What Not To Say When Pulled Over By Police

[slim 1,525]

I don't get all the negativity against police officers. They have a hard, dangerous job to do and most of them do it very well. A few bad apples does not mean you throw the whole bucket away. These people are out there protecting us, making it safe for us to walk down the street or drive to the grocery store or...everything. They are not our enemies. They are our line of defense against criminals.

Complete and utter bull$#!t.

I'm trying hard not to laugh, but your ignorance is appalling more than it is comedic.

I have nothing but respect, admiration, and gratitude for people who put their lives in danger simply by doing their job of keeping me safe.

Cops don't keep you safe. High property values keep you safe.

There is nothing wrong with knowing your rights and exercising them. There is also nothing wrong with police getting forewarning that someone may have a firearm on them. I'd like that knowledge, myself.

Why do you need to know someone is carrying a firearm? Does that change who they are or what you'd think of them? Would you be "more careful" around them? Would you watch what you said, how you acted, what you did?

Perhaps maybe we should all carry firearms at all time. Can you imagine if everyone was ALWAYS "more careful" and watching what they said, what they did, and how they treated people? Can you imagine if all of America would treat each other how you think people should treat the cops?

You'd probably be a lot safer, no?

[Ban Hammer 13,346]

Cops don't keep you safe. High property values keep you safe.

smith and wesson changed their name to high property values?

[slim 1,525]

smith and wesson changed their name to high property values?

Smith and Wesson along with high property values will keep you safest.

[nab 74]

{snipped}

That sh!t doesn't work. The instant you become "confrontational" you've already lost. The key to a good interaction during a traffic stop is never taking away that cop's upper hand. He (and more frequently nowadays, she) has to be in control at all times. You can assert your rights, but you always have to do so in the form of "but you're still in charge here." The minute you "take charge" they're going to one up you and that will lead to a negative interaction on your end, be that a ticket or going to jail.

Be firm and courteous - hell, you can even be nice! - but no matter what you do... never try to "take charge" of the traffic stop.

agreed

This is exactly how it works in 99.9% of PD and Sheriff's offices around the country. It's really not that big of a deal. If you have something, they're going to find it. If you don't..... you're going to get released.

All that is dependent upon your level of being a jackass. Be nice, friendly, courteous, polite and you'll drive away. If you're all those things and you have contraband in your vehicle, you'll get a ride to jail, but you'll get it without getting beat down first. Either way, the choice is yours.

LOL i think we both grew up in "good ol' boy" country

Why were you looking at your own info on the screen?

i was being nosy knowledge is power

Are you talking open carry in a vehicle?

on the street.

It's easier because now you've used more of your senses to associate that particular word with that particular memory. Hear a name... not so easy to remember. See a name. Maybe not so easy either. But, see a name, hear a name, speak a name.... more "recall" features available. Muscle memory applies to the brain as well.

i have this brain block when it comes to names... numbers are my thing. but if i repeat a name 3x i can usually remember it later

OFCC recommends an audio recording device be turned on whenever one encounters the police. "I am recording this interaction and it is my duty to inform you that I am carrying a concealed weapon. Do you have any specific instructions, officer XYZ?"

ameen! agreed

For someone spot-on with procedures above, doesn't it seem a little out of procedure for a cop to stick hands in and make contact with personal property without consent? Also, when folks "assert their rights" what typically happens, especially when dealing with a cop that doesn't follow procedure?

you got it.

I agree it's wrong to have an inherent distrust of law enforcement officers - most are neither bad or good..... they're indifferent like the rest of us, just trying to do their jobs - but to say someone should've done this or done that is a bit like playing Monday morning quarterback, don't you think?

the list of people i dont trust is long... easier to count the people, living and dead, i've trusted. call it survival instinct.

+1 on the last part of your reply to ValerieA though the first part was a little harsh.

usually when someone has that naive mindset means protected background/environment and hasnt been out in the real world much. it's not an age thing, because i have friends who are in their 50's who have not lived as much as i did by by age 21 and they never will... it's a life thing. I'm happy they havent had to lead the life i've had.

my life has made me who i am but given a choice i would've taken a cushy protected insulated life ... ummmm maybe LOL!

[Teacher Mark 53]

I've been pulled over for speeding, and been let go with a warning, at least 3 times. Once I was doing 110 in a 65. Yes Sir, no Sir and I'm very sorry Sir did the trick.

Edited September 17, 2010 by Mr. Saigon

[The_Dude 1,142]

#1 how do you get that i did not "assert my rights"?

#2 no need to get testy we know you rent a cops are a little touchy at not being real "law enforcement" no matter how much you want to be.

#3 rather than just state i am wrong, explain exactly in what i am wrong

#4 all i stated in my posts were facts. you dont like it, well, too bad. doesn't change the truth.

#5 why do you have such a problem with people educating themselves or others about the law and their rights? LOL be careful, impersonating a police officer is illegal

just to be clear... "guards" are not police officers

Well, lets start off with the fact that no, I'm not a police officer, nor am I a security guard. I am in fact an analyst for a police department. Now, lets look at your little points there. First, an officer has no right to stick his hand in your car. That he would need a warrant. Now, if he saw a bag of pot then that is plain view, and he would have every right to, but if he did as you say, he was outside of what he is legally allowed to do, and you should have told him to remove his hand from your car.

I have no problem with people educating themselves about the law, and more importantly, their rights. It would actually make my life so much easier if they did, with fewer appeals and such. What you stated in your posts, may or may not be facts in your specific situation. What I take issue with is that you somehow try to pass off your poor experiences with the police as some sort of fact across the board. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with police, but that doesn't mean that it is indicative of all police. This is the part of your diatribe that I accuse you of making things up. Really, cops are only friends with cops? Well, I know that to be false. The rest of it is equally laughable. You really should stop trying to pretend that you know anything about police officers. It is good that you know your rights, you should exercise them next time an officer puts his hand in your car without a warrant, probable cause, or your permission.

ever wonder why most cops usually only have other cops as close friends? there's a reason for that. because only another cop can know what it's like to start out decent (in most cases) and have to do dirty things to do their job. it's just the nature of the job. most are young when they go in and they have this "i'm gonna fix/protect/save the world..." but laws tie their hands in the things they can do LEGALLY, the 'bad guys' usually have more money, better weapons, and it gets to a lot of them (more of them than you realize). in their eyes, when they (the cops) break the law it is ok becasue the end justifies the means but that's not right becasue next thing you know, you live in a police state where cops can do stop and frisk FOR NO REASON other than they just chose you on the street (i.e. NY).

there are laws in place to protect us as citizens and i hate when people say oh the law protects the criminals! no, the law protects (or SHOULD protect) ALL of us from a police state. if it protects criminals as well, then so be it. we have protections here (which are quickly diminishing) that many countries dont have.

[slim 1,525]

nab, I can't cut and paste your quote since you answered in my quote so -

Ohio has open carry. You can OC anywhere you want to except inside a vehicle or where firearms are prohibited (Criminal Protection Zones, govt. buildings, etc.). You have to have a CHL to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle and it has to be secured IAW the law. Nobody can carry a loaded (or ammo readily at hand) long gun in their vehicle. (Although they recently amended the law to allow for loaded stripper and enbloc clips so you can roll with a M-1 Garand and ammo in enblocs if you so choose. Makes a real nice trunk gun, don't you think?)

As for the practicality of this..... if you live in Podunk, Ohio, you might be OK. However, if you live in any of the 'burbs or metro areas, you're going to be facing the same BS you face with a traffic stop. You have the right to OC.... but you're probably going to get harassed eventually. Not by average citizens or criminals - they don't mess with people carrying guns - but by Johnny Law because he takes issue with you "equalizing" his force multiplier. Plus, average citizens like to tell police "there's a man with a gun over there." That doesn't work out very well for anyone.

I don't know how you looked up your info, but it was probably misuse of the operating system you looked it up on. Be careful with that too. "Training" only goes so far when audit time comes around. Or worse, your curiosity comes back with an outstanding warrant and then they have to take you into custody!

For both Rob and nab - some of what you guys are saying is true and some of it is false. There are good cops, bad cops. There are good interactions and bad ones. However, a blanket policy of trust or distrust is not the best way to go about interacting with the police. Minimizing contact is essential!

[The_Dude 1,142]

For both Rob and nab - some of what you guys are saying is true and some of it is false. There are good cops, bad cops. There are good interactions and bad ones. However, a blanket policy of trust or distrust is not the best way to go about interacting with the police. Minimizing contact is essential!

The number of bad cops is so miniscule, yet it is what people like nab like to remember. He has absolutely no actual knowledge regarding policy or precoedure, or any data to support his blakent statements about cops, and their psyche. It's just plain made up, and makes the ignorant assumption that I'm a security guard pretending to be a cop. Nice try neophyte.

I do agree that a blanket belief that what the police are doing is what is best for you is quite naive. The police are trying to arrest people who break the law. I really wish I could post the security warnings we get every week. They show some of the devious ways in which people hide weapons, drugs, and stolen goods. I always try to explain a police officer's distrust of you this way; When you get pulled over, you know who you are looking at and dealing with. The cops don't. I've seen videos on numerous occasions where a cop pulls someone over for something trivial like making an illegal turn, only to get shot the second they get to the door to get their license and registration. You can run the plate of the person, but if it is a forgery, or it hasn't been reported stolen, you have limited information many times.

[slim 1,525]

The number of bad cops is so miniscule, yet it is what people like nab like to remember. He has absolutely no actual knowledge regarding policy or precoedure, or any data to support his blakent statements about cops, and their psyche. It's just plain made up, and makes the ignorant assumption that I'm a security guard pretending to be a cop. Nice try neophyte.

If someone has three interactions with the police in their local area and all three are bad... what are they supposed to think?

The "distrust" isn't made up. There are quite a few cops that fit into the psyche of "us against them." Even you post it below. While I won't go far as to say they're out to get everyone, the dynamic between "us and them" is something the "average" citizen just can't understand unless they've been around cops.

I do agree that a blanket belief that what the police are doing is what is best for you is quite naive. The police are trying to arrest people who break the law. I really wish I could post the security warnings we get every week. They show some of the devious ways in which people hide weapons, drugs, and stolen goods. I always try to explain a police officer's distrust of you this way; When you get pulled over, you know who you are looking at and dealing with. The cops don't. I've seen videos on numerous occasions where a cop pulls someone over for something trivial like making an illegal turn, only to get shot the second they get to the door to get their license and registration. You can run the plate of the person, but if it is a forgery, or it hasn't been reported stolen, you have limited information many times.

Tell your guys to start putting their prints on the trunk lids and back windows. Won't stop them from getting shot, but it could help with ID'ing the suspect later.

Once again, you're semi-correct about "you know who you are looking at and dealing with." That's not necessarily true. It could be one of the great cops... or it could be the guy having a bad day. The difference is the cop can take the citizen to jail - on the spot - and the citizen can only make a phone call or file a complaint after the fact. Quite a different position to be in. The folks who realize that have a little different psyche as well!

[The_Dude 1,142]

If someone has three interactions with the police in their local area and all three are bad... what are they supposed to think?

The "distrust" isn't made up. There are quite a few cops that fit into the psyche of "us against them." Even you post it below. While I won't go far as to say they're out to get everyone, the dynamic between "us and them" is something the "average" citizen just can't understand unless they've been around cops.

Tell your guys to start putting their prints on the trunk lids and back windows. Won't stop them from getting shot, but it could help with ID'ing the suspect later.

Once again, you're semi-correct about "you know who you are looking at and dealing with." That's not necessarily true. It could be one of the great cops... or it could be the guy having a bad day. The difference is the cop can take the citizen to jail - on the spot - and the citizen can only make a phone call or file a complaint after the fact. Quite a different position to be in. The folks who realize that have a little different psyche as well!

The bottom line is, if you've broken the law, you run the risk of going to jail. If you haven't, you won't. People seem to only focus on the bad cops, which are a miniscule minority. The job of a police officer is to protect and serve citizens, not criminals. You break the law, I don't care if you think it's right or wrong law, you run the risk of going to jail. Officers do get some leeway when it comes to determining whether a law is broken or not often, but that is only for lesser offenses. Felonies are black and white, no grey area.

If someone has had 3 bad experiences with the police, well, then they are probably doing something wrong. To be perfectly honest, before I started working here, I was usually on the other end of that conversation with law enforcement. In hindsight, I can see why I did get contacted or pulled over, lol, one of which was because I had a 67 camaro SS, with so many illegal aftermarket products that my car just screamed "PULL ME OVER NOW".

[Nagishkaw 510]

[nab 74]

The bottom line is, if you've broken the law, you run the risk of going to jail. If you haven't, you won't. {snipped}

there are no innocents in jail or prison... all cops are good guys who act according to the law... and you should write children's storybooks so more people can grow up with a skewed vision of the world.

pitiful

[The_Dude 1,142]

there are no innocents in jail or prison... all cops are good guys who act according to the law... and you should write children's storybooks so more people can grow up with a skewed vision of the world.

pitiful

Yes, your lack of understanding of law enforcement is pitiful. Never did I say any of that. I said was that those who are bad cops are in the vast minority. You should do some actual reading about law enforcement before you post on the topic next time to avoid looking foolish.

[fozzie 41]

----------

fozzie... being muslim has nothing to do with this. nothing different in what i'm saying than if i were saying many men who work in coal mines are extremely hard workers or that guys who work the oil rigs are usually physically tough guys. it's the nature of the job, just like it is the nature of the job in police work to not have that starry-eyed vision any longer. they see the worst of the worse and know this world is a sh!thole. has nothing to do with religion so dont try to start #######.

I didnt actually say it was 'to do with being muslim'. I just made the point that to not trust a whole group of individuls based on the actions of the minorities actions is something peopla have become very adept at. I used the muslim reference simply because it has got a lot of airplay recently and highlights the dangers of fearing whole groups because you once had a cop violate your civil rights. I am sure you were calm, polite and in no way confrontational in your interactions with the law.

[nab 74]

Yes, your lack of understanding of law enforcement is pitiful. Never did I say any of that. I said was that those who are bad cops are in the vast minority. You should do some actual reading about law enforcement before you post on the topic next time to avoid looking foolish.

so you've been "reading about law enforcement"... okie dokie.

I didnt actually say it was 'to do with being muslim'. I just made the point that to not trust a whole group of individuls based on the actions of the minorities actions is something peopla have become very adept at. I used the muslim reference simply because it has got a lot of airplay recently and highlights the dangers of fearing whole groups because you once had a cop violate your civil rights. I am sure you were calm, polite and in no way confrontational in your interactions with the law.

"used the muslim reference simply because it has got a lot of airplay recently" is typical of the mindset of the sheep. step away from the tv.

you believe that my view of humanity is because a cop 'once violated my civil rights'?

i'll refrain from having a battle of wits with an unarmed person... you're free to go.

Edited September 20, 2010 by nab