yeah in the past I had some particularily negative dealings with the police. Nothing like having some rookie with a cocked .38 in your face who has the shakes and is being talked down by his partner and told to relax. I find with traffic stops now unless they are very friendly I dont even say anything at all, just let them talk then take the ticket and drive away.
Escalating a situation too fast?
- Thread starter BerettaCougar
- Start date
(deleted my previous post, wasn't productive to the discussion)
Well, the way I look at it, I want the officer/trooper/deputy to be at ease. It's better for my health that way.
Blackmind, next time roll down your window as you are coming in for the stop. My right hand is on the lower part of the wheel anyway and on the impala can't be seen by the LEO. On the firebird, he/she may see me take my hand off the wheel and roll down the window but when he/she comes to the car, both my hands (actually, wrists) are crossed on top of the steering wheel. If at night, overhead is turned on so he/she can see into the car with ease.
I don't start moving around until the LEO asks for my stuff.
One thing that I don't want is a jumpy rookie just looking to make a name for themselves as a "tough cop".
As for a felony stop (due to misinformation, tag/car is close to the BG's, etc..), just do what they say because you have to remember, they have guns out and pointed at you and "resisting arrest" is very vague it seems.
Live to complain (depending on how they did it, with eccesive force, hitting/kicking, etc..) or live to hear the apology and understand that the BG's they are looking for aren't Sunday school teacher types.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is a fine line between crossing said line or being on the right side of the line.
Okay, I've
myself also so I'll shut up now 
.
Wayne
Well, the way I look at it, I want the officer/trooper/deputy to be at ease. It's better for my health that way.
Blackmind, next time roll down your window as you are coming in for the stop. My right hand is on the lower part of the wheel anyway and on the impala can't be seen by the LEO. On the firebird, he/she may see me take my hand off the wheel and roll down the window but when he/she comes to the car, both my hands (actually, wrists) are crossed on top of the steering wheel. If at night, overhead is turned on so he/she can see into the car with ease.
I don't start moving around until the LEO asks for my stuff.
One thing that I don't want is a jumpy rookie just looking to make a name for themselves as a "tough cop".
As for a felony stop (due to misinformation, tag/car is close to the BG's, etc..), just do what they say because you have to remember, they have guns out and pointed at you and "resisting arrest" is very vague it seems.
Live to complain (depending on how they did it, with eccesive force, hitting/kicking, etc..) or live to hear the apology and understand that the BG's they are looking for aren't Sunday school teacher types.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that there is a fine line between crossing said line or being on the right side of the line.
Okay, I've
myself also so I'll shut up now .Wayne
rgoudy1975
Moderator
Yeah, I know. Seems as though he was.
Blackwater OPS
New member
Or maybe he could tell the difference between a toy and a firearm. (sorry, someone had to defend the trooper 
)
)rgoudy1975
Moderator
No, no...I'm all for the trooper. I think the world of LEO's. I'm just glad my friends actions didn't get us shot.
Capt. Charlie
Moderator Emeritus
Blackwater
He said....
. I'm all for good community relations, but not at the expense of my own life, or the life of other officers.
He said....
Not bombing the trooper, and I can only go on what I read here, but a healthy critique helps cops stay healthy. I'm very laid back on traffic stops, but my eye watches every move, especially when someone goes into a glove box or closed container. When I see the butt of a gun (and I have several times), I don't take the time to think about whether or not it's a toy. No time if he means to kill me. I yell "GUN" and the guy is looking down the pipe at the wrong end of a .45 Ranger XTP, until it all gets sorted out. I have yet to shoot someone that's pulled this bonehead stunt, if only because I acted quickly and they obeyed my commands. I am rough in the critique of the actions of my officers because I want them all alive and with their original parts intact at the end of shift. I want them to think! The trooper's actions, while commendable from a "PC" point of view, are likely to get him killed someday
. I'm all for good community relations, but not at the expense of my own life, or the life of other officers.rgoudy1975
Moderator
I agree Charlie, and I am glad you're alert. Please stay sfae.
Yours,
Roy
Yours,
Roy
Here is my complete list of how to keep a cop happy during a traffic stop.
1. Pick a good place to stop and pull as far off the road as you can safely.
2. Turn off your engine and put the keys on the dash.
3. Leave your parking lights on if it's dark outside.
4. Turn on the inside dome light, especially if it's dark outside.
5. Roll down your window unless it's raining.
6. Do NOT remove your seatbelt, open your door, or exit your vehicle unless you are so instructed.
7. Set your wallet on the dash unless it's in a purse and you're going to have to rummage for it.
8. That's it. You don't want to mess around trying to get absolutely everything ready for the cop. He is watching you while he calls in your plates and if he sees you rummaging around he's going to wonder what you're doing and start to get nervous.
9. Don't store your gun in a spot that is likely going to be accessed. If you're going to have to get in your glove box for insurance, that's not a good place to leave your gun.
10. Sit still with your radio off and your hands on the wheel while you wait for the officer to approach.
11. When the officer approaches your vehicle, let him lead, so to speak.
12. When he asks for something that requires you to move or reach, tell him what you're doing before you do it. Officer: "May I see your proof of insurance." You: "It's in the glove box, I'll get it."
Doesn't often get me out of a ticket, but so far I haven't had anyone shoot me or even draw on me.
1. Pick a good place to stop and pull as far off the road as you can safely.
2. Turn off your engine and put the keys on the dash.
3. Leave your parking lights on if it's dark outside.
4. Turn on the inside dome light, especially if it's dark outside.
5. Roll down your window unless it's raining.
6. Do NOT remove your seatbelt, open your door, or exit your vehicle unless you are so instructed.
7. Set your wallet on the dash unless it's in a purse and you're going to have to rummage for it.
8. That's it. You don't want to mess around trying to get absolutely everything ready for the cop. He is watching you while he calls in your plates and if he sees you rummaging around he's going to wonder what you're doing and start to get nervous.
9. Don't store your gun in a spot that is likely going to be accessed. If you're going to have to get in your glove box for insurance, that's not a good place to leave your gun.
10. Sit still with your radio off and your hands on the wheel while you wait for the officer to approach.
11. When the officer approaches your vehicle, let him lead, so to speak.
12. When he asks for something that requires you to move or reach, tell him what you're doing before you do it. Officer: "May I see your proof of insurance." You: "It's in the glove box, I'll get it."
Doesn't often get me out of a ticket, but so far I haven't had anyone shoot me or even draw on me.
Jammer Six
New member
I have a shorter list.
1. Obey the traffic laws.
That's it.
1. Obey the traffic laws.
That's it.
Blackwater OPS
New member
Keep in mind you may be stopped for reasons other than a traffic violation, I.E. your vehicle looks like the BGs that just hit the stop and rob. Also, from practical experience, if I follow I car for a few blocks they will usally commit at least one violation, even if they are trying not to.
Some years ago, I was returning home from the Pentagon (not in uniform) in the very early hours of the morning and had just exited I-395 when a Fairfax County policeman pulled me over, .40 S&W Sig drawn, and told me to keep my hands on the top of the steering wheel. He asked me where I was going (home – about two miles away – from the Pentagon) and then asked for my identification. I asked his permission to get my wallet and handed him my Virginia license and my retired military ID card. By then, he had re-holstered his weapon and he very apologetically explained that a black ’95 Honda Accord (same model as mine) had been reported stolen only minutes before in the local (Springfield/Burke) area. He made a real – and a successful – effort to explain why he had been so careful/aggressive, which I understood and appreciated. I respect the way in which he did his job and I hope my conduct assisted him.
The person pulled over in this case was obeying the traffic laws. Are you saying that you have some method for ensuring that the lights on your vehicle never burn out while you're driving? Or to prevent your vehicle from ever meeting the description of one being sought by the police? If so, perhaps you could share that instead--I, for one, would find that far more useful than your "shorter list".
Jammer Six
New member
My method is really simple.
It's worked for more than thirty years.
I've never been stopped for anything other than traffic mistakes. When I don't make them, I don't get stopped. Works every time.
If you're having equipment problems, consider a new ride.
Just got this the other day, forwarded from a serving officer:
"if you drive a piece of junk car; this is why you're getting pulled over:
In one week I pulled over 10 cars for minor equipment violations.
5 out of 10 had no vehicle insurance,
3 out of 10 had suspended driver's licenses,
2 out of 10 had warrants,
1 out of 10 had felony warrants,
and 1 was a known sex offender with his 12 year old niece in the car
without her mothers knowledge."
Driving an unhappy car is an invitation to police officers.
A new car is cheaper.
It's worked for more than thirty years.
I've never been stopped for anything other than traffic mistakes. When I don't make them, I don't get stopped. Works every time.
If you're having equipment problems, consider a new ride.
Just got this the other day, forwarded from a serving officer:
"if you drive a piece of junk car; this is why you're getting pulled over:
In one week I pulled over 10 cars for minor equipment violations.
5 out of 10 had no vehicle insurance,
3 out of 10 had suspended driver's licenses,
2 out of 10 had warrants,
1 out of 10 had felony warrants,
and 1 was a known sex offender with his 12 year old niece in the car
without her mothers knowledge."
Driving an unhappy car is an invitation to police officers.
A new car is cheaper.
Jammer Six
New member
Accepted.
I'm pleasantly surprised!
I'm pleasantly surprised!
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If you don't want to get pulled over for no apparent reason, drive a dark colored Crown Victoria and keep it polished. Amazing how well it works.
I was driving back to DFW one night from Austin and became too sleepy to continue. Just a bit North of Hillsboro on I-35 I pulled well off the shoulder to take a short nap. - I awaken to a State Trooper pulling up behind me and he comes to my window with 20 questions. Finally he tells me that a woman had been attacked in Hillsboro and the associated vehicle description (which was sketchy) could have matched mine (this was before I got the Crown Vic). He left and I went back to sleep and shortly a Hillsboro cop pulled up behind me and we did the 20 questions again. It worked way better than a nap, I was wide awake the rest of the way home.
I was driving back to DFW one night from Austin and became too sleepy to continue. Just a bit North of Hillsboro on I-35 I pulled well off the shoulder to take a short nap. - I awaken to a State Trooper pulling up behind me and he comes to my window with 20 questions. Finally he tells me that a woman had been attacked in Hillsboro and the associated vehicle description (which was sketchy) could have matched mine (this was before I got the Crown Vic). He left and I went back to sleep and shortly a Hillsboro cop pulled up behind me and we did the 20 questions again. It worked way better than a nap, I was wide awake the rest of the way home.
Wayne,
Let it go. There have been several examples just on this single thread of ways someone can be stopped or approached by LE while in their vehicles without breaking traffic laws. In fact, one LE was even kind enough to provide information on how often (more often than one a day) he pulls over vehicles for "minor equipment violations" that are not breaking any traffic laws at all.
That's more than enough to show that anyone who claims that simply following traffic laws is always sufficient to avoid being stopped by LE is either intentionally ignoring reality or just attempting to demonstrate that they're an "intelligent Equus asinus".
Let it go. There have been several examples just on this single thread of ways someone can be stopped or approached by LE while in their vehicles without breaking traffic laws. In fact, one LE was even kind enough to provide information on how often (more often than one a day) he pulls over vehicles for "minor equipment violations" that are not breaking any traffic laws at all.
That's more than enough to show that anyone who claims that simply following traffic laws is always sufficient to avoid being stopped by LE is either intentionally ignoring reality or just attempting to demonstrate that they're an "intelligent Equus asinus".
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If for whatever reason, a LEO decides that he is going to give you a ticket...you will get a ticket, arguing with the officer will only make things worse. My dad worked LE for over 20 yrs and he told me that sometimes an officer might just be having a bad day, problems at home, problems with a supervisor, some dept's have ticket quotas to write, etc...just be polite, do what you're told, take your ticket. LEO's are people just like the rest of us, and as has been related elsewhere in this thread, if you do the right things when you are pulled over you might just catch a break even if you did roll through that stop sign.
Also, if you are doing what you have been instructed by the officer and are not offering any problems and end up being mis-treated such as being struck by the officer, pepper sprayed or tasered, most cruisers now have dashboard camera's that record every stop audio included.
You can take free advice for what it's worth, which is what you paid for it.
Also, if you are doing what you have been instructed by the officer and are not offering any problems and end up being mis-treated such as being struck by the officer, pepper sprayed or tasered, most cruisers now have dashboard camera's that record every stop audio included.
You can take free advice for what it's worth, which is what you paid for it.