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Comment by derwiki | Hacker News Reader

I assure you, “friend of the police” cards have been going on for more than a few years. And from what my military friends tell me, handing a cop your military ID tends to work just as well.

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In some communities other memberships can also hold sway. I remember one person mentioning some sort of scouting membership getting him out of a traffic stop.

I was told an Eagle Scout card might have the same effect, but it seemed.. un-Eagly to try.

I got out of a speeding ticket once because the officer was into the classic car I was driving.

The officer puts you in a category within seconds of meeting you - citizen, perp or 'blue line'. Their response depends upon this judgement call.

My son the disable vet could not seem to get a ticket. He occasionally speeds, not egregiously, but the Fort Benning parking sticker on his truck window and the military ID in his wallet made a difference in the attitude of the officer.

In my city, you'll sometimes see people riding around with the official cap or bumper sticker of the police union on the back of their car. It's no mystery why.

Is it really that surprising that ingratiating yourself to someone who has power or resources on average makes you better off? Nothing about this has anything to do with police.

You get a "baker's dozen" because the baker likes you.

No, you get it because the baker doesn't want to risk getting caught for selling short weight, if the individual items happen to be slightly undersized.

https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/Bakers-dozen.html

Neat! I never knew the actual origin. But since we don’t flog bakers anymore I think my point stands in modern times — I know it’s only time I’ve ever gotten a baker’s dozen.

The baker isn’t in charge of enforcing laws. Nor is the baker given a gun by the state with the expectation of using it.

There is a big, bright line between “favors for valued customers” and “corruption”.

But we’re not talking about bright line corruption here. We’re talking about police being nicer and more lenient to their in-groups: veterans, other cops, emts, firefighters, personal friends, family, politicians they like, police union reps, the clerk at the Dunkin’ Donuts that always adds a shot of espresso on the house.

The cards are literally corruption and bleh, but being friendly with the cops (or anyone) getting you special treatment sometimes is a human thing.

> But we’re not talking about bright line corruption here.

Yes, we are. A public official doing a law-related favor for someone based on their group affiliation is exactly what corruption is.

> being friendly with the cops (or anyone) getting you special treatment sometimes is a human thing.

That is not a universe anyone should have to live in. If you miss out on an extra baked good because you're not buddies with the baker, it's no big deal. If a cop treats you more harshly because you're not a friend of the police, that is a big deal.

Bakers can't deprive you of your life and freedom. Cops can.

Again, cops are capable of depriving you of life and liberty. There is a big difference between getting favorable treatment by your baker, and by the armed representative of the state.

We got let off with a warning because I have USAA insurance, even though it’s because my father is ex military.

A relative started getting pulled over a lot for speeding right after he bought a red car. Solution: he’s an ex-Marine so he bought a USMC number plate surround (not even one of the custom plates that require proof that you’re a veteran!). Problem stops just as quickly as it started.

> And from what my military friends tell me, handing a cop your military ID tends to work just as well.

Not literally handing it over, but I've seen this work a few times growing up.

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