Back in the 60's when I lived in sacto, Sheriff "Big John" Misterly gave permits to his friends. As I recall, they used to be called "BIG JOHN" cards and all you had to do was flash one out in the couhty if a deputy pulled you over and you would get a prompt and courteous escort to your destination with red lights and siren.
A girl I knew named Stephanie Stathos told us about a time here father got pulled over. He was a dentist but quite wealthy and connected so he had a Big John card. When the deputy who pulled him over saw it, he panicked and started stammering... asking Dr. Stathos if he needed an escort to the "medical emergency"....... he was a DENTIST!
Misterly got voted out for his blatant corrupion when a deputy named Duan Lowe replaced him (I worked on his campaign).