A few weeks ago I was driving on a 30-mph road near the high school in my town.  It was the middle of the day, and I was behind a cop.  The cop was driving at or under the speed limit (bravo), and he didn't have his siren or lights on.  He didn't appear to be in any rush, which is unusual but perfectly acceptable.  As we approached a stop sign, I maintained a safe following distance (of course) and watched as the cop slowed down only slightly, then coasted through the stop sign without coming to a complete stop, after which he continued on his leisurely way. 

In my short time on this planet, I've seen cops do many seemingly illegal things.  I've seen them turn around on those dirt roads in the middle of the highway where it says not to make any turns (emergency vehicles are allowed to do this).  I've seen them drive through red lights on their way to important business.  I've seen them travel obviously over the speed limit in an apparent attempt to apprehend a speeding suspect.  These examples are all sort of gray areas, because we as a society have collectively agreed to exempt certain people from following laws when said people are trying to enforce laws.  It's kind of a catch-22, but it's generally seen as a good thing.  Otherwise, for example, everyone would speed all the time and simply ignore flashing lights in their rearview, knowing that eventually the cops would be left in the dust. 

But I'm pretty sure failing to stop at a stop sign when not in pursuit of a criminal or somehow otherwise enforcing the law is a black and white issue.  This cop should've gotten a ticket, been forced to pay a fine, and gotten points on his license and insurance.  That's what would've happened if it had been anyone else in the same situation, except an attractive young girl with a good crying reflex.  So the question that comes to mind is:  Who polices the police?  Who makes sure the law-enforcers remain law-followers?  Because if there's one group I'd sign up for in a heartbeat, it would be that one. #law