That 'bear sticker' on the window signals, 'Hey, I'm a cop'

By ERIC NALDER AND LEWIS KAMB
P-I INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS

King County sheriff's Deputy Michael Behm asked the cop who nabbed him drinking and driving three years ago whether he'd seen the "bear sticker" on the back window of his truck, according to the Buckley police arrest report.

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During an internal investigation of the DUI, Behm denied referring to the sticker and said he was not seeking special treatment.

Pointing to the little sticker -- a drawing of a striding bear -- could be considered a request from one cop to another for special treatment during a stop.

It's "a suggestion that law enforcement people should get special consideration," said Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor, a 27- year veteran who hates the stickers.

You'll see them on the back windows of private cars at police hangouts, a symbol for "Hey, I'm a cop." They show up, as well, in a few DUI reports when cops are nabbed. Cops in interviews and on chat lines question the value of them, note anyone can buy one and warn that they might attract unwanted attention from savvy criminals.

Pastor would love to ban them. Personally, he is so careful not to tempt favors at a traffic stop that he has two wallets, one containing his civilian ID, including his driver's license, and another with police ID.

He started doing that two decades ago when a trooper gave him a warning after seeing his police department business card, he said.