Dear Mr. Police Officer,

My family and I were returning home from dinner with our friends when I noticed you pull up next to me, behind the passenger side. I was aware of your position.

When you sped up as if you weren’t going to let me into my position on the on ramp, I was a little concerned. Thank you for allowing me to go.

What you did next though, not only appalled me, but frightened me for the safety of yourself and the others on the road.

We were on a 5 lane area of the highway. I was in the far right lane, you next to me on my left. You then proceeded to change lanes – all three of them – at once – without using a blinker, nor pausing in any lane on the way.

First of all, let’s confess. If I were to have done that in front of you, you probably would have pulled me over and ticketed me, right? Probably for something along the lines of illegal lane change, maybe even something so horrible as wreckless driving or maybe endangerment because my kids would be in the car with me.

So my first question to you is, why do you feel you are above the law?

I feel as though an officer who is expected to uphold the law should only lead by example and follow the law themselves. Or am I mistaken? Are police officers – normal, every day people – not expected to follow the law?

And before anyone has a chance to chastise me, please know that my husband works in law enforcement. While I understand police officers put their lives at risk in their jobs, so do firefighters, EMTs, detention/correction officers, etc. but they are all required to follow the law as well, are they not?

So again, my question remains, are you above the law yourself?

I also feel as a police officer – a person that children are expected to look up to as role models -you should set an example. What kind of message are you sending children when you yourself are not following the laws set forth for society?

And lastly, do you realize the danger you put not only yourself in, but the people around you who were driving? At any time, someone could have decided to change lanes, but not seeing you or knowing your intentions, would have caused an accident because you failed to signal properly and failed to change lanes in a legal manner.

Next time you are on the road with me, can you please be more conscientious of your behavior for my family – especially my children who are watching you?

Thank you.