Pepper Spraying Texan Cop's Excuse Is Complete BS
Thanks to our Texas affiliate, John B., for staying abreast of dubious law enforcement goings-on in the Lone Star State, we have an update on officer W. Figueroa’s explanation of why he felt it necessary to pepper spray a group of passing motorcyclists. In a post by KXAS-TV, officer Figueroa is quoted saying in his report of the incident that, “multiple motorcycles would not vacate the lane closest to my marked patrol car. I deployed my pepper spray into the lane closest to me, at which point approaching motorcycles began to vacate the lane, allowing me to conduct a traffic stop.”
Why Is This Cop Macing Motorcyclists?
Are you f*$&ing kidding me? Nowhere in this video is any motorcycle remotely close enough to pose a threat to officer Figueroa to warrant pepper spray. Texas law may require motorists to vacate the lane immediately adjacent to where a police officer has stopped a vehicle, but claiming he needed to pepper spray approaching motorcycles to vacate the lane is complete BS. Would officer Figueroa pepper spray four-wheelers expecting the same result? This is nothing more than a failure of good judgement, and an excessive use of force for no apparent reason. This ordeal isn’t as bad as someone getting beaten or shot, but it is enough to reveal that officer Figueroa is a thick-headed troglodyte undeserving of the badge and its responsibilities. Officer jerk is currently on leave pending an investigation.
A former Motorcycle.com staffer who has gone on to greener pastures, Tom Roderick still can't get the motorcycle bug out of his system. And honestly, we still miss having him around. Tom is now a regular freelance writer and tester for Motorcycle.com when his schedule allows, and his experience, riding ability, writing talent, and quick wit are still a joy to have – even if we don't get to experience it as much as we used to.
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Most interesting part is according to texas law they dont have to vacate the lane if ya slow down 20 mph below the posted limit or 5 mph below if the speed limit is 25 mph or less
Texas doesn't require vehicles to vacate the lane. The law says move over or slow to 20mph under the posted speed limit. So, the officer was completely wrong no matter how you look at it.