Post 25/2024 Goshen Indiana. In sorting files this week I found correspondence concerning a traffic incident of 24 years ago. It happened on May 28, 2000 in south western Ontario, Canada. On August 18, 2000, still smoldering some about the incident, I sent a letter to Chief A (I’m using single capital letters for the people involved) of the Oxford Community Police Service in Woodstock.

Before going to the shredder, here’s the correspondence that ensued, starting with my August 18 letter.

My letter to Chief A, Oxford Community Police Service

Dear Sir

On May 28, on CR 28, Twp of Zorra, Officer B stopped and ticketed me for failure to use lower beam with oncoming traffic. I hope you can reassure me that the ill-mannered reception we received from Officer B is as rare as is my failure to lower headlights.

My wife and I and two friends were returning to our B&B in St. Marys. Some 15 kilometers earlier, I had remarked how nice it is to drive on a road with so little traffic that you can actually use high beam. We met two or three cars en route from the start of the road in East Zorra Twp., and after each had passed it was again helpful to use high beam on this unfamiliar stretch of read. Then, however, lost in conversation about the day’s highlights, I forgot to lower the headlights. I noticed the car we had met–Officer B–turn around and approach rapidly from behind.

I have no quibble with the infraction. In that instant, and without a flashed signal from the oncoming car, I had failed to lower the lights. I do have a problem, though, with how Officer B broke the rules of civility. Also, placing his hand on his gun may be routine procedure, but it was unnerving. In a sarcastic tone of voice he said something to the effect that “You have a pretty nice set of lights there” and told me to dim them “before the next guy gets blinded.” He said that “In Canada it’s the law that people lower their headlights.”

I had no occasion to comment on my mistake, no opportunity for civil exchange whatsoever. The officer was plainly angry and set on venting. All of us, while recognizing the difficult conditions under which police officers need to work, were shocked by this reaction from one who is part of an organization “dedicated to providing a professional, quality Police Service with integrity and sensitivity in partnership with its community.” We and the people who have heard our story do not believe the Oxford County community is well served by such behavior. What assurance can you give us and our friends that the encounter we had with Officer B was an exception to his and the general rule?

Sincerely

John Bender

Chief A responds

On August 24 I received this email from Chief A:

I am in receipt of your correspondence of August 18th, 2000, dealing with the traffic ticket you received on May 18th on Concession Road 28, Township of Zorra. Rather than send a response through regular mail, I hope you do not mind this form of communication.

The Township of Zorra is not policed by the Oxford Community Police Service, but instead is policed by the Woodstock detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.

I am forwarding your letter to Staff Sergeant C, the detachment commander, for his response and action. His e-mail address you will see appended to this note and his phone number is . . .

I presume that some of the details you have researched on our organization is derived from our web-site. Although you may wish to correspond with Staff Sergeant C, the Ontario Provincial Police also have a web-site.

Thank you for taking the time to document your concerns, and I am confident Staff Sergeant C will review your letter and comment expeditiously. We always appreciate a citizen’s input regarding our respective officers’ conduct.

Should I be able to be of any other assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours truly,

A

Chief of Police / Oxford Community Police Service / Woodstock Ontario

I wait and wait and wait

I was glad for the quick reply from the Chief A. Nevertheless, I waited and waited for a response from Staff Sergeant C. I was about to write a follow-up letter when in a November 17 email Chief A addressed the mystery of the long delay.

Chief A apologizes, citing an errant missive to Australia

Mr. Bender

I apologize for the delay in response. As you will see from the mail attachment, I sent you a letter via e-mail but addressed it incorrectly. A lady in Australia contacted me this date, November 17th to advise that she had received this in error.

I trust that this matter has been resolved to your satisfaction by the Ontario Provincial Police. Should you have further questions, please call or contact me.

A

Lost letter from Staff Sergeant C of the OPP

The (lost) attachment that came to me after its detour to Australia was written by Ontario Provincial Police Staff Sergeant C, dated 05 October, 2000. Chief A had used an incorrect email address for me.

Dear Sir,

Your correspondence was received from Chief A of the Oxford Community Police Service. Your comments and observations are appreciated.

I have had an opportunity to review your letter with Sergeant C. It is always valuable to see ourselves through the eyes of others.

There are times when we find it difficult to quickly adjust when going from one situation to another. Without going into surrounding issues I can assure you that your observations of this officer on 18 August are unusual. Sgt B is a senior police supervisor who is held in high regard and is very active in community policing. He is well respected by the public who we serve.

Sgt B assures me that he meant no disrespect to either you or your friends.

If you would like this matter pursued further please advise. I have the option of forwarding this matter to our Professional Standards Bureau if you wish.

The constructive criticism you have offered is always welcome. We appreciate your input as we continuously strive to improve our service.

Sincerely,

Staff Sergeant C

My reply to Chief A

I replied to Chief A in an email; the mystery solved was just the ticket to wrap up the matter:

Dear Chief A

The communication snafu has given me the best laugh of the day, almost an Olympic size laugh. I do appreciate having the missing link in the communication filled in. The matter is resolved. I’ve received assurance that the response was not typical. Now if we can only be assured that this communication gets to you without going to Timbuktu. Again, thank you for forwarding the e-mail.

Chief A replies

To which Chief A replied:

Excellent – really the best part of this is that the information was sent to me on November 18th from Australia, arriving here on November 17th . . . It is back to the future!

Amicable ending

The case closed amicably. I had long paid the $110 fine, payable to the County of Oxford. Any animosity I still harbored went out the window.

As of this year, we’ve traveled at least 40 times to the Stratford Festival of Canada with friends Dean and Gwen, who were with us on that dark night in 2000. Earlier the Festival featured a few Gilbert and Sullivan musicals. I’m not sure if we saw Pirates of Penzance there or elsewhere. A line from “The Policeman’s Song” sticks in my mind: “When constabulary duty’s to be done, to be done, a policeman’s lot is not a happy one (happy one).”

The car we now drive has automatic headlight dimming. Easy-peasy. ABC. One question remains: Do self-driving cars correct human mistakes? I’m in no hurry to find out. But I would like to go to Australia.

-John