The official "Ask a cop/deputy anything!" thread

[Sedan_Clan]

My attitude in my interactions here mirrors closely how I deal with people in the wild.


Two weeks ago I detained a guy for running a stop sign in a residential neighborhood. As I contacted him and gathered his documents, I advised him why I pulled him over; this was about 10 minutes after I cited the woman who ran a stop sign with her child in the car and then proceeded to lie to me. Anyway, as I'm walking back to the patrol car to run him, I observed a young woman walk up to his truck and enter the vehicle. I allowed that to occur based on the environment, my assessment of him, his attitude, my reasoning for detaining him, etc. I had already decided he was getting a ticket the moment he committed the violation because stop signs/traffic enforcement were my focus(es) that day between the crime calls. When I approached his truck to administer his fate, I introduced myself to the woman who was now in the passenger seat. I learned it was their first date, so I immediately felt empathetic towards him. He asked me, "Will this affect my hiring process with department XYZ and your department? I have my physical agility approaching." I ran him through a series of questions to see if he was trying to bullshit me, but he seemed credible. Empathy won! I took the ticket back and told him to slow it down and obey the laws (...at least majority of them) if he's serious about this career. Deputy - 0 (...if I don't include the liar), empathy - 1!!!

That was my good deed for that day. The next traffic stop I performed resulted in an arrest. Deputy - 1, empathy - none!!!!

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

When I say a full spectrum, I really mean it. Once I was pulled over at 2-3am on my 19th birthday in my e30, top up, with 20% tints all around. I'm quite confident he couldn't see anything into my car as I opened the door instead of window (late, tired, wasn't thinking, seemed quicker). He didn't react negatively/defensively at all and was generally friendly throughout the stop and didn't comment on my tints.

Still don't really appreciate him since he pulled me over for no good reason to ask where I was going/what I was doing (I had stopped 6" over the line at a red light because they had changed the algorithm that night; previously if you'd hit it at a 2nd gear roll it would turn green by the time you got to the line. He had been following me looking for any reason to stop me) and told me I was free to go the second he saw my license/address. Never brought up why he pulled me over til I asked while he was walking back to his car.

When you say "he pulled you over for no good reason", can I ask how you know? Many times there are a number of reasons for a traffic stop.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Murf993

When you say "he pulled you over for no good reason", can I ask how you know? Many times there are a number of reasons for a traffic stop.

Yes, I gave an explanation in parentheses but the reason I know it was 'no good reason' is because he came up to my car asking where I was going, what I was doing, and why I'm in the neighborhood. No mention of any alleged violation in the whole time of the stop.

When I asked why he pulled me over he stated a couple things including a 'modified exhaust' which is not, in and of itself, illegal.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

Yes, I gave an explanation in parentheses but the reason I know it was 'no good reason' is because he came up to my car asking where I was going, what I was doing, and why I'm in the neighborhood. No mention of any alleged violation in the whole time of the stop.

When I asked why he pulled me over he stated a couple things including a 'modified exhaust' which is not, in and of itself, illegal.

Actually, 27150 CVC renders loud, unusual and unreasonable exhaust noise and/or modified exhausts a valid reason for a detention. I'm sure he had a few reasons. We always do!

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Actually, 27150 CVC renders loud and unreasonable exhaust noise a valid reason for a detention. I'm sure he had a few reasons. We always do!

That's the thing--it wasn't loud or unreasonable. Many officers have agreed and if you heard it in person you would too.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

That's the thing--it wasn't loud or unreasonable. Many officers have agreed and if you heard it in person you would too.

I wasn't there, so I am not rendering an opinion on that. My response was regarding your statement about legality.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I wasn't there, so I am not rendering an opinion on that. My response was to you statement about illegality.

So if I change the exhaust tip on a stock system is that a valid reason for detention?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

So if I change the exhaust tip on a stock system is that a valid reason for detention?

Based on aesthetics alone, no. That doesn't meant a stock exhaust can't justify a citation though.

[Vivek.]

I've gotten a whole lot of "what're you doing in this neighborhood" stops and while there was a valid reason for the stop (front license plate, mostly) it wasn't at the core why they pulled me over. You know? Out of 10 cars driving past with no front plate they chose to stop the kid in the slammed e30...that's not some pure coincidence.

[Vivek.]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Based on aesthetics alone, no. That doesn't meant a stock exhaust can't justify a citation though.

Could you elaborate? If some stock cars are too loud for CA laws, yet are allowed to be sold new in CA, what is an owner expected to do if they receive a citation?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

I've gotten a whole lot of "what're you doing in this neighborhood" stops and while there was a valid reason for the stop (front license plate, mostly) it wasn't at the core why they pulled me over. You know? Out of 10 cars driving past with no front plate they chose to stop the kid in the slammed e30...that's not some pure coincidence.

Agreed! Your car stands out, for better or for worse, especially to a car guy in uniform. I would notice you too.......partially because I'm a car guy/BMW driver, but even more so because one of my best friends died while driving his E30 (...R.I.P. Andy; head on collision with an ER nurse who fell asleep). He might've lived had he been in his E46 M3. You never know why some things will stand out to people.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

Could you elaborate? If some stock cars are too loud for CA laws, yet are allowed to be sold new in CA, what is an owner expected to do if they receive a citation?

If it's sold here, it should meet the criteria for the state. Usually it's modified cars or cars whose OEM units have been rendered defective for some reason (...e.g. cats, hole in the muffler, cracked pipe, etc.).

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Vivek.

Could you elaborate? If some stock cars are too loud for CA laws, yet are allowed to be sold new in CA, what is an owner expected to do if they receive a citation?

I would move from California to South Dakota. They allow loud exhausts there.

[premier3is]

Originally Posted by Fly320s

Be more friendly and less business like.

All cops seem to walk around with a look on their face and an attitude that says, "don't fuck with me." Maybe that is an acquired trait from being a cop for a few years or maybe it is how you want to be perceived. It doesn't really matter why, but that attitude is obvious when you're speaking/interacting with the public.

Just yesterday when I was getting tacos (without you because you suck ) there was a cop standing outside the restaurant waiting for his food. I said hi to him, but his reply and attitude was all business and gruff. Maybe he was having a bad day; I don't know. I do know that I pay attention to people and can size them up well enough to guess whether they are friend or foe. Generally speaking, cops give off the "foe" vibe.

Marine General James Mattis said it best:

"Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet." I think the police need a touch more of the "be polite" part.

This sums it up perfectly! Exactly what I was going to say.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Agreed! Your car stands out, for better or for worse, especially to a car guy in uniform. I would notice you too.......partially because I'm a car guy/BMW driver, but even more so because one of my best friends died while driving his E30 (...R.I.P. Andy; head on collision with an ER nurse who fell asleep). He might've lived had he been in his E46 M3. You never know why some things will stand out to people.

So in Canada, the police can stop any vehicle to check that the driver is licensed, has proper registration and insurance. We also have this thing called "the judges rules" which stem from common law. Essentially the police can ask you just about anything, you don't necessarily have to answer but posing the question "what are you doing here" etc. isn't illegal or wrong.

Cars that are modified often get extra attention, I stopped cars often just to have a closer look, sometime chat with a fellow car guy about his car, other cops aren't car guys and might have a particular interest in modified cars because they have a bias (rightly or not) about modified cars and the folks that drive them. None of this is wrong or illegal, so the notion that a driver is stopped for no good reason may be more perception than reality.

[Lady Jane]

When I attend formal events with Police Officers, I am always regaled by some of the stories.

An Officer was dispatched to the Toronto Airport regarding a suspicious bag. The owner was identified and was asked why her bag was vibrating. She said it contained a small personal vibrator. Upon opening said bag, they discovered a black, foot long two headed dildo.

She was asked to remove the batteries and to have a nice vacation.

What are some of the funny ones you have?

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

She was asked to remove the batteries and to have a nice vacation.[/I]

Enjoy her vacation? Depends, did they let her keep the batteries??

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

When I attend formal events with Police Officers, I am always regaled by some of the stories.

An Officer was dispatched to the Toronto Airport regarding a suspicious bag. The owner was identified and was asked why her bag was vibrating. She said it contained a small personal vibrator. Upon opening said bag, they discovered a black, foot long two headed dildo.

She was asked to remove the batteries and to have a nice vacation.

What are some of the funny ones you have?

That brings back dildo memories.

While on patrol I observed a vehicle make an unsafe lane change, causing another vehicle to promptly brake to avoid a collision, so I conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. While waiting for the driver to submit within a reasonable time/distance, I could see a lot of movement inside of the vehicle. My initial thought was, "I'm about to be in pursuit or I'm about to get a gun.......or both!" Once the vehicle stopped, I approached the vehicle and contacted the driver. During the course of my investigation, I determined the driver was unlicensed, intoxicated, had open containers of alcoholic beverages inside of the vehicle and had possession of a baton (...a felony stat under the circumstances). During an inventory of the vehicle, I found a dildo.......a recently removed/used dildo.......with remnants of the usage still present and fresh. My suspicion is he pulled it out prior to submitting to my authority and pulling over. Suffice it to say that I did not book that as evidence to his impaired/distracted driving.

[IllSic_Design]

I thought there was a typo when you first said he, then you said it again.... Wtf lmao

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

That brings back dildo memories.

While on patrol I observed a vehicle make an unsafe lane change, causing another vehicle to promptly brake to avoid a collision, so I conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. While waiting for the driver to submit within a reasonable time/distance, I could see a lot of movement inside of the vehicle. My initial thought was, "I'm about to be in pursuit or I'm about to get a gun.......or both!" Once the vehicle stopped, I approached the vehicle and contacted the driver. During the course of my investigation, I determined the driver was unlicensed, intoxicated, had open containers of alcoholic beverages inside of the vehicle and had possession of a baton (...a felony stat under the circumstances). During an inventory of the vehicle, I found a dildo.......a recently removed/used dildo.......with remnants of the usage still present and fresh. My suspicion is he pulled it out prior to submitting to my authority and pulling over. Suffice it to say that I did not book that as evidence to his impaired/distracted driving.

I was eating you jerk. Thanks a lot. Not going to read these forums when I'm eating again.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

I thought there was a typo when you first said he, then you said it again.... Wtf lmao

Originally Posted by Joekerr

I was eating you jerk. Thanks a lot. Not going to read these forums when I'm eating again.

He seemed unfazed by my discovery. Lol! No shame. Nothing! I swear the pointy end of that collapsible baton looked......used too.

[kscarrol]

Umm, it is dinner time so TMI