Gen. to cops: Give Marines traffic tickets

[unhappycamper]

Gen. to cops: Give Marines traffic tickets
By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 3, 2008 5:32:52 EST

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — The Corps’ western regional commander has issued a plea to local law enforcement agencies: Please, don’t do my Marines any favors.

In recent weeks, Maj. Gen. Michael R. Lehnert has spoken informally with local police chiefs and members of the California Highway Patrol about an unspoken practice of some patrol officers and troopers — who pull over motorists for driving infractions and, upon realizing they’re Marines, issue them a warning instead of a citation. Lehnert wants these agencies to stop letting Marines off the hook.

“We know it’s happening,” the general told Marines attending the first Sport Bike Course here Oct. 21.

“So (you get caught) doing 80 mph, what happens?” Lehnert said. “ … The guy comes over, you’re a bit nervous. Then the guy sees that Marine Corps sticker. You already know you’re home free.”

Lehnert decided to approach local law enforcement after a Sept. 5 accident that killed a Marine who, a day earlier, was pulled over for speeding and let go without being issued a ticket. Sgt. Micah Richmond, 27, an instructor at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., died after crashing his Ford pickup in Gardnerville, Nev.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/11/marine_cops_110208w/%2e