Alderman Anderson,

I realize you have never posted on this website but maybe you logged on as a guest or something. I would like to ask why it would be necessary for you to "ride-along" with a police officer to watch his work in the speed trap? I work in healthcare and I am very familiar with "ride-alongs" but they are typically reserved for those persons pursuing a career in that field, not just nosy onlookers. You are an Alderman and you can go to city hall and pull the citation reports....you don't have to go along for the show.

If you were to be in a wreck while in that cruiser or some person shot you or the officer you are with say on a domestic violence call, would the city pay a settlement to your family? Probably....but they shouldn't be held liable for that and if you or any other elected official wants to "ride-along" do the citizens of this town a favor and sign a waiver that releases the town of any liabilites resulting from your thrill-seeking adventures.

Here is an unedited post and a response from CoopertownTNtalk which will address your concerns about ride alongs:

--- In CoopertownTNtalk@yahoogroups.com, "cptwnspy" <cptwnspy> wrote:

It is my understanding that there hs been a new femle officer hired, is this so?? I also seen a Coopertown officer at the market yesterday with a young female that was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. This officer appeared to be riding this young lady around showing her the city, BUT they seemed to be having a "personal attachment". So are they a couple or is this officer giving young ladies a ride in his car trying to be "hot stuff" and impress her?? Does she have lw enforcement experince? If not this is a HUGE liability for the city.
How many vehicles does Coopertown own now?
Why was the Coopertown street department truck spotted in Springfield two Sundays ago, about mid day?
I understand that there has been several officers to leave the police
department. Congrats to those officers!!!! You are now going to have a real future. When did officer Frabasilio come back? Girl if you only knew.
Coopertown is a great little community, but it is NOT city material.
Ms. Slawson it is nice for you to have graced us with your presence again. Ms. Slawson, I'm not going to ask how you get your information, that would be just rude. But I am going to say WOW. You are a woman with alot of good friends!


--- In CoopertownTNtalk@yahoogroups.com, "copwhocares" <copwhocares> wrote:

To even start to answer your questions, I first have to state that
not even one of your questions is any personal concern to you. The
guidelines that dictate who may be a passenger in a government
vehicle are dictated by the state and specifically state civilians
ARE allowed to be passengers during official duties. Coopertown
city is gracious enough to allow citizens, family or friends
to "ride-along" to gain a better knowledge of what police work
entails.

But to answer you question, not that it is any of your concern, I do
have a personal attachment to the "young lady" that was doing a ride-
along. She will be my wife in less than one month. But, I
specifically remember showing her no type of physical affection.

In the two and a half years that we have been together I patrolled
in an area where my life was endangered on a regular basis. And,
the "young lady" has ad to deal with the thought of that late night
call to respond to the emergency room because her fiance' was
seriously injured and lost consciousness during a call attempting to
help someone in need. Now, I work for a department where I feel it
is safe enough, due to the selfless, well trained officers that are
now employed here, to be involved with her soon-to-be husband's
career choice.

Again, not that it is any of your concern, she is about to earn a
degree with a double major in psychology and criminal justice while
working a full time job and a part time job to help support a
family, while I risk my life daily on a policeman's salary.

What do you have besides carpel-tunnel syndrome from typing so much
uninformed information on this forum? The "young lady", as well as
any ride-along, is not in any way a liability to the city because
they do not handle calls, make traffic stops or involve themselves
at all in any official investigations. They are simply there to
observe, as the waiver that they are required to sign before doing a
ride-along clearly states.

And, to attack an innocent bystander who only wanted to gain an idea
of what her soon to be husband has to bring home with him everyday
is ridiculous. I also have a beautiful four year old son, if you
want to make false accusations about him, too.

To preemptively defend myself, I have never been fired from another
department. It is my personal choice to work for the Coopertown
Police because I trust the officers that work here now with my life,
because two of thee officers have already saved my life before. I
have earned more police awards and commendations in my first two
years as a police officer than most do in their entire career. I am
a very well trained and knowledgeable officer and will do whatever
it takes to help the citizens of this city regardless of the
situation.

Having said all this, I would still lay down my life to protect you
because that is my integrity as a police officer, no matter what
city I am employed by.

_________________
The first principle of a free society is an untrammeled flow of words in an open forum. Adlai E. Stevenson American Lawyer, Politician.