Attitude uncalled for
Recently, our minor daughter was pulled over on Highway 99, near Olive Drive, for excessive speed.
We are highly cognizant that the CHP personnel must have an authoritative demeanor in order to assist in providing for the public's safety. Having said that, we were appalled by what we believe to be poor judgement on the part of the officer who had contact with our daughter.
In the process of issuing her a ticket, he proceeded to tell her that the car "reeked of alcohol." We don't know if he was simply trying to get a reaction our of her, intimidate her or dare her to talk back to him, but all of the possibilities were inappropriate and unnecessary.
To be credible and congruent with his threat, he should have proceeded to verify his claim. He did not even initiate a sobriety check or search her car! He simply wrote her a speeding ticket and went on his way. Could that be construed as a dereliction of duties?
This comment raises some fundamental issues. Drunk driving is never OK and never a subject to be taken lightly. Our family lost a friend last month when someone chose to drive drunk. Do our officers treat youthful offenders, especially the ones who appear submissive, with such flippancy and ambiguity? No wonder many of our youth do not take this subject seriously or respect law enforcement.
And yes, our daughter did "reek" -- she had spent the last 90 minutes with her horse and she certainly did "reek" -- of horse, hay and manure.
MAREN HANNINK
Bakersfield
