OFFICER: A little compassion, please

Recently, the partner of our son was pulled over while traveling south on I-95. She was in the slow lane and was merging into the right turn lane when a Coeur d’Alene police officer pulled her over for not signaling the lane change. She understood the reason quite clearly and indicated that she was sure that she had put her turn signal on.

At this point the attitude of the officer changed. He immediately stated to her that she forgot the signal because she was probably texting. She stated that her phone was in her purse and turned off. The policeman’s comeback was that she more than likely had another phone; she flatly denied having a second phone. She can barely afford one phone, let alone two. He then switched subjects and asked what had she thrown out of the passenger window. The answer was — nothing. The window was closed.

The officer ticketed her, and after arriving home, she mentioned it to our son and he said he’d take a look at the turn signal. It was not working, so he played around with the bulb and wiring to get it operating again. He went back into the house to tell her and she was crying. He sat down and told her it was no big deal and perhaps she should go to court and explain.

The primary reason that she was upset is that she is undergoing chemo and radiation for cancer and is very emotional regarding many issues. She said that she was having problems handling the emotion of the aggressiveness of the officer. We are fully aware of her emotional situation; we take her for the medical treatment of her cancer. It is quite obvious that she has this medical problem, her hair is totally gone. I think that the officer could have seen her condition.

She recently went to court, but unfortunately, the appearance was a cut and dried situation where she was allowed no explanation. She could only plead innocent or guilty. Again, due to her emotional state, she chose the latter to get this behind her. I am appalled at the officers attitude when he should probably have considered her medical condition. I realize the police have a tough job to do, but an innocent female with an obvious and serious illness could easily have been given a warning — she is not a violator of her driving privileges.

TERRY BECKFORD

Post Falls