"He goes back to his car and runs my license, .....
He never asked to see my gun or my permit."
That's probably because when he ran your driver's license the info about your carry permit was linked.
In Texas it is.
"He goes back to his car and runs my license, .....
He never asked to see my gun or my permit."
That's probably because when he ran your driver's license the info about your carry permit was linked.
Now, a comment that some might not like, but I get the distinct impression that most of the folks responding are white. If you think there is never a problem in interacting with a LEO, put on some black makeup and try interacting with a white LEO and see what happens. We like to pretend that a LEO will act the same regardless of the age and race of the person being stopped. Maybe some place, on some planet, but not in too many places in the U.S., like it or not. Even black LEO's know, or quickly learn (hopefully not the hard way), that some bad white guys hate cops and especially hate black cops, and vice versa.
shafer is correct.
I will add, when the sheep and the wolf look the same how do the cops know which is which? by their actions, but that is not know until contact is made
That goes both ways. If I don't know the good cops from the bad cops how do I know which is which?
I can't speak on behalf of every LEO, but unless I am looking for somebody, skin color has nothing to do with the way I perceive a subject on a traffic stop.
Add being black to that list and the odds go way up.
What does the age or condition of the vehicle have to do with it (assuming all appropriate points are legal)? This is not a criticism but a question on how that is a factor.
That goes both ways. If I don't know the good cops from the bad cops how do I know which is which?
The public agenda is the feeling of entitlement.
Not where I work. The court of public opinion is currently upholding the presumption that any use of force by a white officer against a black man is motivated by pure racism and hatred. Thus many officers refuse to stop a black man for any civil infraction to avoid the possibility of becoming famous. After all, we work for the government and get paid either hourly or on salary. We get no commission on arrests or tickets. Why would we risk our lives, our freedom, our finances, and our reputation?
You've repeated that sentiment more than once. As a member of the public you serve, I am offended by it. It is that sort of attitude that causes the issues being discussed. It cannot help but come through to the people you serve. I don't care how professional you think you are.
Denying that racism is an issue, whether blue or black is the biggest problem in all of this.
Denying that racism is an issue, whether blue or black is the biggest problem in all of this.
The best way to have a safe and positive encounter with a police officer is to understand the job they are trying to do, and provide them with the same respect and courtesy you would like to receive. Spend a few minutes on the Officer Down Memorial Page, it may open some folk's eyes as to why police do the things they do during contacts.
Isn't there a chance that many of them are just as concerned, or maybe more concerned about all the violence as you and your department? That maybe they are frightened, angry and frustrated too? Yes, many are angry at all cops and white folks in general. In the culture they live in that is the norm. And yes, many blame others for problems of their own making and expect someone else to take care of them.
The people that need the most help are often the most difficult to help. Treating them as the enemy doesn't work. We have to change the system. No one wins the way we are doing things now.
The ethical theory of reciprocity argues that if a police officer can make assumptions about the person he or she is interacting with based on the most egregious actions of the past based on any factor related to that individual that is not obviously criminal (race, income, place, etc) than an individual interacting with a police officer may also make assumptions about that officer based on the most egregious (and overly publicized) actions of other police officers.
As police officers are (under)paid and trained professionals one can easily argue the duty is on that of the officer to act in a manner that overcomes those often false assumptions first in a good faith that such actions, over time, will be reciprocated
Are all of the people living in the areas covered in dots criminals? Isn't there a chance that many of them are just as concerned, or maybe more concerned about all the violence as you and your department?