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St. Louis County says it's OK for cops to drink and drive patrol cars home

GasBuddy Blog -- Back in September, Luke Lamb, 31, of Greenfield, IL, received a speeding ticket from an off-duty St. Louis County police officer whom he said he later saw order a bucket of beers and drink several of them in his presence, and then drove off in a patrol car. Lamb filed a complaint.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the police department spokesman said at the time that officers are allowed to use patrol cars and make traffic stops while not on duty. The department's policy does not allow officers to drink at all while on duty, but officers are bound by the same 0.08 percent blood alcohol limit as anyone else when driving off-duty.

Lamb said: "I'm accusing him of drinking and then driving a publicly owned squad car...

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Submitted May 02, 2012 By: PD

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quattro02 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,517 Points:192,445 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:24:52 PM Ignore quattro02 Report Abuse If an officer is making a stop or an arrest, he/she is on duty independent of what their time clock says.
msgt_usa Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,478 Points:935,555 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:22:51 PM Ignore msgt_usa Report Abuse What does this have to do with gas prices?
SUV2009 Champion Author Orlando Posts:4,423 Points:1,145,915 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:19:50 PM Ignore SUV2009 Report Abuse Good Luck on this one.
downstream Champion Author Little Rock Posts:1,112 Points:1,394,850 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:19:10 PM Ignore downstream Report Abuse on point, kazoo... don't speed, no problem. the example the officer sets is not the issue here; that's a departmental concern that has nothing to do with gasoline. oh, wait...
FFootdoc12 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:859 Points:310,325 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:18:50 PM Ignore FFootdoc12 Report Abuse people are stupid...badge doesn't change that
stpetebp Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,237 Points:1,735,505 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:18:37 PM Ignore stpetebp Report Abuse So who is watching the watchers?
USAv8tor Veteran Author Long Island Posts:348 Points:138,665 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:18:28 PM Ignore USAv8tor Report Abuse That is so wrong on so many levels.
eightiesgod Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,395 Points:1,235,785 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:17:55 PM Ignore eightiesgod Report Abuse o m g
ciimike Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,638 Points:1,062,060 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:15:20 PM Ignore ciimike Report Abuse Utterly ridiculous!
idigau22 Champion Author Washington Posts:23,426 Points:3,204,890 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:14:32 PM Ignore idigau22 Report Abuse Don't Drink And Drive! Period!!!
flatrock14 Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,665 Points:779,705 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:14:21 PM Ignore flatrock14 Report Abuse same rules different results?
bra0712 Champion Author Arizona Posts:3,678 Points:771,455 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:13:12 PM Ignore bra0712 Report Abuse Pigs think they are above the law
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,616 Points:1,364,765 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:12:52 PM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse Good lick on your future endeavors.
KazooKid Champion Author Michigan Posts:14,666 Points:2,579,680 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:12:41 PM Ignore KazooKid Report Abuse wait a minute, everyone has missed the point. The issue isnt about the cop, its about the driver who got caught and is trying to make the cop the issue , by shifting responsiblity. I dont see anything about the cop being under influence, etc. another fine tatic taught and used by Anti-social people.
EXTREMESNOW Champion Author Medford Posts:8,910 Points:1,821,540 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:12:13 PM Ignore EXTREMESNOW Report Abuse Yeah right, that is the message they want to send.
tauro514 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:3,155 Points:1,804,015 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:11:31 PM Ignore tauro514 Report Abuse no.
Wes1972 All-Star Author California Posts:650 Points:321,610 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:10:34 PM Ignore Wes1972 Report Abuse FIRE HIM and any others like him.No excuses.
preacherboyFL Veteran Author Orlando Posts:444 Points:124,960 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:09:19 PM Ignore preacherboyFL Report Abuse Hebrews 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
LaVonneK Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,955 Points:629,450 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:06:48 PM Ignore LaVonneK Report Abuse Wow.
RickF350 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,421 Points:705,940 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:04:52 PM Ignore RickF350 Report Abuse Cops are people too.
humancry Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,618 Points:1,002,455 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:04:45 PM Ignore humancry Report Abuse wow never heard such a thing in the open
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,732 Points:1,694,805 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:02:56 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse The county has changed its policy. Cops can still drink, just not as much as everybody else at the bar if they're driving a patrol car home.
eye-spy Champion Author Quebec Posts:4,603 Points:2,420,770 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:02:45 PM Ignore eye-spy Report Abuse I believe that some deputies think that "GOD" is written on their badges.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,088 Points:2,348,435 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 1:02:22 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Clearly a Double Standard! While is may be authorized to drive police vehicles home. Off duty police are bound by the same laws as everybody else - No speeding, No texting, No DUII and All traffic laws. Is this 'Do as I say – Not as I do!' St Louis county needs to get their head out of their behind and monitor and enforce the laws uniformly. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible! The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
makalani Champion Author Hawaii Posts:9,110 Points:2,074,170 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:59:06 PM Ignore makalani Report Abuse 1) Call the state patrol in the future, when noticing this behavior. 2) Tell others in the STL area to do the same. 3) Let the drunk cops trash a few cars and we'll see if the rule changes.
walkit1 Champion Author Memphis Posts:3,043 Points:1,307,300 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:58:22 PM Ignore walkit1 Report Abuse if it his take home car it is out of service, he can have a drink . No drunks allowed though. Most officers will not even drink when in take home car.
JohnnyMac77 Sophomore Author Denver Posts:242 Points:30,460 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:56:37 PM Ignore JohnnyMac77 Report Abuse WTF, St Louis?
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:16,220 Points:1,599,495 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:55:29 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse It's not against the law anywhere in the USA to drive and drink. It's against the law to drive with a 0.08% blood alcohol or above. So, without the test, the cop is sitting pretty at this late date. He should contest the allegation being made by Luke. Luke should have called the highway patrol to have them pull over the cop and do a field sobriety check at the time. It's too late now.
mageetp Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,225 Points:628,885 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:53:32 PM Ignore mageetp Report Abuse I agree with WooHoo
jony Champion Author Florida Posts:7,341 Points:1,634,740 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:53:29 PM Ignore jony Report Abuse OK so it's a slow news day and tough to find articles for this site regarding gas prices etc.
GreenLegend Champion Author Raleigh Posts:1,642 Points:398,775 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:52:57 PM Ignore GreenLegend Report Abuse Revise to: no public drinking by officers while on duty OR while driving a patrol vehicle off duty. Simple.
MJIOWA Champion Author Iowa Posts:4,838 Points:1,080,870 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:52:43 PM Ignore MJIOWA Report Abuse and what about everyone else?
wulf2000 Champion Author Miami Posts:3,037 Points:1,391,630 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:50:46 PM Ignore wulf2000 Report Abuse Drink and drive, thats what I say. Cops are setting a great example.
civicdutie Champion Author Rochester Posts:4,516 Points:956,935 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:49:19 PM Ignore civicdutie Report Abuse OMG. So much for upholding the law.
gumbyrex Champion Author Fresno Posts:3,311 Points:761,990 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:49:01 PM Ignore gumbyrex Report Abuse Do as I say, not as I do... St. Louis County's matra.
mtalb Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:153 Points:119,110 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:48:52 PM Ignore mtalb Report Abuse Its Bush's fault.
kc58veteran Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,536 Points:589,305 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:45:58 PM Ignore kc58veteran Report Abuse VOTE TO CLEAN OUT WASHINGTON IN 2012!
Lologogo Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,314 Points:356,390 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:44:08 PM Ignore Lologogo Report Abuse The cops all have each others backs anyway
pecos Champion Author Columbus Posts:7,730 Points:2,113,260 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:43:57 PM Ignore pecos Report Abuse Nothing is right with that picture.
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,889 Points:3,128,005 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:43:56 PM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Book 'em!!!!!!!!!!!
Happytalk Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,150 Points:580,790 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:42:13 PM Ignore Happytalk Report Abuse Should have made a cit. arrest
drumgas Rookie Author California Posts:4 Points:312,130 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:40:48 PM Ignore drumgas Report Abuse It seems as though the double standard thing in government and taxes applies again. In a budget crisis California, there is a publicized list of people that are well known actors, real estate people, public elected officials,etc., etc., that owe the state hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes and fines and yet still never pay. But when it's one of us everyday type people, they come on us like a swarm of bees and fine us, place liens against us, take our property, and throw us in jail for breaking the law. But yet continue to use tax payer money to take care of themselves .
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,563 Points:1,920,900 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:39:40 PM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse Could the cop read the radar correctly? after a few beers?
NoStrings Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,387 Points:271,280 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:39:31 PM Ignore NoStrings Report Abuse really, come on
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,064 Points:481,960 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:37:26 PM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse roflmao
LSU_TIGERS_dmb Champion Author Louisiana Posts:1,717 Points:623,455 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:35:37 PM Ignore LSU_TIGERS_dmb Report Abuse WOW>> Must be nice to be above the law
AmbuDriver All-Star Author San Bernardino Posts:690 Points:461,955 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:33:52 PM Ignore AmbuDriver Report Abuse It must be a "Do as I say, NOT as I do..." rule.
TheDix Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,096 Points:600,475 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:33:23 PM Ignore TheDix Report Abuse TopGunn. True.
TopGunn Champion Author Baltimore Posts:9,201 Points:2,618,455 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:31:46 PM Ignore TopGunn Report Abuse STUPID yesterday - still stupid today.
kuma2000 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,238 Points:677,075 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:31:15 PM Ignore kuma2000 Report Abuse so what's wrong?
ultm8opie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,206 Points:535,745 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:27:57 PM Ignore ultm8opie Report Abuse your tax dollars at work right there. We pay for the car, we should be able to tell them they can't drink and then drive it!
buzzieNY Champion Author Buffalo Posts:2,909 Points:638,480 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 12:26:24 PM Ignore buzzieNY Report Abuse Shame on St Louis county