The Yeetle Box - What Cops Do To Educate Us

If you ever wonder whether or not traffic cops aren't looking out for the public interest, read on.

KEWASKUM, Wis. - Police Chief Richard Knoebel says he wasn’t about to take the easy way out when he accidentally drove past a stopped school bus with its emergency lights flashing.

For violating traffic laws, Knoebel wrote himself a ticket for $235, docked himself four points on his driving record and paid the fine the next day.

(He didn't, however, pay court costs, suspend his license, or receive and disciplinary action as a result. Why? Keep reading.)

It happened in September but didn’t make news until after the fine appeared in court records and was reported by a West Bend newspaper.

Knoebel says he doesn’t mind getting the belated attention, if it serves to raise awareness.

“If it brings notice to people that they should be stopping for school buses, I don’t mind the notoriety,” he said. ["After all, the public needs to know that even police officers are not above the law. Even police offers shouldn't pass school buses. Not even me. This was a totally unselfish act, deliberately carried out to raise awareness. 'Awareness! That's all."]

He said he was on patrol on four-lane U.S. 45 when he was distracted by a stopped dump truck. He saw a car coming from behind and thought it might hit the truck, so he moved to pass the truck before he saw the stopped school bus in the far lane.

He said he didn’t realize he had passed the bus until it was too late.

[Tell it to the judge, officer.]

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Yeetle Box
The Yeetle Box