Police officers need to be educated on Vaping!

[Salt&PePPer]

It does not help that SOME Companies are Packaging Simple PVs so that the Stoner's can use them to do what they do. Primarily they use the Coil to burn what they will. We have more cops running around here in Bakersfield thinking that these so called "PENs", because the Stoner's Call Them Pens and not eCigs, are used for Toking up.

I had to tell someone at a Cigarette store where I pick up my eJuice in town that the Way OverPriced single 650mAh eGo kit that sells for $80(!!!!) are actually used for vaping eJuice and not Smoking illegal narcotics. The dude at the store didn't even know and I had to point out to him that the chamber that the Atomizer sits in was Actually a Clearomizer used for vaping juice.

They also have a simple Starter kit that has a Manual Cigarette Style Battery and one 510 Atomizer with charger for $29.99. They also sell the replacement Atomizers for $13.00 per Two Pack! The name of the Company and packaged eCig kit is "STICKY"! Yes like that Sticky, Sticky Icky!

I don't want to get pulled over because Mr Un-Informed officer thinks I'm toking it up with my eGo and T2! I can't believe how frig3n ignorant these people are.

 

[Salt&PePPer]

The only e-cig encounter I had with a cop was at a pier. I was using a disposable that looked like a cigarette and she told me not to smoke on the pier. I told her it was an e-cig. She said I was still smoking and she walked away. I just kept hitting it after she left. She don't own the pier. Just a dumb woman.

BZZT WRONG AGAIN OFFICER! It's not Smoking it's Vaping; not unless there is a specific law or rule in place that Says you can't vape up in specific places; or if they just bundled Vaping with Smoking like A lot of places are doing because they don't want to have to think about it to put it on the books; they cannot cite you for such behavior - even a Judge SHOULD throw that one out because there is absolutely NO COMBUSTION going on. Sorry about the long sentence with two semicolons - wonder how many grammatical errors I pulled there?

 

[pherik]

I have been pulled over a few times due to the fog cloud in my car (It's cold so I just let it build for a bit and then let it all out quickly) and when they ask what it is I tell them and most of the time they just say ok and go back to the car. Sometimes I educate them on the devices and for the smokers, I have a sterile tip and tip condoms for them to try to convert smoking cops.

 

[speedydave]

You obviously need to hang out with a better class of people...

You don't need to be hanging out with them to get the comments. I get the same comments from people passing by on the street at work at least once or twice a week.

Back on topic, I work a block from a courthouse, between the courthouse and where LEOs, lawyers, etc park. We have police walking by all day, as well as police and Highway Patrol who are customers of ours. In the 8 or 9 months I've been vaping, not once have I been pulled aside, questioned or even given a second glance while vaping. I can't say if it's because they know what it is or just don't care, though. Some of our LEO customers will ask me how it works or if it helps (while chatting with them while I'm vaping), but they also know that I used to smoke cigarettes.

 

[pherik]

I once again got asked if I was vaping. Really wondering about some of the people I talk to at work.

 

[Slabb]

The police need to focus on more important things, like murders, rapists, and thieves....

Sent from my Nexus 7

Coming from one of the most violent cities in the US, I totally concur with you.

I am a 911 dispatcher for a police department, and I've been told my T2s look "suspicious". But I've talked to some officers about it, and they all kind of look at my eGo Twist/T2 or T3 strange, and say they'd probably investigate it, and let me go about my business.

As for the other comments talking about some officers being less than professional, they are unfortunately right. There are a few out there that start their day looking for trouble, and they attract it. I've been on ride alongs with these types and it seems that ..... attracts ...... I also know that the majority of my coworkers are in this profession for the right reasons, and don't like being grouped with those few that are less than stellar.

I think that education will help, but I can speak from experience that the amount of knowledge on illegal transports/devices/hidden weapons that officers have to learn is mind boggling. I get emails all the time of things that other Police Departments have seen and need to pass along to other officers.

As with most common items, it's how they appear that makes all the difference. A baseball bat is a deadly weapon, but it makes sense to have a glove with it. Then you just look like you play softball.

 

[daddytwigs]

Based on my decade in the "Second Amendment" activism community, I can vouch for the fact that the VAST majority of LEOs--even the ones with good intentions and impecable integrity--don't actually know crap about the laws of their jurisdiction beyond basic traffic law.

Few know ANYTHING about gun laws. Few (if any) know about vaping. Many don't know about privacy laws, wiretapping and video recording/photographic in public. Most of them haven't a clue as to the difference between "reasonable suspicion" and "probable cause".

And the SAD thing is that they teach them in the Academies to NEVER say "I don't know". They teach them that if they don't know for sure but have a suspicion that something isn't legal, to just make the stop/issue the cite/make an arrest and the "courts will sort it out. They are also taught that if a citizen challenges them on these misinformed assumptions, they are to escalate IMMEDIATELY, and to assume that anyone who questions their authority is a "hostile suspect" and to treat them with the level of force appropriate to such a person.

It used to be that LEOs were called "peace officers". They were there to keep the peace, and to track down people who were KNOWN to hav already committed crimes and arrest them. They used to be helpful, courteous and friendly.

Now, they are "law enforcement officers" and their main job is to generate revenue by citing as many people for as many violations as they can--regardless of whether or not the people are actually guilty of committing a violation or crime. Now they are TRAINED--in the academies and by the Feds--to view EVERY citizen as a potential terrorist, ESPECIALLY anyone who would dare to question their "authority". And they are trained to NEVER show weakness--and if they don't know the law, to use force, persuasion and intimidation to hold their line even if they might not be right.

I have family in LE. I used to work for the US DOJ as a consultant and researcher so I know this business from the inside, (and LE is a business--make no mistake...) Most of them are good people, and they mean well, but it's becoming increasingly difficult for the good ones to stay in on the force (they get driven out by the corruption), and it's becoming nearly impossible for the good ones to not "turn" because they are surrounded by thugs, cheats, crooks and power-tripping bullies these days.

Sounds like your friend is one of the "good guys". I hope they are successful, but I'd bet dollars to donuts that they won't still be a cop in 5 years if they have ANY integrity or honor...

Disclaimer-I was once one, but am not a cop lover by any means.
Having been a CO in my former life (where the rules of engagement are a lot different then on patrol), I received the same training and attended the same academy that police, deputies and troopers did. not to mention so called "ojt training" that, like any other job, you just cant learn in a classroom.We were constantly learing, and our duties were constantly evolving, but I would venture to guess that most officers have seen the devices we use in a classroom setting associated with the [other stuff.] this sheriff shouldn't be vilified because she is reaching out to a member of the community so that she can better serve that same community.
No I know I'm gonna get flamed for this one
As far as the whole second amendment movement - I don't care to have my vaping being associated with that. Its one of those things, i hol my breath when i hear someone spouting off aboutgun "rights"-wheres the battle folks? join the guard our the army if you wanr to carry guns. thats what the II amendment is for. having personally disarmed people with my hands in hostile real life situations, I've never had much use for guns other tan target practice and hunting. And learning those skills doesn't take a whole lot. Just leave my vaping, etc,(fill in the blank)out of it...

 

[love_leigh]

this sheriff shouldn't be vilified because she is reaching out to a member of the community so that she can better serve that same community.

Not my intention at all, hence the use of the word 'friend' in op. Just had an experience that I wanted to hear other vapers' takes on, and my curiosity was somewhat satiated - minus all the paraphernalia discussion and soapbox rants

 

[Jim Bob]

That is a serious issue, most of us don't have the "spare time" to be pulled over and "detained" while the LEO gets tests done, in some of our locals that could take who knows how long for something 100% legal no less.

 

[Chuckq4yoo]

A while back I was vaping before heading into the mall entrance before a police officer stopped me and questioned me what I was "smoking". (Normally myself, I was hesitating while speaking to him because I didnt know what he was going to do lol.) They really need to be educated about what technology can do now a days cause things like that trip me out sometimes haha

 

[love_leigh]

I wasn't aware (until this thread) that there were devices similar to our pv's that were used for 'other things'. I guess it would make their education, on all devices, more imperative.

 

[CANCHASER]

I am a police officer and I do vape, so yeah I am educated on the subject. The thing that really bothers me with some of these post is the response of why don't they spend the time/money in training us about an ecig. Unfortunately we have very limited funding for training and if I had to choose between a class on ecigs or a class on protecting the citizens, guess what, I'm going to choose to learn how to protect the citizens of my county.

 

[Drael]

Officers are great people and should have all the respect they get. Why teachers with twice the education get half the pay(w2, real take home) should be the new NOW slogan is the biggest puzzle of the 21st century to me.Forget the bra ladies, get paid.

I dont really understand any of this post. Teachers -half the pay of police officers, or half the pay of less educated teachers....? Whats a w2?

And why would women with out bras get paid - are they naked? Also what does this have to do with teachers and policemen?

This post is just a bit confusing...

 

[Drael]

Its basically our job to tell everyone all about it, no? We are the ones doing it., who know about it.