of the incident. Vokaty was formally disciplined later that week.

Watts then started to receive harassment regularly. From hundreds of prank and threating

calls, pizza deliveries and strange cars parked outside of her home. Watts also discovered that

over a three-month period, at least 88 law enforcement officers from 25 different agencies

accessed Watts drivers license information more than 200 times. It was then reported from her

superiors that she would not feel safe returning to work. That if she ever required back-up should

would not receive it.

Its because of incidents like this, it makes all of us question whether professional

courtesy is needed. I dont believe the same things would have occurred if this was an average

person. Or lets pretend Watts afforded Lopez professional courtesy. Soon after Lopez was in a

traffic collision and the collision had casualties. Would Watts be observed differently?
 I believe this goes along with discretion. If the officer would issue a ticket to an offending

average person, the offending officer should receive a ticket too. I myself have received just a

warning for speeding. Before this incident, it had been fifteen years since I had

any offences (which was also a ticket for speeding and Im glad the cop chose to teach me a

lesson at sixteen). I believe my history played a big role in my punishment as it did for Lopez.

In conclusion, I believe that in small incidents professional courtesy is okay. Its when the

offending officer believes they deserve more than just the small things. Unfortunately, it only

takes one bad apple to give all officers and professional courtesy a bad name. Thankfully not

all police officers feel that way and these are the examples that really deserve the break.
 Works Cited

Balko, Radley. A plague of professional courtesy. The Washington Post.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-watch/wp/2014/02/18/a-plague-of-

professional-courtesy/?utm_term=.280b6ab630e7. Accessed on 3 December 2016.

Munzenrieder, Kyle. FHP Trooper Pulled Over by Miami Cop in Revenge is Brother of MPD

Internal Affairs Officer. Miami New Times. www.miaminewtimes.com/news/fhp-

trooper- pulled-over-by-miami-cop-in-revenge-is-brother-of-mpd-internal-affairs-officer-
6519682. Accessed 3 December 2016.