Recently by Eric Peters: Going Old?
This one registers a solid 10 on the Creep-o-Meter:
A woman (Im leaving her name out on purpose) was recently pulled over for speeding by Chicago cop, Chris Collins. The cop issued her a piece of payin paper, but apparently that was merely foreplay. Collins later did a search for the womans home address in the state motor vehicle database, then went to her home and left a note on her car asking her out on a date.
Heres some of the actual text, first published after the AP got hold of the court documents:
Its Chris that ugly bald Stickney cop who gave you that ticket. I know this may seem crazy and youre probably right, but truth is I have not stopped thinking about you since. I dont expect a girl as attractive as you to even go for a guy like me, but Im taking a shot anyways.
The note concludes:
I did cost you $132 least I can do is buy you dinner.
Drew Peterson, youve got an amigo!
Not surprisingly, the woman was extremely creeped out by all this which she not unreasonable construed as mildly threatening in addition to being extremely invasive of her privacy. In her lawsuit, filed shortly after finding out she was being cop-stalked, she described the great fear and anxiety the situation caused her and that she felt she was being manipulated by Collins into some sort of sick, force-fed relationship with a person who is probably someone she had hoped to never see or have to deal with again.
The story is interesting on several levels because it gives us insight into the cop mindset. For one, it shows us that some cops dont realize how menacing they are to non-cops. That being confronted by an armed, costumed man anointed with literal life-or-death powers is not pleasant. The obliviousness to the gross inequality of the power relationship (the cop has all the power; his captive, none) is disturbing. In a bar, a woman can turn on her heels and walk away from a suitor shes not interested in. But this woman had no such option and more, was under extreme pressure to be compliant and submissive. To pretend she didnt loathe Collins, because Collins had a badge and a gun and state-sanctioned power to impose punishment at his whim.
Then theres the matter of Collins contempt for the privacy of his intended paramour. His egregious violation of (supposedly) private information. To all who dismiss the concern many people have about giving the government open access to our private information, here is why.
And more: Does anyone doubt that such things are routinely done by those with access to our private (cough) information? This cop easily found out where his prospective date lived and felt no compunction about going there, without even a flimsy official excuse for doing so. It reminds one of KGB cretins such as Lavrenty Beria, who had a special liking for the nubile daughters (and wives) of his political targets. Come, step into my office. I see you are the daughter (or wife) of Comrade Smirnoff. Perhaps you can help me .
In this case, no obvious threat was made. But threat is always implicit in any interaction between a cop and a Mundane. Thats the point here and the reason for the 10 on the Creep-o-Meter. This woman had to fear that declining the cops advances might result in consequences.
It is an entirely reasonable fear.
And who would she file a complaint with? Other cops? That saying about foxes guarding hen-houses comes to mind .
Probably there will be no meaningful repercussions for Collins. He will explain that he meant no harm; that he was just trying to be, you know, friendly.
Yet it goes without saying that if a non-cop performed this sort of stalking, the outcome would likely be very different. A non-cop hacks into the state motor vehicle database, acquires the home address of a woman and then shows up at her home, leaving creepy love notes for the poor woman to find on her windshield. End result? A felony bust and upon conviction, a likely (and deserved) tag as a sexual offender or at least, a known creep to be kept at several arms-length distance.
But Collins will likely receive The Usual: A few days or weeks of administrative leave (that is, paid vacation) and perhaps a reprimand or demotion. The likelihood of him being thrown out of the cop shop for good and perhaps thrown into prison is slim to none.
After all, heroes deserve special treatment.