https://nypost.com/2018/01/21/police-union-slashes-number-of-get-out-of-jail-free-cards-issued/ Police union slashes number of ‘get out of jail free’ cards issued The city’s police-officers union is cracking down on the number of “get out of jail free” courtesy cards distributed to cops to give to family and friends. Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association boss Pat Lynch slashed the maximum number of cards that could be issued to current cops from 30 to 20, and to retirees from 20 to 10, sources told The Post. The cards are often used to wiggle out of minor trouble such as speeding tickets, the theory being that presenting one suggests you know someone in the NYPD. The rank and file is livid. “They are treating active members like s–t, and retired members even worse than s–t,” griped an NYPD cop who retired on disability. “All the cops I spoke to were . . . very disappointed they couldn’t hand them out as Christmas gifts.” So NY cops officially get cards that allow people to get away with breaking the law. Not only are cops above the law, they can grant (or sell) that privilege to others. Any doubt that the rule of law is dead is now abolished. How many other police departments play this game?
"Professional courtesy," as it is often called has always existed. It means not giving off duty officers minor offense tickets such as speeding or not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. This is nothing new and is at the officer's discretion. It also often is applied to people in notable legal or political position. There is NO indication the cards are sold - and that would be illegal -very. There is a famous occasion from years ago of a police officer in a ghetto part of a major city who did "common law divorces." Sometimes when repeatedly showing up at the same location for a domestic disturbance between a man and a woman he would learn they are common law married - meaning no marriage license. If he felt they needed to separate due to the abuse, he would offer to do a "common law divorce." He would have them both put their hands on his badge, and repeat after him what he called a common law divorce short statement, then inform them they are now divorced and one of them should move out and they stay away from each other. It was no problem until it turned out one couple was married with a marriage license. When one of them went to get a marriage license, the person was informed "you're already married." The person responded "but officer ______ divorced us 4 months ago." This lead to an investigation and learning what the officer was doing. It still was no problem, until they learned about the officer's $20 common law divorce fee. Cash. The officer tried to explain it away as a petty amount to convince them it was real and that they really did they to stay away from each other. No dice because he was pocketing the money for himself. His job was gone and he plead out to a minor misdemeanor. Handing out free-pass cards for minor offenses could be used as an inducement for people to gain information, which would be legitimate, or for friends and relatives, which would not. Because they only apply to such as traffic offenses it's no big deal, and again nothing new other than there being a card. "Professional courtesy" passed for minor offenses has being going on as long as there have been police.
