So proud of my little man!

[Jax's Mom]

A little bit of background: we have this neighbor, who happens to be a police officer, who is nothing but a disgrace to the profession.
He does background checks on all of the neighbors and spreads his findings throughout the neighborhood (luckily, I'm clean!), he bulies everybody, throwing his weight around, does nothing positive for anybody, other than possibly incubating some organs that could be put to good use by someone more deserving later.
He notes who lives where, whether they're married, not married, roommates etc; calls animal control on people he sees outside with dogs without tags, even though he knows full well where they live and that they're licensed because he stalks everybody. He complains to animal control about people with "illegal" leashes (anything longer than 6' is a by-law infraction in the city)... all under the guise of his dogs being geriatric and they "distress" his little dogs. His two dogs, if owned by any other person with a soul, would have been put down about a decade ago. They both have open, bleeding, oozing sores all over their back. They started life out as white dogs but now their fur is a grotesque shade of pink/purple. On super hot days he drags them against their will on hot pavement just so he can walk around and harass people and spread his misery. His house is across the street from the park and we've noticed that when the park is empty, he never comes out, he just waits till people come out to try to enjoy their day and he comes out to break it up. When Jax was a tiny puppy, about 10 weeks, he ran up to their dogs and the guy even kicked him over. Not hard, but he rolled. My fault, I know, but what dog owner kicks a puppy??
Needless to say, when I see this "gentleman" outside on our walks, I make it abundantly clear that we're crossing the street or turning around to avoid him.
Moving on...
I was up pretty early this morning, and was cleaning up the snow in front of our house, covering the yellow spots with fresh snow so it's not as unsightly, and Jax was off leash (gasp ), and was having a great time (this is what must have set off Boo Radley's spidey senses), boucing around chasing the snow I was kicking up, and who sneaks up behind us?

I just noticed Jax pause, look at me, look behind me, let out a quiet "oof" look at me, almost as if to say "run mom! it's the fuzz!", I turn around, think "aw crap, this won't end well" and tell Jax "platz!" right where he is; which happened to be on our property, so all of this is still legal, as long as he obeys... Jax must have sensed that I really really meant it because he didn't move a muscle! I had zero confidence that he would succeed and just prayed that the guy would act like a civilized human being, and cooperate to keep his dogs "safe" (as all of his complaints are under the guise of concern for his dogs' safety) and just keep walking... but I was wrong on both counts. He actually stopped to tease Jax!! Standing on the sidewalk, saying "oh, you're being obedient, are you? you're not going to get up, huh? because then you'll be in trouble, did you learn that in obedience school? you're getting a passing grade today! you could teach your friends something at the park!" I finally had enough and asked "Are you finished?" He says to me, "You're lucky today." and walks away. All while Jax is in the most beautiful, attentive, perfect platz I've ever seen out of him!

[Zisso]

Sorry you and your community have to put up with this jerk. He is the type of guy that I would report for harassment. It would seem like when he is off duty he should mind his own business! I could see it if a dog was being neglected (like his own seem to be by your description, and he should be reported for that!) or abused, but in reality, he doesn't own the neighborhood and should be respectful of everyone's privacy. I know I would not tolerate his antics at all, cop or not!

[Good_Karma]

That guy is a grade A schmuck.

[ShenzisMom]

Seriously, in your position I would either a)move or b) report him to his supervisor. You don't get to be a cop because your a POS, you get to be a cop because you are a STABLE human being, and this guy isnt!!

[Jax's Mom]

We thought about option b) but decided, as a community, that the last thing we all need is this guy with even MORE free time on his hands LOL

[selzer]

Forget that he is a cop. If you would call somebody about possible cruelty, do so. If you felt that he was threatening you and teasing your dog to the point of calling the police, do so. You should not treat him differently because he is a cop.

I mean, if you thought he worked for the electric company, would you call his boss? No -- not unless he acted that way when he was doing his job. Would you call the police? I do not know if being an undefined jerk is something you can call the police over. If he is threatening you or your dog, if you felt threatened by his actions or what he said to the point that you felt you should make out a police report, do it regardless of whether the guy works at the local factory, the convenience store, the light company, the school, the court house, the police station. Should not matter.

Just because people pin on a badge, it does not mean they do not have to follow all the rules and regulations that other people have to follow. On the other hand, while on the job, they sometimes have to present a professional picture, even though, Police Academy is not exactly Doctor, Dentist, or Lawyer. That is not a dig. Here we have auxilliaries who can be 18 years old. They are big kids and they do not always act like professionals. But Mayors are in charge of the Police Chief, and especially in small towns, the mayor will hear it if cops are acting stupid and will let it be known.

But when a cop is not on duty, while getting arrested might affect his job, he should be treated like anyone else, and if that means having the right, within reason (not outside the law), to be an idiot, well than that is what it is.

Using police access to get information on people, is a different story, and if you have evidence that that is what he is doing, I would definitely make a formal complaint to the police department. When you call, I would say this involves officer ---- so please do not send him.

[Jax's Mom]

I'll just wait patiently until he upsets the wrong person. My bf and I have clean records so he can search all he wants and won't find anything... not sure about the rest of our sue-happy neighbors though
We have another neighbor who's also a cop, and a decent human being, who has suggested that we just stay away from him.
Normally I wouldn't be so compliant, but I'm choosing my battles... I spend a lot of time outside, like to stay pretty neutral with the neighbors just because I don't want to be dodging people all day long. I'm able to pick a fight with 99% of people I meet, but around our house, I like to keep it neutral LOL
I don't need the extra hassle of our dogs being targeted, cars being vandalized, etc.

[Jelpy]

Heya,

I work for a Government agency and using my position to check up on my neighbor's life is a gross abuse of position. Spreading that information around is a severe violation of privacy and could get me fired. I wonder if the local cops are as strict on privacy as we are? Something to consider.

Jelpy and the Mesquite Mafia