Sheriff vehicle drives off with gas hose for ‘safety test’

Even cops make mistakes sometimes.

Or… they conduct “durability & safety” tests, in the words of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office. This week, it posted a photo on its Facebook page of a patrol vehicle with the gas pump – and detached hose – hanging from it.

“Today, we conducted a 'Durability & Safety Test' with one of our local gas stations! Our official findings: we DO NOT recommend leaving the gas station with the gas pump still attached to your vehicle!” said the post, followed by a facepalm emoji and a laughing emoji.

This is far from the first time this has happened. According to Kirk McCauley, a longtime gas station owner quoted by Business Insider in 2012, “I’d say this would happen at least once a month.”

Gas pumps are even created with accommodations for these potential mishaps.

“Fortunately, driving off with the gas nozzle doesn't pose a big danger,” said Business Insider. “The gas pump has a break-away device that detaches the hose automatically if it is pulled with enough force.”

In Plaquemines Parish, the sheriff’s department promptly returned the hose and nozzle back to the station and “debriefed” the staff on their findings. As of Saturday, the post has nearly 30,000 reactions.